In this deeply vulnerable episode of Transform Your Life, Teresa and Tonya peel back the layers of weight loss, self-worth, and emotional healing—and reveal the truth many avoid: your mindset is everything.

They dive into how negative self-talk, trauma, and toxic environments shaped their early thoughts and behaviors—and how those unchecked thoughts led to decades of emotional eating, binge cycles, and self-sabotage. Teresa opens up about her “aha moment” with a doctor who finally treated her trauma instead of her weight. Tonya shares how small daily mindset shifts helped her escape years of self-blame and negativity.

This isn’t about diets, workouts, or willpower. It’s about reprogramming the beliefs that shape your entire life—and realizing that your weight was never the real issue.

🧠 Key Topics Covered:

• Why your mindset—not your weight—is the root of transformation
• How trauma and toxic family patterns shape self-worth
• The “hula hoop” method for setting boundaries and protecting your peace
• Breaking the cycle of binge eating and self-sabotage
• How to start replacing negative thoughts—before trying to erase them
• Why it’s okay to outgrow people and protect your inner peace
• The power of gratitude, positivity, and choosing your energy daily

✨ Products & Obsessions Mentioned:

• Devotion Nutrition Protein Powders
• NYX Fat Oil Lip Gloss
• Teresa’s “Hula Hoop” boundary-setting technique
• Tonya’s 20-lb weighted vest mindset challenge
• American Dream Nut Butter – Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save

📲 Follow & Connect:

Follow Transform Your Life Podcast on Instagram: @transformyourlifepodcast
Follow Tonya: @takingmylifebackat42
Follow Teresa: @transformingteresamarie | TikTok: @transformingteresamarie

In this powerful episode of Transform Your Life, Teresa and Tonya open up about the mental and emotional side of weight loss—a side too often overlooked. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, they reflect on the mindset shifts that changed their lives and reveal how unaddressed emotional wounds, food addiction, and binge eating sabotaged their health for decades.

With unfiltered honesty, they explore how trauma, denial, and toxic environments led them to use food as comfort and escape. They share how therapy, self-reflection, and cognitive behavioral tools helped them break negative thought patterns, stop blaming the world, and start showing up for themselves. Whether you’re on GLP-1s, post-bariatric surgery, or just starting your journey, this conversation is packed with insights that prove transformation starts in the mind—not the kitchen.

Key Topics Covered:

• How trauma and toxic thinking patterns drive emotional eating
• The shocking connection between obesity, anxiety, and depression
• Why mental health work is the foundation for sustainable weight loss
• How to recognize binge triggers and use redirection techniques
• What “slider foods” are and why they can sabotage bariatric success
• Why comparison kills progress—and how to protect your mindset
• How cognitive behavioral therapy tools help change food habits for good

Products & Obsessions Mentioned:

• Devotion Nutrition Protein Powders & Skinny Syrups
• American Dream Nut Butter – Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save
• Dr. Smith’s Protein Water, Nüri Shakes, Zero Sugar Sunkist
• Ulta Duo Lip Liner in “Showdown,” Laura Geller, and Polite Society makeup

💖 Listener Discounts:

• Devotion Protein Powder – Use code TONYA or Teresa to save on your order
• American Dream Nut Butter – Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save

📲 Follow & Connect:

Follow Transform Your Life Podcast on Instagram: @transformyourlifepodcast
Follow Tonya: @takingmylifebackat42
Follow Teresa: @transformingteresamarie | TikTok: @transformingteresamarie

In this lively and inspiring episode of Transform Your Life, Teresa and Tonya take the podcast to the kitchen for the very first time! From sweet cravings to savory creations, they share their favorite high-protein chaffle recipes using Devotion Nutrition protein powder—perfect for anyone on a weight loss journey looking to enjoy food without guilt.

But it’s not just about food. The duo dives into real talk about weight loss surgery, skin removal, GLP-1 medications, and why everyone’s transformation path is valid. They share raw personal stories, tackle common misconceptions, and celebrate the mindset shifts that have allowed them to break free from “food noise” and emotional eating. Plus, they reveal their latest obsessions—from protein-packed drinks to makeup must-haves.

Whether you're navigating your own health journey or just want an easy, delicious recipe to fuel your day, this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and empowerment.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why GLP-1s like Ozempic are tools—not shortcuts—for long-term wellness
• Making high-protein chaffles (sweet & savory) with Devotion Nutrition
• Emotional eating, body image, and building food freedom
• Realities of weight loss surgery, transformation, and social media judgment
• Favorite high-protein snacks, flavored waters, and beauty products
• Why mindset matters more than the number on the scale

Products Mentioned:

• Devotion Nutrition Protein Powders & Skinny Syrups
• American Dream Nut Butter – Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save
• Dr. Smith’s Protein Water, Nüri Shakes, Zero Sugar Sunkist
• Ulta Duo Lip Liner in “Showdown,” Laura Geller, and Polite Society makeup

💖 Listener Discounts:

• Devotion Protein Powder – Use code TONYA or Teresa to save on your order
• American Dream Nut Butter – Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save

📲 Follow & Connect:

Follow Transform Your Life Podcast on Instagram: @transformyourlifepodcast
Follow Tonya: @takingmylifebackat42
Follow Teresa: @transformingteresamarie | TikTok: @transformingteresamarie

In this heartfelt episode of Transform Your Life, Teresa and Tonya sit down with Mannie Stewart—a powerhouse in the weight loss community whose incredible journey from 406 pounds to marathon runner is both raw and deeply inspiring. Mannie shares how childhood trauma shaped her relationship with food, how she found the courage to pursue bariatric surgery, and why her transformation has been far from linear.

With honesty and vulnerability, Mannie opens up about emotional eating, dealing with post-op complications, and navigating life as a mother, wife, and runner. She explains how movement became her therapy and running became her revolution—showing that healing isn’t just physical, but mental and emotional, too.

Mannie’s story is a powerful reminder that transformation isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence. Whether you’re facing your first walk around the block or recovering from surgery, this episode will move you to take the next brave step.

Key Topics Covered:

• How childhood trauma can influence weight and self-worth
• The realities of weight loss surgery and the journey beyond the "honeymoon phase"
• What it’s like to run 50 miles a week—and how it became her mental health anchor
• Navigating complications and setbacks with plastic surgery
• Embracing vulnerability and finding purpose through community
• The difference between existing and truly living

Devotion Protein Powder - Use TONYA or Teresa to save on your order

American Dream Nut Butter - Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save on your order.

Follow Transform Your Life Podcast on Instagram @transformyourlifepodcast

Follow Tonya on Instagram @takingmylifebackat42

Follow Teresa on Instagram @transformingteresamarie and Tiktok @transformingteresamarie

Follow Mannie on Instagram @making_mannie and Tiktok @making_mannie

💖 Listener Discounts:

• Devotion Protein Powder – Use code TONYA or Teresa to save on your order
• American Dream Nut Butter – Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save

📲 Follow & Connect:

Follow Transform Your Life Podcast on Instagram: @transformyourlifepodcast
Follow Tonya: @takingmylifebackat42
Follow Teresa: @transformingteresamarie | TikTok: @transformingteresamarie

In this episode of Transform Your Life, Teresa and Tonya reflect on how their lives have changed—mentally, emotionally, and physically—through their weight loss journey. They share how growing up in toxic households shaped their early mindset, leading to self-neglect, negative thinking, and the habit of blaming others. At the time, they were simply going through the motions of life, without truly living.

They open up about the power of mindset and how thoughts fuel feelings and actions. They describe their pre-surgery routines—ignoring hunger cues, overeating in secret, avoiding movement, and placing themselves last. Now, their lives are centered around intentional self-care, walking, connecting with loved ones, and finding daily joy. They explain how even small changes in movement and thinking helped them regain control of their health and happiness. Most importantly, they recognized that they had to change—not their circumstances or the people around them.

Key Topics Covered:

• Breaking cycles of negativity and reclaiming your mindset
• What self-care looked like before vs. after weight loss
• Learning to recognize hunger cues and eat in moderation
• How movement evolved from pain to empowerment
• Letting go of blame and owning your transformation
• Why intentional living matters more than perfection

Tune in to hear how Teresa and Tonya redefined their lives—and how you can too—one thought, one step, and one choice at a time.

Devotion Protein Powder - Use TONYA or Teresa to save on your order

American Dream Nut Butter - Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save on your order.

Follow Transform Your Life Podcast on Instagram @transformyourlifepodcast

Follow Tonya on Instagram @takingmylifebackat42

Follow Teresa on Instagram @transformingteresamarie and Tiktok @transformingteresamarie

Follow Mannie on Instagram @making_mannie and Tiktok @making_mannie

💖 Listener Discounts:

• Devotion Protein Powder – Use code TONYA or Teresa to save on your order
• American Dream Nut Butter – Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save

📲 Follow & Connect:

Follow Transform Your Life Podcast on Instagram: @transformyourlifepodcast
Follow Tonya: @takingmylifebackat42
Follow Teresa: @transformingteresamarie | TikTok: @transformingteresamarie

In this episode of Transform Your Life, Teresa and Tonya share what listeners can expect from the podcast—and how they’re creating the supportive space they wish they had at the start of their own weight loss journeys. They open up about shifting mindsets around transformation, including their evolving views on plastic surgery and self-image.They dive into how weight loss comes in seasons, how their diets and goals have changed, and why it’s okay to grow into or out of different approaches.

Teresa and Tonya also discuss how vulnerable the weight loss community can be to trends, companies, and social pressure, and why it’s essential to protect your journey. They share encouragement for anyone struggling with setbacks, reminding listeners that gaining weight doesn’t mean starting over—you never go back to zero, and sometimes you may not be your smallest, but you’ll feel your best. Looking ahead, they share their hopes to bring the community together through future events and gatherings.

Key Topics Covered:

• Creating a weight loss community that supports real change
• Evolving views on plastic surgery and transformation
• How diet trends and mindset shifts shape your journey
• Avoiding exploitation in the weight loss space
• Why weight gain isn’t a reset—and how progress looks different for everyone
• The power of not giving up and honoring your growth

Tune in to hear Teresa and Tonya’s honest take on transformation, growth, and building a judgment-free space for long-term success.

Devotion Protein Powder - Use TONYA or Teresa to save on your order

American Dream Nut Butter - Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save on your order.

💖 Listener Discounts:

• Devotion Protein Powder – Use code TONYA or Teresa to save on your order
• American Dream Nut Butter – Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save

📲 Follow & Connect:

Follow Transform Your Life Podcast on Instagram: @transformyourlifepodcast
Follow Tonya: @takingmylifebackat42
Follow Teresa: @transformingteresamarie | TikTok: @transformingteresamarie

In this episode of Transform Your Life, Teresa and Tonya are joined by Sheri Arcuria to discuss her lifelong weight loss journey. Sheri opens up about struggling with her weight since childhood, being diagnosed with health issues, and making the life-changing decision to undergo bariatric surgery. Feeling isolated before surgery, she started a blog to connect with others and later turned her experiences into a book, Unzipped.

Sheri shares the mindset behind her brand MOBA, which encourages people to overcome setbacks and take control of their lives. They emphasize the importance of positive thinking, staying present, and rejecting the all-or-nothing mentality often seen in weight loss culture. Sheri also discusses her upcoming book, Blindsided.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why she chose bariatric surgery and how it changed her life
• Starting a blog and writing Unzipped to help others
• The mindset behind MOBA and building mental resilience
• How to stay motivated through small wins and community support
• Letting go of the all-or-nothing approach in weight loss

Tune in to hear Sheri’s powerful story of resilience, transformation, and turning personal challenges into a movement of support and empowerment.

Follow Sheri Arcuria:
Instagram @sheri.moba and @unzipped_thebook
Facebook: UnzippedTheBook
MOBA: https://www.mobamentality.com/
Podcast: Unzipped with Sheri
Book: Unzipped

Devotion Protein Powder - Use TONYA or Teresa to save on your order
American Dream Nut Butter - Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save on your order.

💖 Listener Discounts:

• Devotion Protein Powder – Use code TONYA or Teresa to save on your order
• American Dream Nut Butter – Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save

📲 Follow & Connect:

Follow Transform Your Life Podcast on Instagram: @transformyourlifepodcast
Follow Tonya: @takingmylifebackat42
Follow Teresa: @transformingteresamarie | TikTok: @transformingteresamarie

In this episode of Transform Your Life, Teresa and Tonya talk with Stephanie from Bariatric Warrior. They start out with trending topics in the weight loss world, including changes with the Mel and Kel podcast, Jenna Bariatric Bestie, Meeting Mannie, and their departure from Pop Recovery Systems. Stephanie shares where she started, where she is now, and how she became the Bariatric Warrior. She opens up about living with gastroparesis, gaining weight from steroids, undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, and experiencing complications that led to a revision—along with the serious health challenges that followed.

She explains how feeling alone and struggling to find information online inspired her to speak openly on social media about the good, the bad, and the ugly of bariatric surgery. They discuss the power of sharing personal stories to help others feel less isolated. Stephanie also highlights how not everyone has the same experience and why it’s important to offer balanced perspectives. She talks about co-hosting the Bariatric Warrior Podcast and joins in on rapid-fire questions covering topics like odd weight loss surgery comments, favorite foods, and current obsessions from clothes to carbs.

Key Topics Covered:

• Stephanie’s journey through gastroparesis, weight gain, and bariatric surgery
• The health complications that led to a revision
• How loneliness sparked her online advocacy
• Why sharing personal stories helps others feel seen
• Co-hosting the Bariatric Warrior Podcast
• Rapid-fire insights on food, fashion, and post-op life

Tune in to hear Stephanie’s inspiring story of resilience, transformation, and using her voice to support others on their weight loss journey.

Follow Stephanie:
Podcast: Bariatric Warrior Podcast
Instagram: @bariatricwarrior
TikTok: @bariatricwarrior

Devotion Protein Powder - Use TONYA or Teresa to save on your order

American Dream Nut Butter - Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save on your order

💖 Listener Discounts:

• Devotion Protein Powder – Use code TONYA or Teresa to save on your order
• American Dream Nut Butter – Use code TONYA10 or TransformingTeresaMarie to save

📲 Follow & Connect:

Follow Transform Your Life Podcast on Instagram: @transformyourlifepodcast
Follow Tonya: @takingmylifebackat42
Follow Teresa: @transformingteresamarie | TikTok: @transformingteresamarie