Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life

We all eat food, but what does food actually mean to us?
We often talk about food as though its only purpose is nutrition: calories, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. But food is so much more than that.
Food can be fuel, pleasure, comfort, connection, culture, celebration, memory, love, routine, reward, control, rebellion, escape, self-care—and sometimes even a source of anxiety and fear.
In this episode, we take a step back and ask a deceptively simple question:
What is food?
We explore the many different roles food can play in our lives and why understanding those roles can help us develop a more flexible and compassionate relationship with eating.
We'll also explore an important question:
What happens when we believe food is only supposed to serve one purpose?
Because food can be nutritious and delicious.
It can be fuel and pleasure.
It can nourish the body and connect us to other people.
And sometimes, we can eat something simply because we really, really enjoy it.
Perhaps a healthy relationship with food isn't about finding the one "correct" way to think about eating.
Perhaps it's about being able to recognise the many roles food can play—and having enough flexibility to navigate them without food taking over your life.
The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.
Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about
Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour
www.acfeb.com
Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course
Join me here
Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?
Then click here Buy from Amazon
 

In this episode, Kyla Holley returns after a break to explore the powerful stories we tell ourselves—about our bodies, intelligence, relationships and worth—and how those narratives shape behaviour and identity.
She gives practical steps to change these stories: write and name them, externalize thoughts, spot confirmation bias, and reframe negatives into more balanced, believable beliefs to support lasting change on a weight-loss or recovery journey.
The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.
Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about
Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour
www.acfeb.com
Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course
Join me here
Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?
Then click here Buy from Amazon
 

One of the biggest emotional decisions before bariatric surgery has nothing to do with food, vitamins, or recovery…
It’s deciding who — if anyone — you want to tell.
In this episode, we explore the very real pros and cons of sharing your bariatric surgery journey with friends, family, coworkers, and social circles. From fear of judgment to the desire for support, this conversation dives into the emotional complexity behind disclosure, privacy, boundaries, and vulnerability.
Whether you’re completely open about your surgery or planning to keep it private, this episode will help you make a decision that feels aligned with your wellbeing — not other people’s expectations.
The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.
Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about
Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour
www.acfeb.com
Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course
Join me here
Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?
Then click here Buy from Amazon
 

Kyla Holley explains why decades of dieting rules often hold people back after bariatric surgery or while on GLP-1s, and why letting go of rigid rules is essential to long-term success.
We explore why the dieting mindset was never designed for long-term success, and why carrying it into life after weight loss surgery can keep you feeling trapped, frustrated, and disconnected from your body.
You’ll learn why diet rules fail, how they impact your relationship with food after bariatric surgery, and what a more sustainable, empowering approach actually looks like.
This is your invitation to shift from restriction to self-trust—and finally create food freedom that lasts.
The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.
Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about
Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour
www.acfeb.com
Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course
Join me here
Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?
Then click here Buy from Amazon
 

If you’ve had bariatric surgery or started a GLP-1 medication, you already know… the physical changes are only part of the journey.
In this episode, we dive into the mental and emotional shifts you must make to truly transform your relationship with food—so you can create lasting results without falling back into old patterns.
You’ll learn how to:
Break free from emotional eating habits
Rewire your thoughts around food and control
Understand the difference between physical fullness and true satisfaction
Let go of all-or-nothing thinking
Step into a new identity that supports long-term success
This isn’t about restriction—it’s about food freedom, self-trust, and lasting transformation.
🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to change the way you think about food… forever.
The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.
Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about
Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour
www.acfeb.com
Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course
Join me here
Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?
Then click here Buy from Amazon

In this episode of Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life we explore “food noise” — the looping, urgent thoughts about eating that many people experience. Kyla Holley explains how food noise is a learned brain response, not a character flaw, and contrasts it with a relaxed relationship to food.
She breaks down why evenings are often the hardest time for food thoughts and introduces a practical approach to enjoy silence instead of chatter.
Four simple steps help you observe cravings without treating them as commands and gradually reprogram the brain.
The episode offers realistic encouragement: unlearning food noise takes time but is possible, and changing your relationship with food can free mental space and reduce guilt. 
The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.
Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about
Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour
www.acfeb.com
Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course
Join me here
Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?
Then click here Buy from Amazon

In this episode of Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life we explore the impact of before-and-after photos on people on bariatric or GLP-1 weight-loss journeys, and how social media comparisons can mislead and harm.
Kyla Holley explains why two snapshots don’t tell the full story, offers practical tips—take private before photos, avoid unhealthy comparison, curate your feed—and encourages focusing on personal progress and lasting change rather than surface images.
The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.
Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about
Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour
www.acfeb.com
Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course
Join me here
Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?
Then click here Buy from Amazon

In this episode of Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life, Kyla Holley offers practical tips for socialising, dining out and going on holiday after bariatric surgery or while using GLP‑1 medications.
Advice includes reviewing menus ahead, prioritising protein, sharing or taking leftovers, choosing accommodating venues (tapas, sushi), setting boundaries, and being cautious with alcohol and body changes.
Listeners will learn mindset strategies and actionable planning to enjoy parties, work dinners and travel confidently while maintaining long‑term success.
If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone.
The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.
Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about
Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour
www.acfeb.com
Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course
Join me here
Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?
Then click here Buy from Amazon

Join our host Kyla Holley and guest Dr. Evan Nadler
Childhood obesity is one of the most complex and misunderstood health issues of our time—and the conversation often misses the bigger picture.
In this episode of Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life, I sit down with a bariatric surgeon to explore what really happens when obesity begins in childhood. We move beyond the usual narratives of “eat less and move more” to talk about genetic, environment, stigma, and the long-term impact of growing up in a larger body.
Is there an ethical question that needs to be addressed?
Listen to find out more ...
Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour
www.acfeb.com
Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course
Join me here
Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?
Then click here Buy from Amazon
 
Evan P Nadler MD, MBA
Obesity Explained | Evan P Nadler MD, MBA
www.youtube.com/@obesityexplained
Evan Nadler MD, MBA | LinkedIn

Losing a significant amount of weight can change your body dramatically — but what many people don’t expect is how deeply it can affect their sense of identity.
In this episode of Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life, we explore the emotional and psychological experience of becoming someone physically different, while internally still feeling like the same person.
For many people who undergo bariatric surgery or take GLP-1 medications, weight loss can bring freedom, health improvements, and new opportunities. But it can also raise unexpected questions like:
Who am I now?Why does the world treat me differently?Why hasn’t my confidence caught up with my body?
Host Kyla Holley dives into the identity shifts that often accompany major weight loss — from outgrowing old roles and labels to navigating new ways of being in relationships, social situations, and even your own mind.
This is the side of weight loss that isn’t talked about enough: the journey of rebuilding your identity in a new body.
Reflection Questions for Listeners
As you listen, you might like to reflect on:
• How much of my identity has been shaped by my weight?• What roles have I carried because of my body size?• Who am I becoming now?• If weight was no longer part of my story, how would I describe myself?
Remember
Your identity is not defined by your weight — before or after weight loss.True transformation is not just physical. It’s about building a life and identity that feels authentic, empowered, and sustainable.
Join the Community
If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone.
The Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life Community is a supportive space for people navigating life after bariatric surgery or while taking GLP-1 medications. Inside, we explore the emotional, behavioural, and psychological side of weight loss — the parts that matter long after the scale changes.
Join the community here: https://www.skool.com/bariatric-success/about
Follow the Podcast
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Smaller Stomach, Bigger Life and share it with someone who might need to hear it.
Because weight loss may change your body — but the real journey is learning how to live fully in your life.
Kyla Holley is a Therapist and the Director of The Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour
www.acfeb.com
Join our comprehensive 6 week Change your Relationship with Food online course
Join me here
Need the Change your Relationship with Food Journal and Workbook by Kyla Holley?
Then click here Buy from Amazon