Love Yourself Thin Podcast

In this episode, Dara redefines what cravings actually mean — and shows you how they're not a signal to eat, but a signal to connect. With yourself. With your emotions. With what you actually need. Through heartfelt coaching stories (including a member navigating the death of her spouse with grounded self-leadership), Dara helps you unpack the difference between desire and distraction. You'll lear...

In this episode, Dara shares her personal journey through emotional eating, perfectionism, and body image, uncovering the real reason diets don't work: they bypass the emotional and identity-based roots of our patterns. Drawing inspiration from "Personality Isn't Permanent" by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and timeless movie quests like "The Hobbit" and "Harry Potter," Dara reveals how true change comes from...

Tired of the pressure to "fix" your body before you can enjoy summer? You're not alone. In this powerful episode, Dara tackles the harmful myth of the "summer bod" and why shame is keeping so many women stuck — mentally, emotionally, and physically. She shares how to shift from body hate to body connection, how to use neuroscience-backed visualization tools like Mind Movies, and how members of her...

Do you find yourself dreading summer because you're unsure what to do with it—or yourself? When was the last time you made a goal and actually followed through? In this episode, Dara dives into the power of summer bucket lists—not just as a fun checklist, but as a tool for intention, growth, and creativity. Whether you're navigating emotional eating, dreaming of more meaningful experiences, or jus...

Do you resist the label of perfectionist — or wear it like a badge of honor? Either way, this episode is going to change the way you think about perfectionism forever. Because perfectionism isn't just about straight-A report cards or color-coded closets. It shows up in your weight, your relationships, your to-do list — and most importantly, your thinking. In this episode, Dara explores the four mo...

Do you have boxes of stuff in your home that don't even belong to you… but you still feel responsible for? Do you feel overwhelmed just thinking about where to start — so you don't start at all? If the answer is yes, this episode is for you. Whether it's fabric you've been "saving for later," photos from your dad's amateur photography hobby, your great Aunt Sue's china, or bins of your adult kids'...

Do you ever feel like you're back in 6th grade when it comes to friendships? Are you surprised (and maybe a little embarrassed) by how much drama, insecurity, or awkwardness still shows up when it comes to friendships as an adult? If you've ever cringed at how much this still affects you... you're not alone, and you're in the right place. In this episode, I'm diving deep into adult friendships — t...

What if you never had to be afraid of your weight again? In this episode, I share a powerful mindset shift that will help you take full ownership of your weight loss journey—without guilt, shame, or punishment. I dive into why past diets have failed you, not because of your lack of willpower, but because they never put you in charge. Just like learning to quilt, weight loss is about developing ski...

Do you feel anxious about summer and the pressure to look "just right" in your swimsuit or shorts? You're not alone! In this episode, we tackle the weight loss expectations that come with warmer weather and break the cycle of self-judgment and emotional eating. You'll hear an inspiring story from a Love Yourself Thin member who, despite deep grief, chose to keep living her best life—because happin...

Do you feel like no matter how hard you try to make changes, you always seem to fall flat on your face? Maybe you stick to your goals for a few weeks, but then life happens—cupcakes are served, plans don't go as expected, and suddenly you find yourself devouring a whole bag of Oreos or adding more fabric to your already full stash. If this sounds familiar, this episode is for you. I'm Dara Tomasso...

Do you ever finish a beautiful quilt, only to immediately notice the three tiny mistakes instead of celebrating the masterpiece you created? If so, you're not alone. Many of us struggle to embrace success—we focus on what's wrong instead of what's right. In this episode, I break down why we have such a hard time allowing ourselves to feel good and how that impacts our lives. When we constantly rej...

Have you ever had a dream so big that you were afraid to say it out loud? You're not alone. I remember the first time I said, "I want to be an international quilting instructor." I had five kids, my youngest was still in diapers, and I lived in the middle of nowhere. The doubt crept in—who was I to dream this big? But I'm so glad I did. In this episode, we'll explore: ✨ The power of dreaming and...

In today's episode, we're talking about how to support your body through menopause with movement, nutrition, and stress management. Just like we maintain our cars to keep them running well, we need to care for our bodies with the best fuel, movement, and recovery. We discuss: ✅ The importance of strength training and mobility to prevent muscle loss and frailty ✅ Why movement is truly medicine (a...

When was the last time you felt truly happy—without having to earn it, work toward it, or complete a task first? In this episode, Dara Tomasson, The Quilters Coach, challenges the idea that happiness is something we must deserve or achieve. She walks through a powerful mindset shift that will change the way you approach joy and self-worth. You'll also hear an inspiring win from a member of Dara's...

Do you ever find yourself reaching for food out of habit rather than hunger? Maybe you're out running errands, and that Dairy Queen calls your name, or after a long, exhausting day, you hear the Ben & Jerry's in your freezer beckoning. These foods may offer comfort in the moment, but they aren't solving the real problem. In this episode, Dara Tomasson, professional quilter turned life coach, explo...

In part two of this series on GLP-1 drugs, Dara Tomasson discusses alternatives to these weight loss medications and shares her concerns about their long-term effects. She emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of weight gain through life coaching tools rather than seeking quick fixes with unknown side effects.   Key Points ✅GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the...

Welcome to the Quilter's Coach Podcast! In this thought-provoking first installment of a two-part series, Dara Tomasson explores the controversial topic of GLP-1 weight loss medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro). While acknowledging potential benefits, she shares her concerns about unknown long-term side effects and discusses why addressing the root causes of weight gain may be more effective th...

Welcome to The Quilter's Coach Podcast, Episode 192! Today, we're challenging the common misconception of self-care as only external indulgences like manicures and shopping. True self-care is about taking care of your whole self—physically, emotionally, and mentally. If you've ever felt unsure about what real self-care looks like, you're in the right place. Understanding Self-Care Self-care is the...

Do you struggle with understanding or even identifying your emotions? Many of us grew up without truly learning about emotions—we were handed a cookie when we felt sad or told to stop crying instead of being taught how to process feelings. In this episode, Dara Tomasson breaks down true emotions vs. indulgent (or pretend) emotions and why this distinction is key to creating permanent change in you...

Are you constantly filtering yourself, worried about what others might think? In this powerful episode, Dara Tomasson addresses the common struggle of dimming your light to make others comfortable. Key Points: Why we learned to prioritize others' opinions The myth of "hurting others' feelings" How self-sabotage protects us from shining Understanding emotional adulthood Featured Tool: The Balance S...

Do you feel like you've given up on making goals? Maybe you're afraid to set them because checking in on them feels even worse than not making them at all. If you've ever felt stuck in a cycle of setting goals, losing motivation, and then beating yourself up over it—this episode is for you! Dara dives into the real reason we struggle with goal-setting and follow-through, why self-sabotage happens,...

Episode 188. Being the Boss Do you find yourself being overly self-critical, always focusing on what you did wrong? In this episode, Dara Thomason helps you reframe your inner dialogue by exploring the kind of boss you are to yourself—and the kind of boss you want to be. In This Episode: ✅ Why our brains naturally focus on the negative—and how to shift that pattern ✅ Different boss styles (from...

Podcast Episode 187: Not Letting Yourself Have It All Host: Dara Tomasson, The Quilters' Coach In this episode, Dara dives into the subconscious ways we hold ourselves back from living our fullest lives and achieving our goals. Whether it's weight loss, quilting, or personal growth, many of us unknowingly sabotage ourselves due to fear, self-doubt, and deeply ingrained beliefs. Dara shares insight...

Pendulum Swing on Love and Weight Loss In this episode, Dara Thomason uncovers the emotional side of weight loss and how the pendulum swing between extremes—strict dieting vs. total food freedom—can keep you stuck. She shares insights on why traditional weight loss methods fail, the role of self-love and belonging, and how to achieve a balanced, sustainable approach to both health and happiness. I...

Do you feel stuck in the sugar cycle, no matter how hard you try to break free? In this episode, Dara Thomason, the Accidental Weight Loss Coach, shares strategies to help you break unhealthy patterns and transform your relationship with food—without relying on calorie counting or step tracking. Building on the insights from Episode 184, Dara explores how connection plays a crucial role in overcom...