Befriending Yourself: Healing Emotional Eating and Finding Peace With Your Body

Get Marla’s new book here - https://www.loveyourbodyloveyourself.com/book

In this deeply uplifting episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins welcomes back Marla Mervis-Hartmann for a heartfelt conversation on healing your relationship with food, body, and self-worth.

Marla opens up about her personal battle with emotional eating, sharing the shame, silence, and internal struggles that once shaped her life - and the powerful turning points that helped her break free. From therapy and 12-step programs to somatic healing, Reiki, tantra, and group support, she reveals the tools that helped her connect the dots between old wounds, coping mechanisms, and emotional patterns.

Together, Steve and Marla explore:

• Why emotional eating is often rooted in childhood wounds and unmet needs
• How to offer yourself kindness and compassion when shame shows up
• Practical tools to build a healthy, nurturing relationship with food and body
• How spiritual and somatic practices support lasting transformation
• The power of inner child work in releasing negative self-talk
• Why community and group support can accelerate healing

This episode isn’t just about food - it’s about befriending yourself, understanding your emotional triggers, and learning how to show up for yourself with compassion, truth, and courage.

🎧 Listen now for a conversation filled with wisdom, vulnerability, and hope - a reminder that healing is possible, and you never have to walk the journey alone.

Key Moments:

01:08 Healing Through Shared Stories

04:07 "Filling the Hole with Self-Love"

07:51 "Mind Maintenance and Growth"

12:06 "Healing Deep Wounds Within"

15:19 "Becoming Your Own Best Friend"

18:25 "Mind Your Self-Talk"

About the guest :

Marla Mervis-Hartmann is the creator of Love Your Body Love Yourself and a leading voice in women’s body image healing. After overcoming her own struggles with food, self-worth, and body relationship, Marla transformed her journey into a mission to help women honor, trust, and appreciate their bodies.

A TEDx speaker and Best-Selling Author of BE-Friend Yourself, Marla brings decades of training in women’s wellness - including somatic trauma therapy, sexual wellness, postpartum care, Tantra, yoga, and core restoration. Her work has been featured on ABC, NBC, and FOX, and she is widely respected for her grounded, compassionate approach to self-acceptance.

Now based in Maui with her husband and son, Marla works full-time as a coach, speaker, facilitator, and Reiki Master, empowering women to feel at peace in their bodies and to live with confidence, freedom, and joy.

How to connect Marla:

Website: https://www.loveyourbodyloveyourself.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveyourbodyloveyourselfalways/

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through interviews with guests who have overcome significant challenges. Coached Soul is not just a podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/