I Bake For A Living And Battle OCD Every Day

Ally Duncan built a career most people dream about. As a full-time content creator in the food space, she’s known for her intricate cakes, playful tiny baking videos, and a vibrant online presence. What her audience didn’t see, for years, was how much work it took to succeed while quietly managing OCD.

OCD shows up in her kitchen in ways most people wouldn’t notice — counting food coloring drops, checking for perfect symmetry on cupcakes, or feeling the urge to fix every imperfection. It’s exhausting, and it never fully turns off. But Ally’s learned to live with it, work through it, and keep showing up for what she loves.

After years of staying quiet about her mental health, Ally started sharing her story. What she found wasn’t judgment — it was community. That response is what pushed her to keep speaking up. Because if talking about OCD helps even one person feel less alone, it’s worth it, she tells us.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:12 Ally’s background
4:16 How OCD has affected Ally’s life
8:07 Symmetry OCD is present when Ally bakes
10:28 Ally’s therapy experience
12:42 Ally has a phrase to combat OCD
13:47 Being open about OCD struggles
16:11 How Ally’s OCD has changed throughout her life
19:07 How hormones affect Ally’s OCD
21:29 OCD-themed cake?
23:05 Ally’s partner is very supportive
25:29 The difficulties of getting specialized OCD treatment
28:58 Virtual mental healthcare is just as effective as in-person
31:50 Biggest breakthroughs Ally experienced
33:42 Why Ally became an OCD advocate
35:15 How Ally got into baking and content
39:38 OCD flareups happen
42:00 The shock of learning a behavior is a compulsion
44:45 Advice from Ally

Want to try ERP therapy like Ally? NOCD offers proven, specialized treatment for OCD. Start your journey by visiting https://learn.nocd.com/podcast

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