How to Start a Healthier Lifestyle and Mindset After Struggling With Body Dysmorphia

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt more confusion than clarity—more shame than self-worth, you’re not alone. Body dysmorphia and self-doubt don’t always come with flashing signs. Sometimes, they quietly root themselves in our routines, our relationships, and the way we speak to ourselves. But here’s the truth: healing is possible. And it’s not linear, perfect, or pretty, but it’s worth it.

In a powerful episode of The Nourisher Podcast’s “Recomposed” series, holistic coach Haley Sparks Pullen opens up about her journey through anorexia, body dysmorphia, sexual trauma, and the silent battles she fought while appearing “high-functioning” as a college athlete. Her story isn’t just one of survival—it’s a blueprint for transformation.

Here are five foundational steps to take if you’re ready to rebuild your health and mindset after years of self-doubt:

1. Acknowledge That Your Struggle Is Real and Valid

Recovery begins with naming the battle. Haley shared how for years she didn’t even realize she was struggling. Her obsession with counting calories, hiding disordered behaviors, and performing well as an athlete masked deeper wounds. Whether you’ve dealt with disordered eating, harmful self-talk, or people-pleasing, your pain is real. And it deserves healing.

“I just started trying to stop... I failed for so many years. But I kept trying.” – Haley Sparks Pullen

2. Start With Mindset, Not Macros

A healthier lifestyle isn’t just about food and fitness, it’s about shifting how you view yourself. Haley now coaches clients by starting with mindset before jumping into meal plans or fitness routines. Ask yourself: What do I believe about my body? Where did that belief come from? This step is often the most uncomfortable—but it’s where transformation begins.

3. Ditch the Shame Around Setbacks

Healing from body dysmorphia or disordered eating often includes relapses. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human. As Haley says, healing is “a mountain and valley type journey.” You may cry. You may feel triggered. But keep going. Each moment of awareness is progress.

4. Choose Nourishment Over Control

If you’ve lived with restrictive habits, it can be hard to reframe food as fuel rather than the enemy. Haley went from abusing laxatives and obsessing over macros to learning how to nourish her body with balance and joy. She now helps others do the same through her company, Rebuilt Life Coaching.

“We’re taught how to diet—not how to eat. It’s not about a meal plan. It’s about an individualized journey.” – Haley Sparks Pullen

5. Find (or Create) a Safe Community

One of the most profound parts of Haley’s story is how her once-private Instagram account—originally used to share with fellow “ED warriors”—turned into a platform for hope, education, and connection. Whether it's a trusted friend, a coach, or an online support group, find (or build) a space where you can be seen and supported without judgment.

You Are Not Stuck. You Are Not Alone.

No matter where you are, whether you’re silently struggling or openly seeking change, know this: it’s never too late to rebuild your life. You are not too broken, too far gone, or too stuck to start fresh.

Start small. Start today. Just start.

Haley Sparks Pullen works virtually with women and families through Rebuilt Life Coaching. Her personalized approach focuses on mindset, nourishment, and sustainable habits tailored to your body—not someone else’s.

Learn more at rebuiltlifecoaching.com | Follow Haley on Instagram: @haleysparkspullen