8. What Your Hunger is Telling You About Unmet Needs with Dr. Adrienne Youdim
What if your hunger is signaling more than just a need for food? Dr. Adrienne Youdim, physician, author, and keynote speaker, joins host Samantha Fackler to uncover the profound link between hunger, emotions, and self-compassion
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Adrienne explores the common, often unrecognized needs she sees in patients—from the desire for agency in healthcare decisions to the yearning for emotional support and balance. She explains how hunger can sometimes signal stress or emotional unmet needs rather than just a need for food, revealing ways to interpret these signals as a call for self-care and purpose.
With insights on embracing autonomy, practicing self-compassion, and finding equilibrium in life, Adrienne offers a roadmap for managing stress and honoring one's emotional state with healthy coping strategies. This episode dives deep into the journey of listening to our bodies and meeting our needs with clarity and intention.
Breaking the Cycle of Perfectionism in Life and Health
Perfectionism might be the hidden force sabotaging more than just your career. Dr. Adrienne Youdim reveals how our approach to weight loss and food often mirrors perfectionist habits in work, relationships, and self-care. For many, it’s about hitting a “perfect” target—whether in pounds or in project deadlines—that keeps us in a cycle of never feeling “good enough.” This pattern can lead to yo-yo dieting or burnout, but recognizing it can open the door to real resilience.
Imagine celebrating each small success instead of chasing an unrealistic ideal. It’s not just about diet or job performance; it’s about shifting our mindset to appreciate progress. Dr. Youdim's insights offer a refreshing take on how acceptance can fuel growth and help you stay on track, even after a setback. Dive into this eye-opening conversation on Side Note and uncover how to break free from the perfection trap.
Redefining Hunger: Embracing Your Needs Without Shame
We often suppress our deepest needs—our “hungers”—with shame, feeling they’re weaknesses to be hidden. But Dr. Adrienne Youdim explains that these hungers, from self-compassion to autonomy and balance, are universal human experiences that are essential, not selfish. In a society that prizes independence and relentless success, these needs can be sidelined, leaving us unfulfilled in our careers and relationships. True self-care isn’t just about indulgence; it’s a vital act that allows us to support others with intention and resilience. Dr. Youdim’s wisdom challenges us to embrace our needs without guilt. It suggests that by nourishing ourselves, we’re better equipped to tackle the challenges in our families, communities, and even in the wider world. This conversation on Side Note offers an inspiring approach to redefining self-care, urging us to act with clarity over-reactivity.
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Key Takeaways
Introduction & Background Dr. Adrienne Youdim (00:00 - 11:28)
Adrienne Youdim introduced as physician, author, and keynote speaker
Discussion on hunger as a key to understanding unmet needs
Exploration of the science behind hunger and emotions
Introduction to Adrienne's book 'Hungry for More'
Examination of common unmet needs in patients
Common unmet needs in patients often include:
Recognition of emotional well-being, such as the need for self-compassion and support in navigating difficult emotions.
Desire for agency and autonomy, particularly in healthcare decisions, where patients feel their voices and preferences are not adequately considered.
Need for balance in life, addressing the challenges of caretaking, work-life integration, and personal fulfillment.
Hunger, Emotions, and Self-Compassion (11:28 - 18:45)
Discussion on the relationship between hunger and emotions
Hunger can be a physiological response to emotional stress, with hunger hormones increasing even when the body is fed.
Understanding hunger as a signal for unmet emotional needs can help individuals address their feelings rather than suppress them.
Self-compassion and awareness of one's emotional state are crucial in navigating the relationship between hunger and emotions, allowing for healthier coping mechanisms.
Exploration of self-compassion and its components
Examination of perfectionism in relation to weight loss
Discussion on the universality of human struggles
Personal Experience and Career Evolution (18:45 - 27:14)
Adrienne shares her experience as a medical director
Discussion on the importance of self-care and work-life balance
Exploration of the connection between personal values and career choices
Career Transition and Future Plans (27:14 - 38:04)
Adrienne's transition from institutional practice to private practice
Discussion on blending rigorous science with holistic practices
Exploration of future plans, including writing books and expanding speaking engagements
Self-Care and Lifestyle Choices (38:04 - 45:28)
Discussion on personal self-care practices
Exploration of the impact of alcohol on sleep and overall well-being
Reflection on societal attitudes towards alcohol consumption
Host Samantha Fackler is an Entrepreneur, Transformational Business Coach for Women, and Marketing Expert. Samantha has served hundreds of clients – from scrappy startups to industry giants like Apple, PayPal, and LinkedIn.
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Dr. Adrienne Youdim is a speaker, author, and practicing physician with a passion to empower professionals to take charge of their physical, mental and emotional health so they can thrive in the workplace and beyond. Her decade’s experience caring for CEOs, entrepreneurs and seasoned leaders in all industries has revealed the very “nutrients” that promote health also lead to resilience and success in the workplace. She believes good nutrition is not just about the food that you eat, but all the ways in which we can nourish ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally. By equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need, she empowers her clients to live, love and lead with intention, clarity, and purpose.
Her most recent book Hungry for More: Stories and Science to Inspire Weight Loss from the Inside Out explores the emotional and spiritual hungers that present as a hunger for food.
Follow Dr. Adrienne on Instagram @dradrienneyoudim
Website: https://dradrienneyoudim.com/
Dr. Adrienne’s TEDex: Your Hunger is the Key to Understanding your Unmet Needs | Dr. Adrienne Youdim | TEDxRaleigh
