Biohacking Beauty: The Anti-Aging Skincare Podcast

Episode: Kiki Athanas: This Eating Hack Will Change Your Skin Forever
Host: Young Goose (Amitai Eshel)
Release Date: December 4, 2024

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of Biohacking Beauty, host Amitai Eshel welcomes Kiki Athanas, an intuitive eating coach and wellness expert. Kiki specializes in healing relationships with food, moving beyond restrictive dieting to foster natural weight loss, emotional balance, and sustainable beauty from within. Together, they explore how intuitive eating can significantly impact skin health and overall well-being.

Understanding Intuitive Eating

[01:56] Amitai Eshel:
"So let's start kind of with discussing, like, the basics of intuitive eating. So for, for those like me who are new to the concept, what is intuitive eating?"

[02:26] Kiki Athanas:
"When I say intuitive eating and what I teach my clients is really total and complete choice of all foods and also total and complete choice of when to eat. So not only what to eat, but also when. And that's the opposite of dieting where you're following external rules."

Kiki emphasizes that intuitive eating is about reconnecting with the body's internal signals for hunger and satiety, rather than adhering to external dietary rules. This approach contrasts sharply with traditional dieting methods, which often lead to cycles of restriction and overeating.

Kiki’s Personal Journey to Intuitive Eating

[05:08] Amitai Eshel:
"I wonder, first of all, it's very interesting. I think there's, there is a lot to unpack there from what you said. But I think before, like, I'm wondering what inspired you to specialize in..."

[05:26] Kiki Athanas:
"I had very disordered eating for over 10 years. I first got into healthy eating to lose puppy fat, but as a perfectionist, I became obsessed with being skinny. This led to orthorexia—an obsession with clean eating. Eventually, I became so disconnected with myself, suffering from IBS and skin issues, that I sought to relearn normal eating habits through a process called energetics with a coach named Shirley."

Kiki shares her struggles with orthorexia and how it drove her to develop her unique method for intuitive eating. Her journey highlights the importance of reconnecting with one's internal cues to achieve both physical and mental well-being.

Transformation Beyond Appearance

[08:14] Amitai Eshel:
"I would love to hear how that journey transformed your own life or how clients that you've helped, how it had transformed their life, which goes beyond the appearance."

[08:54] Kiki Athanas:
"It's not just about weight. It's about freeing up time and space in my life to actually live it. The gut holds the core identity. If you're disconnected from your gut, you're disconnected from your identity. Once I healed that, so much joy was accessible. Life isn't boring; it's beautiful."
[11:43] Amitai Eshel:
"It sounds meditative more than, you know, then calories in, calories out..."

Kiki explains that intuitive eating leads to a calmer mind, greater emotional balance, and a deeper connection with oneself, transcending mere physical appearance. This holistic transformation fosters true well-being and inner beauty.

Intuitive Eating and Skin Health

[12:20] Amitai Eshel:
"How does what we eat impact our skin health... how you view this relationship."

[12:20] Kiki Athanas:
"If you make calm, connected choices and eat within the boundaries of your body, then that is the only way to clear your skin if it's an internal issue."
[14:00] Amitai Eshel:
"You gotta make sure the pig that you sleep in in bed does not come close to your face while you're right."

Kiki connects intuitive eating with improved skin health by reducing inflammation and stress, which are primary culprits behind skin issues like acne. She challenges common dermatological advice, advocating instead for a balanced, stress-free approach to eating that naturally supports clear and healthy skin.

Challenging Diet Culture

[16:39] Kiki Athanas:
"Oftentimes, women are like, oh my goodness, just love yourself and get over it. But if you're carrying excess and it doesn't feel good, it's about reconnecting with your internal cues, not about following external rules."

[20:26] Kiki Athanas:
"Intuitive Skincare is the word pro youth. We actually trademarked Pro Youth because the idea is supporting youthful function."

Kiki critiques diet culture's rigid rules and highlights the importance of autonomy and choice in achieving sustained health and beauty. She introduces terminologies like "Pro Youth" to redefine anti-aging in a positive, empowering manner.

Integrating Intuitive Eating in Communal Settings

[36:03] Amitai Eshel:
"How do you view communal eating, a key aspect of Mediterranean and Jewish traditions, from the place of intuitive eating?"

[37:08] Kiki Athanas:
"They absolutely go together. Remind yourself that eating is an intimate ritual with yourself, even when with others. Plate your food beforehand and eat slowly, pausing to check in with how you feel."
[40:05] Amitai Eshel:
"We used to go for walks to make room for more food in the stomach..."

Kiki discusses balancing communal eating traditions with intuitive eating principles. She offers practical strategies like pre-portioning meals and mindful eating practices to maintain self-connection and avoid overeating in social settings.

Practical Steps for Adopting Intuitive Eating

[41:53] Kiki Athanas:
"Start by eating undistracted. Make sure you're seated, the food is plated, and simply start there. When you feel the meal is boring, that's your cue to stop."

[44:57] Kiki Athanas:
"If you feel like you don't know what your taste preferences are, are you letting yourself get hungry? When you're truly hungry, you'll know what feels good for you."

Kiki provides actionable advice for listeners to begin their intuitive eating journey, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, recognizing hunger cues, and eliminating distractions during meals to foster a healthier relationship with food.

VIP Listener Questions

1. Does intuitive eating include guidelines for skin health and hydration?
   [48:31] Kiki Athanas:
   "Not specifically guidelines, but the entire intuitive eating system supports skin health by lowering stress and eating within your body's boundaries."

2. How can I deal with cravings intuitively without feeling guilty?
   [49:44] Kiki Athanas:
   "First, determine if you're truly hungry. If not, identify what you're trying to avoid emotionally. Replace food with other coping mechanisms and allow yourself to enjoy food when genuinely hungry without guilt."

Kiki addresses listener concerns by clarifying that while intuitive eating doesn't prescribe specific foods for skin health, it inherently supports it through stress reduction and balanced eating. She also offers strategies to handle cravings by distinguishing between physical hunger and emotional eating.

Resources and Closing

[52:19] Kiki Athanas:
"My website is kikiathanas.com and my social media is Kiki_Underscore_Athanas. I also created my Skinny Bitch Inspo list, featuring 10 inspiring individuals who help connect with your true self without imposing eating rules."

Kiki provides her website and social media handles for listeners to connect further. She recommends her "Skinny Bitch Inspo list" as a resource to inspire and support individuals on their intuitive eating journey.

Final Thoughts

In this episode, Kiki Athanas eloquently bridges the gap between intuitive eating and skincare, demonstrating how mindful eating practices can lead to clearer skin, reduced stress, and enhanced overall beauty. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their eating habits, embrace autonomy in their food choices, and prioritize their internal cues for a healthier, more vibrant life.

Notable Quotes:

• Kiki Athanas [02:26]: "It's the opposite of dieting where you're following external rules."
• Kiki Athanas [08:54]: "Life isn't boring; it's beautiful."
• Kiki Athanas [12:20]: "If you eat within the boundaries of your body, that is the only way to clear your skin if it's an internal issue."
• Kiki Athanas [41:53]: "When you just eat and don't do anything else, you are eventually ready to move on and stop."

By embracing intuitive eating, Biohacking Beauty listeners can unlock the secrets to not only youthful and radiant skin but also a balanced and joyful relationship with food. Kiki Athanas's insights offer a transformative path towards sustainable beauty and well-being from the inside out.