OCD Recovery Podcast: "Two Tracking Examples"

Host: Ali Greymond
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ali Greymond, an experienced OCD recovery coach and creator of "The Greymond Method," explores the crucial role of tracking rumination in overcoming OCD. Using data from the OCD Help app, she compares two contrasting user experiences to illustrate what leads to successful recovery—and what keeps people stuck.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Tracking Rumination

• Ali begins by explaining the tracking feature in the OCD Help app. Users log their daily rumination minutes in specific blocks of time, as well as anxiety and external stress levels.
• She emphasizes that estimates don’t have to be exact—what matters is consistent engagement and self-awareness.

2. Two Examples: Logging vs. Active Reduction

• Example 1: Logging Without Change

  • A user logs their rumination times daily over a month (from August 21 to September 23).
  • Rumination totals fluctuate (155, 200, 241, 170, etc.), showing "random" patterns with minimal effort to decrease.
  • Ali makes it clear that simply recording numbers passively does not lead to recovery.
  • Quote [02:08]:

    “It’s like some sort of bingo...it’s just a random number generator, you know what I mean, where the person is not actually putting in the work and actively reducing—they’re just kind of logging the day. Basically if the person keeps going like this, they will not recover.”

• Example 2: Committed to Reduction

  • Another user starts with much higher rumination (300, 320, 204, etc.).
  • Despite initially worse numbers, anxiety drops to zero within the same timeframe.
  • The critical factor: a daily effort to lower rumination compared to the previous day—not always succeeding, but making progress more days than not.
  • Quote [03:00]:

    “Look how fast they started to feel better... their anxiety dropped to zero in the same space of time because they're actively reducing from the day before... that’s what I want you to be doing. Don’t log—reduce.”

3. Making Tracking a Game—The Mindset Shift

• Ali encourages listeners to treat progress like a game: aim to lower morning numbers each day, then afternoon, etc.
• Recovery is depicted as a flexible process; it doesn't matter where you start but how consistently you improve.
• Quote [03:44]:

  “It doesn’t matter where you start. It matters that every day you’re doing a little bit better than the day before. Play it like a game.”

4. Immediate Change Is Possible—Take Control Now

• Even if you’ve been only logging without reducing, Ali insists you can start making effective changes at any time—right now.
• Listeners are encouraged not to wait for “a magic future” but to make proactive choices immediately.
• Quote [04:30]:

  “You don’t have to wait for some magic future. It’s literally—you can turn it around now if you start making better decisions.”

5. The Recovery Choice—Response to OCD Triggers

• Ali highlights the moment of choice: When an OCD thought arises, do you ruminate, or practice disregard?
• Recovery hinges on using the tracking as a reduction tool, not just an accountability log.
• Quote [05:10]:

  “A thought comes in, automatic trigger, right? But what do you do now? Do you ruminate? Do you take it seriously? Or do you choose to disregard? You still have a choice of how you’re handling it.”

6. Empowerment & Self-Belief

• Success stories abounded—if these app users could reduce their ruminations by 80–90% in a month, so can anyone.
• Ali reinforces the power of belief and consistent effort, referencing her 20 years of experience.
• Quote [05:50]:

  “Why can’t you believe in yourself? Because this is your brain. I’m telling you, I’ve done recovery work for 20 years. Your brain is capable.”

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It’s like some sort of bingo...the person is not actually putting in the work. If you keep going like this, you will not recover.”
  — Ali Greymond [02:08]

• “Don’t log—reduce.”
  — Ali Greymond [03:32]

• “It doesn’t matter where you start. It matters that every day you’re doing a little bit better than the day before. Play it like a game.”
  — Ali Greymond [03:44]

• “You don’t have to wait for some magic future. It’s literally—you can turn it around now if you start making better decisions.”
  — Ali Greymond [04:30]

• “A thought comes in...but what do you do now?...You still have a choice of how you’re handling it.”
  — Ali Greymond [05:10]

• “Why can’t you believe in yourself?...Your brain is capable.”
  — Ali Greymond [05:50]

Key Takeaways

• Tracking is essential for OCD recovery, but active, intentional reduction—not mere logging—is the path to results.
• Progress happens daily, even if gradual. Every reduced minute counts.
• The right mindset (“play it like a game”) empowers you to outgrow your OCD.
• Change can begin immediately; there’s no need for a perfect starting point.
• Recovery is accessible, and everyone has the capacity to improve with commitment and self-belief.

For listeners:
Ali ends by urging you to begin now—download the OCD Help app, use it as a reduction tool, and trust in your capacity to recover, one mindful decision at a time.