Podcast
Love Yourself Thin Podcast
Hosted by Dara Tomasson · EN
Love Yourself Thin Podcast is where quilters come to create the life they truly want—on and off the sewing machine. Hosted by life coach Dara Thomason, this show helps you ditch the overwhelm, understand your habits, and build a healthier relationship with yourself and with food.
Whether you want more confidence, more energy, or more joy in your quilting and everyday life, you'll learn practical tools, mindset shifts, and empowering strategies that help you feel better in your body and in your mind.
It's the same heart and mission you loved from The Quilter's Coach Podcast—now with a name that reflects Dara's lifetime program and her belief that transformation begins with loving yourself first.
If you're a quilter ready to live intentionally, feel lighter emotionally and physically, and design a life you love, this podcast is for you.
For more visit daratomasson.com
40episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
219. The Golden Pen: Writing your Weight Loss Story
Oct 200:13:07Tap to summarizeIn this transformative episode, Dara introduces "The Golden Pen" - a powerful tool for rewriting the stories that keep us stuck in cycles of self-sabotage and weight regain. The Golden Pen Process: Step 1 - Raw Writing: Write out your current story without judgment. Let all the victim language flow onto paper. Step 2 - Curious Questioning: Why might others behave the way they do? Is there any truth worth examining in criticism? How would different people interpret this situation? Step 3 - Intentional Rewriting: Consciously choose how you want to think about your circumstances, putting yourself back in the driver's seat of your life. Main Takeaways: ✒️Everything is a story - and you get to choose which version serves you best ✒️You always get the last word because it's your life and your interpretation ✒️Perspective is power - changing how you see situations changes how you respond to them ✒️Success must be self-created - following someone else's plan won't create lasting change Perfect for: Women who feel like victims of their circumstances, anyone stuck in repetitive self-sabotage patterns, and those ready to take ownership of their transformation journey. Ready for more? Check out all my webinars happening in October! You don't want to miss them And...the Quilter's Life Summit returns this fall, October 21-23, 2025! With 30 presenters, prizes and exclusive offers, you won't want to miss this event. Sign up now - Quilter's Life Summit Watch this episode on YouTube
Transcribe →218. Resentment, Regret, and Disillusionment: What to Do When You Feel Let Down
Sep 2500:21:51Tap to summarizeHave you ever bought something — a class, a program, a tool — full of hope… Only to feel regret, resentment, or disillusionment when it didn’t work the way you thought it would? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dara explores what’s really going on when we feel let down by something we’ve invested in — and how those emotions are often rooted in a misunderstanding of what we expected from ourselves. From quilting tools to coaching programs, from parenting regrets to free-motion quilting frustration, Dara walks you through a powerful reframing: Why resentment is a sign of unmet expectations How to label your emotions honestly so you can move through them The sneaky way perfectionism and victimhood can keep you stuck What Elizabeth Gilbert, chocolate chip cookies, and Christmas planning all have in common Why your emotional weight must be addressed before lasting physical change can happen If you want to stop abandoning yourself every time something feels hard — this episode will help you turn pain into perspective, and regret into power. Want to see the power of coaching in a free live coaching call? Grab your spot (this is a limited time offer!) - https://dara-tomasson-coaching.mykajabi.com/sample-coaching-calls Or if you want to take the next step and see if Dara is the right coach for you, book a free curiosity call with her - https://connectwithdara.as.me/schedule/c1f1dcdc/appointment/26364389/calendar/6005908?appointmentTypeIds[]=26364389
Transcribe →217. How Greed & Trusting Others Keeps You from Trusting Yourself - Be Your Own Expert
Sep 1800:24:48Tap to summarizeStop outsourcing your power! Learn why constantly asking "just tell me what to do" keeps you stuck in weight loss and life goals. Discover how to become your own expert and trust yourself for lasting results. 🔑 Key Topics The "How Greed" Problem - Why expert dependency kills results Good vs Bad Pressure - Diamonds or crushed cans? Member Win - From Starbucks rewards to real connection 5 Pillars of Permanent Weight Loss - Build your own foundation 💡 Main Takeaways Stop asking "just tell me what to do" - Build foundational knowledge instead You already know how to learn - Look at your quilting/hobby skills Pressure can create or destroy - Internal motivation vs external shame Become your own scientist - Test, adjust, repeat with YOUR results 🎯 The 5 Pillars Framework Weight Loss Science (simple basics) Make Your Own Eating Plan Feel Your Feelings Instead of Eating Them Take Responsibility (no shame/blame) Build Self-Confidence "The more you outsource answers, the less you actually learn for yourself. When you trust others more than yourself, you never get the results you want." 📞 Ready to Stop Expert Dependency? Book a Curiosity Call with Dara Join Love Yourself Thin and start your transformation! Subscribe & Share if this resonated with you! New episodes every week on weight loss mindset for quilters and creative women. Watch this episode on YouTube
Transcribe →216. Why Your Low Failure Tolerance Is Keeping You Stuck (And How to Fix It)
Sep 1100:20:35Tap to summarizeDo you know what to do… but still fall short of your goals, again and again? In this episode, Dara breaks down a concept that might just change everything: failure tolerance — your ability to try something, not get it quite right, and keep going without making it mean something terrible about you. Using her own vulnerable story of struggling with Instagram (yes, even as a coach), Dara reveals the emotional trap so many of us fall into: showing up like “good students” instead of empowered women. She shares what finally shifted for her, how she’s applying this mindset to her current goals, and how you can build your own tolerance to failure — the essential skill for lasting weight loss, creative growth, and real life transformation. You’ll hear: Why being “a good student” doesn’t guarantee results How perfectionism sneaks in as resentment, shame, and powerlessness Why failure is not personal — it’s essential The difference between diet thinking and growth thinking How to start failing forward instead of spiraling If you want to stop living on autopilot and start rowing your own boat — this is your episode. Ready to change the way you think about weight loss? Book a call with me to find out why you aren't seeing the results you want. Or better still, jump into my membership for the full transformation! And...my webinar about working WITH your hormones (not against them) is happening Septmeber 17, sign up for free HERE
Transcribe →215. Why a Masterclass Can Truly Change Your Life
Sep 400:16:06Tap to summarizeWhat’s the big deal about a masterclass? Can an hour a day really make a difference? In this powerful episode, Dara walks you through exactly what happens inside her masterclasses — and why the experience can shift your thinking, your self-awareness, and even your identity. You’ll learn: Why real change starts with understanding your brain, not just your habits How journaling, community, and coaching combine to unlock powerful insights What makes women finally stop blaming their past and start owning their future This isn’t just education. It’s excavation. If you’ve been circling the idea of attending a training, this episode will help you see exactly what’s possible — and why staying “safe” might be costing you the life you actually want. And if you're ready to jump in, join my next webinar on September 17, I can't wait to see you there 🩵 And for more about me and what I offer, check out my website! Don't forget to check out this episode and more on my YouTube channel.
Transcribe →214. Fall Planning Isn't Just for School Kids: How to Plan Your Identity Shift
Aug 2800:22:34Tap to summarizeBack-to-school season isn’t just for kids — it’s the perfect time for women to hit refresh and redefine who they want to be. In this powerful episode, Dara dives into five identity myths from Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s Personality Isn’t Permanent and how believing these myths keeps women stuck in old patterns of people-pleasing, overeating, overspending, and playing small. You’ll learn how to: Debunk the myth that your personality is fixed or defined by your past Reclaim authorship over who you’re becoming Use autumn energy to commit to growth and emotional rewiring You’ll also hear real stories of Dara and her clients who are making brave changes — like saying no to people-pleasing and sugar, and yes to connection, calm, and courage. 👉 If you’re craving a reset and want to stop feeling like a failure every time fall rolls around, this is your episode. Ready to do some personality growth? Book a call with me to talk about how I can help! Don't delay, sign up for my free webinar "Why Weight Loss is Harder After Forty"
Transcribe →213. How to Celebrate Without All the Food
Aug 2100:18:48Tap to summarizeWhen every celebration feels like a food fest, the aftermath—guilt, bloat, weight gain—can overshadow the joy. In this episode, Dara shares how to shift the spotlight off food and onto true connection, belonging, and meaning. You’ll hear stories of clients who broke free from the emotional grip food had on their celebrations and finally learned to belong to themselves instead. Dara also shares her own story of navigating her anniversary trip while sticking to a personal goal—not out of restriction, but from love and self-respect. She'll guide you through: Why food has become the default celebration tool—and how to change that The simple swaps and mindset shifts that actually work How to honor yourself and stay committed to goals without shame Why connection, not calories, is what we’re really hungry for You don’t need to villainize food to stop using it for false connection. You just need to rewire your relationship with celebration—and this episode will show you how. Sign up for my free webinar - Why Weight Loss is Harder After 40
Transcribe →212. Losing Weight for a Wedding (or Other Event)
Aug 1400:17:13Tap to summarizeHave a wedding, anniversary, or big event coming up and want to feel amazing in the pictures—but without falling into the shame spiral of diet culture? In this episode, Dara shares a refreshing, no-nonsense 5-step approach to weight loss that actually sticks. She’ll show you why the “how” matters more than the number on the scale, and how chasing validation through weight loss never leads to lasting peace. You’ll learn: Why liking your reason is step one (and why that’s NOT selfish) The power of getting the right kind of help (hint: not your fudge-pushing friends) What 100% commitment really looks like How discomfort is the price of real transformation Why coaching, not criticism, is the game-changer Whether you’re walking down the aisle, celebrating 30 years, or just want to feel proud of how you show up in life—this episode is your loving, firm push in the right direction. Follow Dara on social media for more @dara_tomasson Sign up for Dara's free webinar "Why Weight Loss is Harder After 40" - HERE As a bonus, grab her Free Food Swaps guide to help you in making food choices! Watch this episode on YouTube
Transcribe →211. Identity Shifts That Make Weight Loss a Side Effect
Aug 7, 202500:13:32Tap to summarizeHow would you describe yourself? How would you describe your identity if someone asked you? In this episode, we explore how the way you think about yourself affects the successes you have in life. If you're ready to look at how you can change your identity and have the results you want, this episode is for you. What You'll Learn: The shocking story of a young man who received the wrong SAT score and how it changed his entire life trajectory Why personality tests are a $2 billion industry (and what that tells us about human nature) The difference between fixed mindset and growth mindset - and which one leads to transformation How to create powerful identity shifts that make lasting change inevitable Why your personality isn't permanent (and how to use that to your advantage) Member Spotlight: Celebrating a member who quit her day job to go all-in on her quilting business! She knows she has the support from Dara and the entire membership community, and more importantly, she understands that she's the one who was keeping herself from being successful. Challenge Questions to Ask Yourself: Why do I weigh what I weigh? Why do I have as much fabric as I have? Why do I watch as much TV as I do? What is it about me that's so fixed on over-consuming? Research & Resources Mentioned: Dr. Carol Dweck from Stanford University - Growth Mindset research The concept "Personality Isn't Permanent" Henry Ford's famous mindset quote Next Steps: Ready to explore how identity shifts can transform your life? Dara challenges you to book a call and discuss where you want to go and how to get there. Book a call with Dara HERE Connect with Dara: Website: daratomasson.com Instagram: @dara_tomasson Watch this episode on YouTube (and follow Dara there!) Subscribe & Review: If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to The Quilter's Coach Podcast and leave a review! Your reviews help other quilters and creative women find the show.
Transcribe →208. What to Do Instead of Starting a New Diet
Jul 17, 2025Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Dara shares her personal journey through emotional eating, perfectionism, and body image, uncovering the real reason diets don’t work: they bypass the emotional and identity-based roots of our patterns. Drawing inspiration from "Personality Isn’t Permanent" by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and timeless movie quests like "The Hobbit" and "Harry Potter," Dara reveals how true change comes from becoming the person who can handle discomfort—not avoiding it with food, clutter, or control. She breaks down the four levers of identity change, explains why chasing “authenticity” can be misleading, and makes a powerful case for life coaching as a tool to claim your future self. Key Takeaways: Why self-help and organizing tools can keep you stuck in the same cycle The 4 identity levers that truly shape personality and permanent change The myth of the “authentic self” — and why it can actually stunt your growth Why emotional resilience—not discipline—is the path to a peaceful relationship with food A quilter's real-life win that proves mindset tools beat meal plans every time Ready to lose weight without starting a new diet? Book a call with Dara to find out how! Watch this episode on YouTube
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