Changing Toxic Habits: Toxic Intimate Partner Relationship & an Unhealthy Relationship With Food

Rita Mercer Author

Discover Amanda Russo's journey of breaking free from toxic relationships with food and love, finding self-love through small, daring steps.

Transforming Pain into Power

On The Daring Well Podcast, I sat down with Amanda Russo, also known as "The Breathing Goddess," a breathwork facilitator and host of Mander's Mindset Podcast. Amanda shared her transformative journey of overcoming toxic relationships—both with an intimate partner and with food—and how she found strength, healing, and self-love through small, intentional changes.

Amanda's Story: Breaking the Silence

Amanda began by recounting her childhood struggles with weight, which led to years of an unhealthy relationship with food. As a teenager, she coped with insecurities by controlling her eating habits, a behavior that spiraled into what she describes as a “gray area eating disorder.” While she lost weight, the restrictive habits and overexercising masked deeper issues of self-confidence.

Her relationship with food evolved again during her college years, where she met a partner who introduced toxicity habits into her life. Amanda found herself compromising her values and enduring a five-year relationship marked by emotional pain and a lack of self-love. Despite her struggles, she wore a mask of strength, suffering in silence.

"The hardest part was that nobody realized the mask I was putting on," Amanda said. "People saw the weight loss or the relationship, but they didn’t know what was happening internally."

Turning Points: Recognizing the Need for Change

Amanda shared two pivotal moments that sparked her journey toward change:

1. The Physical Wake-Up Call: Amanda found herself out of breath after climbing three flight of stairs to her apartment. This moment of discomfort served as a wake-up call, prompting her to begin to make small changes, like walking daily.
2. The Emotional Breakthrough: On Thanksgiving morning, Amanda ended her toxic relationship after discovering her partner had been unfaithful again. She described the moment as painful, but necessary.

"It was painful to leave, but it was more painful to stay in a relationship that made me cry every day," she explained. "I had to choose which pain I was willing to endure."

Small Steps Led to Big Transformation

Amanda emphasized the importance of starting small when creating change. For her, the journey began with 30-minute daily walks, which gradually evolved into a creating a more intentional fitness routine. She encourages to focus on easy, sustainable steps that build momentum over time.

"What small, easy change can you make to start feeling better? It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be a step forward," Amanda shared.

Lessons Learned: Growth Through Challenges

Through her challenges, Amanda experienced growth in several areas of her life:

• Physical Strength: She regained control over her health through balanced habits.
• Emotional Resilience: Leaving the toxic relationship taught her to value her own worth and prioritize self-love.
• Mindset Shifts: Amanda reframed pain as an opportunity for growth, embracing the discomfort of change as a pathway to healing.

Key Takeaways for Listeners

Amanda offered actionable advice for anyone facing similar struggles:

1. Start Small: Focus on manageable, realistic changes that build confidence.
2. Listen to Your Inner Voice: Identify what isn’t working in your life and dare to make a change.
3. Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to lean on trusted friends or professionals during difficult transitions.
4. Celebrate Progress: Every step forward, no matter how small, is a win worth acknowledging.

Connect with Amanda

To learn more about Amanda’s journey and her work, follow her on Facebook, Instagram at @mandersmindset and @thebreathinggoddess. You can also listen to Manders Mindset Podcast on your favorite podcast platforms.

A Daring Reminder

Amanda’s story reminds us that we all have the power to transform our lives. By facing our pain, taking small steps, and daring to choose happiness, we can break free from toxic habits and build a life rooted in self-love and wellness.

Are you looking for more inspiration for wellness tips & coping skills?

Check out The Daring Well Podcast:

• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts

Categories: : Eating Disorders, Self Love, Toxic Relationship, Weight