Feb 16, 2023, 3:01 AM ET

Behaviour Change Scientist: How I Lost 120lbs With Kindness: Shahroo Izadi | E222

The Diary Of A CEOShahroo Izadi, Steve

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Sheru Izadi defines her core mission as ending the cycle of binge eating, powerlessness, and lack of trust caused by weight loss diets within her generation.
She advocates for "kindness" as a practical behavioral tool, arguing that being nice to oneself makes habit change more effective than "tough love."
Izadi's personal journey involved reaching a weight of 126 kilograms before secretly undergoing gastric band surgery.
The gastric band required an emergency removal due to complications arising from her relationship with food, resulting in severe shame and anxiety rather than behavioral change.
She identifies that traditional dieting often conditions individuals to believe self-care is only deserved after achieving a specific weight goal.
Izadi realized her inability to change habits stemmed from a lack of self-trust and self-worth, not a lack of knowledge regarding how to change.
She notes that people who feel powerless often engage in "tough love" self-talk that mirrors the unhelpful advice they would never give to a loved one.
A key insight from her therapy was the decision to stop waiting to "deserve" joy or self-care until her body changed, leading to rapid habit shifts.
Izadi argues that "imposter syndrome" is often exacerbated by the inability to acknowledge accomplishments due to underlying shame about other struggles (e.g., weight or addiction).
She recommends using the "snapshot letter" exercise to establish a non-judgmental baseline of one's current state before attempting to change.
Izadi suggests replacing "all-or-nothing" thinking with the practice of building "friction" (speed bumps) to interrupt autopilot negative behaviors.
She explicitly discourages "abstinence-only" approaches for the general public, preferring a method that builds trust and comfort with food in the environment.
Her upcoming focus includes using behavioral change as a "Trojan horse" to listen to and update negative internal narratives about self-worth.
Izadi shares that she overcame a severe stammer in childhood (a trauma response) through self-compassion work and nervous system regulation.
She describes her current relationship with food as "calm and wonderful," noting that weight fluctuations now occur without judgment or shame.
Izadi warns that diet culture often creates a dependency on external guidelines, stripping individuals of the ability to make common-sense nutritional decisions.
She believes that affirmations and positive self-talk are less effective than evidence-based inquiry into why specific negative thoughts are held.
The transcript includes a sponsorship segment for Airbnb, highlighting its utility for both guests and entrepreneurs seeking revenue streams from property.
The host closes by asking the next guest if it is ever appropriate to hurt someone's feelings, to which Izadi answers "yes," provided the hurt is shared responsibly to relieve an unfair burden.