When A Setback Has You Crying Alone In the Closet: Personal Story
Wed Feb 04 2026
What do you do when you try to do everything right and it still falls apart?
In this mini episode of The Confident Body Podcast, I share a very real, very human setback I experienced this week when my ebook was unexpectedly blocked on Amazon. Instead of pivoting immediately, I sat on the floor of my closet and cried. And that moment became a powerful reminder of how setbacks actually work in the brain and nervous system.
This episode is about walking your talk when things go sideways.
You’ll learn why your first emotional reaction is not a failure, how shame and perfectionism show up after disappointment, and how to harness setbacks so they strengthen you instead of stopping you. I also connect this experience directly to weight loss, because the same nervous system responses that show up during life setbacks show up after overeating, scale fluctuations, or missed workouts.
If you’ve ever felt discouraged, shut down, or tempted to quit after a setback, this episode will help you understand what’s happening inside your body and how to move through it with confidence and self-trust.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why setbacks trigger intense emotions like shame, anger, and confusion
What’s actually happening in your nervous system when you feel shut down
Why “wallowing” is not weakness, and how emotional processing shortens recovery time
How asking better questions helps your brain move from panic to problem-solving
How the same mental setbacks show up in weight loss and overeating
How to turn failure into feedback instead of proof that something is wrong with you
Why returning to supportive tools is maintenance, not backsliding
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for you if:
You feel like you keep “failing” at weight loss or habits
You spiral emotionally after setbacks
You struggle with perfectionism or good-girl conditioning
You want sustainable weight loss without shame
You’re tired of starting over and want confidence that lasts
Key Takeaway
Setbacks are not a problem. They’re a SIGNAL.
They are moments your nervous system needs safety, not discipline. When you learn how to regulate first and reframe second, you stop turning temporary struggles into permanent stories about yourself.
The way you think about setbacks is the difference between someone who loses weight and keeps it off vs someone who stays stuck.
Get the book my new book LIGHT: The New Psychology of Weight Loss
CLICK HERE to get it in ebook format.
Or CLICK HERE to get in in hard cover or audiobook.
Also, check out my first book:
You Are A Miracle
More
What do you do when you try to do everything right and it still falls apart? In this mini episode of The Confident Body Podcast, I share a very real, very human setback I experienced this week when my ebook was unexpectedly blocked on Amazon. Instead of pivoting immediately, I sat on the floor of my closet and cried. And that moment became a powerful reminder of how setbacks actually work in the brain and nervous system. This episode is about walking your talk when things go sideways. You’ll learn why your first emotional reaction is not a failure, how shame and perfectionism show up after disappointment, and how to harness setbacks so they strengthen you instead of stopping you. I also connect this experience directly to weight loss, because the same nervous system responses that show up during life setbacks show up after overeating, scale fluctuations, or missed workouts. If you’ve ever felt discouraged, shut down, or tempted to quit after a setback, this episode will help you understand what’s happening inside your body and how to move through it with confidence and self-trust. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why setbacks trigger intense emotions like shame, anger, and confusion What’s actually happening in your nervous system when you feel shut down Why “wallowing” is not weakness, and how emotional processing shortens recovery time How asking better questions helps your brain move from panic to problem-solving How the same mental setbacks show up in weight loss and overeating How to turn failure into feedback instead of proof that something is wrong with you Why returning to supportive tools is maintenance, not backsliding Who This Episode Is For This episode is for you if: You feel like you keep “failing” at weight loss or habits You spiral emotionally after setbacks You struggle with perfectionism or good-girl conditioning You want sustainable weight loss without shame You’re tired of starting over and want confidence that lasts Key Takeaway Setbacks are not a problem. They’re a SIGNAL. They are moments your nervous system needs safety, not discipline. When you learn how to regulate first and reframe second, you stop turning temporary struggles into permanent stories about yourself. The way you think about setbacks is the difference between someone who loses weight and keeps it off vs someone who stays stuck. Get the book my new book LIGHT: The New Psychology of Weight Loss CLICK HERE to get it in ebook format. Or CLICK HERE to get in in hard cover or audiobook. Also, check out my first book: You Are A Miracle