Loosely Speaking
Join three best friends turned business owners for real talk on life, relationships, and leveling up. We dive into everything from entrepreneurship and personal growth to spirituality and wellbeing, sharing authentic stories, big laughs, and practical insights along the way.
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Loosely Speaking
Take Your Power Back: Transforming Mind and Body
What happens when traditional approaches to mental health treatment fail you? For Crystal, a lifetime of anxiety, panic attacks, and disordered eating led her down an unexpected path of healing through food as medicine.
After experiencing a terrifying adverse reaction to psychiatric medication that left her with memory issues and dissociation, Krystal found herself questioning the conventional wisdom of medical experts. "If I can't trust the experts, then who can I trust?" This pivotal moment led her to explore ketogenic therapy under proper clinical supervision—a therapeutic approach where the body uses ketones instead of carbohydrates for fuel, creating profound shifts in brain chemistry and mood regulation.
The results were transformative. Not only did Krystal's anxiety and depression improve, but physical symptoms she'd struggled with for years—hand tremors, TMJ (which doctors said would require surgery), and insulin resistance—disappeared within months. Perhaps most remarkable is how this dietary approach helped her break free from dependencies on ultra-processed foods, sugar, alcohol, and vaping—substances she'd used to emotionally self-regulate since childhood.
Throughout our conversation, Krystal shares practical wisdom from her journey: visualising cravings as waves that eventually crash, setting clear boundaries with potential trigger foods, practicing mindful eating, and changing her language from "my anxiety" to "the anxiety" to shift her identification with mental health conditions. Her story illuminates how interconnected our physical and mental health truly are, and how making conscious choices about what we consume—not just food, but media, relationships, and thoughts—can transform our experience from the inside out.
Whether you're struggling with mental health challenges, looking to break free from dependencies, or simply curious about alternative approaches to wellness, Krystal's journey offers hope that healing is possible, even when conventional treatments fail. Follow her on Instagram at @krystalanastas or @sheeatspower for more insights into ketogenic therapy and mental health recovery.
Have you found healing through unconventional means? We'd love to hear your story—drop us a message or follow along at @looselyspeakingpodcast.
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Welcome to Loosely Speaking, the podcast where three best friends turned business owners come together to chat about all things life, relationships and leveling up Each episode.
Speaker 2:We share our perspectives on what it's like being women in business, balancing everything from work and relationships to society and self-care, and from time to time, we welcome the best in the biz to share their insights with us.
Speaker 3:Think of us as your go-to girls for real talk, big laughs and a sprinkle of spiritual vibes. So do whatever makes you feel good while you tune in. Let's get the conversation flowing. Welcome back to Loosely Speaking. We have a very special guest in here today that actually reached out to us directly and we were really honored to be messaged and for crystal to reach out. So welcome, crystal. Thanks so much for having me. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's nice to have you on. It's such a joy to connect with people in the loosely speaking community as well and just to hear that something about the podcast ignited something in you to want to come on today and share a bit about your story and how what you've been through can support other people who might resonate with what you've been through.
Speaker 4:Yeah, thank you, thanks. No, I feel like, yeah, I just wanted to connect with like-minded individuals. Yeah, I saw you guys online and I just thought you know what. I'm just gonna reach out and see what happens. Um, so, yeah, thanks for having me.
Speaker 1:It's a pleasure, yes, so today's topic, we're going to be talking about alternate methods to killing your mental and physical, and we're going to talk specifically about ketogenic therapy, which was instrumental to you and your journey. And before we get into the tools that you use to help shift your mindset and everything, it sounds like we wanted to understand. Who are you?
Speaker 4:and what's your story? Yeah, for sure. Okay, so a bit about my journey. I'm someone that has struggled with mental health for like since I can remember, like pretty sure I was like around five years old when I had my first panic attack. But I feel like at that age, like, and just back then, you didn't really have an understanding of like mental health and it wasn't really spoken about. So I just was someone that really struggled but didn't really know what it was. I also struggled with an eating disorder, but because I was, you know, fit, maybe like a little bit chubby, but, like you know, I played sports and stuff, so it wasn't really recognized. And I reckon that I've struggled with food since I was like eight years old and I would just like binge eat and I would use that to emotionally self-soothe and self-regulate and yeah, it's just been such a journey, I guess.
Speaker 4:But it's interesting, like with the mental health thing. So when I struggled with anxiety, you know, early on I would get told, oh, it's just like low blood pressure, so like, have like some sugar, and it will like. You know, early on I would get told, oh, it's just like low blood pressure, so like, have like some sugar, and it will, like, you know, like just all of these things or, um, I used to think I had asthma, but that was just anxiety, because I played rep basketball and I'd only get it when I would play in like the representative team and not the other one, and so there was just all these signs and I just struggled like so much and it got like a little bit better, like through high school maybe, um, but yeah, it was still in the background. And then it got like severely worse, uh, like you know, like teens, early 20s, and yeah, like I attracted like an abusive relationship through like low self-worth, self-confidence, low self-confidence and things like that. And so I think I was like 16 to 24, so seven years with that.
Speaker 4:And then I, you know, reached a point where I was like, okay, I'm just going to move away, this is going to fix all of my issues. But you know you can't really run away from your problems. But but it was. I feel like it was definitely needed, because I moved to Queensland and it was kind of the first time I was like on my own and there was no like distractions, no like I guess, numbing, because I would, you know, just like party, I'd do all these things to not really, I guess, reflect about like how my life was and all my issues.
Speaker 4:And I was someone that was, yeah, really struggling. I feel like at that time I would have been having like panic attacks, like at least weekly, if not more, and I just was like this is no way to live, it's like, it's not normal. I mean like what is normal, but like, yeah, it was just really intense. And so, yeah, I moved to Queensland and there I found like a beautiful, like psychologist and started working with her and I was like all right, like I'm dedicated to like getting help and getting like like healing to take place, and so, yeah, like obviously worked with her and then randomly, like with the treatment plan you have to see like a psychiatrist, just to like tick off that I don't know it's like with medicare, and so they say it's something like to continue the treatment, yeah like something where they um, just tick to make sure everything's going right and then you can continue your treatment with your psychologist.
Speaker 4:And so I saw this, had this one-off appointment and I would have spoken to the psychiatrist for like 15 minutes max and he was like all right, we're going to change like all your medications and everything. And then I think like with that, you know, because it's like a psychiatrist, you're like, oh, he's like at the top of the, the food chain sort of thing, when it comes to like I don't know, trusting, yeah. And I was like, okay. And then that was like one of the worst experiences of my life because I, um, yeah, I had like the change, the medication, and I actually think it was like I was getting like poisoned in a sense.
Speaker 4:Like it was like, um, I don't know like tox, like antidepressants, toxicity or something like that, and, um, my body was just like not coping. But they're like, oh, just increase the dosage. And I was having like memory issues. I had like, um, like I couldn't put sentences together and they're like, oh, your body just has to like adapt. And I was like, okay, well, I'm gonna trust like the experts, like what do I know? Yeah. And so I was like, oh, this will pass, like whatever, I'll just like increase it and then like just kept getting like worse symptoms I. And then I ended up having like this dissociative episode because my body was so stressed and so it was just like, all right, we're gonna dissociate. But then that was so scary because I felt like, um, I wasn't real like the world, like around me.
Speaker 3:It felt like I was in a dream, just like shutting down.
Speaker 4:Yeah, so numb that it's just was true, and that's why I think like, yeah, my body was like actually this is too toxic, what's happening. So it's like trying to help me. But it was terrifying and my body was like, actually this is too toxic, what's happening. So it's like trying to help me, but it was terrifying and my vision went like I don't know how to explain it, but it was almost like staticky and I just I lost like so many months just because then, once you take antidepressants, you have to like slowly wean off it. You can't like just drastically stop it. And so, um, yeah, it was kind of crazy, but I feel like that was just like the catalyst that like changed everything, because I was like, okay, wow, like, if I can't trust the experts, then like who can I trust?
Speaker 4:Yeah, like, obviously I had like a really great relationship with the psychologist and like thank god she was around when I was going through it all. And so then, um, yeah, once I safely got off that medication, I was like all right, like I don't want to be dependent on anything but myself. Um, so we looked into like ketogenic therapy, so basically what that is like. If you don't know, it's kind of like the, I guess, um, like the keto diet, but it's under supervision with um, like clinical professionals, so I worked with the psychologist and the dietitian and so your body will use um ketones so it runs on fat instead of carbs for fuel and it creates like ketosis. So you're in just like that natural um state where your moods are better, like everything.
Speaker 3:Just honestly, it changed my life and yeah, so interesting because I've we've discussed before we jumped on the episode. I've done keto in the past, more so as just a change of diet to I just wanted to feel healthier, but I actually never knew that it was a form of therapy. I didn't know that you could work with psychologists and a dietician and it can actually provide like a sense of therapy.
Speaker 4:Yes, I find that so interesting. Yeah, it's so cool, so like I think it's been around for a while, like over 100 years, and they used it to treat epilepsy and so like it's really cool because when, like medication and even like brain surgery didn't work, then they've gone to keto therapy and then they've been able to like put things into, like the epilepsy into remission. Wow.
Speaker 4:So, interesting, yeah, and like now it's not even just like if you have like anxiety and depression, like even ADHD and even mood disorders like bipolar and schizophrenia, like they're just seeing like such great results, and I just feel like that brings so much like power to you, because you get a diagnosis and you feel like you're kind of like, oh okay, like this is great, because now I feel valid. But what do I do now? And often you're just like, well, this is, this is who I am, and yeah, you're like that's my anxiety and I feel like, actually, that's one of the things I've changed. I don't say like my anxiety or like my depression anymore, because I feel like that links you to having that illness and when you think about it, like if you have the flu, you don't say, oh, I've got my flu like, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2:Like, I Like.
Speaker 4:I've got the flu. I'll be fine in like a few weeks, yeah.
Speaker 1:Like I'm not going to identify with this. Can you describe it?
Speaker 3:Just say I've got anxiety.
Speaker 4:I'll just say it's the anxiety. It's the anxiety, but I don't really have it Like I put things into remission and I feel like that's just yeah, so it's a good little spot.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I love that. It's a very subtle mindset shift, but so powerful yeah.
Speaker 3:Because we've spoken about this in a few other things Like your words have so much power, your vibration, yeah, your energy, and like everything you say in the universe is responding Literally. So it's like, yeah, just those little tweaks of changing it. Even with you, know, if you have thoughts and you've got these thoughts, these aren't my thoughts observe them, let them wash over you and pick and be like is this mine or is this somebody else's? It's just like those little tweaks, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:I feel like with the thoughts, I'll think like, okay, do I want to? I sort of like envision, I don't know if I'm at like a bus stop and then it's like, do I want to get on this bus, do I want to get on this thought? And then it's like, okay, yeah, that thought can go, yeah.
Speaker 3:That's a good yeah for people that are visual.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I'm definitely a visual person?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I love the.
Speaker 3:I've done a few meditations where they say like A cloud passing, and you can either choose to, you're observing the thoughts, the thoughts are you, literally. Yeah, yeah. Just it creates that separation.
Speaker 4:For sure. I've been doing this thing lately where, like, I'll think about like the thoughts and I'm like, is this my highest thought, though? Like, can I elevate it and feel like better? And it really shifts from like, say, if something happens where you're feeling like a bit victim-y or whatever, and you're like, okay, can I look at this from like a different perspective, like what else could be going on, like, is this my highest thought, is this what I would choose? And then you sort of move up the emotional scale.
Speaker 1:I love that you're bringing this to the conversation, because I particularly love what you said about not just letting yourself stick to the diagnosis and actually then to choose for yourself what you will and will not take on. And so it sounds like you've just, through this journey, really expanded your self-awareness to be like oh, I can question my thoughts, I can do my own research and I can find different methods that work for me, and so that's such a powerful thing to have found yourself and then give yourself and to let other people know that they can also do that for sure, and I think as well, like you'll be seeking I don't know um say you're seeking like a bit of an alternative solution.
Speaker 4:opportunities will come up, like with the psychologist and the dietician, like they so aligned to what I was searching for. So I feel like just having that trust to find the solutions for yourself and people like will come into your life to help you as well, I would like to touch on that.
Speaker 3:So, when you started working with the therapist and the dietician, how did that come about? Is that something that like? How did you come across this therapy?
Speaker 4:yeah, um, so she's a clinical psychologist and then, um, she works like, because I was diagnosed with an eating disorder, so I was on a eating disorder plan and then, um, I allowed them to work together, sort of thing.
Speaker 4:Well, she introduced me to the dietician so they could work together. Okay, yeah, and then I feel like that's so good because, like, when you get a diagnosis, like even with the doctors, it feels like they don't ask like your lifestyle choices, like what you're doing, and even like just getting blood tests right, like you could go into the doctors and say I'm feeling really low, blah, blah, blah, and they're like, oh, like, do you have any mental health issues, like issues in the family? And then they might say, oh, you've got a bit of depression if you want to antidepressant, but have they checked for, like, um, vitamin d, like all of these things? And even with the blood tests I've had issues because they're not metabolic, metabolically trained, and so they sort of don't test everything that you want tested and yeah, so I feel like it's really healthy to have like the dietitian and everyone working together.
Speaker 1:The stick care team yeah absolutely. Having 15 minutes with this psychiatrist, who changed absolutely everything for you based off your time that you had with them, I just think more and more people now are gravitating towards obstetrics and medicines and health because they're just not getting what they need from the way the system has been built up so far and, like seeing your GP, it takes like two weeks to see your family doctor or whatever.
Speaker 4:They'll just prescribe things anyway. That's right, it's a band-aid just prescribe things anyway, that's right.
Speaker 4:It's a band-aid. Yeah, yeah, that's right, wanting the quick fix, the band-aid. And yeah, you can do the root healing and it takes a bit longer, but it's like so worth it because, like the fact that I'm like sitting here today like with no medication, I was like insulin resistance reverse that as well, which that can play like a massive role in your mental health as well. And they're not testing for insulin resistance, even though that is one of the things it's pre-divert, yeah.
Speaker 1:So insulin hormone controls like and it's not talked about enough, but it is like, so important for, like your hormone, it connects everything. If you can't control your insulin like, it's like the final flight, almost stress response.
Speaker 4:it's like your sugar, like how your body, your blood sugar levels. So basically, like what happens is like when it's operating, I think your pancreas um releases insulin and then it goes through your blood cells, but then, basically, when you're resistant, the cells lock up, it stops.
Speaker 1:Yeah, okay.
Speaker 4:Wow, yeah, okay, so then your pancreas locks over time and then basically what happens? Is yeah, it's like I'm dying. Yeah, that's how diabetes is formed, and I feel like as well, like being like I don't know, like 20s and 30s doctors will be like, oh you know, you're young, you're healthy, but it's like I want to like prevent these things. I don't want to wait until like it's too late and then I have to like have surgeries or be on medication they don't prevent, they treat yeah the symptom, and then other symptoms come up.
Speaker 4:It's like, oh well, I'm not experiencing this anymore.
Speaker 1:But now I symptoms come up and it's like a trade-off. It's like, oh well, I'm not experiencing this anymore, but now I have all the yeah, it's like same whack-a-mole that's excellent yeah, yeah, wow how does it change from taking on ketogenic therapy, say, if it was self-managed? If someone wanted to do the keto diet themselves, yeah, how would that be different from being under clinical supervision? And what was that support like for you?
Speaker 4:yeah, so yeah, just getting checked with like all my blood results and things like that, and then having like strategies and having like a meal plan, regular check-ins, um, because I feel like sometimes I don't know like I was taught to like fear fat, for example, and basically, if I was to see the keto diet and be like, oh, I'm, I don't want to have like fatty meat or whatever and I'm not going to have that much, but you can actually get like protein poisoning and so like you've got to be really mindful of like the, I guess, like the macros that you're having like at the start and I think it's just, yeah, better to be under supervision and then you, you learn so much as well. Like the amount of like knowledge that I've been able to gain from it is just like so amazing. And also like seeing, because I have I had um like physical symptoms and that um, you sort of see like if they improve or not. So you're monitoring like your symptoms. So like I used to have like a really bad like hand tremor and like I would be like so self-conscious of it and then like within like a month that went away. And then one of the crazy things actually I had like TMJ and I got like it was like lockjaw and I got told that I needed surgery.
Speaker 4:This was like all in the year of things and I was like, oh, it sounds like so hectic and it was something that I've had since I can remember and it got like really intense. Like around the time I took that antidepressant and my whole body was in crisis, but, yeah, within one month, it just completely disappeared and it hasn't come back, and that's something that I've had. Like my whole body was in crisis, um, but yeah, within one month, um, it just completely disappeared and it hasn't come back. And that's something that I've had like my whole life and it's because, like, the inflammation was able to go down and, yeah, it used to be so clicky and I think other people have had like Botox and things and I, within one month, like just from changing my diet, which is crazy. And I think another thing that's been really cool is I was thinking on way over here actually, like I haven't been sick since 2022 and that's like insane, like the flu, yeah like nothing, nothing, wow which, so that just shows like my body is firing away, yeah, yeah
Speaker 4:and because I feel like we think that being sick is like normal, like in winter, and that just happens. And if you only get sick once, like that's pretty good, but like our bodies are meant like normal, like in winter, and it just happens. And if you only get sick once, like that's pretty good, but like our bodies are meant to be like in a wellness state, and we just it's just not normalized and it's not so true yeah, like fire back to yourself everybody's sick.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's like if your body is firing, well, it can get those and repair itself if it is all firing correctly.
Speaker 1:Literally. So since 2022 you haven't been sick. At what point did you start this? Journey with the chemotherapy.
Speaker 4:So it was like 2023, the start of the year, all of the medication and all of that, all those issues happened. And then, around like june, that's when sort of I implemented everything, like I was trying a bit before then, but it was too much with all the side effects from that medication, so we just have to get me like sorry, I just have to get myself off the medication. And then so June 23, sorry, like around there.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah. So that's like two years ago.
Speaker 1:And then what I find into your therapy? Did you start to think, wow, okay.
Speaker 4:I feel like it was kind of like straight away because we did, we started with like keto and then we moved into carnivore, because which carnivore is basically just like animal products, so you can have like um, like meat, um, seafood, eggs, um, because I just wanted a to get back to baseline and just strip everything. So then I can like re-add things and see if I had like a reaction, because I was also dealing with like food addiction, like I was so highly addicted to like ultra processed foods and sugars, and I would use that as like a coping mechanism to like emotionally support myself because that's it's kind of crazy, but that's all I've known my whole life. It is such a comfort. Yeah, yeah, it can really, yeah, comfort you in time, so it's easy to fall into.
Speaker 4:Yeah yeah so, but that's yeah, that was like something that's been so such a challenge to navigate because, like when I gave up like alcohol and like I was vaping, like you don't need those substances but like with food and navigating that, it's like we need food to survive and so but cutting like the ultra processed foods and sugars, like that's yeah, that's been such a journey.
Speaker 4:But even alcohol, like, for example, I feel like I was just like a social drinker, like obviously I was like a bit more of a party, like in my early 20s and then um, just like socializing. But I feel like alcohol is such like I know like giving up that played such a role in my like healing as well, and I feel like you don't. It was. It was hard because I feel like I tried to just like have like a couple um here and there and that was fine. But I don't know, I just feel like if you're dedicated to like healing and you know getting your health on track, like it's just got to go because it causes like so many issues, it does, yeah, foggy, you feel foggy, yeah, brain fog, and I feel like you don't have to like have a problem with it, to question your relationship with it because, like I was, you know, just drinking, like all my friends, you know, normalized.
Speaker 3:It was so culturally accepted in Australia and binge drinking as well.
Speaker 3:Like growing up it was like you know that's what we did. We would have you know it'd be who could drink the most. It was very toxic Drinking eggs, so it's just very social. If you go to an event and someone offers you a drink and you don't take it, they're like why aren't you drinking it? You're pregnant. You're like no, I just don't want to drink. It's so normalised, especially in this. I feel like we have a massive drinking culture here, so you don't drink at all.
Speaker 4:Now, I haven't. Yeah, I feel like I like so in 2023,. I was like sober, curious, and I was like, okay, I'm just going to see what happens, like I don't really have any events for two months, so I'll just have a break. And then, and because I was like implementing like you know, like the dietary, so like you can't really drink on that, um, and then, yeah, I just started to feel so much better and I had my friend's 30th and I remember taking like a bottle of champagne, but also like um, pepsi Max. So I had like a bit of a bridge of like what I could choose from. And then, um, I just remember being like, oh no, I think I'm just gonna keep having these.
Speaker 4:And then, um, people were coming up to me in the night and be like, are you drinking yet? And I was like, no, I'm good. And it was like I feel like that was such a like moment in my journey because I was like, wow, I actually don't need the alcohol to have fun. Like this is kind of crazy. And then I'd still like spoke to new people and like mingled and, um, like, looking back, I probably, yeah, I was definitely using like the Pepsi Max as like a bridge from the alcohol, because I could have had like five cans, which is kind of insane, but that was the last part of it, yeah.
Speaker 4:And then, um, yeah, just finding like things to like slowly break the habit. So then I was still like vaping then, so like I felt included. And then, um, yeah, just finding like things to like slowly break the habit. So then I was still like vaping then, so like I felt included. And then, um, I removed like the vape, so that was like that was interesting, because I feel like I was highly addicted to that.
Speaker 1:So I got like a non-nicotine vape, had that for like a week until it ran out and I was like, all right, I don't do this anymore so I really I have to say I admire that, because it takes a lot to stay strong in your self-determination and to continue with what your goal is, even when you're surrounded by different societal pressures and social situations. How was your support at the time from people in your life and in those moments where you did feel tempted, how did you just kind of stay true to your vision, I suppose? Yeah, I imagine that would become a bit easier over time as you were feeling so good.
Speaker 1:It kind of just you didn't have it the other way. But what was that bridging period like?
Speaker 4:yeah, it's kind of crazy when I think about like the last two years, because I'm like, holy shit, like I had so many 30th, so many weddings, so many like engagement parties, like where there's free alcohol, free food, like everyone's like doing all the things, and I was just like, oh, it's cool, I'm just doing this, um, and it's not just. It was definitely challenging, but I feel like if I had felt so bad prior, I was like I'm never going back to feeling that way again. Yeah, such a big comparison, yeah, yeah, and it just I was like no, I'm like committed and obviously it's just like a, I guess like a learning curve. So like I started with like having the Pepsi Max and like would still have the vape, and then I think four months had passed and I was like, okay, now the vape no longer feels good, it's got to go, but like it was kind of there slow progression yeah, yeah, and then I just want to go.
Speaker 3:I feel like sometimes as well, when you go cold turkey it could almost be like I'll do it for a bit, then I won't do it then I'll do it yeah, yeah, so you're retraining your brain on those habits. So it's like you just take one thing away in time.
Speaker 4:Yeah, so it could even be yeah, the drinking, then the vaping, then something else, and then it's just slowly over time chipping away at it, because I think it would be like too much shock to the system to take it like all away and you're probably gonna end up relapsing and being yeah, yeah. So I feel like I did it, yeah, like pretty consistently. Um, but yeah, the drinking. So I think I drank maybe like two or three times with them from like 2023 to 2024.
Speaker 4:And I had a friend's engagement party and I hadn't really drunk much and so I yeah, I think I had like five or six drinks. But then that next day I woke up like so hungover and anxious and I just was like this is a hangover, like yeah, because I think the other time I had a couple of drinks on my birthday, but they were quite weak and so it didn't affect me too much. But then that hangover after the engagement party, I was like, oh, I'm done, yeah, so, and I don't know if I'll like reintroduce it again or not, but it's kind of cool, because now I go to events and it's like I just don't feel the need to. It's kind of just a rewired that I don't kind of want it, which is crazy, yeah, and if you are feeling good.
Speaker 3:Even when I did the keto diet I had so much energy Like it was just like I remember I would wake up at crazy hours, like 4 am, but I was just like ready to go. I was just like a little bit nuts, but I was you know. But I felt really good and like I was feeling really good in my body, like I just felt healthy. So I think when you do have a change of lifestyle and diet, that's also then supporting that. So you're like, why would I go back to drinking and vaping?
Speaker 4:and feeling like that, what I can, I know how good it feels now and when you get like back to baseline of like your health, when you like have like one thing that like doesn't align, if you feel it so much like it's insane whereas you've had us in your booth oh my gosh, I love him so you're the egg guy and he's just like got no bullshit attitude.
Speaker 1:He's just like so up front. Um, he went viral because he was calling out like big corporations and like this, like even my husband and I, we like quote him didn't you, yeah, I bought this plan.
Speaker 1:Um, it's it changed my life. Yeah, um, I did the keto diet. Um, I just couldn't. I had a few thyroid problems after breastfeeding my son and I just couldn't like get my a few thyroid problems after breastfeeding my son and I just couldn't like get my energy back. So I did the keto Eddie and Bill diet and I had never felt like the weight was falling off. I felt energy and I actually got the keto flu, did you? Yeah, I had that. Yeah, it's like a detox thing. Yeah, detoxing, because it was just no processed foods, it was just like whole food. And by day four I'm not a vomiter, but, yeah, tmi. But I was like sick and I was like, wow, I'm really feeling the effects of this and, yeah, it was so good and I just love his content. Like he just picks up this packet of sugary shit he calls it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he's like what is this sugary shit?
Speaker 1:like yeah, this is bullshit. Like why are you eating this sugary shit? So go back to eggs he's like go buy yourself a cup of eggs right now. Fuck this sugary shit and he's like and he, and he just blew off the internet. I have to say yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was cool and I bought his plan.
Speaker 1:It was like honestly $30. And he would have had millions of people buy it and it was just game-changing for me and my husband and I. We learned that eggs is the most how do you word it? Is the most. How do you word it? Protein from an egg is like just as high, like when you breastfeed. The nutrients you absorb from breastfeeding is like really high in protein. But when your body absorbs eggs it's the only food that is like on pile of breast milk, like it's really protein rich, potent, yeah, so I love eggs.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I love eggs. I feel like I've had eggs for breakfast, for like so long it's like excellent.
Speaker 2:There's so many options I can scramble it.
Speaker 3:I can eel it.
Speaker 2:You told, me how to boil eggs properly. You told me how to boil eggs.
Speaker 1:I didn't I didn't know you could do it. You just do it Happily, yeah. And then we were in New Zealand, seven minutes, yeah. And then you do like nice and hot, yeah. And then water.
Speaker 3:You want it like a bit gooey, but not runny yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, she had breakfast this morning and I was like to talk how good is. Just like eggs on toast, yeah, and tomato really high in choline. So it's like amazing for your baby and I just bloody love eggs. So what does a typical week look like for you and how is it so different now? Because I imagine that when you reach this new normal state, it must just be like wow, this is how I can feel, yes, so yeah, it must just be so different.
Speaker 4:It's so crazy. Yeah, um, I feel like I went from, yeah, like waking up, hitting my vape and then, like doom scrolling to now, like my whole morning is just so different. Like I'll wake up, I'll say like a little gratitude, prayer and then like yeah, and like have a shower and then get ready for the gym, and then I'll either do like weight training or I'll go for a run and then come back, take my dog for a walk, and then that's like when I check my phone because I'm like really I'm trying really hard not to check it, because I notice if I do check it, my focus for the day is just like so out of whack. And then I'll have, yeah, like scrambled eggs for breakfast. So I've been like more keto, like this year.
Speaker 4:But sometimes I've sort of liked doing carnivore during the week, because that's when I feel like the best. So I'll do like last week I had scrambled eggs, then I had some lamb for lunch and then a steak for dinner. So you just have meat like on the side. Yeah, yeah, wow, and that's I feel the best eating that way. And then, like on the weekends, I'm like more relaxed, so I've made like a naked burger my favorite, yeah, so that's like really nice.
Speaker 3:I'm going to fight my heart with veggies.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you can make keto carnivory kind of sauces as well Like you can cook cheese and add something else to make it. Yeah, like there's things on Instagram.
Speaker 4:There's so many, I feel like like to be fair, like I don't enjoy cooking so I'm like all right, just like basic. So that's why it's like kind of sounds like oh, is that it?
Speaker 1:I'm like it's just so easy, that's awesome too, but even someone who doesn't like cooking can still have such great success with this. You can make a stew yeah.
Speaker 3:You can get creative. I got really. When I did keto, my mum was also doing it, so like we would try heaps of different things, like we would make what was it? Cauliflower rice.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and then zucchini noodles.
Speaker 3:So I'd have like spag bon, but with yeah, zucchini. And like there's just, you can do a naked burrito, you can do.
Speaker 4:you can even leave out the top of it, you can even make like a wrap as well.
Speaker 3:And you can do Pulumi as a base yeah, like a wrap as well. And you can do Pulumi as a base. Yeah, you can do.
Speaker 2:Yeah, oh, my gosh, I'm telling you yeah, you should get Eddie on Get creative.
Speaker 3:You can do like pizzas as well. Yeah, weekly pizzas. Even Liv, our photographer for our shoot, she's just done keto recently and she yeah, there's heaps of stuff that she was saying. I was like, oh yeah, true, you can do that. It's just like veggies and meat, no process, it's just yeah, it really is just going back to roots and then obviously the fats are a big component of it.
Speaker 4:Yeah, so butter and avocado yeah, I was um ghee and I've used tallow, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:I'd have a bit of bacon, but I don't know if that is the best, like I, probably would take a different approach these days.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I think like it's fine, but as long as you're not your main source isn't like processed meats, yeah.
Speaker 1:I've also heard, because I feel like this is becoming more popular, particularly in a therapeutic setting, because I've now heard of a couple of instances where psychiatrists are using it in their therapy, which is great to hear. Where psychiatrists are using it in their therapy, which is great to hear. One lady was speaking on the podcast Diary of a CEO I forget what her name is, but she's a psychiatrist and she was talking about how keto isn't something you need to be doing all the time, but rather something that can come to you in stages and, particularly as women with menstrualal cycles as well, like it can have an impact. What's your experience been like with that, though, and has it been something that's just been a constant for you? And then you've gone to carnivore as well. Do you try and change?
Speaker 4:yeah, so I.
Speaker 4:So I guess it really depends on like what your goals are, like what your mental health issues are.
Speaker 4:So for me, obviously, the biggest thing, I guess, was the eating disorder and I was like highly addicted to like ultra processed foods and sugars and I would binge them a lot and so just trying to get off those foods, I feel like with the carnivore, keto, it just got rid of all the food noise and that was like massive for me, because I feel like I don't.
Speaker 4:If you're not like familiar with food noise, it will be like, oh, like you wake up and so say, for example, if I had a binge that night and I had the chocolate, I wake up and then like my, I have like brain fog, all of these symptoms, but then like the craving kicks in and it's so noisy and you almost just want to go and binge again just to get rid of the like food noise because it's like so dominant. And so when I did carnivore and that could just be like, I feel like with women in general, like we have such issues with like diet and even just I found out like there's this like atypical anorexia and it's basically like where you will be like, oh well, if I don't have dinner, I'll have the chocolate, and like you're swapping your foods out, and I feel like I thought about that and I was like I swear, like I know more people that do that than I don't, which is like really crazy, especially for women.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But it's probably more common than people speak about yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I think it's not really spoken about, it's just been so normalized.
Speaker 1:You know it's like, well, then I get my treat, but then I don't put on the weight because I've calculated the calories and it's like not, you're not actually nourishing your body on and that's, and we all have a relationship to food that, just like you said before about having a normal relationship to drinking or alcohol, we all have a normal relationship to food in some way, like even for me, my mum used to say, if I didn't eat my dinner, she's like, oh, there's hungry kids out there, so I'll eat it all. And then that's only been the last year or so that I realised that I finish all the food on my plate, no matter how much you put there, and so I've been leaving and just listening to it and feel full and then like, okay, I don't have to just finish it, but that was the belief that I'm brought with me, crazy, and it's like scarcity mindset as well, because like it's gonna run out, but also like yeah, that's so powerful.
Speaker 4:Like mindful eating. Yeah, I did this like experiment where we got like a sultana and it was like okay. Like like eat it, eat it. Like Feel the texture. Yeah, yeah, so you'd eat one and you'd just eat it normally, whatever, and then you'd get the next one. You would eat it and you'd chew it really slowly and you'd feel the textures in your mouth and like how sweet it was and you'd sort of picture like the journey that you know got into your mouth from. Like you know and I'm not even kidding like the taste, like was so sweet, so different to what I just shoved it in my mouth and so, yeah, mindful eating.
Speaker 3:So even, um, I went out to dinner with a friend on Friday night and we were saying like we've had nights before where we just get takeaway and we'll sit there and we just like, yeah, eat so much of it.
Speaker 3:But we went to Four Hands, which is like you guys would know, four hands. It's just like a tapestry kind of restaurant, yeah, and we got two, like we got an entree, a salad and like a pizza thing and we just shared it all. But we were like chatting and we weren't rushing to eat, because we ended up being there for a couple of hours. We, you know, we had a few drinks and stuff and we were like it's so funny because if we had this at home we would have like just smashed it, like just ate so much, but we were like enjoying, enjoying it. And then I just got to a point where there was like a few pieces left of the pizza and I was like you know what? I actually don't need that. I'm cool, like I'm very, I'm not going to push myself to. Then I'm like I can't move off the couch?
Speaker 3:yeah, but it's just so interesting, because it's like you do otherwise to scoff at. But if you're sitting there enjoying the experience, it's like you do feel up and you get to that level where you're like I'm just happy, I don't need to go any further, or I'm just content.
Speaker 1:That's right yeah that's right.
Speaker 4:I think there's like a Japanese saying I forget what it is, but they eat until they're like 80% full. Yeah, because it takes time, yeah, and I feel like that's really I don't know, that's just good, because for me anyway because I feel like I would crave that like fullness feeling, because I think, like when you like binge eat and stuff, it actually like releases like serotonin, oxytocin in the body. So you're craving that like comfort, and then that's why it feels good in the moment, it feels loving, yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 4:You feel terrible after, but in the moment.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's almost like you know. I can see how people do, because I've emotionally ate in the past as well, and it's because you're feeling empty. You want to feel full inside and just like okay, and so I see how it kind of gets to that place For sure.
Speaker 4:And you get like a massive dopamine hit as well like all the receptors, and it's kind of like a thing where you have such easy access and you can just drive down the road. Like it's not. And so it's like, well, I feel terrible, why, like the brain is looking for like the quickest route to feel better and to like get rid of the uncomfortable feeling. Yeah, so true. And so it's like hang on, we can go literally a minute and then pain will be away. And then you keep doing that because you, you know.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 4:What were your like main?
Speaker 1:tricks or like things that kind of pulled you into that like out of that headspace.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I feel like. So there's like a few. I guess, like I really just had to like rewire my brain and like thinking about like, um, what was going on there. I think like one of the ones would be like this, like wave metaphor, and so like when you think of cravings, you can picture a wave and like it gets like really intense. That's always going to crash. Um, also just like talking to yourself in like a nurturing, like loving way, figuring like okay, um, what's like another option that I could do? Like I know that you really want want to do this now, but like, maybe, like maybe we could go like have a nice hot bath, or like just finding like other alternatives. And it takes practice because, like, obviously, if you've been doing something for so long, that's just like the quickest thing, but also remembering like how bad you feel after and yeah, yeah, I like that.
Speaker 1:So with the wave one, one that's visualizing a wave, yeah, yeah, okay, it's almost like a. This too shall pass kind of? Yeah, you're just gonna ride the wave and know that on the other side you will feel it's always, yeah, like you're tricking, and I kind of always do this in a work sense.
Speaker 3:I'll be like, if there's a task that I don't want to do and I'm like putting it off, putting it off because I'm like, oh, I don't want to do that task. I'll be like, if there's a task that I don't want to do and I'm like putting it off, putting it off because I'm like, oh, I don't want to do that task, I'll be like, look, I'll just start, I'll just map it, and then I end up doing it and I like trick my brain because I'm like we're just going to map it out, that's all we're doing today.
Speaker 3:Just that, and then you've done what you need. Maybe I'll just keep going. And then I just get into a flow and I'm like tricking my brain to be like we'll just stop, we'll just do a little bit, and then, like you just end up doing it. But then you find confidence to be like I can tackle those tasks, I can tackle those thoughts, and then it's just you then have that trust and it just builds that muscle.
Speaker 4:I think like another thing too. I kind of had like rules in place, so like I set like intentions, so like, for example, at the moment, um, I have like two squares of like the um 95% dark chocolate, but I'm I only have like a maximum of like two a day, like if I do that, but I can't go over that. And so having those like boundaries in place, knowing that like okay, I can have this like little treat, but I'm not going to eat the whole block like I used to, and it almost feels like a sense of pride because like that would be something where I would just like go go to town with that sort of thing.
Speaker 4:So having like set boundaries in place and being like okay, these are the rules that I've created for myself and not and honour you and your body and your energy.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and then you feel good in yourself because you're like you know I stopped at two, that's what I set out to do and I know that two is okay and I feel good with that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I feel like that would really build your sense of self-worth too, because you're creating this trusting relationship again with yourself and your body.
Speaker 4:For sure, because I think, like with recovery, people have like different ideas and you know it just depends like what works for you. Because some people think like staying abstinence from like ultra processed foods and sugars like is is the goal, and I feel like for me, like, and like my journey, like full recovery, is not necessarily like needing those things anymore. So it's like how I look at alcohol and, um, you know all the addictive things in the past, but then like having, if I do want to have it, I can just have like a little bit and being satisfied, yeah, so yeah so cool.
Speaker 3:What would you say is next for you? Where do you see? Obviously it's been a big few years for you with the recovery and what do you see is your next thing that you want to conquer? It could just be the way that you're doing things. What's next for Crystal?
Speaker 4:Yeah, I'm not too sure. I think like I have been more carnivore. So I think just like reintroducing things and just seeing how I feel in the body and, yeah, just figuring it out.
Speaker 1:Why are you so passionate about sharing this knowledge?
Speaker 4:Yeah, I think like looking back, like from when I you know I think I was 25 in Queensland and I just felt so helpless and alone and isolated and I had, you know, no knowledge of this whatsoever.
Speaker 4:And I just feel like there are so many like simple steps that you can take rather than like drastic changes. You know what I mean. Well, like treatment plans, you know, and like trusting that if you look at your lifestyle and like just making choices for yourself, yeah, and I think also like with therapy as well, like a lot of people they think therapy is like for when you're like at a mental health crisis and things like that, but like you can just use it to, I don't know, like have the resources and the tools, like it doesn't have to be like such a thing where, um, you're in a crisis. And yeah, I think as well like learning these things, like I learned like CBT and that was like great for, like you know, your thought biases and I think that everyone should learn that, because what's CBbt? It's like cognitive behavioral therapy, and so it's like looking at your like negative thoughts and um having like alternative ways to um I guess like like think, think things it's more critical thinking.
Speaker 1:Yeah, when a dissection of your thought patterns, of your behaviors and how it's all going did?
Speaker 3:you do that with your first therapist, or that was another form of therapy yeah, just with the therapist.
Speaker 4:So like I've had like black and white thinking, so like you might think of things as like all good or all bad. Then there's like fixed rules, so it's like, oh, I should do this, should do that, and you just like figure out ways to like not think those things anymore. So, yeah, like there's like catastrophizing. So, for example, you could, you know, be traveling, right, you have anxiety come up because you're like scared of flying, like, oh, my god, like the plane's gonna go down, we're gonna crash. And then you look at ways like you'd be like okay, well, how is this logical? Like what's the percentage that this would happen? And then just like work your way out of that crisis, wow, okay.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so cool. Like I hear all these therapies and it's also really hard to find a therapist, that one you feel connected to but that does all these different things. But it's so cool that you were able to do that with your therapist, that you met and explored, like the keto and like so many different avenues.
Speaker 4:There's been so many, even like schema therapy, which I think so this has been massive. It looks at all your belief systems. So if you have like negative core beliefs, you can see how that like manifests into your reality and like what you've like, looking back in the past, you can be like, okay, okay, if I have the belief system then I'm powerless. And then you have a situation in your life and you're like, oh, that's where it showed up, and so just rewiring your brain to not have those negative core beliefs that's been so impactful.
Speaker 4:Another one, too, is like grief therapy, and it doesn't have to be necessarily, I guess someone like in your life pass away, but like you can mourn the like mother that you never had or the father that you never had, if you've had, like you know, parent issues and things like that, even like friendships that have had breakdowns, things like that, or relationships, because I feel like that's grief and that's a loss and it's not actually talked about, because we only look at grief as someone that's passed away, yeah, yeah, and you can like place it somewhere and you can. I think like there's a difference between like forgiveness and acceptance and like you can sort of like forgive, but there's also like, I guess maybe not acceptance, but like understanding and you can understand, like why you know your parents were a certain type of way. You know you can look at like the generational trauma and you can understand okay, like what happened to me wasn't okay, but I can understand like why it's happened and it helps you like place it somewhere and put the piece in the puzzle.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, acceptance is huge for sure yeah. I love how you speak so openly about all of this, and it's a leaf that everyone could take out of your book, because these are challenges that everybody may face at some point or different aspects of them we may come into contact with, but everyone could benefit from working on themselves and learning more about their body and their mind and how they work together as a team, and I just want to thank you for sharing this story and bringing this to the conversation.
Speaker 1:Thanks, no doubt it will get to someone that needs to hear your story and message and that's what we give. Like we want this to be a space where you can share these amazing your story's amazing. Like you've commented a lot and it's nice for people to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that you can actually rely on yourself more than you think. I feel like in this new time of life. Like you know, 2025 is such a time where we're realizing we're taking back our power in the medical system, you know, not putting all our trust and faith in the adult, like with our doctors, like we have a choice, whereas back in the day, like it was only what they said gospel, like you know. And now it's like actually I'm going to follow my intuition and you did that. So that's amazing. Yeah, like I feel like I'm very inspired by your story.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I feel like we have so much access to like resources and things now and, yeah, there's so many more like alternatives that you can look at and figure out like what's right for you and yeah.
Speaker 3:And if our followers did want to find you and connect with you, where can they do that?
Speaker 4:Yeah, so I'm on Instagram, so I'm crystal with a K and and astus, and I also have just started another one called she eats power. Yeah, so it's just got all I guess like resources I share, like um, like tips and tricks, how I quit alcohol and all of those things also like I guess like day in the life's what I'm eating and yeah, just if you want to learn more, talk about like blood sugar, um, just like things that are happening in the body as well, yeah, um, I feel like I was looking online and I was sort of thinking, okay, like this stuff isn't really that exciting to I guess research Like it's very either like clinical and that's just like I don't know, like neutral colors, black and white, and it doesn't feel exciting.
Speaker 4:And so I sort of was like, okay, if five years ago me needed some help, like what would she be drawn to? And so, having like a graphic design background, I was like, well, I want it to be exciting and I want it to be feel like real and authentic. So I was like, all right, what's like a cool name where, like I can feel like exciting to. You know, um, take my power back, and so that's kind of what it what it's all about, and it's like super colorful and fun rather than just like clinical and depressing. Because I'd go five years ago I'd be like you're not getting me to change my diet, like no, just give me the drugs.
Speaker 3:Yeah, you want to inspire people? Yeah, oh that's so amazing.
Speaker 1:Do you have any resources or any offerings through she Eats Power?
Speaker 4:Not at the moment, but I think I'll put some things up soon. Watch this space. Yeah, watch this space.
Speaker 3:It's exciting. We'll include all your details in the show notes, but thank you again for meeting with us and reaching out to us. Thanks for having me guys. Yeah, it's been really inspirational. I think we've all taken something out of this episode. I think our followers, our listeners will definitely take some from this as well.
Speaker 1:Is there anything that you feel like we didn't touch on, or any last words that you have?
Speaker 4:for the listeners about this talk. I think just if you've been struggling lately, look at your lifestyle and like if there's something that you know isn't really benefiting you but you might have like a bit of an unhealthy attachment to, maybe just look at figuring out a way to like eliminate it and just take like simple steps and yeah, baby steps, yeah, baby steps, yeah, and see the process and probably figure out, hey, I don't need this in my life anymore. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, take your power back. Yeah, literally, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 4:I feel like, too, like just being mindful of like what you consume, and that's like so much more than just like what you put on your plate, and that's like with like the conversations you have, like what you're looking at on social media, even like what you're watching, and things like that, and that's like massive. And yeah, my like she eats power space, because I feel like we don't really realize like how everything's like interconnected.
Speaker 1:So it's so true, so true thanks, we're all one, like we're all yeah, one big ball of earth energy no, that's so cool very, we're in for a bath, yeah.
Speaker 4:Thank you.
Speaker 1:Thank you, Thanks guys.
Speaker 2:Thanks for tuning in to Loosely Speaking and, as we always say, please take us with a pinch of salt. New episodes drop every fortnight, so please don't forget to hit that subscribe button. Want to see more of the fun? Follow us on Instagram at looselyspeakingpodcast, and come be a part of the good vibes. Have you got a story topic idea or just want to say hey? We'd love to hear from you. Please shoot us an email at looselyspeakingthepodcast at gmailcom. If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a comment and follow along so you never miss a beat. Catch you next time.
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