208 + When Intuitive Eating Doesn’t Work (Yet): Trauma and Safety in the Body

In this follow-up to last week’s conversation about trauma and weight, Dr. Michelle Tubman explores a crucial truth that doesn’t get talked about enough: you can’t listen to a body you don’t feel safe in.

While intuitive eating is often positioned as the antidote to food struggles, it’s not always the right starting point—especially for those navigating trauma, chronic stress, or deep disconnection from their bodies. If you've ever tried intuitive eating and felt like it just didn’t work for you, this episode will help you understand why that might be—and why it’s not your fault.

Dr. Michelle shares:

• Why trauma makes it difficult to “drop into” your body
• What it actually feels like to be unsafe in your body (hint: it might show up as numbness, dissociation, or shutdown)
• The difference between chaotic eating and restricting patterns—and how both can emerge from trauma
• Why trying intuitive eating too soon can feel overwhelming or even backfire
• How “scheduled eating” can be a gentle stepping stone—not a diet, but a bridge to body trust
• What healing the nervous system looks like, and why that work may need to come before food work

She also shares her own story of struggling with intuitive eating in the early days of her healing, and why she’s now training to offer gentle trauma release sessions—a new offering coming this fall, designed to help clients who feel disconnected or unsafe in their bodies begin to rebuild trust and safety from the inside out.

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear that it’s not their fault. And if you’re ready to explore body reconnection and trauma healing, stay tuned for more about upcoming trauma release sessions—or reach out to learn more.

Learn more about Dr Tubman at wayzahealth.com.