If you’ve ever found yourself standing in front of the fridge thinking, “How did I get here—again?” — you’re not alone. In this eye-opening episode, James sits down with Renée Jones, coach, author, TEDx speaker, and someone who knows the diet cycle all too well.

After 40 years of yo-yo dieting, Renée discovered the root of her struggle: emotional eating. Today, she helps clients worldwide face their emotional triggers head-on and build sustainable, compassionate relationships with food. In this conversation, Renée shares how understanding her Enneagram type and uncovering early emotional connections to food changed everything.

We dive into how past memories shape present cravings, why high achievers often miss the emotional cues, and how simple daily practices—like keeping your goal jeans visible—can create lasting change. Renée also breaks down the difference between therapy and coaching, why self-awareness is the true game-changer, and how to set up your environment for success.

If you’re tired of diets that don’t stick, this conversation is your permission slip to try something different.

Episode Title: Face Your Stuff, Don’t Stuff Your Face: Renee Jones on Emotional Eating

Chapter Markers:

1. [00:00] It’s Not Just the Food: Understanding what’s really driving you to the fridge.

2. [01:00] Renee’s 40-Year Diet Yo-Yo: The long road to awareness.

3. [03:00] Dieting Since Age 10: Early patterns and generational cycles.

4. [06:00] Closet Full of Sizes: The reality of yo-yo dieting.

5. [07:00] Emotional Eating Defined: Awareness is everything.

6. [10:00] Captain Crunch & Comfort: How early memories shape cravings.

7. [13:00] Peanut Butter & Love: Emotional connections to food.

8. [16:00] Beyond Quick Fixes: Why weight-loss shots and surgery don’t solve the real issue.

9. [18:00] Awareness First: The power of recognizing emotional eating.

10. [20:00] Accountability Hacks: Environment and setting yourself up for success.

11. [24:00] The Pendulum Effect: Overachievers and overcompensating.

12. [26:00] Enneagram & Emotional Eating: Personality-informed approaches.

13. [29:00] Gender Differences: How men and women process food emotionally.

14. [32:00] Tastes Change: Why your cravings shift over time.

15. [35:00] The Breakthrough: Choosing yourself over the food.

16. [39:00] Finding What Works for You: Personalized nutrition.

17. [43:00] Myth Busting: Fat isn’t the enemy.

18. [45:00] Final Thoughts: Simple steps toward lasting change.

• Renee’s Website: packyourownbag.com

• Email Renee: renee@packyourownbag.com

• TEDx Talk: Search "Renee Jones TEDx Emotional Eating"

• Free Affirmations and Resources: packyourownbag.com