How Surgery Led to Food Freedom and Self-Discovery with Kyla Holley

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Kyla Holley, founder of the Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour and host of the “Change Your Relationship with Food” podcast. Kyla shares her candid story of how gallbladder surgery in her early 40s became a turning point, leading to a personal and professional transformation—from navigating binge eating disorder to helping others heal their own relationship with food. Together, Amy and Kyla explore medical interventions, midlife reinvention, body acceptance, and the evolving landscape of weight loss and wellness.

About the Guest:

Kyla Holley is a Therapist and Founder of the Australian Centre for Eating Behaviour (ACFEB). She leads a community of over 1000 ACFEB trained health professionals, and continues to work in private practice to keep her clinical experience up to date. She also hosts an award-winning podcast Change your Relationship with Food.

Main Topics Covered:

• The life-changing impact of gallbladder surgery and the revelations that followed
• Kyla’s journey with binge eating disorder and finding self-acceptance
• The role of counselling and education in transforming relationships with food
• Bariatric surgery, the rise of GLP-1 medications (Ozempic/Tirzepatide), and global trends
• Why weight and body image are so complex—and why shame and judgment don’t help
• Building a new career and helping others after personal transformation
• The crucial value of laughter, partnership, and living authentically through midlife changes

Quote from the Episode:

“It was just a quest for the inside and the outside to match … This wasn’t really a quest for thinness. I wouldn’t put myself into that category even now. But it was just a quest for the inside and the outside to match.” — Kyla Holley

Timestamps: [00:00:00] Kyla’s background: from the UK to Australia; laughter & resilience in marriage

[00:02:30] The story behind gallbladder surgery and the “five Fs”

[00:04:15] When health forces a reckoning: self-acceptance vs. change

[00:09:24] Studying counselling, becoming her own case study, and life/career transformation

[00:15:04] Deciding to re-train, approach her surgeon, and start helping others

[00:18:46] Working with bariatric patients; realizing the need for eating disorder expertise

[00:23:10] The GLP-1 medication boom and what’s happening for patients in Australia

[00:29:02] Why relationship with food is key—beyond medication or surgery

[00:34:11] Bringing expertise to a global audience; Kyla’s podcast & training centre

[00:35:35] Fun questions: Princess Cake, favorite TV shows, and dream kitchen upgrades

Special Offer from the Guest:

Mention this episode of “The Art of Imperfect Adulting” to receive a 10% discount on Kyla’s online professional training courses for a limited time. www.acfeb.com

Note from the show:

Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer, please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.

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