Helen Birney

Helen Birney is the CEO of Cultivate Health Coaching. She coaches women off the scale and into their lives by helping them deepen their understanding of the emotional and behavioral patterns that surround their health and well-being. She is known for her thoughtful leadership, and the empathy and intuition she brings to creating supportive communities for women. Helen believes health at any age and stage of life is possible when we learn to connect our health goals to the most important parts of our unique selves. Helen is a lifelong learner and teacher, as well as a busy co-parent to two children in Maplewood, New Jersey.

You describe Energetic Eating as going "beyond the scale." What does that mean to you, and why is it so important for lasting health?
For years, the scale dictated my self-worth. Whether I stuck to a diet, restricted harder, or gave up altogether—it all hinged on that number. But true health isn’t found in a digit. Going beyond the scale means reconnecting with your body, your energy, and your deeper desires—not just your weight. It’s about asking, How do I want to feel? and What kind of life am I creating? rather than What do I weigh today? When we make decisions from that place of self-connection, instead of punishment or pressure, we build health that actually lasts—because it’s rooted in who we are, not what we weigh.

Many readers are familiar with the frustration of yo-yo dieting. What was the turning point in your own journey that led you to create the Energetic Eating Method?
​At one point, I was throwing everything at the wall—keto coffee, paleo, intermittent fasting, macro tracking—all in a desperate attempt to lose those same ten pounds. I ignored all the red flags: anxiety, night sweats, stomach pain, and irritability. And still, the scale didn’t budge. That was my breaking point. I literally ran over the scale with my car. That moment sparked a shift—I stopped chasing trends and started studying integrative nutrition. From there, I discovered energy healing, which helped me uncover and release the deeper emotional patterns keeping me stuck. That’s when I created the Energetic Eating Method: a sustainable, aligned, and empowered path that helps women discover root causes of stress and weight gain, and  heals their relationship with food, their bodies, and themselves.

You talk about “releasing toxic beliefs” around food and weight. What are some of the most common ones you see, and how can women begin to shift them?
The most damaging beliefs are often the ones we don’t even realize we’re carrying. They shape how we eat, how we feel about our bodies, and whether we believe change is even possible. In Energetic Eating, we talk about 12 negative beliefs that women hold, but here are three I see most often:

1. “It’s not possible for me to make changes.”
   This belief keeps women stuck in the past—focused on failed diets instead of fresh starts. The truth is, real change doesn’t come from trying harder. It comes from healing the root causes that keep us in survival mode, so new choices feel safe and doable.
2. “My weight is the problem.”
   This belief puts the focus on the symptom instead of the source. Weight is often a signal, not a flaw. When we shift our focus from shrinking the body to supporting it, the body responds in powerful ways.
3. “I’m out of control around food.”
   This belief fuels shame and creates a cycle of restriction and rebellion. The key is rebuilding trust—not just with food, but with yourself. That starts with calming the nervous system and tuning into your body’s real needs.

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​​Your approach encourages tuning into the body’s signals. How can someone new to this process begin learning to trust their body again? Can you give an example of a "signal?"
Rebuilding trust with your body starts by paying attention to the subtle cues it gives you every day. In the Energetic Eating Method, I teach women to track six key signals: Thoughts, Mood, Digestion, Focus, Energy Levels, and Conscious Choices. These are what I call the Pillars of Energetic Health.

Each signal offers insight into what your body needs—if you’re willing to listen. For example, the Mood signal often points to blood sugar imbalances or poor sleep. If you're feeling irritable, anxious, or low for no clear reason, it might not be "just your mood"—it could be your body asking for more steady nourishment or better rest.

I guide women through self-assessments and simple, supportive protocols—like food tweaks, nervous system tools, or mindset shifts—to help interpret these signals and restore balance. When you start responding to your body with curiosity instead of criticism, trust builds naturally. That’s where healing begins.

The testimonials in your book reflect deep emotional and physical transformation. What role does mindset play in the Energetic Eating Method?
Mindset is the foundation of every choice we make. It shapes how we feel, how we act, and whether we believe change is even possible. I tell my clients: it takes time and effort to meal prep, cook, exercise, or build new habits—but a shift in thought can happen in an instant. And that shift can completely change your energy, your motivation, and your confidence.
In the Energetic Eating Method, mindset is actually the first signal we address—through the lens of thoughts. Learning to recognize the negative mental loops you’re stuck in is the starting point. Once you can hear those thoughts without judgment, you can begin to shift them—and when that happens, everything else starts to feel more doable.
True transformation isn’t just physical—it’s energetic. When you change the way you think, you change the way you show up for yourself.

You write that exercise and healthy eating can become effortless and joyful. How do we move from struggle to that kind of ease?
Ease comes when we connect our daily habits to something deeper—what I call our Best Energetic Selves. When your “why” is strong enough—like having the energy to pursue your purpose, show up fully for your family, your work, or finally feel free in your body—health stops being a chore and starts being essential. Like brushing your teeth, it becomes non-negotiable.

In my work, I’ve seen women not only transform their health, but also leave toxic relationships, double their income, deepen their family bonds, and reclaim their lives. That kind of ripple effect starts when you stop chasing weight loss—and start choosing more. More energy. More confidence. More peace. When you feel those shifts, you want to keep going—not because you have to, but because it feels that good.

What are some small, sustainable changes a reader can make today to begin aligning with their energy and well-being?
The biggest shift? Stop thinking of health as something you’ll “get to” someday—and start treating it as something you live through daily choices. Your energy is shaped one choice at a time: getting up earlier to set the tone for your day, choosing a nourishing meal, going to bed without your phone in hand.
When we stop overcomplicating health and start solving for what’s actually in the way, momentum builds fast. If waking up early is hard, focus on improving your bedtime routine. If eating well feels out of reach, stock your kitchen with food that energizes you. If phone scrolling drains you, plug it in across the room.
These aren’t massive overhauls—they’re micro-adjustments that build self-trust. You can do these things. And when you do, you begin to feel like the version of yourself you’ve been waiting for.

You’ve worked with countless women using Energetic Eating. What are the most rewarding changes you’ve witnessed in your clients?
Some of the most powerful transformations I’ve seen aren’t just physical—they’re deeply emotional. Many of the women I work with grew up in households where dieting was the norm, and they were taught to distrust their bodies from a young age. Helping them heal that inherited shame, release self-loathing, and step into real self-confidence has been incredibly rewarding.

I’ve watched women build enough self-trust to leave toxic relationships, pursue new careers, and finally prioritize their own needs. I’ve seen women go from fearing movement to training for half-marathons. 
And yes, they all release weight—but more importantly, they release the belief that their worth is tied to it.
That’s what Energetic Eating is really about: not just changing how you eat, but changing how you see yourself—and what you believe is possible.

How does your holistic approach differ from traditional health or diet programs?
Most programs focus on the surface—meal plans, calorie counts, or lab work. And while gut health, hormones, and bloodwork are important (and yes, I support women with those too), they’re not the whole story.
What makes Energetic Eating different is that we start deeper. I use a unique combination of energy healing and integrative nutrition to identify root causes and clear the energetic residue of diet trauma before we even touch food or fitness. It’s about more than health metrics—it’s about healing your relationship with your body and building a new way of being.
This method brings you back home to yourself. That’s when change becomes sustainable—not because you’re following a program, but because you’ve reconnected with your power.

If readers are to digest and understand just one core idea from Energetic Eating, what do you hope it will be?
There are two paths available to women seeking lasting change. One is paved with dieting, self-criticism, and willpower-driven tactics. The other is built on trust, self-compassion, and sustainable shifts rooted in healing.
Both paths can lead to weight loss—but only one leads to true freedom.

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Visit Helen on her website: 
https://www.cultivatehealthcoaching.com/
Join Helen’s Facebook Community: 
www.facebook.com/groups/2368629619914357
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Subscribe to Helen's YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/@helenbirney6659

Purchase the book here: https://amzn.to/46bJSEz