What Does Success Actually Look Like?

Success is about far more than the number on the scale.

Episode #261
🎙️ In this episode, Dr. Terri Lance and Dr. Jason Fung explore what success really means when it comes to health, weight loss, and long-term behaviour change.

As they conclude their discussion of The Hunger Code, they challenge the idea that success can be measured by a single number, biometric, or goal weight. Instead, they explore how values, mindset, community, mindfulness, and self-awareness play a critical role in creating sustainable change.

The conversation also revisits one of the central themes of The Hunger Code: hunger is a messenger. Understanding what hunger is trying to tell us—whether physical, emotional, social, or habitual—can transform how we respond to it and how we define success.

👉 What you'll learn:
• Why success looks different for every person
• The difference between appearance goals and health goals
• Why numbers and metrics don't tell the whole story
• How mindset influences long-term success
• The role of community in behaviour change
• Why competitions often fail to create lasting results
• How mindfulness helps you understand hunger differently
• Why hunger is a messenger, not simply a signal to eat

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 — Hunger as a messenger, not a command
00:31 — Introduction: what does success actually look like?
01:11 — Why success is about more than outcomes
01:53 — The problem with relying on metrics alone
03:52 — What are you actually trying to achieve?
05:50 — Defining success for yourself
06:55 — The rise of tracking culture and longevity marketing
08:39 — Why success looks different for everyone
09:01 — Health goals vs appearance goals
11:37 — Living in a way that creates success
12:39 — Mindset change vs diet change
13:38 — Why fasting isn't something you "finish"
14:16 — The importance of community support
15:23 — Competition vs transformation
16:58 — Why workplace weight-loss challenges often fail
18:21 — Behaviour change vs short-term dieting
19:49 — Changing how you think about food
20:23 — Mindfulness, awareness, and food choices
22:12 — How do you apply this in real life?
22:58 — Understanding different types of hunger
24:25 — Practical strategies for holidays, stress, and social events
25:07 — Hedonic hunger and alternative rewards
26:41 — Why community accelerates learning
27:01 — What weight loss can learn from Alcoholics Anonymous
28:21 — Learning from others in community
28:52 — Adjusting your approach during stressful seasons
30:06 — Why success requires ongoing adjustments
31:26 — How goals naturally change over time
32:21 — Small tweaks that create meaningful change
35:26 — Why meaningful conversations matter
36:33 — Hunger as a messenger
37:17 — What hunger is really trying to tell you
38:23 — Physical, emotional, and social hunger
39:04 — Why fasting reveals the deeper drivers of eating
40:59 — Final thoughts and community support

📝 Transcript
The transcript for this episode is available on our website:
https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

💛 Community Support
Join The Fasting Method Community for guidance, accountability, and coaching support:
https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community/

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⚠️ Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.

The use of any products or services purchased does not create a healthcare provider–patient relationship.

Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.