What Does Success Actually Look Like?

What Does Success Actually Look Like?

Author: The Fasting Method June 9, 2026 Duration: 42:05

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/

✨ Partner Offer
🧪 Curious about Aeira?
Learn more at drinkaeira.com and use the discount code podcast10 for 10% off Aeira products.

📣 Connect With Us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/obesitycodenetwork

⚠️ 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.


For anyone navigating the world of intermittent fasting, sorting through the noise can be the hardest part. The Fasting Method Podcast cuts through that confusion with clarity and authority. Co-hosted by recognized experts Megan Ramos and Terri Lance, Ph.D., this podcast is built on a foundation of real science and practical application. The conversations here move beyond simplistic tips to explore the nuanced physiology of fasting, the psychological hurdles, and the sustainable strategies that lead to lasting health changes. You’ll hear detailed explorations of metabolic adaptation, hormone regulation, and the social complexities of changing one's eating patterns, all grounded in the hosts' extensive clinical and research experience. This is a space where listener questions drive the dialogue, making each episode a direct address to the real-world challenges people face. Tune in for a candid, evidence-based resource that treats fasting not as a trend, but as a deeply personal tool for wellness. The discussions on this podcast are designed to empower you with knowledge, demystify the process, and provide a supportive audio companion for your journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Fasting Method Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Why Short Fasts Stop Working — And When You Need More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:32
Why shorter fasts often stop working once insulin resistance is established — and what therapeutic fasting is actually designed to do. Episode #245 🎙️ If you're fasting daily and still feel stuck, you may be stopping rig…
Why Calorie Counting Fails — and What Hunger Really Controls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:29
Why calorie counting fails — and why hunger, not willpower, drives eating behavior. Episode #244 🎙️ If calories alone controlled weight, calorie counting would work. But it doesn't — because hunger is the real driver. In…
From Goals to Daily Actions: What Actually Moves You Forward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
A practical conversation about why goals don't create change — daily actions do. Episode #243 🎙️ "Having the big, beautiful goal doesn't get us to the big, beautiful goal. Translating it into daily actions is what actual…
The Quiet Changes That Make Lasting Results Possible [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:22
Real change doesn't usually look dramatic at first. 🎙️In this bonus episode, Dr. Terri Lance explores the subtle internal shifts that often signal real progress — softer self-talk, quicker recovery after setbacks, and a…
Beginner Fasting Pitfalls: Why Rushing Slows Your Progress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:26
A practical coaching conversation for new fasters on why slowing down is the fastest way to make real progress. Episode #242 🎙️ If fasting feels harder than it should, you may not be doing it "wrong" — you may just be ru…
Beyond Willpower: Why Self-Criticism Keeps You Stuck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:22
Many people believe they need more willpower to stay consistent with fasting or eating habits. 🎙️In this bonus episode, Dr. Terri Lance gently challenges that idea and explains why so-called "self-sabotaging" behaviors a…
The Gap Between Knowing and Doing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:05
Many people already know what to do for their health — and still struggle to follow through consistently. 🎙️In this bonus episode, Dr. Terri Lance explores the gap between knowing and doing, and why that gap has nothing…
The Hunger Code: Understanding Hunger Beyond Willpower [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
A deeper look at hunger — and why overeating is not a willpower problem. Episode #240 🎙️ What if the real issue isn't overeating — but over-hunger? In this episode, Megan Ramos and Dr. Terri Lance are joined by Dr. Jason…
No More Compensating: How to Start the New Year Without Regret [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:18
A practical, mindset-focused conversation about starting the new year without punishment, panic, or regret. Episode #239 🎙️ What if the biggest mistake we make in January is starting from regret — and trying to "make up…