Ep 17: Building Resilience and a Positive Mindset After WLS | Running Thoughts with Tracey Kelly
This post is a companion to Episode 17 of the Bariatric Nutrition Coach Podcast. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
In this episode, I was joined by Tracey Kelly — author of Running Thoughts, a deeply honest and practical book about her journey from childhood trauma, mental health struggles, and weight loss surgery, to running a half marathon and building a life she's proud of.
Why Tracey Wrote the Book
Tracey wrote Running Thoughts because she wanted other people to feel less alone. For so long she wondered if anyone else thought the way she did — the self-doubt, the shame, the inner critic. Her book is raw, honest, and also wonderfully practical, with journaling prompts and goal-setting frameworks woven throughout.
She had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, and her journey to a positive place — from genuinely dark and desperate moments to being proud of what her body could do — is the beating heart of the book.
The Power of Professional Support
Tracey is a strong advocate for finding the right professional support — not just any professional, but the right one. It might take three, four, or five attempts before you find someone who truly listens and connects with you. But when you do, it makes an enormous difference. The right dietitian, psychologist, or GP can change the trajectory of your whole journey.
Journaling as a Tool for Mindset and Resilience
Tracey is a passionate advocate for journaling — and the science backs her up. Journaling has been shown to share similar benefits to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in reducing stress, depression, and anxiety. It releases dopamine, improves sleep, and helps you process your thoughts rather than carrying them around all day.
Her analogy: journaling is like putting your worries in a bag. Once they're written down, you can close the bag and put it down — and come back to it when you're ready.
What Resilience Actually Looks Like
Tracey is clear that resilience isn't about never struggling. It's about knowing your why, being able to envision a better life, and getting up one more time than you fall down. "I've survived 100% of my worst days ever," she says — and that's something worth remembering.
You can find Tracey on Instagram at @traceymariekelly and her book Running Thoughts on Amazon.
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