1KHO 523: From Couch, to Garden, to Whole Foods and a Whole New Life Down 160 Pounds | Helene Leeds and Penelope Popken, Step It Up

Helene Leeds and Penelope Popkin are living proof that transformation doesn’t come in a pill, a quick fix, or a viral trend—it grows slowly, like a garden. In this powerful episode, mother and daughter share their deeply personal journey through food addiction, depression, emotional healing, and ultimately, 160 pounds of natural weight loss. When every expert said to stay quiet, Helene refused. When Penelope was told she was “fine,” she knew she wasn’t. Together, they rejected the status quo and rebuilt their health, their relationship, and their lives—one home-cooked meal, one walk, one day at a time. You’ll hear how outdoor time, homeschooling, gardening, and unplugging from toxic influences became the unlikely foundation for radical healing. This is not a story about diets—it’s about reclaiming freedom. It's about moms modeling something different. And it’s about the power of doing hard things, together. 🔗 Learn more and join their program: getstepitup.life A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them ALL out below: Active Skin Repair: Visit www.ActiveSkinRepair.com to learn more about Active Skin Repair and their commitment to 1% for the planet and use code: 1000hours to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products Select Quote: Head to www.selectquote.com/1000hours to learn more. BetterHelp: Visit www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS today to get 10% off your first month. Fay Nutrition: Visit www.FayNutrition.com/1000HOURS to see if you qualify for a dietitian for $0 CRU: Visit give.cru.org/hour to sign up for a $24 monthly gift, and receive a free copy of Until The Streetlights Come On Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns NIV Application Bible - visit www.NIVapplicationbible.com if you’re looking to grow in your understanding of Scripture and make it real in your daily life. Cozy Earth - Upgrade your summer sleep at www.cozyearth.com and use code OUTSIDE for 40% off their best-selling sheets, loungewear, and more. Lagoon - Go to LagoonSleep.com/OUTSIDE and take their awesome 2 minute sleep quiz to find your match.Use the code OUTSIDE for 15% off your first purchase Brave Books - Right now, you can get 20% off your first purchase at www.BRAVEBooks.com/1000hours with the code 1000HOURS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices