Life After MLM

This weeks sponsor is BetterHelp. Listeners of the show receive 10% off their first month of online therapy by visiting betterhelp.com/mlm.This month we are teaming up with igotout.org, a consortium of cult survivors supporting the #igotout movement of activism, and education, to help shine light on the commercial cults more commonly known as Multi Level Marketing. Throughout the month of November, follow along with us on social media as we share MLM statistics, cult education, survivor stories and ways you can join in on the movement. Visit igotout.org to share your MLM experience and share your #igotout selfie using the hashtags #igotout and #igotoutofanmlm on social media. Freedom of thought is a universal human right.Brian reached out to me and sent me a copy of Merchants of Deception after an Amway episode, and I asked him if he would be interested in sharing his story on the show. Although MLM's generally go after women, around 26% of men are also victims, so sharing the ways they are targeted and indoctrinated is just as important. Brian was worried his story wasn't sensational enough to make an impact, but I disagree! The tactics and practices are the same today as they were 25 years ago!Show NotesMerchants of Deception - https://archive.org/details/MerchantsOfDeceptionDr. Amen - https://www.amenclinics.com/Pyramid Scheme Bar IG - https://www.instagram.com/pyramidschemegr/AntiMLM Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/antiMLM/Dr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJbHow can you help?Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.orgYou can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwideSupport the Podcast!Buy me a Taco and leave me a note! 🌮💖 - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robertablevinsFollow me on TikTok for Anti MLM content, education, and humor! - https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa & https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa2.0Follow us on Instagram for visual show notes, FAQ, and updates! - https://www.instagram.com/lifeaftermlmpodcast/Like us on Facebook and join our show fan page to jump in on the conversation! - https://www.facebook.com/lifeaftermlmpodcastFind me on CLUBHOUSE at @therealrobertablevins*Some links may be affiliate links. When you purchase things from these links, I get a small commission that I use to buy us tacos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This weeks sponsor is BetterHelp. Listeners of the show receive 10% off their first month of online therapy by visiting betterhelp.com/mlm.This month we are teaming up with igotout.org, a consortium of cult survivors supporting the #igotout movement of activism, and education, to help shine light on the commercial cults more commonly known as Multi Level Marketing. Throughout the month of November, follow along with us on social media as we share MLM statistics, cult education, survivor stories and ways you can join in on the movement. Visit igotout.org to share your MLM experience and share your #igotout selfie using the hashtags #igotout and #igotoutofanmlm on social media. Freedom of thought is a universal human right.When I first read Elizabeth's email to me, I knew I had to talk to her for our Cult Education Month. After watching LuLaRich, and diving into the Anti MLM Movement, Elizabeth left her MLM of 3 years, and publicly denounced them on her Facebook page. We talk about the culty ways MLM crept into her life, grooming her from a sick college student, to a young newlywed, the indoctrination into the oily life, and the hoops she jumped through in the name of blind faith. We also discuss the cognitive dissonance Elizabeth felt between what Young Living told her, and what she found out.Show NotesPlant Therapy Essential Oils - https://www.planttherapy.com/Life After MLM - Liz Arias - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-21-liz-arias-part-1/id1553784236?i=1000517628567Elizabeth's Facebook post about leaving Young Living - https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.austin.3781/posts/3144416499121352A Dangerous Mind: Gary Young - http://gary-young-fraud.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-dangerous-mind-gary-young.htmlA Little Bit Culty!! - https://www.alittlebitculty.com/Dr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJbHow can you help?Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.orgYou can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwideSupport the Podcast!Buy me a Taco and leave me a note! 🌮💖 - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robertablevinsFollow me on TikTok for Anti MLM content, education, and humor! - https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa & https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa2.0Follow us on Instagram for visual show notes, FAQ, and updates! - https://www.instagram.com/lifeaftermlmpodcast/Like us on Facebook and join our show fan page to jump in on the conversation! - https://www.facebook.com/lifeaftermlmpodcastFind me on CLUBHOUSE at @therealrobertablevins*Some links may be affiliate links. When you purchase things from these links, I get a small commission that I use to buy us tacos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thank you to this weeks sponsor, Best Fiends! Download Best Fiends on the Apple App Store, or Google Play today!This month we are teaming up with igotout.org, a consortium of cult survivors supporting the #igotout movement of activism, and education, to help shine light on the commercial cults more commonly known as Multi Level Marketing. Throughout the month of November, follow along with us on social media as we share MLM statistics, cult education, survivor stories and ways you can join in on the movement. Visit igotout.org to share your MLM experience and share your #igotout selfie using the hashtags #igotout and #igotoutofanmlm on social media. Freedom of thought is a universal human right.*The stories shared in LuLaBitch are our own personal experiences, opinions and allegations of our time in the cult LuLaRoe. Some accounts may be triggering. Please listen at your own discretion. This is meant as a companion series to the Amazon Docuseries, LuLaRich, and is in no way affiliated with the film.*I had never met or spoken to Lauren prior to LuLaRich, but I felt so connected to her while watching the documentary that I knew I needed to reach out and say hi. Lauren and I had several long chats over the course of a couple days, and learned a lot about each other. I had been struggling to find a good spot for this chat in my calendar when we decided to make November Cult Month, I knew INSTANTLY where she belonged. As we walk down LuLaRoe memory lane, Lauren let's me know about another high demand group she found herself involved with when she was in as a teen; Cascade School, a "Toubled Teen Industry" cult, where she was kidnapped in the middle of the night, and whisked off to the top of a literal mountain.Show NotesWatch LuLaRich on Amazon Prime Video! - https://amzn.to/3k68AxsThe Troubled Teen Industry is a Cult - https://www.troubledteenindustry.net/modern-cultsCascade School was a Cult - https://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/comments/j5ocav/cascade_school_was_a_cult/Survivor, CEDU & Ascent & Cascade & Provo Canyon School 1997-1999 - https://www.survivorsbreakingsilence.com/stories/survivor-cedu-amp-ascent-amp-cascade-amp-provo-canyon-schoolSurvivors Breaking Silence - https://www.survivorsbreakingsilence.com/Dr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJbHow can you help?Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.orgYou can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwideSupport the Podcast!Buy me a Taco and leave me a note! 🌮💖 - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robertablevinsFollow me on TikTok for Anti MLM content, education, and humor! - https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa & https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa2.0Follow us on Instagram for visual show notes, FAQ, and updates! - https://www.instagram.com/lifeaftermlmpodcast/Like us on Facebook and join our show fan page to jump in on the conversation! - https://www.facebook.com/lifeaftermlmpodcastFind me on CLUBHOUSE at @therealrobertablevins*Some links may be affiliate links. When you purchase things from these links, I get a small commission that I use to buy us tacos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thank you to this weeks sponsor, Best Fiends! Download Best Fiends on the Apple App Store, or Google Play today!This month we are teaming up with igotout.org, a consortium of cult survivors supporting the #igotout movement of activism, and education, to help shine light on the commercial cults more commonly known as Multi Level Marketing. Throughout the month of November, follow along with us on social media as we share MLM statistics, cult education, survivor stories and ways you can join in on the movement. Visit igotout.org to share your MLM experience and share your #igotout selfie using the hashtags #igotout and #igotoutofanmlm on social media. Freedom of thought is a universal human right.*This episode features details of a child's death, and could be triggering for some. Please use discretion when listening.*I've been meaning to chat with Amway survivor turned Anti MLM Warrior, Molly Hale since we first connected in the LuLaRich AMA Clubhouse forum! After being in for over 6 years, Molly finally saw the light, and left, and boy does she have A LOT to say about it. We chat about her time in Amway, their insidious ties to literally everything, Ponzinomics, cult tactics, cognitive dissonance, and even share the crazy encounter that happened on stage the night we met. Somehow she turns the interview around on me, and we talk about what we want the future of the Anti MLM Movement to look like and where we think it's headed.Show NotesMolly's Social Media Strategy Biz - https://www.mollyhale.co/Follow Molly on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mollyrhaleFollow Molly on IG - https://www.instagram.com/mollyrhaleFollow Molly on Twitter - https://twitter.com/MollyrhaleDr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJbHow can you help?Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.orgYou can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwideSupport the Podcast!Buy me a Taco and leave me a note! 🌮💖 - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robertablevinsFollow me on TikTok for Anti MLM content, education, and humor! - https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa & https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa2.0Follow us on Instagram for visual show notes, FAQ, and updates! - https://www.instagram.com/lifeaftermlmpodcast/Like us on Facebook and join our show fan page to jump in on the conversation! - https://www.facebook.com/lifeaftermlmpodcastFind me on CLUBHOUSE at @therealrobertablevins*Some links may be affiliate links. When you purchase things from these links, I get a small commission that I use to buy us tacos.This episode brought to you by Best Fiends - download for free today from Apple Apps or the Google Play store! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This weeks sponsor is BetterHelp. Listeners of the show receive 10% off their first month of online therapy by visiting betterhelp.com/mlm.This month we are teaming up with igotout.org, a consortium of cult survivors supporting the #igotout movement of activism, and education, to help shine light on the commercial cults more commonly known as Multi Level Marketing. Throughout the month of November, follow along with us on social media as we share MLM statistics, cult education, survivor stories and ways you can join in on the movement. Visit igotout.org to share your MLM experience and share your #igotout selfie using the hashtags #igotout and #igotoutofanmlm on social media. Freedom of thought is a universal human right.After devouring Cultish on the flight to and from New York, I couldn't wait to talk to the author, Amanda Montell, self proclaimed word nerd and language scholar. I mean, her book had an entire chapter titled "Do You Wanna Be a #BossBabe?". Amanda helps me kick off MLM Cult Month by sharing personal cult connections, breaking down culty screenshots and teaching you about the red flags you can not only see, but can also hear. Plus, she educates us on all the language and terms we will be learning about all month.Show NotesCultish by Amanda Montell - https://amzn.to/3wkPVCrThought Terminating Cliches - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought-terminating_clich%C3%A9Synanon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SynanonSounds Like A Cult Pod - https://www.soundslikeacult.com/My episode on Sounds Like a Cult - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cult-of-lularoe/id1566917047?i=1000539054927Dr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJbHow can you help?Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.orgYou can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwideSupport the Podcast!Buy me a Taco and leave me a note! 🌮💖 - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robertablevinsFollow me on TikTok for Anti MLM content, education, and humor! - https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa & https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa2.0Follow us on Instagram for visual show notes, FAQ, and updates! - https://www.instagram.com/lifeaftermlmpodcast/Like us on Facebook and join our show fan page to jump in on the conversation! - https://www.facebook.com/lifeaftermlmpodcastFind me on CLUBHOUSE at @therealrobertablevins*Some links may be affiliate links. When you purchase things from these links, I get a small commission that I use to buy us tacos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thank you to this weeks sponsor, Best Fiends!Download Best Fiends on the Apple App Store, or Google Play today!*The stories in this episode contain sensitive subject matter, including details of a murders, paranormal experiences, and abuse of children. Please use your own discretion when listening.*Happy Halloween Huns!For our Halloween Episode we hang out with Miri Nadler, owner of 10Blooms Cakes, as she tells us the story of the time her mom was involved deep with a transient Tupperware lady with 5 kids, and a sinister murder plot. But first, we start off with some scammer Micro History as we learn the story of John R Brinkley, "The Goat Gland Doctor", and his rise and fall. Not to be outdone by wild stories, I add my own hometown murder and Miri and I swap personal stories as we talk about Charlie Manson, confederate ghosts, and cults. It's really the Halloween episode we all deserve.Show Notes10Bloom Cakes - https://www.instagram.com/10bloomcakes/Miri on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@10bloomcakesJohn R Brinkley - https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/john-r-brinkley/11988KFKB Radio - https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/kfkb/18621Morris Fishbein - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_FishbeinThe Adventures of Pete & Pete - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Pete_%26_PeteNuts! The Film - http://www.nutsthefilm.com/Forensic Linguistics - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_linguisticsMy Hometown Murder - https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-27-me-780-story.htmlCultish: The Language of Fanaticism - https://amzn.to/3bmOBFNKrishna Venta - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna_VentaLife After MLM ; The Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/266601078162081Dr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJbHow can you help?Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.orgYou can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwideSupport the Podcast!Buy me a Taco and leave me a note! 🌮💖 - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robertablevinsFollow me on TikTok for Anti MLM content, education, and humor! - https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa & https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa2.0Follow us on Instagram for visual show notes, FAQ, and updates! - https://www.instagram.com/lifeaftermlmpodcast/Like us on Facebook and join our show fan page to jump in on the conversation! - https://www.facebook.com/lifeaftermlmpodcastFind me on CLUBHOUSE at @therealrobertablevins*Some links may be affiliate links. When you purchase things from these links, I get a small commission that I use to buy us tacos.This episode sponsored by BEST FIENDS - download today from Apple Apps or the Google Play store! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This weeks sponsor is BetterHelp. Listeners of the show receive 10% off their first month of online therapy by visiting betterhelp.com/mlm.A special Halloween Bonus Episode, where MLM and True Crime collide! Here are some of the more well known MLM Murder cases, Travis Alexander, Shannan Watts and Alexis Sharkey, plus mini dives into the facts of the cases and what happened afterward.Show NotesThe Murder of Travis Alexander - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Travis_AlexanderLegalShield IDS - https://www.legalshield.com/income-disclosureThe Murders of the Watts Family - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_family_murdersLe-Vel IDS - https://le-vel.com/Terms/DisclosureLe-Vel, Thrive, and the Watts Family - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4nov0PHFUgThe Murder of Alexis Sharkey - https://www.reddit.com/r/AlexisSharkey/comments/k4nxf0/alexis_sharkey_found_dead_10_things_to_know_about/Monat IDS - https://monatglobal.com/income-disclosure-statement/Alexis Sharkey's IG - https://www.instagram.com/alexissharkey/Man wanted for killing his influencer wife found dead in Florida, officials say - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tom-sharkey-alexis-sharkey-husband-dead-gunshot-wound-florida/Life After MLM ; The Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/266601078162081Dr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJbHow can you help?Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.orgYou can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwideSupport the Podcast!Buy me a Taco and leave me a note! 🌮💖 - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robertablevinsFollow me on TikTok for Anti MLM content, education, and humor! - https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa & https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa2.0Follow us on Instagram for visual show notes, FAQ, and updates! - https://www.instagram.com/lifeaftermlmpodcast/Like us on Facebook and join our show fan page to jump in on the conversation! - https://www.facebook.com/lifeaftermlmpodcastFind me on CLUBHOUSE at @therealrobertablevins*Some links may be affiliate links. When you purchase things from these links, I get a small commission that I use to buy us tacos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This weeks sponsor is BetterHelp. Listeners of the show receive 10% off their first month of online therapy by visiting betterhelp.com/mlm.Content warning : Some of the stories in this episode deal with triggering topics, including mental health, PTSD, suicide and more. Each story that has these topics, has a small warning at the beginning, so you may skip around as needed.I put out a call to action this month on social media, asking for personal MLM Horror stories and YOU RESPONDED!!! You sent in emails, sent me links to stories, tagged me in posts and even sat down for some mini chats! Enjoy this megasode of lots of MLM Horror Stories from around the internet! This is also the first time we have done an episode like this, so if you enjoy these Multi Story Minisodes, let me know and we can create more! The holidays are coming...Show NotesPaige - https://www.tiktok.com/@pretty_pettyxAdvocare vs FTC - https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/10/ftc-advocare-business-model-was-pyramid-schemeReddit Stories -https://www.reddit.com/r/antiMLM/comments/8kpzpf/most_bizarre_mlm_pitch/https://www.reddit.com/r/antiMLM/comments/q7i3t3/starting_them_early_barf/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&utm_term=linkhttps://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/5xe68p/what_are_your_mlm_multilevel_marketing_horror/https://www.reddit.com/r/antiMLM/comments/99lqpa/my_worst_mlm_story/https://www.reddit.com/r/antiMLM/comments/q8phek/has_anyone_else_been_datefished_by_someone_trying/HuffPost Stories -https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mlm-horror-stories_l_5d952097e4b0da7f66211f35Dr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJbHow can you help?Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.orgYou can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwideSupport the Podcast!Buy me a Taco and leave me a note! 🌮💖 - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robertablevinsFollow me on TikTok for Anti MLM content, education, and humor! - https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa & https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa2.0Follow us on Instagram for visual show notes, FAQ, and updates! - https://www.instagram.com/lifeaftermlmpodcast/Like us on Facebook and join our show fan page to jump in on the conversation! - https://www.facebook.com/lifeaftermlmpodcastFind me on CLUBHOUSE at @therealrobertablevins*Some links may be affiliate links. When you purchase things from these links, I get a small commission that I use to buy us tacos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thank you to this weeks sponsor, Best Fiends! Download Best Fiends on the Apple App Store, or Google Play today!This episode contains graphic descriptions of horrific acts, including being drugged, kidnapped, strangled and violent sexual assault. For those who have trouble with these topics, this episode may be triggering. If you wish to listen to this episode and skip the graphic retelling of the event, the timestamps below can help you navigate around that section so you can enjoy the remaining sections of the episode. Please listen at your own discretion. Lori was just looking to have fun and learn how to do makeup, when she Joined LimeLight as a part time side hustle to her corporate nursing job. She quickly started making waves with her non traditional makeup looks, and getting the attention of several people. including a dangerous man who became obsessed with her. While LimeLight encouraged Lori to keep everything open and public to attract new customers and teammates, it gave her stalker all access to her every move and allowed him the opportunity to find her in real life and play out his toxic fixation. Lori takes us through her harrowing journey, and offers her unique advice to those who have to be in the public eye, but want to keep an air of anonymity for their own safety.CONTENT WARNING TIMESTAMPS : 37:20 - 103:58Show Notes The Dream Podcast -https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-dreamMonkey Balls - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maclura_pomiferaOne Drop Wonder - https://www.limelifebyalcone.com/corporphan/product/llodwKubaton - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KubotanYubiKey - https://amzn.to/3mMQcK3Dr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJbHow can you help?Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.orgYou can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwideSupport the Podcast!Buy me a Taco and leave me a note! 🌮💖 - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robertablevinsFollow me on TikTok for Anti MLM content, education, and humor! - https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa & https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa2.0Follow us on Instagram for visual show notes, FAQ, and updates! - https://www.instagram.com/lifeaftermlmpodcast/Like us on Facebook and join our show fan page to jump in on the conversation! - https://www.facebook.com/lifeaftermlmpodcastFind me on CLUBHOUSE at @therealrobertablevins*Some links may be affiliate links. When you purchase things from these links, I get a small commission that I use to buy us tacos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

*This episode is intended for 18+, and contains discussions on disordered eating, compromising situations and mentions toxic ideas on forgiving sexual trauma, in stories as retold by the guest. Please use discretion when listening to this episode if these topics may be triggering to you.*In 2019 "Ariel" joined Optavia as a customer to help her maintain her weight as she weaned herself off cigarettes at 25 years old. Admittedly a bad idea in hindsight, she takes us down a wild ride of what life inside this MLM cult of health and wellness looked like, expensive disordered eating, dangerous caloric deficits, trauma and toxic diet culture. The deeper she got into Optavia, the worse her disordered eating became, counting calories, then binging, punishing herself with extra exercise, and even causing concern to strangers on the internet. "Ariel"'s openness to being so loyal to the cult and "business" lead to finding herself in a scary situation she wasn't sure how to get out of. But it wasn't until the Covid Pandemic and the aftereffects opened her eyes to what she was really involved with.Show NotesDr. A and The System - https://www.habitsofhealth.com/introducing-the-system/#:~:text=Dr.%20A%20is,at%20Grandview%20Hospital.The Medifast Diet - https://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/medifast-dietAbbey Sharp - https://www.abbeyskitchen.com/Optavia Fueling Hacks - https://www.pinterest.com/tvs329/optavia-fueling-hacks/Optavia Snacks - https://answers.optavia.com/help/optimal-weight-5-1-plan-what-snacks-can-i-haveKat Benson RDN - https://www.tiktok.com/@katbensonrdnMatt VanDerLaar - https://www.tiktok.com/@mattlaarfitSabrina McMullen - https://www.tiktok.com/@beefcake_brinaDr. Steven Hassan's BITE Model - https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/Ponzinomics by Robert L. FitzPatrick - https://amzn.to/3q16oJbHow can you help?Report false income and health claims here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/Or go to: https://www.truthinadvertising.orgYou can also report to your state Attorney General's office! https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/Not in the U.S.? Go here: https://www.ftc.gov/policy/international/competition-consumer-protection-authorities-worldwideSupport the Podcast!Buy me a Taco and leave me a note! 🌮💖 - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robertablevinsFollow me on TikTok for Anti MLM content, education, and humor! - https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa & https://www.tiktok.com/@bertalikewhoa2.0Follow us on Instagram for visual show notes, FAQ, and updates! - https://www.instagram.com/lifeaftermlmpodcast/Like us on Facebook and join our show fan page to jump in on the conversation! - https://www.facebook.com/lifeaftermlmpodcastFind me on CLUBHOUSE at @therealrobertablevins*Some links may be affiliate links. When you purchase things from these links, I get a small commission that I use to buy us tacos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.