Khloé Kardashian Credits 2016 Divorce as "Catalyst" for Overcoming Binge Eating and Prioritizing Mental Health

On her "Khloé in Wonder Land" podcast, Khloé Kardashian explains how her 2016 divorce from Lamar Odom served as the catalyst for her fitness-obsessed lifestyle.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 5:32 AM EDT

Source: People

From Emotional Eating to Physical Discipline

During the podcast segment "Down the Rabbit Hole," Kardashian responded to a listener's struggle with body image and rejection by reflecting on her own past. She admitted to turning to food as an emotional crutch throughout her youth and marriage, eating to the point of physical illness. The "obsessive" shift toward working out began in earnest during the lengthy dissolution of her marriage to Odom, which was first filed in 2013 and finalized in December 2016. Kardashian noted that while the physical results were slow to manifest in the first six months, the sense of mental accomplishment became her primary motivation to continue.

The Role of Therapy and Consistency

Kardashian emphasized that her transformation was as much intellectual as it was physical. She advocated for therapy as a foundational tool for anyone struggling with emotional triggers related to weight and self-worth. By prioritizing "baby steps"—initially focusing on the rhythm of exercise before strictly overhauling her diet—she was able to sustain long-term changes that had previously eluded her. She noted that leading a healthy lifestyle eventually cleared her mind, helping her move past years of being unfavorably compared to her siblings, Kourtney, Kim, Kendall, and Kylie.

A Legacy of "Revenge Body" Resilience

The principles discussed on the podcast echo the themes of Kardashian’s previous media ventures, such as her series Revenge Body. However, the 2026 reflection offers a more mature perspective on the "obsession," framing it not as a pursuit of vanity but as a necessary outlet for navigating trauma. Following her split from Odom, Kardashian has faced further public relationship challenges with Tristan Thompson, yet she maintains that the foundation of health established during her first divorce has provided the resilience needed to manage subsequent personal upheavals without returning to former habits.