April 07, 2025

#162: "I'm In Recovery In Every Sense of the Word": How Gender, Sobriety, Disordered Eating, and Chronic Illness Intersect with Recovery Coach Jo Walduck

40 minutes

This is a free preview of a paid episode: the first 30 minutes are available to everyone, but to hear the full conversation, upgrade to paid on Patreon: patreon.com/fullplate (thank you, your support is what makes this podcast possible!)

Abbie chats with Jo Walduck, a recovery coach, about the intersection of gender, mental health, and personal growth. Jo shares her multifaceted identity and journey through recovery from both disordered eating and alcohol use while navigating the world as a trans person. She discusses the complexities of healing through multiple identities while overcoming addiction and chronic illness.

This episode is an exploration of the non-linear nature of recovery – from the importance of compassion, to the impact of childhood experiences, to why our coping mechanisms need to be seen with nuance and respect.

Jo reflects on the challenges of feeling at home in her body, letting go of perfectionism, and why it’s so hard to reach out for help when we’re struggling.

Listen to hear more about:

What’s on Jo’s plate—literally and metaphorically
Navigating life as a collection of niches and identities
The ongoing nature of recovery and learning to set things down
Why self-compassion is essential in the healing process
How childhood experiences shape our coping mechanisms
The role of food and alcohol as tools for survival
The intersection of gender identity and substance use
How therapy offers tools but isn’t a quick fix
The pivotal moment of moving beyond coping mechanisms
The importance of support and community in building a new life
Grief as a part of understanding identity and healing
The parallel journeys of sobriety and gender transition
How chronic illness can complicate the recovery process
Why recovery is non-linear, layered, and deeply personal
The role of self-love in living authentically
Finding a sense of home in one’s body
Reaching out for support as an act of strength
Letting go of moral judgments around food and prioritizing self-care
Embracing uncertainty as part of being human

You can access the first 30 minutes for free, but if you want access to the whole episode, subscribe on Patreon right here!

More about Jo:

Jo Anne Walduck (pronouns she/they), is in her late 30s, a Brit who’s lived in France for almost all her adult life, a trauma-informed business, life, and recovery coach, a cat lover, a woman in recovery, a writer, a dreamer, a napper. A storyteller and a delighter in the growth and healing that happens when we turn our nurturing energy inwards and let it overflow outwards, rather than focussing on everyone else and gasping for the dregs. A trans femme living with chronic illness and fatigue, a human navigating the waves of generational trauma, familial grief, and queer joy.

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Group program:

Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching

Group membership:

Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group

Social media:

Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast

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Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast

Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy

Podcast Editing by Brian Walters

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By Full Plate by Abbie Attwood

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