This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com

I'm joined by Dr. Regina Lazarovich, a clinical psychologist, Health at Every Size (HAES)–aligned provider, and someone with lived experience of binge eating and perfectionism. Together, we unpack the lesser-discussed connection between high achievement, perfectionism, and binge eating, and how shame and restriction can keep us stuck in painful cycles with food.

Tune in as a paid subscriber for more on:

*The connection between perfectionism and binge eating — and why it’s rarely talked about.

*Why restriction (mental, emotional, and physical) often drives binge eating, not “lack of willpower.”

*Regina’s story of developing binge eating disorder amid academic and cultural pressures.

*The shame cycle: how guilt after binge eating fuels renewed restriction and perfectionistic resolve.

*Why binge eating is a protective response from the body — not a personal failure.

*The impact of immigrant identity, family expectations, and internalized achievement pressure on self-worth and body image.

*The moral hierarchy of eating disorders — and how fatphobia shapes which struggles get compassion.

*Tangible ways to interrupt the binge–restrict cycle and begin to bring compassion to our relationship with food.

*Approaching binge eating through a body-trusting, HAES-aligned lens.

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*Bonus in-depth essays on body image, food, and movement

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*Deeper, more personal reflections and behind-the-scenes insights

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Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy

Podcast Editing by Brian Walters

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About Regina: Dr. Regina Lazarovich, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, trained teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion, and the founder of the private practice Compass CBT, serving clients across California, New York, and Florida. Dr. Lazarovich has dedicated her fifteen-year career to helping individuals break free from anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, disordered eating, binge eating disorder, body image struggles, people-pleasing, and perfectionism.With a wealth of expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Dr. Lazarovich approaches each client's mental health journey with kindness and understanding. As a Health at Every Size (HAES®) aligned therapist, she wholeheartedly believes that every body deserves care, compassion, and respect.