In this episode, I'm joined by Mel Nelson, a qualified counsellor, Senior Counsellor at an eating disorder charity (SWEDA), and autism-informed practitioner, to discuss the intersection of undiagnosed neurodiversity, compulsive exercise, and eating disorder behaviours.

Mel spent over 25 years working in the dance and fitness industry before retraining as a counsellor, and she brings together a really rare combination of lived experience and professional expertise. We got into some really honest territory in this one, and I think so many of you are going to hear yourselves in this conversation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why bulimia stays hidden for so long (and the shame that keeps it that way)
• The "fitting in" feeling and why it can make an eating disorder so hard to spot
• How neurodivergence and eating disorders can look so similar from the outside
• Why routine isn't always just a neurodivergent thing (and how to tell the difference)
• What compulsive exercise and purging have more in common than people realise
• The late diagnosis that changed everything, and why it's never too late
• Why recovery sometimes has to start with the smallest of changes

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
• Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
• Check out our website
• Listen on YouTube
• Connect with Mel via her website (newday-counselling.co.uk) or Instagram (@newday_counselling)

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, compulsive exercise, bulimia, depression, and neurodivergence. Please look after yourself as you listen.

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Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛