In the first of this two-part episode, Marla Mervis-Hartmann -- founder and creator of the "Love Your Body Love Yourself" speaking series, workshops, and coaching programs -- shares her journey experiencing a dysfunctional body-relationship and eating disorder, and how surrendering to a higher power and constantly reframing negative thinking (along with other techniques) helped propel her towards a recovered life. Marla describes herself as a woman, a mother, a friend, a sister, a wife, a teacher, a former body and food obsess-er, and present time lover of love and life. We're grateful she joined the podcast!