In today's episode, I sit down with Dr. Chuks to explore the deeply layered world of eating disorders - how they often begin, what fuels them, and why they can be so difficult to detect and treat. We talk about the connection between stress and disordered eating around major life events, the dangerous expectations placed on our bodies before weddings and holidays, and how social media and comparison can quietly chip away at our sense of self. I share some of my own experiences navigating anorexia, the crossover between restriction and bingeing, and the importance of recognising emotional triggers.

Whether you're personally affected, supporting someone who is, or just curious to understand this often misunderstood illness a bit better—this conversation holds space for honesty, reflection, and healing.

Find Dr Chuks:

Book: https://amzn.eu/d/b1zIkj6

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s solo episode, I open up about something deeply personal - navigating another stress injury and the emotional spiral it triggered. I reflect on the long-term effects of an eating disorder, the lessons I’ve had to learn (and re-learn), and the importance of catching ourselves before we fall too far down a familiar rabbit hole. From stress fractures and stubborn inner critics to spontaneous lunches and surprising friendships, I try to make sense of what it means to find softness in setbacks. I talk about shame, healing, and the very human urge to control everything - even when we know we can’t. There’s some Adam Grant wisdom, a sprinkle of Maria Shriver, and a few thoughts about letting life surprise you. And, yes, I do circle back to the bizarre comfort of knowing that sometimes, we really are exactly where we’re meant to be.

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Healing 101 episode, I sit down with James Withey - writer, speaker, and founder of The Recovery Letters project - to explore what it really means to live with depression.

James shares his personal journey, from struggling with depression since childhood to facing suicidal thoughts and time in psychiatric hospitals. Through vulnerability, wit, and warmth, he helps break the silence and stigma around mental illness.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How depression can feel like deep isolation—and why connection is so vital
• The power of tracking small wins and challenging internal negative narratives
• Why asking for help doesn’t mean surrendering control
• Navigating shame, support, and the difficult act of reaching out
• A message of hope: that healing is possible, and joy can return

Whether you're supporting someone with depression or facing it yourself, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone - and that even in darkness, there’s a path forward.

Buy James's book on depression: https://amzn.eu/d/igcshWM

Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I’m joined by James Longman, an award-winning journalist and author of The Inherited Mind, for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about mental illness, family history, and the complexities of healing.

James opens up about his father’s struggles with schizophrenia and suicide, and how that experience shaped his own battles with depression and anxiety. Writing his latest book—a deeply personal exploration of his family’s history—was both cathartic and incredibly challenging, forcing him to confront his past while also trying to make sense of mental illness in a wider context.

We also discuss the stigma that still surrounds mental health, the complexities of diagnosis and treatment, and the role of medication and community-based care. But more than anything, this conversation is about humanising mental illness, understanding it beyond labels, and recognizing the real people behind these experiences.

It’s a raw, thought-provoking discussion, and I’m so grateful to James for sharing his story.

Find James:

Instagram: @jamesaalongman

Buy his book: https://amzn.eu/d/fzUO5B5

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my first ever solo episode, I open up about the challenges of living with OCD, the fear of doing something new, and the everyday battles that come with a long-term mental health condition. I reflect on the power of saying "yes" even when it feels uncomfortable, the slow process of reclaiming joy, and what it’s taken to begin moving beyond the rigid, compulsive structure my OCD once demanded. This episode is about the tension between survival and connection—and the courage it takes to let people in, even when it feels safer to hide.

I also share a few thoughts from my weekly Substack newsletter, talk about the shame that so often comes with mental illness, and my hope for building a more open, empathetic community. From feeling misunderstood to learning how to trust myself again, this is a deeply personal reflection on what it means to heal in public—not just in hindsight. If you’ve ever felt alone in your mental health journey, I hope this resonates with you.

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Healing 101, we explore the fascinating link between gut health and mental well-being with Dr. Federica Amati. The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in everything from mood regulation to cognitive function, and emerging research shows that what we eat directly impacts our mental health.

Dr. Amati breaks down:

• How the gut microbiome influences brain chemistry and mental well-being
• The role of diet in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Why inflammation, leaky gut, and SIBO can disrupt the gut-brain connection
• How the Mediterranean diet supports both gut and brain health

This episode is packed with practical, science-backed insights on how small dietary changes can make a big difference to mental well-being. If you’re looking for an easy yet powerful way to support your health, this conversation is a must-listen.

Find Fede:

Instagram: @dr.fede.amati

Buy Fede's book: https://amzn.eu/d/8wIhU2c

Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Hurt to Healing, I talk with journalist and editor Annabel Fenwick Elliot, who shares her deeply personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD at age 34. Annabel reflects on how ADHD impacted her life, from struggles in school and university to managing depression and navigating adulthood.

She candidly discusses the strategies that have helped her work with, rather than against, her ADHD tendencies, including the use of medication and embracing openness about her condition. Beyond ADHD, Annabel opens up about her experience with alcoholism and how the drug naltrexone played a key role in her recovery.

Whether you or someone you know is affected by ADHD, addiction, or the challenges of mental health, Annabel’s story offers hope, understanding, and practical insights.

Find Annabel:

Instagram: @annabelmaud

Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this Healing 101 episode, where we tackle one of the most pressing topics in mental health today—how to support teenagers through the challenges of growing up.

I’m joined by Dr Beth Mosley, a psychologist who works closely with young people and families, to unpack the pressures teens face, from social media and school stress to navigating family relationships. Beth shares practical advice for parents, including how to set healthy boundaries around technology, keep communication open, and most importantly, model self-compassion in a way that helps teenagers do the same.

We also explore the role of family dynamics in shaping mental health and how building a supportive community can make all the difference. This is an insightful and encouraging conversation, full of real-world strategies to help parents foster resilience and emotional well-being in their children.

Find Beth:

Website: https://www.drbethmosley.com/

Read Beth's book: https://amzn.eu/d/3n5g4AB

Instagram: @drbethmosley

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Josh Connolly, an emotional resilience coach, speaker and author of the transformative book It’s Them, Not You. Josh opens up about his personal journey of healing from a childhood shaped by trauma and growing up with a toxic, alcoholic parent. He shares how these early experiences influenced his struggles with addiction and self-worth, and how he’s since transformed those challenges into a mission to help others.

Together, we explore the long-term impacts of dysfunctional family systems, the importance of breaking unhealthy patterns, and the power of self-compassion in the healing process. Josh also offers practical advice on navigating difficult relationships, reparenting yourself, and the importance of finding community. 

Find Josh:

Website: https://www.joshconnolly.co.uk/

Instagram: @josh_ffw

Buy his book: https://amzn.eu/d/ehjEkcp

Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s Healing 101 I am joined by Katie McKenna once again to talk about something that isn’t always visible but can have a profound and lasting impact—emotional abuse. Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse can be subtle, insidious, and difficult to recognise, but its effects on self-worth, confidence, and relationships can be just as damaging.

In this episode, we’ll explore the hidden signs of emotional abuse—from gaslighting and silent treatment to intense jealousy and role reversal in parent-child relationships. We’ll talk about why emotional abuse can make someone more vulnerable to future abusive relationships, and most importantly, how to begin the process of healing. Katie shares powerful insights on how to rebuild your sense of self, set boundaries, and take small but meaningful steps toward self-empowerment. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, questioned your reality in relationships, or found it hard to say "no," this episode is for you.

Find Katie:

Instagram: @katiemckennapsychotherapist

Website: https://www.katiemckenna.ie/

Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.