Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery

By Livia SaraHealth & Fitness Mental Health Education Self-Improvement Parenting Kids & Family

Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery episodes

March 03, 2025Exercise Addiction, Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, and The Power of Intention w/ Ashleigh Marie Hubbard
When does dedication to fitness become a dangerous obsession? Is it healthy to lose weight after an eating disorder? In today’s episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia Sara chats with Ashleigh Marie Hubbard, a certified nutrition and health coach who’s passionate about helping people build sustainable habits and improve their relationship with food, exercise, and their bodies. We delve into the following topics:
The psychological impact of wrapping your entire identity in being "the athlete" and exercise addiction
How the all-or-nothing mindset can sabotage sustainable progress in health and fitness
A nuanced conversation around intentional weight loss after eating disorder recovery
Why sustainable habits and behavior changes matter more than quick fixes for long-term health
Understanding the role of intention versus societal pressure in making health decisions
Breaking free from food obsession and exercise compulsion to find true balance
The importance of curiosity over judgment when examining our health behaviors
Whether you’re questioning your own relationship with exercise or are supporting someone in eating disorder recovery, this episode offers valuable insights for creating a sustainable, joy-filled approach to wellness.
📖 Access my free EXTREME HUNGER EMAIL COURSE for answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!
📚 Read my books about autism and eating disorders
💗 Join my newsletter to receive episode updates
Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS
Connect with Ashleigh:
Instagram: @AshleighMarieHubbard
Website: AHUB Nutrition
Podcast: The Wellness Diaries
1 hr 3 min
February 24, 2025I Feel Trapped in a Human Body
Last year, I went through a second puberty. It wasn’t something I planned to share. But as I tossed and turned one night, I knew I had to let the words flow out of me. So I grabbed my phone, opened the VoiceMemos app, and started talking about my recent body changes.
The recording captured several neurodivergent experiences of eating disorders, including:
Fear of growing up and being healthy
Physical and hormonal changes as a result of puberty
Feeling trapped in a human body
Underlying reasons for always needing to be “productive”
My complex relationship with gender identity
This podcast isn’t about me having my life “figured out” – rather, it’s an honest, raw, and vulnerable expression of some of my current struggles. My hope is to connect with anyone else dealing with similar challenges, and to provide hope that we will get through it together 💗
📖 Access my free EXTREME HUNGER EMAIL COURSE for answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!
📚 Read my books about autism and eating disorders
📝 Read the blog post of this episode
13 min
February 17, 2025[PART 3] Making Peace with Weight Gain in Eating Disorder Recovery
How can autistic people make peace with weight gain in eating disorder recovery? After exploring the underlying reasons for the fear of weight gain in Part 1 and Part 2 of this weight gain series, Part 3 is all about how to accept a healthy body. Livia challenges the conventional “love your body” narrative and instead, offers an ecological approach that particularly resonates with the autistic mind.
You'll learn:
Why the illusion of control in eating disorders becomes a prison rather than protection
How extreme hunger challenges our perception of recovery, especially when already weight restored
The transformation of viewing your body as part of nature rather than a possession to control
Why body neutrality might be more helpful than body positivity for autistic individuals
How black-and-white thinking can be redirected from obstacle to advantage in recovery
A revolutionary approach to body acceptance that doesn't require "loving" your body
The unexpected way autistic traits can become allies in making peace with weight gain
This episode concludes the series with a powerful message: the fear of weight gain makes sense, the need for safety is valid, AND there's another way to find that safety – one that works with the autistic mind rather than against it.
📖 Download my FREE GUIDE with answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle
Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS
📝 Read the blog post of this episode
13 min
February 10, 2025[PART 2] Fear of Weight Gain in Autism and Anorexia
For many autistic people with anorexia, the fear of weight gain has nothing to do with a desire to be thin. In Part 2 of this Fear of Weight Gain Series, Livia unpacks eight reasons why autistic people may fear weight gain – that are unrelated to body image concerns.
You'll learn:
How sensory sensitivities can make weight gain feel like being trapped in an ill-fitting costume
Why the numbing effects of restriction can be particularly appealing for the autistic nervous system
The complex relationship between autism, existential anxiety, and body changes
How identity and predictability needs complicate the recovery process for autistic individuals
The connection between gender dysphoria and fear of weight gain in autistic people
Why becoming "healthy" can feel threatening when you're neurodivergent
The deeper meanings behind "I don't want to be fat" in the context of autism
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle
Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS
📝 Read the blog post of this episode
15 min
February 03, 2025[PART 1] Fear of Weight Gain in Autism and Anorexia
Why do autistic people fear weight gain? Contrary to popular belief, autistic folks with anorexia may not deal with body image issues or have a fear of fatness. In Part 1 of this 3-part Fear of Weight Gain Series, Livia explains how eating disorders can serve as survival mechanisms in an overwhelming world. She also shares her personal story of anorexia without body dysmorphia, highlighting how traditional treatment approaches can cause harm when they fail to recognize the intersection between autism and anorexia.
You'll learn:
Why the "fear of fatness" narrative fails to capture many autistic experiences with eating disorders
How early nutrition education combined with autistic traits can create the perfect conditions for disordered eating
The crucial distinction between seeking control versus seeking safety in eating disorders
Why traditional treatment focused on body image can lead to deeper struggles for autistic individuals
The importance of viewing eating disorders as adaptations rather than disorders for autistic individuals
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle
Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS
📝 Read the blog post of this episode
14 min
January 27, 2025But Restriction Helps Me Focus!
Many people assume that eating more and gaining weight in anorexia recovery will automatically lead to improved focus, mood, and energy. But for many, the reality feels different. In this episode, Livia dives into the biological and psychological reasons why restriction can create a sense of sharpness and focus – and why this state, while enticing, comes at a significant cost.
Through a powerful metaphor, Livia explains how the body’s survival systems operate like a city power grid and reveals the hidden trade-offs of running on “emergency power.” You’ll also learn about the addictive nature of the “restriction high” and how it numbs one’s inner artist.
Key Topics Discussed:
How restriction heightens focus through the fight-or-flight response
Why anorexia can feel addictive and lead to feelings of superiority
The physical and mental trade-offs of running on emergency energy
Brain fog during recovery and why it’s a necessary part of healing
How recovery restores sustainable focus and reconnects you to creativity
🍩 Enroll in my course, Extremely Hungry to Completely Satisfied
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle
Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS
📝 Read the blog post of this episode
15 min
January 20, 2025Creating Flexible Routines in Autistic ED Recovery
Routines play an important role in the lives of autistic individuals, offering structure and safety – but they can also lead to challenges, especially when paired with eating disorders. In this episode, Livia and Mike delve into how routines shape autistic experiences, how they intersect with food and movement behaviors, and why flexibility is crucial for recovery. Together, they explore how to navigate change in a way that feels safe and sustainable for the neurodivergent mind.
Key Topics Discussed:
The role of routines in autism and eating disorders
The importance of replacing judgment with curiosity
Why routine disruption can be traumatic for autistics
How to manage uncontrolled changes
The impact of job loss on autistic individuals
Common misconceptions about autistic flexibility
Why autistics tend to over-explain food and movement behaviors
The pressure to be constantly productive
How to overcome the frustration of not knowing how much to eat
The importance of taking responsibility to break free from quasi recovery
📖 Download my FREE GUIDE with answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!
🧑‍🍳 Grab your copy of Nourishing Neurodiversity
Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS
53 min
January 13, 2025The Recovery Trap: How “All In” Keeps You Stuck
The term "all in recovery" has gained traction in eating disorder spaces, but does it really lead to true freedom? In this episode, Livia Sara unpacks the origins, misconceptions, and limitations of the all in approach. Through the lens of her own recovery journey, she explores how labels like "all in" or "in recovery" can keep us stuck in cycles of black-and-white thinking and perpetuate the eating disorder identity.
You’ll learn:
The origins of the "all in" approach and its focus on hypothalamic amenorrhea
Why "all in recovery" can perpetuate black-and-white thinking
The connection between autism, eating disorders, and rigid recovery methods
How the recovery identity can become its own trap
Replacing recovery with discovery: a shift toward possibility
Living without labels: how freedom lies in embracing who you are
This episode challenges conventional recovery wisdom and invites you to move beyond restrictive labels, empowering you to discover a life where you can truly live label free.
💗 Join my newsletter to receive episode updates
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia
📝 Read the blog post of this episode
Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS
24 min
January 06, 2025The Truth About Black-and-White Thinking in Autism and Eating Disorders
Black-and-white thinking, also known as all-or-nothing or polarized thinking, is often labeled as a barrier to recovery for autistic individuals with eating disorders. But what if this mindset isn't a flaw to fix, but an adaptive response designed to protect and conserve energy in an overwhelming world? In this episode, you’ll learn:
The role of black-and-white thinking in neurodivergent individuals
How rigid thinking develops as an adaptive survival mechanism
How combined autism and anorexia impact cognitive processing
Why traditional treatment approaches can increase trauma
Practical strategies to explore flexibility in recovery
The philosophy of choice and the "dizziness of freedom"
Breaking free from binary thinking using the yin-yang framework
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia
📚 Grab your copy of How to Beat Extreme Hunger
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS
Love this episode? Leave a 5-star rating and positive review for the Liv Label Free Podcast on Apple or Spotify, or leave a comment on YouTube to join the conversation. Your support means so much!
📝 Read the blog post of this episode
23 min
January 01, 2025Q&A: Overcoming Analysis Paralysis and Building Sustainable Routines
In this follow-up Q&A episode, Livia and Mike tackle two insightful listener questions about navigating daily challenges as neurodivergent entrepreneurs. With practical tips and lived experience, they unpack how to overcome analysis paralysis, create flexible routines, and manage the pressure of perfection.
You’ll learn:
How to balance structure with flexibility in daily life
Tips for creating sustainable routines without hyper-focusing on food, exercise, or work
Strategies for managing mealtime stress and maintaining autonomy
Ways to overcome analysis paralysis and make decisions with confidence
How to handle demand avoidance while fostering autonomy
Coping strategies for anxiety and perfectionism
How to prioritize personal wants vs. needs to reduce overwhelm
Listener Questions Answered:
How do you get out of the “analysis paralysis” state?
As neurodivergent entrepreneurs, how do you create daily routines for yourself without focusing too much on food, exercise, and work?
This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone trying to balance structure with flexibility while managing the unique challenges of neurodivergence.
👉🏻 Enroll in the Autistically ED-Free Academy
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia
Connect with Livia:
🍩 INSTAGRAM
🌐 WEBSITE
📚 BOOKS
45 min

About Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery

From the publisher's feed

Want to understand the link between neurodivergence and eating disorders? The Liv Label Free Podcast provides you with insights and strategies for recovery through meaningful conversations and stories…