Season 8 concludes with Lisa Marie who recently returned to day treatment for anorexia.

“I’ll be trying to get a meal deal in my half hour lunch break and half an hour will go by because I’m stood there, staring at everyone else watching them pick out the first sandwich they see.

I’m like, should I have this one, should I have that one, what’s got less in, what’s got more in, should I get something else, should I not have anything. Shall I just have a coffee.

It’s truly exhausting.”

Lisa is on a mission to move on from her eating disorders and get her life back. She says this is her last chance.

Lisa was doing really well until after the pandemic and she went back to the gym. Then her best friend died from anorexia.

This is a must listen for anyone caught up in the eating disorder zone.

Lisa is a candid and vulnerable guest. Her description about the battle to get well is pitch perfect.

This episode is dedicated to Lisa’s best friend, Nikki Grahame. 

*Trigger warning: Binge Foods at 21:11.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [01:31] - Lisa's Relationship with Food
• [02:11] - The Voice Inside: Struggles and Challenges
• [04:46] - Navigating Treatment and Daily Life
• [08:08] - Perfectionism and Its Roots
• [12:16] - The Dance Career and Its Impact
• [15:50] - Binge-Purge Cycle: The Hidden Struggle
• [24:07] - Coping with Overwhelm and Eating Disorders
• [24:43] - Meeting Nikki: A Bond Over Shared Struggles
• [28:01] - Lockdown Challenges and Nikki's Decline
• [32:56] - Personal Struggles and Seeking Treatment
• [35:59] - The Role of Therapy in Recovery
• [39:48] - Expressing Emotions Through Art
• [46:18] - Final Thoughts and Advice for Others

CONNECT WITH LISA MARIE:

• Lisa’s Personal Instagram
• Lisa’s ED Recovery Instagram

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] 
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ 
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

“I can really remember that the relationship with self was difficult. If I trace back to that growing, lovely young girl at 7/8/9 there was a little shift in body shape. I could see she wasn’t happy with herself….

I noticed a lot of self loathing creeping in. I used to really worry. I remember going into her room once and she was hitting her stomach.”

Emma didn’t notice her daughter had developed anorexia until they were about to board a plane for a family holiday. 

Emma’s been on a steep learning curve ever since.

Her warm and compassionate take on recent events will help anyone in a similar situation. 

There is always hope.

Emma wishes to remain anonymous.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [02:13] - Emma's Relationship with Food
• [02:42] - Family Dynamics and Food
• [05:39] - Early Signs of Trouble
• [14:54] - Bullying and Its Impact
• [17:49] - The Skipping Rope Obsession
• [24:36] - The Role of Social Media
• [28:56] - The Impact of Loss and Eating Restrictions
• [31:11] - Escalating Worries and Medical Intervention
• [40:20] - Support Systems and Family Involvement
• [45:19] - Road to Recovery and Ongoing Challenges
• [49:21] - A Positive Turn and Future Hopes

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] 
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ 
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

“Initially it didn’t look like a relapse. My frame of mind was, I exercise a lot, I’m in a place where I’m eating well. I feel a lot stronger, physically and mentally. I felt in such a good place I thought I would really like to lose some weight. I just wanted to feel I had some control over my body and the way it looked!”

Welcome back to Prue Part 2, for another intimate and candid chat.

Prue wishes to remain anonymous.

Prue first spoke on the Love This Food Thing Podcast in Season 6 (Ep 55) about the impact of being sent  to boarding school aged 11 and the link between her diabetes and anorexia. 

No one came to her rescue.

This episode is a super helpful insight for anyone going through similar issues. Join me to hear Prue’s thoughts on recovery, relapsing and how you can rescue yourself.

“Nothing ever stays the same. Everything passes.”

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [00:58] - Reflecting on Past Episodes and Personal Struggles
• [01:36] - The Impact of Boarding School and Family Dynamics
• [04:00] - Exploring the Emotions Behind Eating Disorders
• [06:00] - The Role of Control and Anger in Eating Disorders
• [08:26] - Coping Mechanisms and Family Influence
• [12:50] - The Concept of Embodiment and Control
• [18:26] - Relapse and Recovery: A Personal Account
• [28:32] - Reliving Childhood Anorexia
• [29:20] - Struggles with Weight Maintenance
• [31:51] - Binge Eating and Self-Realisation
• [38:07] - Setting Boundaries and Emotional Healing
• [44:07] - Reflections on Recovery

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] 
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ 
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

“We’re not just a product of our parents, but all our ancestors who came before us and what happened to them. We get an inheritance when we’re born into a family, the difficulties, events and patterns of how these people felt. What doesn’t get resolved in a family in the generation it happens is then passed onto the next generation that comes into the family."

Jonny is an Inherited Trauma Release Therapist whose life was forever changed after his first trauma release session for hoarding (previously food) and sneaker addiction.

Jonny’s rational and scientific mind was officially blown when he discovered these patterns had belonged to an ancestor and he left the session, finally free.

I met Jonny at a friend’s BBQ and within the hour I’d invited him onto the podcast. Now I’ve experienced this life changing technique myself I am going to say, BEYOND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED… especially for those things you just can’t shift. 

This is a brilliant, must listen episode. 

Jonny offers a free 15 minute consultation to anyone who is interested in finding out more. Check out the links below!

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [01:10] - Understanding Ancestral Trauma
• [04:26] - Jonathan's Personal Struggles with Food
• [05:29] - Exploring the Roots of Food Issues
• [10:40] - From Food to Sneakers: A New Addiction
• [12:09] - The Turning Point: Seeking Help for Sneaker Addiction
• [15:04] - The Breakthrough: Ancestral Trauma Therapy
• [18:53] - The Aftermath: Life Post-Therapy
• [23:28] - The Subtle Yet Profound Changes
• [25:37] - Energetic Inheritance and Ancestral Patterns
• [27:51] - Family Dynamics and Emotional Resonance
• [31:53] - Releasing Trauma and Healing Modalities
• [37:30] - The Process of Healing and Resolution
• [42:45] - Ethics and Personal Experiences

CONNECT WITH JONATHAN MEENAGH:

• Visit the Inherited Trauma Center Website
• Follow Jonathan on Instagram

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] 
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ 
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

Amanda never imagined that she’d ever recover after 25 years of eating disorders and exercise bulimia.

“The final turning point was when I had a huge binge one day and was extremely underweight. I went to exercise for four hours. My son was in daycare. I felt so much shame and guilt for eating so much I thought I’m going to make myself throw up. I’d tried before, but thankfully it never worked, but I tried until my throat was bleeding. 

I just lay on the bathroom floor and thought I cannot live with this desperation in my life. I’m going to try one more time to recover and if it doesn’t work I’ll let the eating disorders take me.”

Amanda is a stay at home Mum who tried to recover several times, but it was only when she discovered The Law of Attraction via a podcast that she was finally able to challenge her thoughts and beliefs and get her life back.

Amanda’s story is another example of turning the prevailing narrative that you can’t recover from an eating disorder on its head. 

She describes her experience as going from “broken to soaring.”

Be uplifted by Amanda’s story.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [02:50] - Amanda's Relationship with Food
• [04:07] - The Cycle of Binging and Exercising
• [08:31] - Early Signs and Teenage Struggles
• [13:36] - Attempts at Recovery and Setbacks
• [18:32] - Marriage, Motherhood, and Postpartum Depression
• [26:33] - Discovering the Law of Attraction
• [27:34] - The Role of a Coach in Recovery
• [29:25] - Shifting Perspectives on Exercise
• [33:24] - The Power of Sitting with Discomfort
• [34:43] - Finding Joy and Energy Post-Recovery
• [39:47] - A Mission to Help Others Recover

CONNECT WITH AMANDA DIXON:

• Visit Amanda’s Website
• Follow Amanda on Instagram

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] 
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ 
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

Alix was punished with starvation and isolation by some of the nuns at her Catholic Boarding School.

“I remember being locked in the attic looking out the window and one of the girls said, there’s Alix. I shouted down, I’ve had no food and these girls who weren’t normally nice to me - they used to call me orphan - opened up their lunch boxes and threw their food up trying to get it through the window.  I remember chocolate digestives flying through the air and hitting the floor. I was so grateful.”

Alix binges to soothe her fear. Sometimes, she feels guilty, but she’s learning to let herself off the hook. 

Alix hails from a mediumistic family and was aligned with the laws of Buddhism long before she established her chanting practice. Alix’s belief that she came into this life to learn compassion helps her deal with the extreme nature of her experiences.  

Alix works as a psychic, intuitive tarot reader with a gift for seeing the circumstances of someone’s life, reading their karma and helping them get to a happier place. 

If there was ever an example of releasing trauma and the past with love and understanding then Alix is it!

Must listen. Tune in!

P.S. Alix is the best tarot reader I’ve ever seen.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [00:37] - Alix's Early Struggles with Food
• [01:39] - Exploring Fear and Its Impact on Eating
• [07:50] - Punishments and Isolation at Boarding School
• [14:00] - Acts of Kindness Amidst Hardship
• [16:10] - Confronting the Nuns and Seeking Justice
• [20:17] - Life After Boarding School
• [25:08] - Embracing Mediumship and Tarot
• [27:44] - Healing Through Spiritual Practices
• [31:44] - Challenges of Modern Youth
• [38:54] - The Power of Tarot Readings
• [46:11] - Food, Fear, and Family

CONNECT WITH ALIX:

• Visit Alix’s Website
• Follow Alix on Instagram
• Send Alix an Email

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] 
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ 
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

“It was just a sense of not being good enough. Not good enough because I’m a girl and boys are better. At school I wasn’t good enough. I had everything I needed but my house wasn’t good enough. I lived in quite a messy house. A bit dirty really…

I remember watching a film about a little girl doing ballet, and I did ballet and she ended up with an eating disorder. I remember thinking, wouldn’t it be great to have anorexia.”

Anne’s home life was chaotic due, mostly, to her unpredictable father who wished that Anne had been a boy.

Consequently, she never felt good enough.

Anne’s anorexia kicked in from the ages of 16 - 21. She knew she’d never recover at home so she packed her bags and moved to London where she rebuilt her life. 

In this episode, we explore Anne’s relationship with her father and how his absence still resonates.  

Anne is warm and, exceptionally, candid. Enjoy.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [01:38] - Anne's Early Life and Relationship with Food
• [08:30] - Family Dynamics and Personal Challenges
• [17:21] - Coping Mechanisms and the Path to Recovery
• [25:41] - Moving Forward: Life Changes and Reflections
• [29:13] - Reflecting on a Challenging Relationship with Dad
• [30:13] - Healing and Acceptance
• [33:47] - Understanding Eating Disorders
• [34:52] - Body Image and Self-Perception
• [35:54] - Journey to Recovery
• [38:39] - Career Shift to Nutrition
• [43:18] - Core Beliefs and Therapy

CONNECT WITH ANNE RICHARDSON: 

• Follow Anne on Instagram
• Visit Anne’s Website

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] 
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ 
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

During the 1980’s Ross grew up in, “quite a chaotic household and bulimia was my bit of privacy. I’d go and lock myself in the bathroom - there was a big ritual around it, eating, feeling overly full and horrible, and then wanting to be sick. But I had the secrecy of the bathroom, like this is my little secret, which fed into the shame.”

She felt particularly susceptible to the ideal body type of the day.

At University Ross discovered alcohol and when she bought her first flat, at age 24, her eating disorders spiralled out of control. Ross had a stressful yet successful career and seemed to have it all but she nearly lost everything. 

Today, Ross hosts yoga and juicing retreats with her husband in the South of France at Maison de Lunel and in the UK, and is also currently working on her new brand.

Join me for another inspiring episode where Ross explores the link between her bulimia and alcoholism and what it took to turn her life around. 

NOTE: Bear with us with the sound for the initial 5-minutes of the episode. The sound gremlins took over!

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [04:00] - The Healing Power of Food
• [05:15] - Struggles with Bulimia
• [08:10] - The Secrecy and Shame of Eating Disorders
• [18:10] - University Life and the Onset of Alcoholism
• [25:38] - Turning Point: Embracing Recovery
• [26:01] - Struggles and Epiphanies
• [27:04] - Finding Clarity and Higher Power
• [27:31] - Addressing Emotions and Relationships
• [34:27] - The Power of Honesty and Self-Acceptance
• [42:18] - Retreats and Holistic Wellness
• [48:37] - New Beginnings: Naturally Ross

CONNECT WITH ROSS BECKLEY:

• Follow Ross on Instagram
• Visit the Maison de Lunel Website

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] 
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ 
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

Kerrie is a leading Psychotherapist in the treatment of eating disorders and the founder and CEO of Orri, the Eating Disorder Treatment Clinic.

“I think I knew from the age of twelve or thirteen that I would do something to help people. It felt really, really important to me and I know it’s a bit of a cliché but I always felt like I was somebody people would come and talk to and I liked being that person.

A lot of my early training was looking at that. and understanding what it was about because you’re not there to rescue and save everybody as a therapist,  you’re there to create a space for someone to ultimately do that themselves.”

Kerrie’s love of dance started at a young age and despite being in an atypical dancer’s body she thrived during her performing career.

The skills she learnt as a performer, writing, directing and then PR stood her in good stead during her psychotherapy training.  

I’ve said in the past that not all therapists are created equal but I would happily sit in Kerrie’s consulting room and share my psyche.

In this episode we talk about mental health parlance, the nature of eating disorders and how the prevailing narrative, that you can’t recover,  just…  isn’t….  true. 

You can.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [01:17] - The Meaning Behind Orri
• [04:39] - Growing Up and Body Image
• [08:18] - Dancing and Body Perception
• [12:46] - Transition to Psychotherapy
• [16:35] - The World of Eating Disorders Today
• [26:23] - Challenging the Narrative of Eating Disorders
• [28:36] - The Role of Identity in Eating Disorders
• [29:55] - The Importance of Individualised Care
• [31:25] - The Complexity of Eating Disorders
• [33:33] - The Therapeutic Journey
• [37:54] - The Hope for Recovery
• [43:10] - Final Thoughts and Reflections

CONNECT WITH ORRI:

• Orri's Website
• Follow Orri on Instagram

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] 
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ 
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

Victoria is an award-winning Certified Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner, Coach, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, Guide & Moonologer. 

“I would stop at the garage on the way back from work and buy sandwiches and crisps and chocolate and eat those in the car on my way home. I was in a very destructive relationship at the time. I got bigger and bigger and bigger.” 

Victoria opted for surgical intervention to help with her binge-eating, quit drinking in 2010 and then had her daughter in 2015. During this time her spirituality blossomed, but some old food issues reappeared.

After many years Victoria overcame her food and alcohol addiction. She absolutely believes in taking responsibility for her life and behaviours, and it's this teaching she passes onto her clients. 

Join me and be uplifted by Victoria’s story of how she overcame some serious challenges and transformed her life. 

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [02:09] - Victoria's Personal Journey with Food
• [06:56] - Childhood Bullying and Its Impact
• [11:29] - Struggles with Weight and Turning Points
• [15:18] - The Decision for Weight Loss Surgery
• [21:12] - Post-Surgery Challenges and Alcoholism
• [24:43] - The Role of Spirituality in Recovery
• [26:01] - First Steps Towards Recovery
• [28:56] - Challenges and Relapses
• [32:08] - Body Image and Self-Acceptance
• [35:26] - Emotional Healing and Spiritual Practices
• [43:52] - Responsibility and Personal Growth

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA PALMER:

• Follow Victoria on Instagram
• Visit Victoria's Website

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] 
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ 
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma