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

Dr Fiona Vera-Gray is one of the UK’S leading feminist academics working on violence against women and girls. She is also the author of Women On Porn, her first book for a mainstream audience. 

“There’s research that’s been done about how girls' bodily capacity starts to change at around twelve, it’s not to do with puberty, they start to learn to restrict themselves… 

… a fantastic paper Throwing Like a Girl by Iris Marion Young talks about the idea of inhabited intentionality, you get to a point where if you throw a ball at a boy when he’s eleven or twelve, he will reach out to get the ball because he experiences his body as being in the world; it’s safe for him to be in the world, the world and his body is one. If you throw it at a girl she will stand there and wait for the ball to come to her body because she doesn’t have that expansiveness - ‘ontological expansiveness,’ where you feel your being is expansive, you can take up space.”

Fiona speaks with a fluent and light touch and decades of experience combined with her natural warmth and humanity. 

We talk about what it is to be in your body, why so many women struggle and crucially the lack of conversation around the effects of sexual violence from the male gaze to rape.  

We also talk about porn, our compare and contrast culture and a host of other things.

Disclaimer: This is an essential listen for all of us but best to listen when little people are not in the room. 

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [01:08] - Journey into Feminist Philosophy
• [02:23] - The Rewarding Work in Violence Prevention
• [05:09] - Exploring Relationship with Food
• [07:09] - Impact of Societal Expectations on Body Image
• [20:34] - The Complexities of Eating Disorders
• [30:49] - The Power of Choice in Recovery and Violence
• [31:49] - Societal Attitudes Towards Violence
• [34:08] - Impact of the Internet on Society
• [36:01] - Men's Choices and Masculinity
• [37:17] - Therapist Insights on Domestic Violence
• [37:52] - Fiona's Book: Women on Porn
• [52:08] - The Importance of Discussing Sexuality and Pornography

CONNECT WITH DR FIONA VERA-GRAY:

• Follow Dr Fiona on Instagram
• Follow Dr Fiona on X(Twitter)
• Visit Fiona’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

Eating Disorders are a broad church. We all have our stories to tell and unique perspectives to share.

I believe that eating disorders are physical symptoms of internal distress with notable exceptions - sufferers with ARFID, varying shades of autism and ADHD, there are probably more - but mostly from my own experience and what I hear from others, it’s about manifesting stuff, “out there” because of an inability to deal with, for whatever reason, what is, “in here.” 

I also believe in everyone’s potential to recover and that recovery is not for the faint hearted - meaning it takes work, commitment and courage to embrace and explore our, “shadow lands and selves.”

I loved making this episode. It felt like a real privilege to answer some of your questions. I had much more to say, especially around shame and secrecy - maybe we can explore that next time. 

Thank you for listening and for your continued support!

DISCLAIMER: Jemma is not a therapist or ED counsellor. The opinions and views shared within this episode are based on Jemma’s personal experience suffering with Eating Disorders/ behaviours for over two decades.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [00:30] - Jemma’s Personal Journey with Eating Disorders
• [05:16] - The Impact of Eating Disorders on Relationships
• [15:54] - Exploring the Connection Between Eating Disorders and Veganism
• [24:25] - Overcoming the Fear of Recovery
• [26:20] - Building New Neural Pathways for Recovery
• [27:33] - Understanding the Force Behind Eating Disorders
• [29:22] - Exploring the Fear of Being 'Bigger'
• [30:09] - Dealing with Life's Challenges Beyond Eating Disorders
• [32:32] - The Power of Breathing and Grounding Techniques
• [33:33] - Practising Flexibility and Relinquishing Control
• [34:54] - Writing a Positive Counter Story
• [37:01] - Understanding the Concept of Quasi Recovery
• [42:26] - Recognizing Full Recovery
• [45:03] - Final Thoughts and Wrap Up

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

Steve is a nutritionist and owner of the Mind Muscle Clinic.

“Trying to educate people that it isn’t as difficult as it may seem, a lot of people who have come to me as a client dread it… but once they see the benefits it becomes a new habit. A new way of life."

On one level, the “it” Steve talks about is health and fitness but on another, he’s alluding to the courage and motivation it takes to change what no longer serves you. 

Steve transformed his life.

He gave up a stressful non-stop business, retrained and went from 24 stone to 18 stone in 12-months. Motivated by his desire to be a “great Dad”, gave him focus but Steve is also one of those people who just gets on with what needs to be done. I found his no nonsense approach inspiring. He now helps others, who share a similar story, transform.

DISCLAIMER: We talk about fat loss and diet, albeit in a benign way, but only in relation to Steve’s story and not as a prescription for anyone else. 

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [03:26] - Steve's Childhood and Early Relationship with Food
• [14:03] - Steve's Wake Up Call and Decision to Change
• [15:46] - Steve's Journey to Becoming a Personal Trainer
• [21:10] - Steve's Diet Transformation and New Relationship with Food
• [24:11] - Transitioning from Processed Foods to Whole Foods
• [30:18] - The Impact of Fitness on Personal Confidence and Life
• [33:29] - The Journey from Alcoholism to Sobriety
• [40:35] - Breaking Bad Habits and Embracing a Healthier Lifestyle
• [42:36] - Body Image and Fitness Culture Among Men
• [43:37] - Nourishing the Next Generation: Teaching Kids about Healthy Eating

CONNECT WITH STEVE:

• Mind Muscle Clinic Website
• Steve’s 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 always said I’m recovering from eating difficulties and eating disorders. When I realised it’s much less about recovering, but about uncovering I started to call my journey the uncovering journey.” 

Flurina is an osteopath, dancer and creator of The Breathing Body Podcast.

When Flurina was eleven she had an idea that being thin would make her happier. This random thought caused years of disordered eating and exercise.  As time passed Flurina’s double life proved exhausting - bright and sunny on the outside, but internally, sad and depressed. 

She sought treatment/support but nothing changed until she read Dr Anita Johnston’s book Eating in the LIght of the Moon. 

Finally, she began to heal as she reconnected with her “miraculous’ physical body.  

Flurina believes, as we do at Love This Food Thing, that eating disorders and behaviours when properly understood and explored can be powerful healing tools.

P.S. Apologies for a technical issue regarding sound quality until 15.31 — all good after that!

 EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [01:12] - Flurina's Journey with Eating Disorders
• [02:10] - The Turning Point: Uncovering vs Recovering
• [14:58] - The Double Life of an Eating Disorder
• [20:46] - The Struggle with Self-Worth
• [21:30] - The Triggering Environment of Dance
• [22:39] - The Start of Self-Healing
• [26:05] - Embracing the Embodied Approach to Recovery
• [26:58] - The Realisation: It's Not About the Food
• [27:17] - Entering the Creative Process
• [28:19] - The Grief Phase of Healing
• [32:23] - The Role of Support in Recovery
• [34:15] - The Transition from Dance to Osteopathy
• [36:16] - The Power of Saying 'Yes' to Life

CONNECT WITH FLURINA:

• Flurina’s Website
• Flurina’s Podcast

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 sometimes feel that the eating disorder has tried to trick me. To feel that we’re getting somewhere and then that door shuts. I feel it morphs itself into something different.”

I have wanted to interview a mother with a child who has an eating disorder ever since I started this podcast.

Lorraine’s daughter is now in her early 30’s. Her eating disorder behaviour began when she was 15. It’s been a long hard slog for the entire family, but today they are in a better place.

This is an intimate and raw episode. Listening to Lorraine’s perspective is heartbreaking at times, but I think it’s essential for sufferers and supporters alike.

Tune in.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [02:52] - Lorraine's Childhood and Family's Relationship with Food
• [06:08] - Lorraine's Daughter's Struggle with Anorexia
• [10:53] - The Impact of Anorexia on the Family
• [17:13] - Seeking Help and Navigating the Healthcare System
• [25:25] - Reflections on Parenting and Coping with a Child's Eating Disorder
• [27:20] - Dealing with Guilt and Emotional Struggles
• [28:11] - Finding Humour in Difficult Times
• [29:19] - Impact on Personal Relationships
• [30:34] - The Struggles of Parenting a Child with an Eating Disorder
• [31:52] - The Journey of Separating the Disorder from the Person
• [33:44] - The Power of Support Networks
• [34:34] - The Role of Therapy and Interventions
• [36:42] - The Struggles of Maintaining a Relationship Amidst the Disorder
• [45:14] - The Power of Hope and Persistence

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 lovely to reconnect with Liv from the Liv Label Free Podcast for our autistic and neurodiversity chat. Liv has a unique and illuminating perspective and is very much about the lived experience helping others find their way without judgement or shame. 

This is a slightly random episode away from our normal fare. I was trialling new contact lenses to correct an astigmatism and they really affected my brain function (excuses, ahem). Spot the places where I struggle for words - I checked with my optician and she confirmed it’s tough on those neural pathways at first.

Hahaha bad work people blame their tools.  

Enjoy!

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [02:59] - Understanding Autism and ADHD
• [04:19] - The Impact of Neurodivergence on Life
• [09:07] - Discussing Famous Neurodivergent Figures
• [12:28] - The Connection Between Neurodivergence and Creativity
• [14:45] - Reflecting on Personal Experiences
• [36:15] - Understanding the Role of Lived Experience

CONNECT WITH LIVIA SARA:

• Liv’s Website
• Liv’s Instagram
• Liv’s Podcast

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

Sabrina’s pivotal moment around her disordered eating and orthorexia happened when she became an aunt for the first time.

“It should've been the happiest day of my life and all I remember is the food. I spent the entire day around the buffet table because my Mom had caterers and we had all this food I didn’t allow myself to eat.

I kept filling my plate up and then going back for more to a point that I felt so sick… that night I sat in my parent’s basement, I felt so miserable, cold and unhappy and I asked myself, ‘do I want to keep living this way when I’m 50, 60, 70-years old?’”.

Today, Sabrina is on a mission to dismantle diet culture.

Her food and body issues started when Sabrina was a young girl training in synchronised swimming - a judged sport where image dictates success. Her disordered thinking and behaviour around food and her body continued post university until a wake up call, which motivated Sabrina to embrace her fears and move to Italy for a life changing experience. 

This is an empowering, feel good episode due to Sabrina’s vulnerability and candid storytelling that will resonate with all of our listeners. It’s always good to hear when someone has saved themselves and is loving life. Tune in!

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [02:46] - Impact of Body Image in Synchronised Swimming
• [03:22] - Sabrina's Struggle with Body Image
• [08:42] - Transition from Swimming to University
• [16:26] - Battle with Orthorexia
• [21:50] - Reflections on Diet Culture
• [26:17] - The Illusion of Control and Happiness
• [27:07] - The Impact of Food Obsession on Social Life
• [28:40] - Struggling with Eating Disorders
• [28:58] - A Wake-Up Call in the Basement
• [30:24] - The Life-Changing Trip to Italy
• [39:48] - The Transition from Weight Loss Coach to Intuitive Eating Advocate
• [53:01] - The Mission to Dismantle Diet Culture

CONNECT WITH SABRINA:

• Sabrina’s Website
• Sabrina’s Instagram
• Sabrina’s Podcast

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