Lisa is joined by group coaching alum, Andrea. This episode highlights Andrea's journey from childhood to becoming a teacher to struggling with eating disorders and ADHD. Through self-compassion, support programs, and continuous learning, she managed to improve her emotional well-being and eating behaviors.

Topics Include:

[2:35] Andrea introduces herself, sharing her love of motherhood, hobbies, serving her community, her spirituality, and learning about biohacking and health. 

[4:13] Andrea shares with Lisa about growing up in a single parent home, wondering if her biological father didn’t want her. Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s with all of the processed food and it being the highlights of her days with cake or donuts for breakfast. Andrea explains how she felt lonely with her mom’s new marriage and working full time, and being left to take care of her little brother. 

[8:37] Lisa and Andrea discuss how her perfectionism showed up in childhood by always wanting to be a good girl and never wanting to make waves or get in trouble. Andrea talks about how at the age of 10, her parents offered her a  dollar for every pound she lost but not really offering any guidance on how she could do that. She went on to share how she started reading magazines about nutrition to learn about healthy foods. She reflects on how much praise she received from everyone when she lost the weight and loving the external validation. 

[18:30] Lisa and Andrea examine how alone she felt for so much of her life by not being understood by others around her. They talk about how parents often focus on what children are eating or how much they weigh but often don’t take the whole human experience into consideration. Andrea and Lisa talk about how having an ADHD diagnosis has played a huge part in her disordered eating.

[29:10]  Andrea shares how she used food, mainly ice cream, to cope with the stress of being a wife and teacher. How she would often eat several bowls of ice cream to cope with the stress of developing lesson plans, along with being away from family, and navigating the early years of marriage.

[46:36] Andrea shares with Lisa how with five kids, life is amazing and chaotic but that she felt inadequate as a mom because of her struggle with food. She continued seeking guidance and joining programs that she hoped would help. While participating in a program, she was brave enough to ask for help with her binging and purging where she was led to Lisa and Out of the Cave.  

[48:57] Lisa and Andrea talk about how after some hesitation, Andrea joins the OOTC group coaching program and has learned to show compassion to all the parts of herself that she is working on and showing herself love through the struggle. How making the decision to love herself everyday has made all the difference in her life. 

[58:37] Lisa and Andrea look at the connection between eating disorders and people with ADHD or autism. How having the right medications has been another tool in her toolbox toward living a healthier lifestyle.

[1:21:30] Lisa and Andrea wrap up with Andrea sharing how she believes when you search for answers the universe/God will guide you to your best life.

*The views of podcast guests do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Lisa Schlosberg or Out of the Cave, LLC.

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