Spicy Fat

Disclaimer: Host Carlen Costa is a certified health care professional, but she is speaking about her personal experience and you should still consult a doctor or your own health care team while making decisions about your health. Find out more about today’s topics from the resources listed below.

In this episode, Carlen touches on her journey discovering her neurodivergence, and specifically ADHD. She explores the concept of hiding behind a ‘mask’ and hiding from your symptoms. She explains the concept of neurodiversity and neurotypicality, highlighting the differences in brain function. She also provides an overview of various neurodivergent conditions and their prevalence. She shares a list of famous people with ADHD, emphasizing that ADHD is not a disability but a different ability. She concludes by expressing pride in her journey of reclaiming her life and invites listeners to stay curious and embrace their own neurodiversity before part two on this topic, where she talks about her diagnosis while living in Toronto.

Takeaways

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction and the Mask of Fine

(03:28) Discovering Neuro Spiciness

(07:57) Neurodiversity and Neurotypicality

(10:19) Understanding Neurodivergence

(13:19) Neurodivergent Conditions

(14:04) ADHD Prevalence and Famous People with ADHD

(25:05) ADHD Awareness and Misconceptions

(26:02) ADHD as a Genetic Difference

(28:55) ADHD as a Different Ability

(29:43) Upcoming Episode and Conclusion

Works Cited:

ADDitude Editors. “Famous People with ADHD.” ADDitude, 28 Nov. 2016, www.additudemag.com/slideshows/famous-people-with-adhd/.

“Is ADHD Hereditary or Genetic? Yes and No.” ADDitude, ADDitude, 15 Jan. 2009, www.additudemag.com/is-adhd-hereditary-yes-and-no/.

“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).” The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder.

Chhabra, Sameer. “Adults Who Don’t Know They Have ADHD Can Struggle. Here’s How a Diagnosis Can Help.” CBC, 20 Jan. 2024, www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/adults-undiagnosed-adhd-1.7087547.

Vear, Emily. “New Manulife Data Shows Spike in Adult ADHD Diagnosis | Manulife.” Www.manulife.ca, 21 Sept. 2023, www.manulife.ca/business/news/group-benefits-news/health-insights-press-release.html#:~:text=According%20to%20CADDRA%2C%20the%20Canadian.

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*Disclaimer* Carlen Costa will speak about a near-death experience related to a weight-loss surgery in this episode, and she is certified as a psychotherapist. In no way is this health advice for anyone else, she's simply sharing her story. Consult your health care team if you're going through something similar, listener discretion is advised.*

In this episode, Carlen shares her the complicated feelings she held as the 'fat kid' and the story of her decision to undergo laparoscopic gastric band surgery. She discusses the process and risks of the surgery, as well as the emotional and physical challenges she faced afterward. Carlen explores the dark side of weight loss surgery, including the development of an eating disorder. She also speaks about having the surgery reversed, removing the lap band and finding a happier ending to her story. Carlen discusses the challenges she faced before and after the surgery including her struggle to reconcile 'being fat' or being dead, and the long-term results of gastric banding. Carlen also talks about the guilt she felt watching others struggle with the same procedure, the changes in her eating habits, and the impact on her body image and self-acceptance. She closes with some hopeful takeaways about her healing journey and self-discovery. Carlen has more to say about the ADHD diagnosis she mentions for the next episode.

Topics:

Works Cited:

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On the first episode of the Spicy Fat Podcast, you'll meet the host, Carlen Costa as she explores self-discovery, self-love, and personal growth. As the host, Carlen shares her intentions for the podcast, emphasizing the importance of fun and laughter while navigating life's challenges. She introduces herself as a psychotherapist, clinical sexologist, bestselling author, and cannabis educator. Carlen discusses her work in private practice, her foundation for women, and shares how a weight loss surgery changed her life. She outlines topics she'll cover on the Spicy Fat podcast like mental health, relationships, body image, and the weight loss industry. Carlen also touches on her late ADHD diagnosis.

New episodes publish every other Thursday! Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to check out Carlen's swag shop and book Love: The Women's Guide to Not Fucking Settling.

Find out more about Carlen at https://www.carlencosta.com/

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SpicyFat is a new podcast hosted by Psychotherapist, Sexologist, best-selling author, and international speaker, Carlen Costa. A recent weight-loss surgery reversal uncovered her late-diagnosed ADHD and sent her on a journey of radical self-love. This sparked Carlen’s mission; to help other women entering their 40s better understand their bodies, brains, and hearts. With new episodes every other Thursday, Carlen will cover a variety of topics including but not limited to mental health, relationships, body image, and alternative medicine. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts!

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