April’s recovery goal is to implement daily education about eating disorders into your routine, because the more you know, the more empowered you become. In this episode, we're joined by Ross Sonnenblick, a Clinical Psychology PhD student at Drexel University, who shares his personal journey with anorexia and his work at Drexel's WELL Center, where he studies Clinical Psychology with a focus on eating disorders, particularly in boys and men. We discuss:

• Ross' personal experience with anorexia nervosa
• What he’s studying at Drexel & his aspirations after graduating
• Why eating disorders in men are so underrecognized + key statistics
• Lesser-known, surprising facts about eating disorders
• The role of goal-setting in recovery
• His personal tools for healing & advice for listeners

Connect with Ross:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-sonnenblick-828996156/

Email: [email protected]

Follow the podcast on Instagram @theeatingdisorderdiaries and follow along for more daily eating disorder facts there.

It’s March 1st, which means a brand-new goal for our eating disorder recovery journey! After a month of journaling, we’re shifting our focus to meditation - learning to observe our thoughts without judgment.

This episode features an interview with Katie Beecher, a medical intuitive and licensed counselor featured in Goop, Poosh, and more. We discuss spirituality’s role in healing and how meditation can support recovery. Her book, Healing from Within, captures ways to go inwards and heal - linked here for purchase. 

• Follow along on Instagram: @theeatingdisorderdiaries
• Follow Katie at: https://katiebeecher.com/ and on Instagram @katiebeecher_medical_intuitive
• Try a small meditation goal: 5 minutes a day with Great Meditation on YouTube
• DM me your thoughts—I’d love to hear how you’re incorporating meditation into your recovery.

See you in April for the next goal! 

Welcome to the final episode of February! This month, we set a goal to build a journaling habit that fosters a better relationship with ourselves. If you're new to the podcast, start at the first February episode to catch up on setting this goal with Amy.

In this episode:

• It's a solo episode! Amy gets personal about her progress with this month’s journaling goal with reflections on what worked and what didn’t
• A deep dive into a challenging moment in her recovery
• Final journaling prompts to support you in tough moments
• A sneak peek at next month’s goal

Use these prompts whenever you need to challenge the eating disorder voice:

1. What am I feeling right now, and where do I feel it in my body?
   (Describe your emotions and any physical sensations. Acknowledge them without judgment.)
2. What triggered these thoughts or urges?
   (Was it something I saw, heard, or thought? How can I respond to this trigger with self-compassion?)
3. What do I need in this moment to take care of myself?
   (List three things that could comfort or ground you, like talking to a friend, deep breathing, or eating a nourishing meal.)
4. If my best friend were feeling this way, what would I say to them?
   (Write a letter to yourself as if you were supporting a loved one.)
5. What is one thing my body does for me that I am grateful for today?
   (Shift your focus to appreciation—maybe your body carried you through a hard day, let you laugh, or gave you energy to do something you love.)

Follow us on instagram @theeatingdisorderdiaries for more prompts and glimpses into Amy's life.

Welcome back to The Eating Disorder Diaries! This month, we’re setting a goal together to establish a journaling habit to support our eating disorder recovery journeys, and today’s episode keeps that momentum going. If you haven’t yet, check out the first two episodes of February first, where we cover how to make journaling a lasting habit and why it’s such a powerful tool in recovery.

In this episode:

Weekly Journal Prompts: Rewriting Your Story in ED Recovery

1. Breaking the Loop: Think of a negative thought that tends to spiral (e.g., "I'm not good enough"). Write about what triggers it, how it affects your emotions, and what a healthier response could be. How can you stop the cycle and choose a different narrative?
2. A Future Without Fear: Picture yourself five years from now, fully recovered. What does your life look like? What do your thoughts and habits reflect? What small steps can you take today to move closer to that version of yourself?
3. Reframing the Past: Write a letter to your younger self from the early days of your eating disorder. What would you tell them about healing, self-worth, and their future? How can you show them kindness instead of judgment and shame?

Special Guest: Rachelle Heinemann We’re continuing our conversation with therapist, eating disorder expert, and podcaster Rachelle Heinemann. In this second part of our chat, we go deeper into journaling prompts and explore ways to support a loved one struggling with an eating disorder. 

Rachelle's Prompts:

1. Do I feel safe in my body?
2. How is my eating disorder keeping me safe? Safe from what?

Follow us on Instagram @theeatingdisorderdiaries 

Connect with Rachelle: Find her at www.rachelleheinemann.com and check out her podcast Understanding Disordered Eating wherever you listen.

Welcome back to The Eating Disorder Diaries! In this second episode of February, Amy continues her journey of establishing a journaling habit in recovery. If you missed the first episode, start there for context.

In this episode:

• Journaling for Recovery: Amy discusses how journaling supports emotional regulation, self-awareness, and cognitive reframing in eating disorder recovery.
• Weekly Journal Prompts: This week’s theme is challenging negative thoughts, with five prompts to help reframe your inner dialogue.
• Special Guest: Rachelle Heinemann, an eating disorder expert, podcaster, keynote speaker, and therapist, shares insights on setting goals with grace and the importance of journaling as a tool in recovery.

Weekly Journal Prompts for challenging negative ED thoughts:

1. Write down a negative thought you've had today related to food, body image, or self-worth. Now, rewrite it as if you're speaking to a friend who's struggling with the same thought. How would you offer support, compassion, and a different perspective to them?
2. Reflect on a time when you made a choice in recovery that contradicted a negative thought about yourself or your body. What was the situation, and how did you feel afterward? What does this experience teach you about your strength and resilience?
3. Identify a negative belief or judgment you often hold about your body. Now, list three qualities about yourself that are not related to appearance—what makes you a valuable, unique person that goes beyond physical traits? How can you remind yourself of these qualities when negative thoughts arise?
4. Think of someone who believes in you or offers positive feedback regarding your recovery journey. Write a letter to yourself from their perspective, focusing on your progress, strengths, and growth. What would they say to counteract the negative thoughts you often experience?
5. Choose one negative thought or fear you have about food or body image. Dig deeper into where this thought may have originated. Is it from external pressures, past experiences, or internalized messages? How can you challenge the validity of that origin, and what new belief could you replace it with moving forward?

Follow Along: Join the conversation on Instagram @theeatingdisorderdiaries.
Connect with Rachelle: Find her at www.rachelleheinemann.com and listen to her podcast Understanding Disordered Eating wherever you get your podcasts.

In memory of Amy's dad, she's re-releasing an episode that captures the testament of a parent's love for their child and how a parent can support their child who is suffering from an eating disorder. 

We love you, Chris Goeckel. Forever never ends.

Contact:

Instagram: @theeatingdisorderdiaries

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to The Eating Disorder Diaries! In this episode, Amy reflects on her January goal of creating a vision board and shares how it’s already influencing her recovery journey. Join her as she sets the tone for February with a new goal in eating disorder recovery: establishing a journaling practice.

In this episode:

• January Recap: Amy shares her journey creating a vision board, its impact on her mental health, and how it’s helping her stay focused on her goals.
• February Goal: Amy sets a new challenge to establish a journaling practice and how it can aid in recovery and self-reflection.
• Special Guest: Eating Disorder Therapist Gabby Morreale shares her own eating disorder recovery story and explains how trauma often intersects with eating disorders. She speaks on the tools she uses in therapy, like EMDR and DBT, and the significance of setting small goals on the path to recovery.

Weekly Journal Prompts:

• Monday: What are the qualities I value most in myself that are not related to my body? 
• Tuesday: How do I feel when I separate my self-worth from how I look?
• Wednesday: How can I practice affirming my worth in non-physical ways each day?
• Thursday: What beliefs or messages have I received about my worth being tied to appearance, and how can I challenge those beliefs?
• Friday: What would it look like for me to live a life where my worth is based on who I am, not how I look?

Follow Along: Join the conversation on Instagram @theeatingdisorderdiaries and share your journaling journey with Amy. 

Connect with Gabby on Instagram @gabrielleLPC and @recoveredandrestored and learn more at recoveredandrestoredtherapy.com.

Welcome back to The Eating Disorder Diaries! This episode focuses on building a vision board to kick off a year of setting goals to drive success in your recovery journey. Join your host Amy Goeckel as she shares her journey from 2024, including her wedding, navigating grief, career changes, and setting the tone for the new year. 

In This Episode:

• Life Updates: 2024 was crazy - Amy talks marriage, love, loss, and growth.
• January Goal: Why creating a vision board is transformative for recovery and mental wellness, with insights into the science behind visualization.
• Special Guest: Merrit Elizabeth, a recovery coach, shares how vision boards can empower recovery and how to create one.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why Vision Boards Work: Learn about the neuroscience of visualization, including the Reticular Activating System and how it enhances focus and motivation.
2. Practical Steps: Tips for designing a vision board tailored to your goals in recovery, mental health, and life.
3. Building Momentum: Questions to reflect on as you pursue this month’s goal and how to stay accountable throughout the year.

Follow Along:
Join the journey on Instagram @theeatingdisorderdiaries for updates, inspiration, and to share your progress. Follow Merrit on Instagram @merritelizabeth

Next Steps:

• Build your vision board and share it with Amy on Instagram!
• Reflect on this month’s goal: What have you learned, and how will you incorporate it into your life moving forward?

Welcome back to Season 2 of The Eating Disorder Diaries. Host Amy Goeckel is back to set 10 transformational monthly goals with you in 2025, helping you reset and move forward in your recovery journey. She'll be reflecting on her monthly goal progress alongside with you, helping keep you accountable and excited about uncovering your untapped potential in eating disorder recovery.

Follow along on Instagram @theeatingdisorderdiaries

If you want someone to talk to or are interesting in collaborating, email Amy at [email protected]

This episode is in memory of my dad, Chris Goeckel. He was taken from us unexpectedly at 64 years old, right before my wedding.

I don't know where I would be in this grief journey without the tools I have acquired in my eating disorder recovery, so in this episode I discuss what's helped me and what I've learned about grief these past few months.

I also give a tribute to my dad. My wonderful and larger than life dad who loved his family with every fiber of his being. While he will be deeply missed, we will always carry him with us and his parenting, legacy, and love lives on through his family.

We love you forever dad, and forever never ends.

Follow the podcast on Instagram @theeatingdisorderdiaries