In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Ellen Maloney. Ellen has her own experience of an eating disorder, which she received intensive treatment for, as well as autism and obsessive compulsive disorder.

With Ellen, we discuss her eating disorder journey and how her treatment differs from what is normally offered. The treatment Ellen received helped her to determine what SHE liked beyond her eating disorder and what her eating disorder had led her to believe.

We also discuss the impact of Ellen’s other diagnoses, and how they had impacted her eating disorder recovery. Whilst these diagnoses gave Ellen some clarity on certain behaviours, it equally made things more challenging. OCD and autism may be associated with characteristics such as perfectionism and social isolation, which can often be seen as something to grow away from in eating disorder recovery.

To find out more about Ellen, follow @eatsleeplaughexplore.

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Specialist Eating Disorder Dietitian, Bethany Francois.

Beth joins Han to discuss the eating disorder behaviours, bingeing and purging. Together, they discuss the difference between bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, anorexia binge-purge subtype, and purging disorder. They then speak about the role of a dietitian in recovery from these behaviours, and how dietetics support can be beneficial.

Additionally, they discuss the binge-purge/binge-restrict cycle, and interventions which may help to reduce the occurrence of these behaviours using self-compassion and distraction techniques.

Finally, Beth and Han discuss the medical and physical consequences of bingeing and purging, including self-induced vomiting, laxative and diuretic abuse, and excessive exercise.

To find out more about Beth, you can find her on instagram @theeddietician.

Please note, this note discusses various compensatory behaviours associated with eating disorder which may be triggering for some individuals. Please tread lightly and take care of yourself.

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Jason Wood. Jason is the author of Starving for Survival, whereby Jason explores his personal experience of orthorexia, and the consequences of when healthy eating goes wrong.

This episode comes at a time of year when dieting, exercise, restriction, and other behaviours that society deem as potentially healthy are thrusted in our face. Unfortunately, these behaviours are not always as positive as we first think, which Jason explains.

With Jason, we discuss his childhood and the comments he received which led his perfectionistic nature to become a weight loss "success". As a result of the challenging experiences Jason had experienced, Jason's clean eating became his coping mechanism which led to an ever reducing list of foods that were acceptable and a mounting list of things that he believed would threaten his health.

Additionally, we discuss Jason's campaigning for male mental health, and the importance of sharing the experience of those we don't often expect.

To find out more about Jason, you can follow him on social media @orthorexiabites, or visit his website to find out more https://www.orthorexiabites.com/starvingforsurvival.

Please note that this episode discusses sensitive topics that some listeners may find difficult including loss of family members, alcoholism, restrictive behaviours.

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Christina Taylor, who shares her eating disorder experience of Christmas time.

Christmas can be an incredibly challenging time, and this year especially it might be filled with lots of apprehension and uncertainty regarding the coming weeks. It's important that you make Christmas comfortable, but try to use it as a time to challenge, engage, and spend time with those that you love.

In this episode, Christina shares tips and tricks for how she has previously navigated the activities that come with Christmas including social activities at work, Christmas dinner, seeing friends and family, preventing ED behaviours, and many other difficult yet manageable situations.

If you are finding the festive season challenging, please reach out to the following services:

• BEAT's services are operating from 4pm - midnight from the 24th December - 3rd January. Contact BEAT at:

  • England: 0808 801 0677

  • Scotland: 0808 801 0432

  • Wales: 0808 801 0433

  • Northern Ireland: 0808 801 0434

  • Their other services are here: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/services-over-christmas/

  • You can find tips for support here: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/christmas-with-an-eating-disorder/

• First Steps ED have a Caregivers Guide to Christmas: https://firststepsed.co.uk/a-caregiver-guide-to-christmas/

• Other useful contacts:

  • Mind (information and support) -

  • Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) (support for anyone who needs to talk) - 0800 58 58 58 thecalmzone.net

  • Switchboard (support for LGBTQ+) - 0300 330 0630 switchboard.lgbt

  • Men's Advice Line (for men experiencing domestic abuse) - 0808 801 0327 - mensadviceline.org.uk

  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline (for women experiencing domestic abuse) - 0808 2000 247 nationaldahelpline.org.uk

  • Samaritans - 116 123 (freephone) samaritans.org

  • Shout (24/7 text support during a crisis) - 85258 (text SHOUT) Shout's tips on feeling less alone over the festive season

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Zoe John. Zoe John has personal experience of an eating disorder, ranging from anorexic to bulimic to binge eating disorder tendencies, but has never received a diagnosis.

During the podcast, we speak about how Zoe transitioned from one eating disorder to another, and the role this played in her life. We also speak about her experience of domestic abuse, and the impact this had on her eating disorder (and vice versa).

Finally, we speak about how Zoe recovered without clinical support, and the role her sport plays in her recovery maintenance.

Please note that during this episode we discuss eating disorder behaviours and domestic abuse which some listeners may find triggering. Please tread lightly and be kind to yourself.

If domestic abuse is something you are experiencing, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/ for help and advice.

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Abi Reynolds. Abi is the perinatal lead at Wednesday's Child. Wednesday'd Child began as a gift marketplace, to enable curated gestures to be purchased for oneself, or someone else who may be in recovery from an eating disorder. Wednesday's child now provides 1-2-1 therapy, group recovery support, parent & family therapy, school audits & educational programmes, online learning for healthcare professionals....and a great deal more.

In this weeks episode, we discuss Abi's experience of an eating disorder. Abi's eating disorder developed after her first pregnancy, and before her second. She then went onto struggle with her eating disorder throughout her pregnancy, with little support, and struggled to manage eating disorder recovery and raising her new baby.

Abi is extremely passionate about helping those who are going through similar situations, to help individuals recognise this is not their fault and the help should be there. Abi works at Wednesday's child to promote the awareness of eating disorders during pregnancy, and to support medical professionals in providing adequate support to those who require it.

All of the above is discussed throughout the podcast episode, as well as potential triggers, how medical professionals can help, tips for those concerned about relapse, and tips for those concerned about passing their disordered relationship with food and body onto their children.

To find out more about Abi, you can follow her on twitter: @AbiJaneReynolds or instagram: @abireynolds.

You can also find out more information about Wednesday's Child at: https://wednesdayschild.co.uk, or on Instagram: @wearewednesdayschild, or Twitter: @wearewednesdays.

Please note that some individuals may find this episode triggering or upsetting, as a result of the discussion of disordered eating behaviours and pregnancy. Please tread carefully and look after yourselves.

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by PhD student, Laura Bourne. Laura is currently conducting her PhD at UCL, exploring the eating disorder ARFID, avoidant restrictive feeding and intake disorder.

Laura is interested in getting a better understanding of ARFID: what do we already know, what do we need to know, what are the different presentations, what impact does it have on the individual and their family.

In this weeks episode, we explore the things we already know about ARFID: the signs, symptoms, and medical consequences associated with ARFID.

We discuss the stigma's associated with ARFID: "picky eating", "poor parenting", "they'll grow out of it". We also explore the "link" between ARFID and autism, and whether they can be distinguished.

Finally, we discuss the treatment types for ARFID, how it differs from other eating disorders such as AN and BN, and how to initiate recovery, especially if the individual with ARFID doesn't understand the need for recovery.

To find out more, you can find Laura's research here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Laura-Bourne or you can find more about ARFID specifically here: https://www.arfidawarenessuk.org.

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dave Chawner. Dave is a number 1 best-selling author, award-winning stand up, presenter, and mental health campaigner.

I first came across Dave's genius comedy which works to change the tone around mental health when I watched his TedTalk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqbL-UhhyPk) about his experience of Anorexia Nervosa. Dave now uses comedy in order to talk to hard to reach groups about mental health, which led to Dave producing Comedy for Coping, a course for individuals to gain peer support, celebrate good mental health, and build their identity further to recovery.

In the podcast, we take a similar structure to Dave's book, Weight Expectations: One Man's Recovery from Anorexia. Together we talk about Dave's love of writing a diary, and explore the many stages of eating disorder recovery including pre contemplation, contemplation, preparation, relapse, action and maintenance.

Within these stages, we discuss topics like denial, loneliness, early intervention, identity, numbing, addiction, sex drive, recovery & fun, highs and lows, and understanding that not everyday will be perfect.

This episode is packed with great advice, stories, and I promise you'll have a giggle along the way!

To find out more about Dave and Comedy for Coping, head over here: https://www.davechawner.co.uk/mental-health-comedy

Please note that we do discuss topics that some individuals may find triggering including anorexic behaviours and alcohol addiction.

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Occupational Therapist, Kendra Blake. Kendra works at an intensive day care clinic for eating disorders, where she practices Occupational Therapy. She also has her own practice, Blake Wellness, where she encompasses balance, body awareness, functional training and self-compassion in her practice.

With Kendra, we discuss what occupational therapy is, and how it can be used in eating disorder recovery. We also talk about embodiment and Kendra's compassionate approach to eating disorder support.

With embodiment in mind, we discuss how to adapt to a changing body through recovery and the GI symptoms associated, as well as finding meaningful, enjoyable movement. We also discuss the role of exercise in recovery.

To find out more about Kendra and her practice, find her on Instagram @_kendrablake or visit https://www.blake-wellness.com.

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Veronica Kamerling. Veronica is an Expert by Experience as a result of her two daughters struggling from eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Veronica now works as a counsellor, helping families to manage their codependent relationships which can often contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders. She also works as a Carer Representative for the Royal College of Psychiatry.

With Veronica, we discuss the development of her daughters eating disorders, the impact this had on family life, the discovery of their codependent relationship, the work they did independently to reduce their codependency, and the benefit this has had on them all as a family. We also discuss what codependency is and how it developed for Veronica and her daughter.

To find out more about Veronica and codependency, visit https://www.eatingdisordersandcarers.co.uk/

Please note that this conversation discusses sensitive topics around codependency, eating disorders, and relationships which some listeners may find triggering. Please tread lightly and take care.