Episode 53. Today I have the pleasure of talking with Stefanie Michele. We are coming in hot in 2022. Seriously. If you missed last week's episode with Dr. Alexis Conason, please go back and check it out. This week's one is also incredible, and frankly so is next week's.
If you know me, you know I am not a social media fan. Perhaps because I am quite bad at it. Strong emotional writing isn't necessarily my strength. In fact, I have an incredible intern who is now officially a Psychology of Wellness team member who writes a lot of copy for me. I can write, but I have this tendency to focus on data and facts in a way that isn't always compelling.
Well, I said it at the end of this interview and I'll say it here now, Stefanie Michele has a gift. She is able to break down concepts related to the experience of binge eating and the binge restrict cycle in a way that is unique and speaks to the very human and real experience of this shame filled cycle.
It also struck me, somewhat while talking to her, that she is such a cool example of what I often talk about. That is, we need more women to get out of the ineffective dieting cycle asap so that they can show up in their lives in a courageous and connected way. Share their unique gifts with the world so we can start solving some of the world's very real and pressing problems.
Stefanie has 25K+ followers on IG at the time of recording and you can find her at @Iamstefaniemichele. She offers great free insights into binge eating recovery on there. Think of the domino effect of one person getting out of the cycle, and how many more people that one person can impact.
Interview Highlights and What to Expect
Stefanie's journey of being in the binge-restrict cycle for 25 years, and how a moment in her kitchen helped her turn the corner towards true recoveryWhy years of treatment for an eating disorder didn't work for herThe 5 questions to ask yourself if you can relate to this statement, "I'm allowing all foods but I'm still bingeing, is this right?"What it means to "stay with your body" and how it can help youHow a creative outlet may help accelerate your recovery
Who is Stefanie Michele?
Stefanie is a coach and a writer, a wife and a friend and a mother, a reader, a thinker, a runner, and a chocolate-chip mint ice cream lover.
But a little history: My disordered eating began when I was 15 years old dealing with adolescent strife and hormonal shifts. For the rest of my teens, 20’s, and well into my 30’s, I struggled with bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and orthorexia. The binge-restrict cycle was THE focus of my life for over 20 years and something from which I never, ever thought I would recover.
I thought I was broken.
Somehow during that time, I got married, had 3 girls, and led a pretty normal looking life. There were times I even felt normal — when I was with my friends, snuggling with my babies, or engrossed in a book. But most of the time, I felt ashamed, angry, and completely out of control. I hated my body and lived in fear of gaining weight.
Just before my 40th birthday, I made the decision to challenge diet culture and enlisted the support of a coach to work through my body image, which went hand in hand with food recovery. I did the work, and the work worked.
When I tell you that I’m excited to help you, I freaking mean it. I have laid in bed for days, canceled plans, avoided mirrors, and detached from my authentic self just like you have, and I know there is a different way. You can change your life, and start changing the way women in this world are valued and seen.
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