The Keep Smiling Podcast

BMI should never be used as the primary indicator for eating disorder diagnosis, or for determining who is considered 'unwell enough' to access specialist treatment.

Why do I think this is harmful? It can lead to potentially dangerous delays, neglecting imperative early intervention strategies, thus triggering suffers further down a destructive pathway

It's important to remember that the vast majority of eating disorders aren’t immediately visible - they’re primarily psychological illnesses, evidently proving that the simplistic calculation of BMI is a totally inadequate strategy for diagnosis.

Modern day dating? A blooming complicated thing.

In this episode, we cover our experiences with dating apps, the toxic replaceable culture and disposable society we live in.

We cover the topic of ghosting, knowing your worth... and also have a few harmless giggles!

From escapism, to social interaction, to increased confidence, and the sense of accomplishment - here are 6 reason why I believe exercise is a huge facilitator in establishing positive mental heath

This phase is primarily about finding purpose, rediscovering joy, and ultimately looking ahead.

While the redefining stage encompasses the process of assessing what life could be like away from the eating disorder, rediscovering is about becoming actionable, becoming intentional and putting it into practice.

It’s about putting yourself in discomfort zones, building resilience, understanding that backward steps aren’t indicative of failure, as well as challenging yourself and subsequently acquiring growth from moments of adversity.

It also consists of incorporating productive coping mechanisms and the construction of relapse prevention plans, allowing you to feel equipped and prepared if you experience any moments of difficulty 

Today, we focus upon the redefining stage.

The difficult, yet empowering process of breaking away from the troublesome label and overconsuming identity that comes alongside an eating disorder.

It’s about manifesting a life beyond recovery, and establishing your own authentic characteristics, values, and ambitions… seeking freedom and escaping from the harmful influences associated with an eating disorder.

We discuss breaking away from co-dependent relationships that may be enabling your eating disorder, removing yourself from toxicity and the fundamental value in prioritising yourself, as well as taking initiative in adapting your environment to facilitate your recovery.

The topic of therapeutic approaches is also raised, uncovering methods and strategies that may be suitable for your particular circumstance.

Overall, redefining is about developing the intrinsic motivation to look ahead, exploring who you truly are, proactively illustrating an optimistic life away from the eating disorder and identifying the potential adventures and opportunities that you could experience following recovery.

REBUIDING, REDEFNING, REDISCOVERING - 3 R's to Eating Disorder Recovery

Joined again by the wonderful Joss Walden (@honeyareyouhappy) – psychology graduate, recovered anorexic, avid charity worked and mental health & eating disorder awareness advocate.

Joss has curated somewhat of a theory – 3 distinct stages within eating disorder recovery. These being the processes of rebuilding, redefining and rediscovering.

In this mini-series, each episode will explore the individual categories, breaking them down and providing insight based on our experiences and unique perspectives… hopefully inspiring you on your own recovery journey.

In this fist episode, we discuss the multiple definitions of rebuilding and it’s facilitative influence in establishing the initial motivation to sustainably embark upon your recover journey.

We discuss the prospect of rebuilding our bodies, our relationship with food, mindset, perspectives, and thus the lifestyle transformation and transition into a healthier routine.

The value of identifying triggers is highlighted, and the overall priority to work from the foundation. Rather than solely focusing upon rectifying symptoms, this will allow you to metaphorically open a door to truly initiate an organic recovery. Despite the anxiety inducing nature of this and the feelings of vulnerability and exposure, this will allow you to step forward and almost allow you to regain a sense of clarity and control.

Also, we note that recovery can’t be successful if it’s influenced solely externally. Recovery truly begins when you’ve decided to take those integral steps internally. Not when it’s enforced upon you by others. You need to make that choice. You need to be intrinsically motivated to pursue this journey for your overall health, wellbeing and life progression.

Again, in terms of rebuilding, we focus on rebuilding a routine and consistency within recovery and rebuilding a social network to support you along your journey. 

Throughout this episode, the topic of internal resilience is raised, our experiences with hospitalisation and inpatient stays, weight restoration, healing anxiety around food, challenging fear foods, how eating disorders thrive in secrecy and the value of being vulnerable.

Today I am joined by James Ledger, a Welsh T11 100m sprinter and sports massage therapist, who works closely with Disability Sport Wales.

James was born with bilateral coloboma, leaving him with less than 5% vision,  which detrimentally impacted his confidence. As a youngster, he felt isolated, insecure, whilst routinely attempting to fit within societies unrealistic perception of “normal”, hiding away from his disability.

Fortunately, following a talent identification event held by Disability Sport Wales as a teenager, James was introduced to athletics. Focusing upon the individual sport provided a sense of unfamiliar independence and freedom – an opportunity for James to thrive, re-establish his identity and find a purpose. 

James highlights how his sporting endeavours ultimately transformed his life. The transition from a previously insecurity-fuelled lifestyle, hiding away... to competing globally, acquiring independence, studying at university and forming meaningful relationships with likeminded individuals.

Also in this episode, James discusses the stigmas and stereotypes he faces, provides insight into the reality of life with a visual impairment, the preventative barriers to disabled sport participation as well as his future ambitions.

Today, I am joined for an incredible conversation with Danny Wilsher – a 24-year-old mental health public speaker, company director of ‘Damaged Goods’ and founder of the ‘Walk and Talk’ series.

During this episode, Danny discusses his experiences of childhood trauma – from losing his grandparents, his parents divorcing, the experience of living with an alcoholic parent and losing his father to suicide at a very young and impressionable 9 years of age.

Inevitably, these huge transformative events triggered Danny to develop mental health complexities. He initially supressed and concealed his emotions. However, with age, he began processing his childhood experiences on a far deeper level and recognised the trauma and devastating events he endured – thus provoking erratic behaviour changes, a negative belief systems, drug and alcohol abuse whilst disregarding academia. These destructive behaviours only intensified as the emotional pain grew.

4 years of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts… he courageously admitted his requirement for external support and began attending therapy. Despite the months of stubborn reluctance, therapy allowed him to develop the essential skills to manage his emotions effectively and to understand his complex mindset. This thus triggered the process of building a positive relationship with himself, of discovering heathy coping mechanisms, adjusting his perceptions, minimising the burden he put upon himself, altering his previously destructive belief system… and ultimately totally transforming. 

He became equipped with the psychological skills and tools – which has been integral for his healing process and to construct an uplifted and optimistic outlook upon life. 

This incredible transformation played as a catalyst to inspire his hugely successful public speaking endeavours… where he has now committed his life to serving, giving back, turning his ‘damaged areas’ into his superpowers whilst being open and honest about his own vulnerabilities.

He inspirationally uses his previous experience to help others and is undoubtedly making a powerful change.


LINKS:

www.damaged-goods.co.uk

IG: @danny_wilsher

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-wilsher-448996168

Walkandtalkseries: https://youtube.com/channel/UCd6KscaVuaC2TDgaaCaasFA

There are countless stigmas and misconceptions in association to eating disorders... so, in this episode, I debunk the repetitive and regurgitated false stereotypes whilst applying some light upon the truth of the destructive reality of the illness.

Witnessing your child, friend or loved one battle a destructive eating disorder can be remarkably difficult. Hopefully this brief conversation will enlighten you and provide some beneficial insight.

Discussing understanding their needs, maintaining communication, empathy, being a positive role model and appreciating the true complexity of living with a debilitating, identity engulfing eating disorder.