Shelley Swann checks a lot of boxes: lost 120 lbs, survived an abusive relationship, had a complicated situation with her family, and has a hard time understanding her relationship with food.

But, regardless of the boxes she may check, Shelley doesn't fit inside of a box at all. She is a strong, independent, HYSTERICAL woman with a kick ass Australian accent who is in the process of launching "The Middle Bits", a platform for women in the middle part of their lives to connect and provide each other support.

She opened up to me about her battle with an eating disorder, and taught me some sweet Australian phrases. Also David Bowie.

This episode is brought to you by Bariatric Pal. Check out store.bariatricpal.com for all the goodies and enter the code "lighterside15" for a 15% discount. 

Tune in next week when I announce a big ol' contest! 

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Join me and special guest Michael Buckley of Buckley Body Solutions as we dissect the most decadent day of the year.

We discuss the absurdity of sending our children out to panhandle in our neighborhoods, the truth about those candy poisonings, how Hocus Pocus is overrated (fight me), and those costumes in a box that cut the sh*t out of your face.

Michael gives his "Tricks for Treats" for getting through the true horror of Halloween: the candy.

This episode is brought to you by BariatricPal . You can purchase the Herbaland Protein Gummies I mention on the show at https://store.bariatricpal.com/products/herbaland-protein-gummies-variety-pack 

Be sure to enter the code "lighterside15" for a 15% discount

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Alex Brecher is the CEO and founder of BariatricPal, the world's largest weight loss surgery forum. He has also had bariatric surgery. Three times. Yep. 

He started Bariatric Pal because he didn't feel he had the support he needed online or off. Years later, the small forums he created have spawned a giant, AMAZING online store at store.bariatricpal.com, and a Hospital dedicated solely to Bariatric and Plastic Surgery. 

Also, he's just a cool guy with a great story. 

BariatricPal is The Lighter Side's newest sponsor, and I couldn't be happier! Please visit their store and use the code "lighterside15" for a 15% discount.

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Wesley McCoy used to weigh over 400 lbs. Now he competes in triathlons. His weight loss journey has been full of meal preparation and self-realization. Somewhere in the middle of his dramatic weight loss, he managed to become one of Weight Watcher's Connect's most visible posters,to help create the #wwbros, and to train for and compete in TRIATHLONS.

Wesley is a straight shooting, down to Earth, all around good dude. He has some great stories about the early days of Connect and Weight Watchers, and some amazing insights into the psychology of weight loss.

Go forth and follow Wesley's instagram at https://www.instagram.com/wesleymccoy554/

If you enjoy The Lighter Side Podcast, then why not put your money where your enjoyment is and support us at patreon.com/lightersidepodcast

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Mathew Harrington, a 31 year old American transplant, found himself on the floor of his apartment in China, unable to move. He screamed until his throat bled, and a neighbor finally came to his rescue. This wasn't even close to the beginning, or the end, of his story.

Back in states and determined to meet the weight loss requirements in order to have bariatric surgery, Mathew is fighting for his life, and he's kicking ass.

If you enjoy this or other episodes of The Lighter Side, please consider contributing the show's Patreon at patreon.com/lightersidepodcast

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How did Capicolla come to be called Gabagool?
Teresa Troiani and I come no closer to solving this mystery, but we do manage to compare notes on our respective hectic Italian upbringings, get real deep about our brushes with addiction, and celebrate her big ol' weight loss success story.

Her instagram name is @BastaPasta  Go forth and follow her to follow her continuing journey.

If you enjoy this and other episodes of The Lighter Side Podcast, please consider subscribing to our Patreon at patreon.com/lightersidepodcast 

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The first time J. Matthew Nespoli ever took an opioid, he took it from a drug balloon that his girlfriend had smuggled across the border. In her body. Years later, he kicked his opioid habit by taking an obscure hallucinogenic he heard about on a podcast.

All of J. Matthew Nespoli's stories are like this. Somewhere along the line he has managed to build and sell a successful physical therapy business, write two books (including "Daddy vs. the Suck Monster" available on Kindle Unlimited), and create an online persona called "The Dad"(www.facebook.com/thedadissuperbad) , dedicated to "parents who drink, cuss, and love their kids."

If you enjoy this and other episodes of The Lighter Side Podcast, please consider subscribing to our Patreon at patreon.com/lightersidepodcast

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Dana Rae Gutierrez is likely the coolest grandmother you have ever met. She has lived through addiction, abuse, depression, and extreme health issues, and has somehow managed to come out the other side even stronger. She's lost a bunch of weight, but that's probably about the least interesting thing about her. If you love the Lighter Side Podcast, please consider contributing to our patreion at : Patreon.com/lightersidepodcastSupport the show

Brett Douglas wrote one of the most raw and unflinching drug memoirs I've ever read. His stories are as brutally insane as you would imagine, but what really made his memoir stand out among the rest for me was his relentless self-awareness and biting insightfulness into his own psyche.

He brought that insight, as well as his over 2 years of sobriety, with him when he did me the honor of shooting the shit with me for 90 minutes. We get into the craziness, the sobriety, the infuriating nature of social media, and the inescapable similarities between drug and food addiction

Check out Brett's website at www.brettdouglasauthor.com . You can (and should) read "American Drug Addict" for free as a member of Amazon Prime through Kindle Unlimited, or purchase the audio book/physical book here: https://www.amazon.com/American-Drug-Addict-Brett-Douglas-ebook/dp/B0731LG7D2

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Kate Jaramillo aka "Keto Kate" is the founder and owner of KetogenicLiving101, a website and lifestyle focused around the increasingly popular Keto Diet.

Kate talked to me about the diet, its origins, and its somewhat cultish following. Kate answers all of the most common questions about the diet (is it sustainable? is it Atkins? is there such a thing as too much bacon?), discusses children's nutrition, and manages to achieve the seemingly impossible goal of being a Keto Dietician without making you feel like you've done something wrong by not following Keto.

Check out Kate's site, www.ketogenicliving101.com, for more info on the Ketogenic Diet, and about Kate's various projects.

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