It’s no secret that people with anorexia often engage in excessive amounts of exercise. When you combine that hallmark restlessness with neurodivergent traits like anxiety, perseverance, masking, and a constant state of fight-or-flight mode, you have the perfect storm for exercise addiction. But what if these same traits could become powerful tools in ED recovery? In the second installment of this 2-part series on Autism and Anorexia Athletica, Livia Sara explains how to transform movement from an escape into an energetic outlet. You’ll discover how three autistic traits can influence our relationship with exercise and how to harness them for healing. Episode highlights: How the athletic identity can serve as a mask for autism and why creating a new identity is crucial for recovery Why viewing "compulsive" movement as adaptive behavior can shift our understanding of exercise addiction How nervous system dysregulation drives the urge to move in autistic individuals The paradox of how restrictions can increase the urge to move, and what to do about it The power of creating "freedom routines" that provide structure while allowing flexibility Resources mentioned:🎙️ Listen to my free audiotraining, “3 Steps to Recovery From an Eating Disorder as an Autistic Person”📖 Access my free extreme hunger email course for answers to the top 10 questions about extreme hunger🌈 Enroll in the Autistically ED-Free Academy📚 Read my books about autism and eating disorders💗 Join my newsletter to receive Liv Label Free updates📝 Read the blog post of this episode

When you think of exercise addiction and eating disorders, you might picture someone trying to burn calories or using movement as punishment. But for neurodivergent individuals, the story often looks different. In today’s episode, host Livia Sara shares her journey with exercise addiction through an autistic lens, challenging common misconceptions and offering a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between autism, movement, and eating disorders. You'll learn: How the athlete identity can become a mask for undiagnosed autism Why labels like "compulsive exercise" may oversimplify the complex motivations behind movement in autistic individuals How exercise restrictions in treatment can trigger PDA (demand avoidance) in neurodivergent folks Why understanding the connection between autism and movement is a crucial component of neurodiversity-affirming ED recovery This episode kicks off a powerful two-part series examining how autism can influence our relationship with exercise and how traditional treatment approaches might actually backfire for neurodivergent individuals. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore three key autistic traits that can influence exercise addiction and how to transform them into tools for recovery. Connect with Livia: 💗 Join my newsletter to receive episode updates 🌈 Grab your copy of Rainbow Girl, my memoir of autism and anorexia 🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders 📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Do you feel like you're never good enough? In this unscripted, spontaneous episode, I dive deep into my current struggle with perfectionism in writing and the surprising parallels to eating disorder recovery. Recorded with no planning or outline, this raw exploration reveals how the fear of failure follows us beyond recovery into creative pursuits. What you'll hear: Why I'm experiencing intense anxiety and fight-or-flight responses when sitting down to write How perfectionism isn't actually about being perfect, but about confirming our belief that we're failures The connection between setting constantly higher standards in ED behaviors and creative work Why my most resonant podcast episode was the unplanned one recorded at midnight How Kierkegaard's concept of "the dizziness of freedom" explains why rigid rules feel safer than possibilities The revelation that recovery doesn't mean life becomes magically perfect – we just face new forms of fear This episode marks the beginning of a potential new series sharing unfiltered thoughts and reflections. I'd love to hear if this format resonates with you! 💗 Join my newsletter to get first access to "How to Get Out of Quasi Recovery"🌈 Learn more about the Autistically ED-Free Academy📚 Read my books about autism and eating disorders🌐 Contact me via my website

"What if I can't handle being healthy?" This question haunted me for years, echoing through my thoughts each time I contemplated recovery. My eating disorder was never about the food, the weight, or even the physical aspects of health – it was about what being "well" would mean. Because being healthy meant being responsible. In this episode, we explore how eating disorders can function as a shield against adulthood, particularly for neurodivergent individuals navigating a neurotypical world. Through examining the complex relationship between autism and anorexia, you'll discover why recovery isn't just about changing behaviors – it's about redefining freedom on your own terms. Key Topics: The paradox of being "mature for your age" while fearing adulthood How eating disorders can become a response to undiagnosed autism Why the fear of being healthy is often about avoiding responsibility The unique challenges neurodivergent people face in eating disorder recovery Finding freedom through appropriate boundaries rather than restrictions Connect with Livia:💗 Join my newsletter to receive episode updates📚 Read my books about autism and eating disorders📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or in crisis? You're not alone. As someone who understands the unique challenges at the intersection of autism and eating disorders, I've created this guided audio to be your hand to hold in moments of darkness and despair. What This Recording Offers:  Immediate anxiety and panic relief through guided breathing  Grounding techniques for autistic people and their caregivers  Supportive affirmations for meltdowns and shutdowns  Compassionate guidance from someone who understands the autism-anorexia connection  A reliable resource to return to during moments of crisis Having navigated both autism and eating disorder recovery myself, I created this recording to be the support I wished I had during my darkest moments. Whether you're experiencing a meltdown, shutdown, panic attack, or are supporting an autistic person struggling with an eating disorder, this guided meditation provides immediate support. Remember: This too shall pass. You are safe. You will get through this. Connect with Livia:🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders📚 Read my books about autism and eating disorders💗 Join my newsletter to receive episode updates

When does dedication to fitness become a dangerous obsession? Is it healthy to lose weight after an eating disorder? In today’s episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia Sara chats with Ashleigh Marie Hubbard, a certified nutrition and health coach who’s passionate about helping people build sustainable habits and improve their relationship with food, exercise, and their bodies. We delve into the following topics: The psychological impact of wrapping your entire identity in being "the athlete" and exercise addiction How the all-or-nothing mindset can sabotage sustainable progress in health and fitness A nuanced conversation around intentional weight loss after eating disorder recovery Why sustainable habits and behavior changes matter more than quick fixes for long-term health Understanding the role of intention versus societal pressure in making health decisions Breaking free from food obsession and exercise compulsion to find true balance The importance of curiosity over judgment when examining our health behaviors Whether you’re questioning your own relationship with exercise or are supporting someone in eating disorder recovery, this episode offers valuable insights for creating a sustainable, joy-filled approach to wellness. 📖 Access my free EXTREME HUNGER EMAIL COURSE for answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!📚 Read my books about autism and eating disorders💗 Join my newsletter to receive episode updates Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM🌐 WEBSITE📚 BOOKS Connect with Ashleigh:Instagram: @AshleighMarieHubbardWebsite: AHUB NutritionPodcast: The Wellness Diaries

Last year, I went through a second puberty. It wasn’t something I planned to share. But as I tossed and turned one night, I knew I had to let the words flow out of me. So I grabbed my phone, opened the VoiceMemos app, and started talking about my recent body changes. The recording captured several neurodivergent experiences of eating disorders, including: Fear of growing up and being healthy Physical and hormonal changes as a result of puberty Feeling trapped in a human body Underlying reasons for always needing to be “productive” My complex relationship with gender identity This podcast isn’t about me having my life “figured out” – rather, it’s an honest, raw, and vulnerable expression of some of my current struggles. My hope is to connect with anyone else dealing with similar challenges, and to provide hope that we will get through it together 💗 📖 Access my free EXTREME HUNGER EMAIL COURSE for answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!📚 Read my books about autism and eating disorders📝 Read the blog post of this episode

How can autistic people make peace with weight gain in eating disorder recovery? After exploring the underlying reasons for the fear of weight gain in Part 1 and Part 2 of this weight gain series, Part 3 is all about how to accept a healthy body. Livia challenges the conventional “love your body” narrative and instead, offers an ecological approach that particularly resonates with the autistic mind. You'll learn: Why the illusion of control in eating disorders becomes a prison rather than protection How extreme hunger challenges our perception of recovery, especially when already weight restored The transformation of viewing your body as part of nature rather than a possession to control Why body neutrality might be more helpful than body positivity for autistic individuals How black-and-white thinking can be redirected from obstacle to advantage in recovery A revolutionary approach to body acceptance that doesn't require "loving" your body The unexpected way autistic traits can become allies in making peace with weight gain This episode concludes the series with a powerful message: the fear of weight gain makes sense, the need for safety is valid, AND there's another way to find that safety – one that works with the autistic mind rather than against it. 📖 Download my FREE GUIDE with answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM🌐 WEBSITE📚 BOOKS 📝 Read the blog post of this episode

For many autistic people with anorexia, the fear of weight gain has nothing to do with a desire to be thin. In Part 2 of this Fear of Weight Gain Series, Livia unpacks eight reasons why autistic people may fear weight gain – that are unrelated to body image concerns. You'll learn: How sensory sensitivities can make weight gain feel like being trapped in an ill-fitting costume Why the numbing effects of restriction can be particularly appealing for the autistic nervous system The complex relationship between autism, existential anxiety, and body changes How identity and predictability needs complicate the recovery process for autistic individuals The connection between gender dysphoria and fear of weight gain in autistic people Why becoming "healthy" can feel threatening when you're neurodivergent The deeper meanings behind "I don't want to be fat" in the context of autism 🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders 📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS 📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Why do autistic people fear weight gain? Contrary to popular belief, autistic folks with anorexia may not deal with body image issues or have a fear of fatness. In Part 1 of this 3-part Fear of Weight Gain Series, Livia explains how eating disorders can serve as survival mechanisms in an overwhelming world. She also shares her personal story of anorexia without body dysmorphia, highlighting how traditional treatment approaches can cause harm when they fail to recognize the intersection between autism and anorexia. You'll learn: Why the "fear of fatness" narrative fails to capture many autistic experiences with eating disorders How early nutrition education combined with autistic traits can create the perfect conditions for disordered eating The crucial distinction between seeking control versus seeking safety in eating disorders Why traditional treatment focused on body image can lead to deeper struggles for autistic individuals The importance of viewing eating disorders as adaptations rather than disorders for autistic individuals 🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM🌐 WEBSITE📚 BOOKS 📝 Read the blog post of this episode