Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery

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

Many people assume that eating more and gaining weight in anorexia recovery will automatically lead to improved focus, mood, and energy. But for many, the reality feels different. In this episode, Livia dives into the biological and psychological reasons why restriction can create a sense of sharpness and focus – and why this state, while enticing, comes at a significant cost. Through a powerful metaphor, Livia explains how the body’s survival systems operate like a city power grid and reveals the hidden trade-offs of running on “emergency power.” You’ll also learn about the addictive nature of the “restriction high” and how it numbs one’s inner artist. Key Topics Discussed: How restriction heightens focus through the fight-or-flight response Why anorexia can feel addictive and lead to feelings of superiority The physical and mental trade-offs of running on emergency energy Brain fog during recovery and why it’s a necessary part of healing How recovery restores sustainable focus and reconnects you to creativity 🍩 Enroll in my course, Extremely Hungry to Completely Satisfied📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS 📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Routines play an important role in the lives of autistic individuals, offering structure and safety – but they can also lead to challenges, especially when paired with eating disorders. In this episode, Livia and Mike delve into how routines shape autistic experiences, how they intersect with food and movement behaviors, and why flexibility is crucial for recovery. Together, they explore how to navigate change in a way that feels safe and sustainable for the neurodivergent mind. Key Topics Discussed: The role of routines in autism and eating disorders The importance of replacing judgment with curiosity Why routine disruption can be traumatic for autistics How to manage uncontrolled changes The impact of job loss on autistic individuals Common misconceptions about autistic flexibility Why autistics tend to over-explain food and movement behaviors The pressure to be constantly productive How to overcome the frustration of not knowing how much to eat The importance of taking responsibility to break free from quasi recovery 📖 Download my FREE GUIDE with answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about extreme hunger!🧑‍🍳 Grab your copy of Nourishing Neurodiversity  Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS

The term "all in recovery" has gained traction in eating disorder spaces, but does it really lead to true freedom? In this episode, Livia Sara unpacks the origins, misconceptions, and limitations of the all in approach. Through the lens of her own recovery journey, she explores how labels like "all in" or "in recovery" can keep us stuck in cycles of black-and-white thinking and perpetuate the eating disorder identity. You’ll learn: The origins of the "all in" approach and its focus on hypothalamic amenorrhea Why "all in recovery" can perpetuate black-and-white thinking The connection between autism, eating disorders, and rigid recovery methods How the recovery identity can become its own trap Replacing recovery with discovery: a shift toward possibility Living without labels: how freedom lies in embracing who you are This episode challenges conventional recovery wisdom and invites you to move beyond restrictive labels, empowering you to discover a life where you can truly live label free. 💗 Join my newsletter to receive episode updates🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia📝 Read the blog post of this episode Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS

Black-and-white thinking, also known as all-or-nothing or polarized thinking, is often labeled as a barrier to recovery for autistic individuals with eating disorders. But what if this mindset isn't a flaw to fix, but an adaptive response designed to protect and conserve energy in an overwhelming world? In this episode, you’ll learn: The role of black-and-white thinking in neurodivergent individuals How rigid thinking develops as an adaptive survival mechanism How combined autism and anorexia impact cognitive processing Why traditional treatment approaches can increase trauma Practical strategies to explore flexibility in recovery The philosophy of choice and the "dizziness of freedom" Breaking free from binary thinking using the yin-yang framework 🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia📚 Grab your copy of How to Beat Extreme Hunger🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS Love this episode? Leave a 5-star rating and positive review for the Liv Label Free Podcast on Apple or Spotify, or leave a comment on YouTube to join the conversation. Your support means so much! 📝 Read the blog post of this episode

In this follow-up Q&A episode, Livia and Mike tackle two insightful listener questions about navigating daily challenges as neurodivergent entrepreneurs. With practical tips and lived experience, they unpack how to overcome analysis paralysis, create flexible routines, and manage the pressure of perfection. You’ll learn:  How to balance structure with flexibility in daily life  Tips for creating sustainable routines without hyper-focusing on food, exercise, or work  Strategies for managing mealtime stress and maintaining autonomy  Ways to overcome analysis paralysis and make decisions with confidence  How to handle demand avoidance while fostering autonomy  Coping strategies for anxiety and perfectionism  How to prioritize personal wants vs. needs to reduce overwhelm Listener Questions Answered: How do you get out of the “analysis paralysis” state? As neurodivergent entrepreneurs, how do you create daily routines for yourself without focusing too much on food, exercise, and work? This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone trying to balance structure with flexibility while managing the unique challenges of neurodivergence. 👉🏻 Enroll in the Autistically ED-Free Academy🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS

Demand avoidance can be one of the most misunderstood aspects of autism, especially when it intersects with eating disorders. What may seem like defiance or resistance is often an attempt to preserve autonomy and regain a sense of safety. In this episode, I’ll be breaking down what Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) really is, how it impacts eating behaviors, and why reframing our approach can make all the difference in supporting recovery. You'll learn: What PDA is and why it’s better understood as a Pervasive Drive for Autonomy How food and eating can feel like demands for someone with PDA Why traditional eating disorder treatments often backfire for individuals with PDA Simple language shifts to create PDA-friendly communication Practical strategies for creating a supportive and autonomy-affirming environment 👉🏻 Enroll in the Autistically ED-Free Academy🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia🎧 In case you missed it: FBT for Autism and Eating Disorders Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM🌐 WEBSITE📚 BOOKS 📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Family-Based Therapy (FBT), often hailed as the "gold standard" for eating disorder treatment, claims to help families take control of recovery. Unfortunately, this approach can be harmful for autistic people. In this episode, Livia shares her lived experience and insights on why FBT can clash with the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals. From issues of autonomy to the oversimplified prioritization of weight gain, we’ll explore how "evidence-based" treatments often overlook neurodivergence. You'll learn: The basics of FBT and its three-phase structure Why FBT's focus on control and weight gain can fail neurodivergent individuals The importance of autonomy and safety in recovery for autistic people How eating disorders act as adaptive responses to an overwhelming world Why "evidence-based" treatments should really be called "evidence-biased" A compassionate alternative for supporting recovery 👉🏻 Enroll in the Autistically ED-Free Academy🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS 📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Are you or someone you care for always in fight-or-flight mode? In today’s episode, I’m sharing how a foot injury forced me to stop, rest, and confront the fears I’d been avoiding for years – stillness, emptiness, and a relentless desperation to distract myself. I also answer a listener question about viewing autistic burnout through the lens of energy debt. We’ll explore why this parallel makes so much sense, unpacking some of the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face in eating disorder recovery. Episode Highlights: How a foot injury became a wake-up call to confront stillness and burnout The connection between autistic burnout, energy debt, and eating disorders How distraction serves as a coping mechanism for emptiness – and why it’s counterproductive Insights into energy deficit, energy debt, and their parallels with masking, sensory overwhelm, and societal pressures How crises can be turning points for growth and recovery 💗 Join my newsletter to receive episode updates👉🏻 Enroll in the Autistically ED-Free Academy🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia📚 Grab your copy of How to Beat Extreme Hunger Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS 📝 Read the blog post of this episode

Traditional eating disorder treatment tends to overlook the unique needs of autistic individuals. This leads to invalidation, trauma, and harmful labels. In today's episode, I share my personal story of growing up undiagnosed autistic, how this shaped my eating disorder, and the journey I took to find true freedom. Whether you or someone you care about is struggling with food, exercise, or body image, this episode sheds light on the complex interplay between autism and eating disorders – and why recovery is 100% possible. You'll learn: The role of autistic masking in eating disorder development How existential questions and literal thinking contribute to disordered eating behaviors Misunderstanding of autistic traits in treatment settings How interoceptive awareness impacts hunger cues The psychological impact of strict dietary changes Why discovering my autism was the key to full recovery Importance of separating autistic traits from eating disorder behaviors 🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia👉🏻 Enroll in the Autistically ED-Free Academy Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS 📝 Read the blog post of this episode