Recovery Talk
Amalie Lee (MSc, GMBPsS)
Welcome to Recovery Talk – a podcast that cuts through the noise around eating disorders and disordered eating. I’m Amalie, bringing clinical, academic, and lived experience to help you understand the psychology and science of recovery. No fluff, no BS—just real talk about topics like restriction, binge eating, body image healing, exercise, and anorexia- and bulimia recovery. You’re not alone—and yes, full recovery is possible for you too. Join me for honest, practical, science-backed insights and support on your journey. (Disclaimer: not medical advice or a substitute for treatment.)
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 8, 2022 • 35min
The Unicorn Syndrome
In this episode I explain The Unicorn Syndrome, and why you are not a unicorn (but a regular horse instead). I touch upon common Unicorn Syndrome manifestations, and why this phenomena happens in the first place. Additionally, I talk about eating disorders and complex co-morbidities.
Feb 1, 2022 • 39min
Missing/Romanticising The Eating Disorder
What does it mean when you miss the eating disorder? In today's episode I talk about a common but taboo topic; missing being sick, and romanticising having an eating disorder (both by yourself and by society at large). The aim of the episode is to offer some perspective and reality checks, and provide some helpful tasks to do when the nostalgia hits.
Jan 25, 2022 • 32min
The Minnesota Starvation Study
In this episode I am introducing you to Ancel Keys' Minnesota Starvation Study, a study that completely revolutionised how I view and approach eating disorders, and changed the trajectory in my own recovery many years ago.
Jan 18, 2022 • 49min
Metabolism
Does an eating disorder permanently damage metabolism? How do you speed things up? In this episode I explain the basics of human metabolism and how it adapts to restriction - and adjusts to recovery.
Jan 11, 2022 • 26min
"How Do I Know If I'm At My Setpoint Weight?"
What is set point weight and why does it matter in recovery? Discover how dieting myths can distort our understanding of weight during recovery. Learn why BMI might not be the best measure and the importance of focusing on individual weight ranges. The conversation encourages a positive outlook on gaining weight, while emphasizing patience and professional support. It’s a deep dive into the nuanced journey of understanding your body during recovery, helping to redefine what wellness looks like.
Jan 4, 2022 • 27min
New Year, New Diet
January and the New Year's period is high season for diet culture BS, and can be quite triggering from those attempting recovery from an ED. In this episode I try to offer some helpful reminders and perspectives for how to handle it.
Dec 28, 2021 • 26min
Self Care
What is self care, and how can you apply it to your everyday life and recovery? In today's episode I talk about how self-care looks different from everyone, steps to take when caring for yourself is difficult and what plants (and The Sims) can teach us about taking care of ourselves.
Dec 21, 2021 • 39min
Surviving Christmas
The conversation dives into the unique challenges Christmas presents for those with eating disorders, offering practical advice for navigating family dynamics and avoiding negative diet talk. It tackles the complexities of interacting with emotionally immature parents and emphasizes the need for self-care during the holiday season. Strategies for focusing on personal recovery, setting boundaries, and cultivating meaningful connections are shared. Clear communication and actionable support in the recovery journey are underscored as essential for well-being.
Dec 14, 2021 • 27min
Once An ED, Always An ED?
Is it true that if you've had an eating disorder, you can never fully recover? Will the ED always be there in the background, like a ticking bomb waiting to go off? Today I talk about why I do believe full recovery is possible, coping with vulnerabilities towards relapse, and why sometimes, our vulnerabilities can be strengths (and our suffering can have lessons).
Dec 7, 2021 • 27min
"Why Didn't My Therapist Tell Me This?!"
How come some therapists are not aware of certain very basic aspects of recovery, such as extreme hunger, set point weight and metabolism? Are they all just "incompetent"?! Not quite! In this episode I talk about why some therapists lack certain knowledge, and the different psychological trainings and approaches towards eating disorders, hoping to answer the question of WHY your therapist did not tell you that.
