Mental Note

Back in 2011, Jennifer Pharr Davis set the record for fastest thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail for both men and women. Afterward, she backpacked over 14,000 miles on 6 different continents, wrote 8 books, and started Blue Ridge Hiking Company in Asheville, NC. Needless to say, she knows the trail well and is a leader in the outdoor industry. After all this hiking, she’s come to know herself in a unique way. Those days and nights spent outside taught her that it’s not about distance covered, but about self-awareness, mindfulness, connection, healing, positive body image and persevering joy. We also speak with Sommerville Johnston, a licensed therapist and wilderness guide, to figure out what role nature has in mental health and recovery from life's busy-ness.  To learn more about Jennifer and Sommerville, visit our website www.mentalnotepodcast.com

Most people assume athletics and healthy bodies are synonymous. But the truth is much more complicated. For researcher Traci Carson, sports were her world - from elementary school through college she excelled at soccer, track, football, and women’s rowing. But a dark side of competition prompted her to get off the field and into a doctoral program for epidemiology to study the link between female athletes and eating disorders. Her story of recovery and research are the focus of today’s episode — giving you the information needed to find balance in athletics. For a male perspective on the connection between sports and body image, check out episodes 8 & 19 with former Seattle Seahawk Patrick Devenny, and former Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Marjama. Discover more about Traci at mentalnotepodcast.com  Mental Note is sponsored by Eating Recovery Center and Insight Behavioral Health Centers 

Author Alisa Kennedy Jones woke up to a seemingly normal day, oblivious to the fact that it was the last day of her "normal" life... No stranger to tough jobs, Alisa had worked hard to build a thriving career as a copywriter and brand strategist for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, General Electric, Coca-Cola, Disney, and Marvel. Yet, as she headed out the door, her vision swirled and she lost all ability to control her face.  Diagnosis? Epilepsy. And courage.  We sit down to hear how she's championing a new approach to how we see ourselves and the world around us – through Neurodiversity.  Learn more about Alisa: mentalnotepodcast.com Alisa's book: Gotham Girl Interrupted  Mental Note is sponsored by Eating Recovery Center and Insight Behavioral Health Centers 

23 - You! Every year in honor of Eating Recovery Day, we flip the script and devote our whole show to the recovery letters of those who listen. Today you’ll hear from people in recovery, family members, service providers, and other loved ones. You finding your voice on the road to recovery is why we make this show — it’s an absolute honor to give you a platform! email: mentalnote@eatingrecovery.com Website: http://mentalnotepodcast.com

What if your story has the potential to reshape the world? Cheryl Strayed is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir Wild, the New York Times bestsellers Tiny Beautiful Things and Brave Enough, and the novel Torch. Her books have been translated into nearly forty languages around the world and have been adapted for both the screen and the stage — winning numerous awards along the way. Cheryl recently sat down for a Q&A with Mental Note where she shared special insights on why it’s so critical to be the author of your own journey. www.cherylstrayed.com www.mentalnotepodcast.com For a free mental health consultation, please call 877-411-9578

Have you ever felt crippled by anxiety and the traumatic effects of life? If so, join us for this enlightening episode as we hear from McCall Dempsey (you may remember her from episode #14). She shares the process of choosing to stay in eating disorder recovery even in the midst of depression, trauma, and PTSD. Cultivating the art of coping allowed her to thrive in extremely difficult situations and shows us all that recovery is a process of living fully. McCall’s Website: southernsmash.org Mental Note is sponsored by Eating Recovery Center and Insight Behavioral Health Centers. For a free consultation with a licensed professional please call 877-411-9578. Mentalnotepodcast.com 

Johanna Kandel grew up the daughter of parents who survived the Holocaust and with roots in deep poverty - traumas that continued to shape her life even though she was born long after they occurred. We explore how her body image issues and eating disorder unfolded and why it took years to receive a diagnosis and find treatment. We also discuss helpful steps to getting a diagnosis if a medical provider is not clued in so that you can access recovery. Check out allianceforeatingdisorders.com Mental Note is sponsored by Eating Recovery Center and Insight Behavioral Health Centers. For a free consultation with a licensed professional please call 877-411-9578. Mentalnotepodcast.com 

It takes an incredible amount of will, talent, and work to become a major league baseball player. So why did the former catcher for the Seattle Mariners, Mike Marjama, give it all up to share his story? This special Q&A with Mike and his mom takes a look at how we can better equip each other to live full lives, accomplish great things, and rethink traditional masculinity.  Mental Note is sponsored by Eating Recovery Center and Insight Behavioral Health Centers. To talk to a licensed counselor for free and see if treatment is a good idea for you, call 877-411-9578. For more details on Mike, check out mentalnotepodcast.com. 

Before starting your New Year’s diet, you’ll want to check out this episode as we dip our toes into the world of Christie Dondero Bettwy. After a long history of dieting to get others’ approval while also falling into an eating disorder, she is fighting back against assumptions about "health" that hurt people far more than they help them. Along the way, we also speak with nutritionist Dr. Ralph Carson about what really happens to your body when you diet (and why they never seem to work…) Hosted by Eleanor Pike, produced by Sam Pike, edited by Josh Wright, Erica Prather, and Sam Pike Sponsored by Eating Recovery Center and Insight Behavioral Health Centers. For more info on our guest, check out mentalnotepodcast.com.  Christie leads the non-profit Rock Recovery: www.rockrecoveryed.org

What happens when your child is diagnosed with an eating disorder? Where do you go for help? How does it affect your community? When Beth Ayn's daughter received a diagnosis of anorexia, she set out on a journey that led her to unexpected places. Eventually, she took those lessons and turned them into Stay Strong Virginia - a non-profit that helps other parents in similar circumstances.  Mental Note is sponsored by Eating Recovery Center and Insight Behavioral Health Centers. For a free consultation with a licensed professional please call 877-411-9578. Mentalnotepodcast.com