The Eating Disorder Therapist

Today I’m speaking to writer and dancer, Suvi Honkanen. Suvi is originally from Helsinki, Finland and danced with the Finnish National Ballet for 9 years.  In this episode, she talks about the ballet world and the impact this had on her eating and body image. Suvi developed eating disorders whilst dancing and openly shares her recovery journey here. Suvi now lives in Atlanta and although she still dances for enjoyment, writing has become her new focus and joy. I hope that you enjoy this episode. * Trigger warning: mention of food eaten and weight. Please take care of yourself.* To find out more about Suvi: - www.Suvihelenahonkanen.medium.com Instagram: @susuvie If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron Thank you so much.  

Today I’m talking about common fears about coming out of lockdown and struggling with disordered eating. For many people, this last year has taken a tremendous toll on mental health and wellbeing. Body image concerns are rife and disordered eating habits have increased. So how to manage all of this, as we emerge from the days behind closed doors? How to manage re-engaging with eating out, socialising and being out in the world, when you are struggling with your relationship with food. I share some thoughts.   If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron Thank you so much.

Today I’m talking to Hope Virgo. Hope is a multi-award winner mental health campaigner, speaker, author and an ambassador for MQ. She suffered with anorexia for over 4 years, before being admitted to a Mental Health Hospital in 2007. Hope lived in the hospital for a year, fighting one of the hardest battles of her life with anorexia. Since being discharged, she has fought to stay well, and she now campaigns to raise awareness and remove stigma around eating disorders, and to improve access for all to treatment. Hope is also the initiator behind the #dumpthescales campaign, which demands support for everyone suffering with an eating disorder, regardless of their BMI. This was an inspiring conversation as Hope shares the ups and downs of her recovery journey, and the exciting ongoing campaign developments. I hope that you enjoy. Instagram @hopevirgo_ Twitter@hopevirgo Website: www.hopevirgo.com Dump the Scales Campaign  Book: Stand Tall Little Girl If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron Thank you so much.

Today I'm talking to Jemma Richards, voice-over artist and writer. Jemma is also the host of This Food Thing Podcast and lives in London. Jemma talks openly about her torturous relationship with food and her body, starting from a young age, and how this developed into eating disorders. She shares the painful reality of living with an eating disorder; exploring the secrecy, shame and life engulfment.    Jemma has recovered from eating disorders. In this conversation, she talks about her long and arduous journey through different therapies and other support, to finding the peaceful food place that she occupies today. Jemma has recently launched This Food Thing Podcast -  a series of conversations with special guests discussing their own experiences with food, whether friend or foe and how it affects their behaviour. Do check it out. I hope that you enjoy this episode.   If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron Thank you so much.

I’m talking to Richie Cartwright, founder of FELLA – an organisation that supports men in overcoming binge eating, through a community-driven digital health platform and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). There remains a lot of stigma around men accessing support for binge eating and Richie’s aim is to break down these barriers through this support. Richie previously suffered from binge eating disorder for six years. His bingeing began whilst he was a student at Cambridge University, although Richie didn’t recognise this as a problem until some years later. He felt that he was living a double life, as appeared confident and self-assured on the outside, when internally he was feeling differently and had struggles with food and body image. Richie talks very openly and shares his journey in binge eating recovery. I hope that you enjoy this episode. To find out more about Richie:  - Website: joinfella.com Instagram:@richiecartwright_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-cartwright/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/rich_cartwright   If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron Thank you so much.

Today I talk about 3 factors that can influence the development of an eating disorder looking at ‘feeling that you don’t fit in’, life stressors and time at school. Remember – an eating disorder is about food but it’s also not about food too. It can often be an unconscious strategy in response to life stressors. Everyone’s experience is unique but this will hopefully support you in reflecting on your own journey. I hope that you find this helpful.

Today I'm talking to Katrina Smale, recovery warrior, mental health advocate and English teacher in training. Katrina was diagnosed with atypical anorexia in 2012 and went on to have three hospital admissions, with varying approaches. Katrina’s experience of anorexia was one not dominated by concerns around weight or shape, rather linked to low mood and then decreased appetite. Frustratingly, Katrina felt that this was not acknowledged by the professionals supporting her, particularly in her first two admissions, which led to a delay in getting the help she needed. However, Katrina’s final admission was different and this was a turning point in recovery, when the underlying problems and feelings were addressed. Katrina shares her story today to give hope to others struggling and to shine a light on some misconceptions around the illness and treatment. I hope that you enjoy. Some content in this episode may be triggering. Take care of yourself. To find out more about Katrina: - Instagram @katreeniexx Links to charity, set-up by Katrina's friend, Rachael: - https://www.facebook.com/simplywalkandtalk/ Instagram: @simply_walkandtalk If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron Thank you so much.  

Something a bit different today on the podcast. A mental health focus rather than specifically talking about eating disorders, but one I think you’ll find valuable. My guest, Simon Drew talks about his journey from anxiety and low self-esteem to finding a place of self-love and acceptance, largely impacted by using the breath, and story process work. He shares early life experiences that shaped his outlook and how he has broken free from old limiting patterns. Simon is a professional fitness and holistic life coach. He has been a journey of personal discovery over the past 20 years, historically struggling with depression and low self-worth. He has now moved to a place of deep self-awareness and self-love, whilst finding his true purpose and identity and is passionate about supporting others to do the same. To find out more about Simon: - Instagram: @coach.simon.drew Email: simon@simondrew.net Website: Fitrlife  

Today I'm talking to Melissa Riccardi (Women's Empowerment Coach)  and owner of Life by Design. Melissa is from Melbourne, Australia and supports clients in their personal development, from all over the world. She helps women fall in love with themselves, get turned on by life and unleash their full femine power. In this episode, Melissa talks about her personal recovery from bulimia and binge eating; her experiences of body building; inner child work; working on deeper emotional issues; boosting self-worth and more. If you're wanting to be inspired about recovery and change, then this is the episode for you. I hope that you enjoy!   To find out more about Melissa:  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lifebydesignox/ Instagram: @lifebydesign_mel If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron Thank you so much.

Today I'm interviewing the Binge Eating Dietitian, Jo Moscalu. Originally from Ireland, Jo was living in Suffolk and has recently moved to Boston, USA. Jo is a Registered Dietitian, being a Specialist in Type 2 Diabetes and Binge Eating. Jo is also a Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor and is Health-At-Every-Size aligned in her work. Jo is absolutely passionate about promoting an anti-diet message and supporting her clients to develop a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. I talk to Jo about a whole range of topics including life in Boston, January diets, Veganuary, eating carbohydrates and binge eating. If you're struggling with binge eating, then this is the episode for you. I hope that you enjoy! To find out more about Jo: Instagram: @binge.eating.dietitian Website: https://bingeeatingdietitian.com/ Podcast: Binge Eating Dietitian Podcast (find on your favourite platform) My previous podcast episode with Jo If you would like to support this podcast and and/or access additional episodes, do enroll in my Patron Thank you so much.