The Eating Disorder Therapist

Muscle Dysmorphia, Disordered Eating and Exercise Addiction, with George Mycock (MyoMinds)

Today, I’m talking to George Mycock, the founder of MyoMinds, the mental health platform that works to improve knowledge and awareness of exerciser mental health. George is also a PhD researcher focusing on men’s experiences with muscularity-oriented issues like muscle dysmorphia, disordered eating and exercise addiction, and has delivered presentations on these topics to a range of audiences. George also brings a lived experience perspective, having experienced muscle dysmorphia and associated behaviours for a number of years.

In the podcast today, George talks about his own journey in navigating through these issues. He explores muscularity orientated issues in men and the link between masculinity and these behaviours. George talks about how the fitness community can feed into poor help-seeking behaviour for distress associated with these concerns. He also explains the link between muscle dysmorphia and suicidal ideation. Currently, if you are suffering, then getting help for these concerns is challenging. George discusses the need for radical change in this area.

I hope that you enjoy the conversation.

To find out more about George and MyoMinds: -

Website: https://www.myominds.com/

Instagram: @myo_minds

 

 

 

5 Ways to Support Yourself, When You’re on a Waiting List for Eating Disorder Therapy

A Bite-Size episode.

All about how to cope with managing symptoms and holding onto hope, whilst you are on a very long waiting list, for eating disorder therapy.

Although eating disorder support provision has improved significantly in recent years, many NHS services (UK reference) are still under-resourced, and it can be a post-code lottery, as to whether you can access the treatment you need.

In this episode, I explore 5 ways to support and encourage yourself along, whilst in this difficult phase of waiting.

I hope that you find it helpful.

Supporting Clients in Eating Disorder Recovery - Nutrition, Gut Issues and Intuitive Eating, with Adrien Paczosa

Today I’m talking to Adrien Paczosa from Texas, the founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Nourish - a national tele-nutrition company with all anti-diet dietitians. Adrien is also a Business Strategist and Coach for and helps private practice owners and and dietitians build their businesses.

Adrien has over 20+ years of working with clients on their recovery and food freedom journey and is passionate about these issues. In the show today, Adrien talks about her new venture, in making nutritional/dietetic support available to every corner of the USA. She explores gastro-intestinal issues in recovery and how these might need addressing before stepping into an Intuitive Eating place. Adrien also shares her radical thinking about how to change diet culture and create an environment that promotes health for each individual, rather than a weight-focused approach. She also explores creating better access to care, for those seeking recovery.

I hope that you enjoy the conversation.

 

To find out more information about Adrien/Nourish:-

Website: https://www.usenourish.com/

Instagram: @usenourish

When it Feels Challenging to Eat a ’Proper Meal’ in Eating Disorder Recovery

A Bite Size episode.

In eating disorder recovery, for some people it can feel incredibly challenging to have permission to eat a full meal.  You might be worried about breaking your food rules or that your eating habits will be judged by others. In this episode, I dive into the problems around this and give some thoughts on how to challenge faulty habits using thought challenging, exploring underlying beliefs and behavioural experiments.

I hope that you enjoy the episode.

Eating Disorders - Navigating Pregnancy, Birth and Post-Natal Challenges

Pregnancy, birth and the months after you’ve birthed your baby can be incredibly magical, and also incredibly challenging times. If you have an eating disorder you may struggle with the changes in your body and appetite. If you’ve previously struggled with an eating disorder, you can be vulnerable to relapse during the prenatal and postpartum periods.

Some people who have not struggled previously with disordered eating, may also find this to be a triggering time with all the physical and emotional changes. Having said this, some people also find that these times helped them with a shift in body image, with a change in values and perspective. There is no right way to cope and you probably won’t know how you’ll fare with all of this, until you in the situation.

In this episode, I explore the challenges of navigating these phases, when you are struggling with an eating disorder and offer some tips on getting through. I hope that you enjoy the episode.

 

An Exploration into Food Rituals and Eating Disorders

Many of us have food rituals in the way that we shop, prepare, store, cook, present and eat our meals. Mainly, these habits or rituals are likely harmless and can in fact be comforting and beneficial. But sometimes, rituals become compulsive or a way to avoid or hide deeper issues. If you feel compelled to carry out your food rituals, otherwise experiencing high anxiety or distress. Or if you are avoiding social situations and if your diet has become very imbalanced due to rituals - these are signs it could be time to reflect with curiosity and compassion about the function of them.

I hope that you enjoy the episode.

A Deep Dive into Binge Eating with Dr Marianne Miller

Today, I’m talking to Dr. Marianne Miller (all the way from San Diego) who has been in the mental health field for 26 years and has specialised in eating disorders for the last 11 years. Marianne was a full-time academic for 12 years and had a part-time eating disorder practice for much of that time (until she left the university) and went into private practice full-time in 2018.

Dr. Marianne loves working with eating disorders as a therapist and a coach. She takes a non-diet, feminist approach that helps people of all genders live empowered, authentic lives. She embraces the Health at Every Size model and is LGBTQIAA+ affirming. Dr. Marianne recently launched the Inevitable Binge Eating Recovery online program. It helps high-achieving professionals regain their mental and emotional energy by shifting their relationship with food to be fully present in their life.

In this episode today, you’re going to hear more about Marianne’s own journey into this work and to begin to explore some of the tools and strategies that she uses in supporting her clients with overcoming binge eating. Marianne is absolutely passionate about this area of work and you are going to learn so much from her. It’s a slightly shorter episode but Marianne will be back on the podcast later this year to impart more of her wisdom! I hope that you enjoy it!

To find out more about Marianne: -

Website: http://www.drmariannemiller.com/

Eating Disorder Blog: https://www.drmariannemiller.com/blog/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmariannemiller/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmariannemiller/

 

Are You Constantly Craving Sugar?

Another Bite Size episode today!  If you are constantly struggling with sugar cravings, then this one is for you.  And it can be such a common phenomenon in eating disorder recovery.

As a passionate Intuitive Eating advocate, I am certainly not anti-sugar by any means and I enjoy sugar consumption (to a degree!) daily. However, if you are feeling 'out of control' around sugar, this episode will give you some thoughts on how to change your relationship with this.

 

I hope that you enjoy it!

A Deep Dive into ’All or Nothing Thinking’, with Amber Romaniuk (Emotional Eating, Digestive and Hormone Expert)

Today I’m speaking to Amber Romaniuk who is a returning guest to the Eating Disorder Therapist Podcast. Amber is an Emotional Eating, Digestive and Hormone Expert who helps professional women achieve optimal health through mindful eating, self-care and overcoming self-sabotage with food.

Her podcast “The No Sugarcoating Podcast” has a million downloads, over 300 episodes and is listened to, in over 88 countries. She was featured on TV Personality Whitney Port’s podcast and has also appeared on local TV 50 times in the last three years alone.

Amber overcame her own emotional eating, after gaining and losing more than 1000 lbs and spending over $50,000 on binge foods and spending 5 years balancing her hormones and digestion. Now she helps others achieve Body Freedom™ so they have the confidence and health to create amazing lives.

In this episode, Amber explores all or nothing approaches to food, life, work, relationships and more. Many of us can identify with an ‘all or nothing’ approach to life. Maybe you’re wondering about the impact of your genetics or environment and understanding why you’re an all or nothing person. Maybe you’re feeling that it’s impossible to change and you are resigned to live like this? Amber does a deep dive into this topic and gives a multitude of tips and wisdom on how to find a more balanced place of harmony and healing for everyone, drawing on her own lived experience and through many years of supporting her clients.

I hope that you enjoy the conversation.

 

To find out more about Amber: -

Website: https://amberapproved.ca/

The No Sugarcoating Podcast: https://amberapproved.ca/podcast/gh

Instagram: @amberromaniuk

This week's sponsor: Tracy Brown and Associates www.tracybrownrd.com/get-started

About Atypical Anorexia Nervosa

A Bite-Size episode talking about 'atypical anorexia nervosa'. If you are in a larger body, overweight or normal weight and restricting food heavily, you may have this diagnosis.

In our diet-culture world, you may not even realise that you have an eating disorder, if you are not underweight. People who are underweight and then demonstrate ed behaviours often attract concern and worry from others. Whereas, if you are in a larger body, you will be praised for weight loss, even if your life is consumed with food 24/7 and you are struggling physically and mentally.

If you recognise yourself here, do reach out for help. You are absolutely worthy of support. 85% of people with eating disorders are not underweight.