The Eating Disorder Therapist

A Deep Dive into Autism and Eating Disorders, with Ryan Althaus

Today I’m talking to Ryan Althaus from Santa Cruz, California - a 39 year old eating disorder survivor on his own recovery journey. He runs a non-profit program (an inclusivity project based around uniting diverse groups with disabilities through art and recreation). You can check this out at www.sweatysheep.com

Ryan has a diagnosis of autism and is passionate about educating and raising awareness of eating disorder concerns that can go alongside this. He is an ex professional marathon runner and semi-professional Ironman Triathlete.  Ryan is also an ordained minister of the National Presbyterian Church USA in charge of mental health awareness throughout the SF Bay region. And is this wasn’t enough, he is additionally a certified Yoga Instructor and Certified Psychiatric Chaplain.  Ryan also hosts a a bi-weekly radio show on Mental Health called "The Kooky Side of Crazy". He has also authored several children’s books and has recently published a new book ‘From Emaciated to Emancipated talking all about his recovery journey’ and has another book coming out later this year.

 Ryan has struggled with eating disorders and exercise addiction since childhood, then having health issues prior to Covid, sent him into an intense eating disorder relapse. He has also had relatively recent diagnosis of autism, which has helped shed light and understanding into some aspects about his relationship with food and exercise. In the episode today, we’re going to hear all about Ryan’s eating disorder recovery journey with the ups and downs of this. We do a deep dive into understanding Ryan’s perspective of living with autism and an eating disorder, this being an area that still needs far greater understanding and insight.  I hope that you enjoy it.

To find out more or get in touch with Ryan: -

Website: https://www.thesurfingmango.com/

 

Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership

https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist

Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE

https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html

 

 

 

 

 

Why Can’t I Change? When You’re Feeling Stuck on the Recovery Road. 3 Tips to Support You.

A Bite Size episode.

Another question this week from a lovely listener. Thank you so much.

My listener is feeling stuck in recovery. She has been given a meal plan from her Team and in theory, she wants to implement it and take recovery steps forward. However, putting this into practice is proving frustrating and difficult. 

Here I offer 3 tips to support change when you're feeling ambivalent or stuck. I hope that you find it helpful.

Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership

https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist

Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE

https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html

 

 

Social Media and Eating Disorders. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly with returning guest, Brooke Carlson

Today I’m talking to Brooke Carlson, an eating disorder therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor, working primarily with adolescents and young adults and based in Minnesota, USA.

Brooke has worked for a nationwide eating disorder treatment centre for three years called The Emily Program. Brooke was an outpatient therapist and partial hospitalisation program coordinator during that time,  while also running a recovery support group. Prior to this, Brooke worked at a university counselling centre, where she  found her passion for working with students with eating disorders 

Brooke now works in private practice as an eating disorder expert and sees clients all day with the hope of creating an Intensive Outpatient Programme in the future.

She is also an eating disorder ambassador for the state where she helps with social media and petitioning for congress, and legislation for more resources and care for eating disorders in the state.

Brooke has never personally suffered with an eating disorder, however she has struggled with her own disordered eating and body image distress. She brings this experience with compassion and understanding to her therapy work. 

In this episode today, Brooke is talks about the relationship between eating disorders and social media – discussing both the positive and helpful aspects in ed recovery; whilst also dissecting the toxicity and harm which social media can also cause. She explores how to use social media helpfully and in an intentional and thoughtful way to safeguard your mental wellbeing. She also explores way to diversify your engagement, posting versus scrolling, dealing with comments from others and lots more.

Brooke’s previous episode on the podcast has proved to be extremely popular, when she talked about over-exercise and eds in athletes. I know you’re going to enjoy this one too. Let’s get to the conversation.

Contact details for Brooke: -

https://allintherapyclinic.com/team/brooke-carlson/

ALL IN Therapy Clinic

1800 Wayzata Blvd

Minnetonka, MN 55305

651-271-1665

hello@allintherapyclinic.com

 

Bite Size Eating Disorder Therapy Membership - £5 per month

https://www.patreon.com/theeatingdisordertherapist

 

Online 10 Steps to Intuitive Eating Course with Harriet Frew - 50% off with code FREEDOMISPOSSIBLE

https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/online-courses.html

 

5 Ways to Deal with a Mother Entrenched in Diet Culture, When you are Working on your own Eating Disorder Recovery

Another Bite-Size episode. This week I'm talking about how to deal with a mother (or any parent) who is encouraging dieting or weight loss practices (basically being entrenched in diet culture), when you are working on your own eating disorder recovery.  I offer 5 tips to deal with this.

I hope that you enjoy the episode.

 

My First Experience of HYROX and Navigating a Healthy Relationship with Movement

In this week's episode, I talk about my first experience of HYROX with my friend, Jayne Hartley. I tell you about our day out together and navigating the highs and lows of this! I explore how I have a healthy relationship with movement after recovering from an eating disorder and offer tips on how you can achieve this too. This episode will particularly reasonate with you, if you struggle from an all-or-nothing relationship with exercise, moving between compulsive exercise patterns or maybe avoiding movement altogether. I hope that you enjoy it!

 

 

This week's sponsor:  Amber Romaniuk

Website: https://amberapproved.ca/

Links for MasterMind

https://amberapproved.ca/online-programs

https://amber-romaniuk.mykajabi.com/triggers-Mastermind

 

 

7 Tips on Navigating Sexual Desire, Intimacy and Connection in Eating Disorder Recovery

Another Bite Size episode!

When you are suffering with an eating disorder, your desire, libido and want for intimate connection can all diminish significantly. This can be hugely problematic for your romantic relationship and can bring frustration and discontent on both sides.

In this episode, I firstly explore the impact of an eating disorder on your body, both physically and mentally. I then consider 7 tips to help you re-establish desire and intimacy with your partner, and to navigate the inevitable road bumps in dealing with body image and self-worth along the way.

I hope that you find this helpful.

Slaying Monsters, Dodging Doughnuts - A Mother’s Journey in Supporting her Daughter through Anorexia Recovery, with Emma Carter

Today I’m talking to Emma Carter – author, mother, emotional coach and therapist. Emma was born in a small town in South Wales and now lives in Derbyshire with her two children, a cat who likes nothing more than jumping on her laptop when she is working, and her scruffy but adorable dog who melts everyone’s heart.

Emma has always been passionate about helping others, which led her into a career in healthcare. Continuously searching for solutions to help her daughter, who was suffering from anorexia nervosa, she has completed several courses and gained a better understanding of mental health illnesses and eating disorders. This ignited a fire in her belly to make a difference and she is now a trained emotional coach and therapist.

By listening to other parents and carers, Emma saw a need to share her story by writing a book – Slaying Monsters, Dodging Doughtnuts. Writing this book has been a cathartic way to help her deal with her daughter developing anorexia and she hopes that it will offer support to others on the same path.

Emma admits to being a fan of Welsh rugby and loves watching matches with her family, particularly if they win. When she is not writing or supporting her daughter, she enjoys spending time outdoors, walking her dog and taking photographs.

In the episode today, you’ll hear all about Emma’s ongoing journey in supporting her daughter through anorexia nervosa. Emma shares openly her coping strategies for staying sane. She talks about mistakes she’s made and what has helped most. This is an incredible conversation and will be hugely inspiring and supportive for anyone listening who is supporting someone with an eating disorder.  I hope that you find it helpful.

To get in touch with Emma or buy her book: -

https://emmacarter.co.uk/

 

Living with a Long Term Eating Disorder. 6 Tips for Coping and Overcoming this

This episode is all about living with a long-term/chronic eating disorder. Caroline Drummond-Smith has contributed to this, having lived-experience, and making a full recovery from anorexia, following several decades of suffering. Recovery is possible at any point. Never give up hope. I hope that this episode offers you some inspiration and motivation for change.

Information about the contributor, Caroline Drummond-Smith, (Zest Health Coaching)

Instagram @zesthealthcoaching

Website: https://www.zesthealthcoaching.co.uk/

 

From Six Pack Abs and Weight Loss, to Movement and Mental Wellbeing, with Katie Bramlett (WeShape)

Today I’m talking to Katie Bramlett. Katie and her husband started WeShape – a movement-based fitness product, inspired with the intention of advocating for people to stop focusing on the number on the scale and instead put their energy and efforts towards something more meaningful. Katie had worked previously in the more traditional fitness space and had built a very successful business promoting six-pack abs and weight loss. However, something didn’t feel right. Although Katie was outwardly successful, earning money and being ‘healthy’, deep down, she felt out of balance with her deepest values.

Katie too the brave decision to step away from her thriving business. She felt pulled towards authenticity, meaningful movement and a broader picture of wellbeing, health and self-worth.

Weshape’s entire product is rooted in intention, movement, community, and beliefs. Katie has a passion for bringing awareness to the toxic expectations placed on people in the fitness industry and believes that if we all unsubscribe to these messages, we can pave a new path that's rooted in self-acceptance, care, and kindness.

In this episode today, you’ll hear about Katie’s story from traditional fitness into something more meaningful. We’re going to talk how to defeat and break down toxic weight loss culture, particularly looking at the fitness industry. Katie is going to talk about how to stop living in a constant state of vanity and body preoccupation. She is going to explore the steps we can take to move towards true connection with the self and finding happiness and self-love.

I hope that you enjoy the conversation.

To find out more about Katie and WeShape: -

Social media channels and podcast:

@weshape @weshapepodcast 

This week's sponsor: Altum Health https://www.altumhealth.co.uk/

 

How to Stop Calorie Counting, Tracking and Obsessing Over Every Gram of Food

A Bite Size episode that has ended up being not very Bite Size!!

All about moving away from tracking, counting calories and obsessing over every gram of food. This episode explores practical tips but also looks at the deeper issues that may be blocking change.

I hope that you enjoy it.