Love This Food Thing Jemma Richards

Eating Disorders are a broad church. We all have our stories to tell and unique perspectives to share.
I believe that eating disorders are physical symptoms of internal distress with notable exceptions - sufferers with ARFID, varying shades of autism and ADHD, there are probably more - but mostly from my own experience and what I hear from others, it’s about manifesting stuff, “out there” because of an inability to deal with, for whatever reason, what is, “in here.” 
I also believe in everyone’s potential to recover and that recovery is not for the faint hearted - meaning it takes work, commitment and courage to embrace and explore our, “shadow lands and selves.”
I loved making this episode. It felt like a real privilege to answer some of your questions. I had much more to say, especially around shame and secrecy - maybe we can explore that next time. 
Thank you for listening and for your continued support!
DISCLAIMER: Jemma is not a therapist or ED counsellor. The opinions and views shared within this episode are based on Jemma’s personal experience suffering with Eating Disorders/ behaviours for over two decades.
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
[00:30] - Jemma’s Personal Journey with Eating Disorders[05:16] - The Impact of Eating Disorders on Relationships[15:54] - Exploring the Connection Between Eating Disorders and Veganism[24:25] - Overcoming the Fear of Recovery[26:20] - Building New Neural Pathways for Recovery[27:33] - Understanding the Force Behind Eating Disorders[29:22] - Exploring the Fear of Being 'Bigger'[30:09] - Dealing with Life's Challenges Beyond Eating Disorders[32:32] - The Power of Breathing and Grounding Techniques[33:33] - Practising Flexibility and Relinquishing Control[34:54] - Writing a Positive Counter Story[37:01] - Understanding the Concept of Quasi Recovery[42:26] - Recognizing Full Recovery[45:03] - Final Thoughts and Wrap Up
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.
WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:
6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

Steve is a nutritionist and owner of the Mind Muscle Clinic.
“Trying to educate people that it isn’t as difficult as it may seem, a lot of people who have come to me as a client dread it… but once they see the benefits it becomes a new habit. A new way of life."
On one level, the “it” Steve talks about is health and fitness but on another, he’s alluding to the courage and motivation it takes to change what no longer serves you. 
Steve transformed his life.
He gave up a stressful non-stop business, retrained and went from 24 stone to 18 stone in 12-months. Motivated by his desire to be a “great Dad”, gave him focus but Steve is also one of those people who just gets on with what needs to be done. I found his no nonsense approach inspiring. He now helps others, who share a similar story, transform.
DISCLAIMER: We talk about fat loss and diet, albeit in a benign way, but only in relation to Steve’s story and not as a prescription for anyone else. 
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
[03:26] - Steve's Childhood and Early Relationship with Food[14:03] - Steve's Wake Up Call and Decision to Change[15:46] - Steve's Journey to Becoming a Personal Trainer[21:10] - Steve's Diet Transformation and New Relationship with Food[24:11] - Transitioning from Processed Foods to Whole Foods[30:18] - The Impact of Fitness on Personal Confidence and Life[33:29] - The Journey from Alcoholism to Sobriety[40:35] - Breaking Bad Habits and Embracing a Healthier Lifestyle[42:36] - Body Image and Fitness Culture Among Men[43:37] - Nourishing the Next Generation: Teaching Kids about Healthy Eating
CONNECT WITH STEVE:
Mind Muscle Clinic WebsiteSteve’s Instagram
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.
WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:
6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

“I always said I’m recovering from eating difficulties and eating disorders. When I realised it’s much less about recovering, but about uncovering I started to call my journey the uncovering journey.” 
Flurina is an osteopath, dancer and creator of The Breathing Body Podcast.
When Flurina was eleven she had an idea that being thin would make her happier. This random thought caused years of disordered eating and exercise.  As time passed Flurina’s double life proved exhausting - bright and sunny on the outside, but internally, sad and depressed. 
She sought treatment/support but nothing changed until she read Dr Anita Johnston’s book Eating in the LIght of the Moon. 
Finally, she began to heal as she reconnected with her “miraculous’ physical body.  
Flurina believes, as we do at Love This Food Thing, that eating disorders and behaviours when properly understood and explored can be powerful healing tools.
P.S. Apologies for a technical issue regarding sound quality until 15.31 — all good after that!
 EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
[01:12] - Flurina's Journey with Eating Disorders[02:10] - The Turning Point: Uncovering vs Recovering[14:58] - The Double Life of an Eating Disorder[20:46] - The Struggle with Self-Worth[21:30] - The Triggering Environment of Dance[22:39] - The Start of Self-Healing[26:05] - Embracing the Embodied Approach to Recovery[26:58] - The Realisation: It's Not About the Food[27:17] - Entering the Creative Process[28:19] - The Grief Phase of Healing[32:23] - The Role of Support in Recovery[34:15] - The Transition from Dance to Osteopathy[36:16] - The Power of Saying 'Yes' to Life
CONNECT WITH FLURINA:
Flurina’s WebsiteFlurina’s Podcast
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.
WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:
6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

“I sometimes feel that the eating disorder has tried to trick me. To feel that we’re getting somewhere and then that door shuts. I feel it morphs itself into something different.”
I have wanted to interview a mother with a child who has an eating disorder ever since I started this podcast.
Lorraine’s daughter is now in her early 30’s. Her eating disorder behaviour began when she was 15. It’s been a long hard slog for the entire family, but today they are in a better place.
This is an intimate and raw episode. Listening to Lorraine’s perspective is heartbreaking at times, but I think it’s essential for sufferers and supporters alike.
Tune in.
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
[02:52] - Lorraine's Childhood and Family's Relationship with Food[06:08] - Lorraine's Daughter's Struggle with Anorexia[10:53] - The Impact of Anorexia on the Family[17:13] - Seeking Help and Navigating the Healthcare System[25:25] - Reflections on Parenting and Coping with a Child's Eating Disorder[27:20] - Dealing with Guilt and Emotional Struggles[28:11] - Finding Humour in Difficult Times[29:19] - Impact on Personal Relationships[30:34] - The Struggles of Parenting a Child with an Eating Disorder[31:52] - The Journey of Separating the Disorder from the Person[33:44] - The Power of Support Networks[34:34] - The Role of Therapy and Interventions[36:42] - The Struggles of Maintaining a Relationship Amidst the Disorder[45:14] - The Power of Hope and Persistence
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.
WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:
6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

It was lovely to reconnect with Liv from the Liv Label Free Podcast for our autistic and neurodiversity chat. Liv has a unique and illuminating perspective and is very much about the lived experience helping others find their way without judgement or shame. 
This is a slightly random episode away from our normal fare. I was trialling new contact lenses to correct an astigmatism and they really affected my brain function (excuses, ahem). Spot the places where I struggle for words - I checked with my optician and she confirmed it’s tough on those neural pathways at first.
Hahaha bad work people blame their tools.  
Enjoy!
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
[02:59] - Understanding Autism and ADHD[04:19] - The Impact of Neurodivergence on Life[09:07] - Discussing Famous Neurodivergent Figures[12:28] - The Connection Between Neurodivergence and Creativity[14:45] - Reflecting on Personal Experiences[36:15] - Understanding the Role of Lived Experience
CONNECT WITH LIVIA SARA:
Liv’s WebsiteLiv’s InstagramLiv’s Podcast
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.
WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:
6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™ Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

Sabrina’s pivotal moment around her disordered eating and orthorexia happened when she became an aunt for the first time.
“It should've been the happiest day of my life and all I remember is the food. I spent the entire day around the buffet table because my Mom had caterers and we had all this food I didn’t allow myself to eat.
I kept filling my plate up and then going back for more to a point that I felt so sick… that night I sat in my parent’s basement, I felt so miserable, cold and unhappy and I asked myself, ‘do I want to keep living this way when I’m 50, 60, 70-years old?’”.
Today, Sabrina is on a mission to dismantle diet culture.
Her food and body issues started when Sabrina was a young girl training in synchronised swimming - a judged sport where image dictates success. Her disordered thinking and behaviour around food and her body continued post university until a wake up call, which motivated Sabrina to embrace her fears and move to Italy for a life changing experience. 
This is an empowering, feel good episode due to Sabrina’s vulnerability and candid storytelling that will resonate with all of our listeners. It’s always good to hear when someone has saved themselves and is loving life. Tune in!
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
[02:46] - Impact of Body Image in Synchronised Swimming[03:22] - Sabrina's Struggle with Body Image[08:42] - Transition from Swimming to University[16:26] - Battle with Orthorexia[21:50] - Reflections on Diet Culture[26:17] - The Illusion of Control and Happiness[27:07] - The Impact of Food Obsession on Social Life[28:40] - Struggling with Eating Disorders[28:58] - A Wake-Up Call in the Basement[30:24] - The Life-Changing Trip to Italy[39:48] - The Transition from Weight Loss Coach to Intuitive Eating Advocate[53:01] - The Mission to Dismantle Diet Culture
CONNECT WITH SABRINA:
Sabrina’s WebsiteSabrina’s InstagramSabrina’s Podcast
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.
WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:
6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma