The Full of Beans Podcast

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This week on the Full of Beans podcast, Han is joined by Elle Mace, a food psychology and body image practitioner, international speaker and debut author of Food Freedom, published by Vermilion/Penguin later this year. Elle brings together years of clinical training with her own lived experience to help people find a calmer, more peaceful relationship with food.

Alongside her one-to-one and speaking work, Elle hosts the More to Life podcast. She delivers accredited training for fitness and sports professionals on body image, disordered eating and GLP-1 medications. Elle's approach is simple: food freedom is psychological, and everyone deserves the understanding and support to get there.

In this episode, we explore:

Elle's journey to writing Food Freedom and putting her disordered eating experience into words
Why awareness is the hardest, and most essential, first step in recovery
How toxic wellness culture can disguise itself as something healthy
Elle's experience of body dysmorphia and how it showed up beyond just weight and shape
Elle's shift between different eating disorders over the years, and why none of them ever really "ended" on their own
The rock-bottom moment that led Elle to ask for help
What eating disorder recovery actually looked like for Elle
Why relationships, jobs and old patterns sometimes have to shift as part of getting well
Protecting your energy in recovery, and why that isn't the same as being selfish
Why hearing relatable, lived experiences can land differently to clinical information

Connect with Us:

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Connect with Elle via Instagram (@iamellemace), LinkedIn or via her website www.ellemace.com

⚠️ Content Note: This episode discusses eating disorders (including restriction, binge eating and bulimia), body dysmorphia, and body dissatisfaction. Please take care while listening.

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This week on the Full of Beans podcast, Han is joined by Zelah Glasson. Zelah is a trans man, content creator and fitness coach who has been openly sharing his transition journey over the past two and a half years, and has lived experience of bulimia.

Zelah recently made history as the first transgender man to appear on the ITV version of Big Brother, further amplifying his voice and visibility. He is now building an online personal training business focused on supporting and empowering others within his community.

In this episode, we explore:

Zelah's journey to personal training for trans and queer clients
Zelah's bulimia recovery story and NHS eating disorder treatment gaps
The difference between "In recovery" vs "recovered"
How shame and control are related to bulimia
The impact of public conversations about men's eating disorders
Zelah's experience of gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia and transitioning
The importance of trans representation in fitness
Using exercise as a coping mechanism and understanding the difference between exercise and compulsive exercise
How to build sustainable fitness habits centred on enjoyment, flexibility, and body awareness

Connect with Us:

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Connect with Zelah via Instagram (@zelahglasson) and TikTok (@zelahglasson)

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders (bulimia), body dysmorphia, gender dysphoria, and the relationship between exercise and disordered eating. Please take care while listening.

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This week, Han is joined by Jessica Mackney, an HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist passionate about how art therapy can help people explore experiences that may be difficult to put into words and build meaningful therapeutic relationships, while increasing awareness of the role art therapy plays in supporting recovery in eating disorder treatment.

Working from a trauma-informed, non-judgemental approach, Jess supports people across the lifespan with eating disorders, autism, SEN, and complex trauma, across the NHS, education, and non-profit sectors, with a particular focus on young people and eating disorders.

In this episode, we explore:

What art therapy actually is beyond common misconceptions ("just drawing or painting")
How the relationship between therapist, client and the artwork itself carries meaning
Why perfectionism and control (often present in eating disorders) can make engaging with art materials difficult
How art therapy offers a route into communication when verbal expression feels inaccessible or unsafe
The role of choice, agency and non-judgement in the therapy space
Working with people who are non-verbal or struggling to access words for their experience
How the connection between body, senses and materials can support reconnection for those with eating disorders
Han's own experience of art, perfectionism, and rediscovering creativity after her eating disorder
How art can hold and express difficult emotions — including anger and frustration — safely
Ways people can explore the benefits of creative expression at home, distinct from clinical art therapy

Connect with Us:

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Connect with Jessica via LinkedIn.

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, disordered eating, and self-harm. Please take care while listening, and know that this podcast is always here to come back to.

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Have you ever been in and out of hospital so many times that everyone around you quietly stopped believing you'd ever get better, so you started to believe it too? This episode is for you."

This week on the Full of Beans Podcast, I'm joined by Hannah Whitfield, a creative activist, writer, speaker, performer and founder of Legally Detained - a lived-experience-led creative platform transforming survival into power through art, activism and unapologetic storytelling. Her work explores neurodivergence, trauma, mental health systems, eating disorder recovery, inclusion and the power of creative expression.

Through speaking, writing, performance, consultancy and her podcast No Longer Legally Detained, Hannah challenges systems that ask people to become smaller to survive, and instead creates work that says: we were never broken - we were surviving worlds that were never built with us in mind.

In this episode, we explore:

Where Legally Detained came from
Hannah's experience of psychiatric admissions
Being placed on a ward that didn't believe her eating disorder was "real"
Becoming a "revolving door patient" across CAMHS, adult services, and secure care
The problem with BMI criteria as a gatekeeper for treatment
Where restrictive practice crosses the line from safety into cruelty
The rock-bottom moment that changed everything
How an ADHD diagnosis helped Hannah understand her own patterns for the first time
Reframing recovery: it's not a "utopia," it's learning to ride the wave
Why purpose and belonging, not just words, are what help people recover

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Hannah via Instagram @legallydetained, her website, blog, orpodcast: No Longer Legally Detained.

⚠️ Content Note: This episode contains discussions of eating disorder treatment, inpatient care, and iatrogenic harm. Please take care of yourself while listening.

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Have you ever walked into a healthcare setting and felt like one part of your identity was being used to explain away everything else? This one is for you.

Eva Echo (she/they) is a distinguished activist, writer, and TEDx speaker, focusing on transgender+ rights, intersectionality, and eating disorders. After hearing Eva speak at the Dump the Scales march, I basically ran after her to get her on the podcast, and I am so glad I did.

Eva has spent years fighting for trans+ people in healthcare, including taking NHS England to the High Court over unlawful waiting times, and many other incredible projects. She also has her own lived experience of an eating disorder, autism, and ADHD, and this conversation weaves all of that together in a way I haven't heard anywhere else.

In this episode, we explore:

Eva's experience of restrictive eating and how it developed alongside her identity as a trans woman
How autism and ADHD intersect with her eating disorder
The moment a GP told Eva she couldn't have an eating disorder and it's lasting impact
Eva's experience of Trans broken arm syndrome
What medical gatekeeping looks like across eating disorders, gender identity, and neurodivergence,
Eva's legal challenge against NHS England and the landmark ruling that came from it
Why the NHS can feel like a conveyor belt instead of individualised care
Eva's path analogy in relation to eating disorder recovery
Eva's message to anyone who has never felt truly seen or heard

Eva's message is simple, and I think it is everything: be your own kind of beautiful.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Eva via Instagram (@evaech0)

⚠️ Content Note: This episode contains discussions of eating disorders, medical gatekeeping, gender identity, neurodivergence, and experiences of suicidal ideation. Please take care of yourself while listening.

Photo credit: Lunar Sea.

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Have you ever sat in a treatment room and felt like the real you was completely invisible, like the system was so focused on your weight, your behaviours, your diagnosis, that it forgot there was a whole person underneath? This episode is for you.

This week on the Full of Beans Podcast, I'm joined by Tanya Francis, a research psychologist, lecturer at the Open University, and psychotherapist in private practice, who also brings her own lived experience of an eating disorder to this conversation.

Tanya's background is in domestic violence research and gender-based violence, and the more she looked at how systems respond when someone is harmed, the more she saw uncomfortable parallels with eating disorder care.

In this episode, we explore:

What iatrogenic harm means and why care systems can sometimes cause harm
The role of BMI and weight in treatment,
How rigid care centralising numbers can reinforce eating disorder logic
How weight stigma in healthcare shuts people out before they've even begun
The culture of mistrust around eating disorders and the damage it does
Why people pleasing in treatment can look like recovery but lead straight back to relapse
Moral injury and what happens when clinicians can't act on their own values
Tanya's own experience of not being believed in her body during inpatient care
Why truly humanising care is both simpler and more complex than it sounds
How two things can be true at once, e.g. a broken system and incredible people working within it

Connect with Us:

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Connect with Tanya via Instagram (@drtanyafrances), LinkedIn or her website

⚠️ Content Note: This episode contains discussions of eating disorder treatment, inpatient care, and iatrogenic harm. Please take care of yourself while listening.

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Have you ever found yourself trying to balance the needs of your eating disorder, your treatment team, your family, and somewhere in the middle of all of that, completely losing sight of yourself? This episode is for you.

This week on the Full of Beans Podcast, I'm joined by Sarah Parker, a psychotherapist based in West Yorkshire, who brings both professional expertise in eating disorder therapy and her own lived experience of fifteen years of anorexia.

Sarah knows firsthand how people pleasing can keep you stuck in recovery, doing all the right things, saying all the right things, but doing it for everyone else rather than for yourself. That can be motivating to start with, but after time, motivation can fade and a true commitment to recovery is required.

In this episode, we explore:

Sarah's own experience of anorexia and what kept her stuck for so long
Sarah's experience of detainment, tube feeding, and how collaboration changed this
How people pleasing shaped Sarah's experience of treatment
Why bringing out the rebel can be more supportive than praising compliance in recovery
The difference between motivation and commitment in eating disorder recovery
Why commitment helps long-term recovery more than motivation
How to keep going on the days when every part of you is telling you not to
Why anger can actually be a sign that recovery is working
The role of compassion in recovery

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Sarah via her website or on Instagram (@wellofbeing13)

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, anorexia, detainment and tube feeding. Please take care while listening.

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Have you ever felt like your eating disorder didn't have a name, or that what you were going through just didn't quite fit? This episode is for you.

This week on the Full of Beans Podcast, I'm joined by Dr Ruth Cruickshank, Associate Professor at Royal Holloway, University of London. Ruth has a background in French literature, but has carved out a truly unique space in eating disorder research, using her expertise in critical reading, food studies and her own lived experience of OSFED to ask the questions that others simply aren't asking.

Ruth is the only academic in the humanities working on OSFED, and she is doing extraordinary work to challenge why the most common eating disorder diagnosis remains so systemically overlooked.

In this episode, we explore:

How Ruth's career took her from French literature and advertising to eating disorder research
How representations of food in fiction carry deeper psychological and cultural meanings
What OSFED is and why it matters that so many people have never heard of it
Why OSFED and UFED remain under-researched despite being the most common eating disorder diagnoses
The danger of diagnostic criteria focused on weight and behaviour rather than distress and daily impact
Why not having a name for your experience can be so isolating and why that validation matters
The "not sick enough" narrative and how diagnostic language can keep people stuck
Whether a truly person-centred approach to eating disorder treatment could change everything
What Ruth wants anyone to know if they've never been able to name their experience

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Ruth via her Research Profile
Read Ruth's research:
- Challenging the enduring epistemic injustice of eating disorders: Critically re-reading Occupation food insecurity in the Trente Glorieuses with Elsa Triolet and the 1944–1945 ‘Minnesota Starvation Experiment’
- Not knowing and the problematics of naming eating disorders: OSFED/EDNOS/TCA-NS and Annie Ernaux’s Mémoire de fille [A Girl’s Story]

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of OSFED, anorexia, bulimia, and the difficulty of language in eating disorder treatment. Please take care while listening.

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When an eating disorder enters a relationship, it doesn’t just affect one person; it changes the space between you. This episode explores how.

In this week’s episode of Full of Beans, I’m joined by Charlotte Jefferson, psychotherapist and founder of CRJ Therapy, to explore how eating disorders impact relationships, communication, intimacy, and trust.

In this conversation, Charlotte brings a relational lens to eating disorders, something that can quietly shape connection, closeness, and the way we show up with one another. We explore what happens when fear takes over in relationships, how communication can begin to break down, and why connection can feel so hard to hold onto during recovery.

Because eating disorders don’t just affect the individual, they affect the relationship, too.

In this episode, we discuss:

How eating disorders impact romantic relationships, families, and friendships
Why food is deeply tied to connection, culture, and social life
The role of fear, silence, and “getting it wrong” in relationships
How partners and parents can slip into caring roles
Why communication can break down during eating disorder recovery
The impact on intimacy, closeness, and trust
The importance of curiosity and honesty in difficult conversations
Why wider support networks matter when supporting someone with an eating disorder
What relationship disconnection can look like
Gentle ways to begin rebuilding connection and trust

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Charlotte via CRJ Therapy or on Instagram (@crjtherapy)

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, relationship challenges, and emotional distress. Please take care while listening.

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Have you ever found yourself struggling to navigate social media in recovery, comparing, doom scrolling, and falling into patterns you thought you'd left behind? This episode is for you.

This week on the Full of Beans Podcast, I'm joined by Sophie Macfie, founder of Soph's Plant Kitchen, cookbook author, and personal trainer, who shares her own experience of disordered eating and how she's built a life that genuinely nourishes her in every sense of the word.

We also talk about the complicated relationship between wellness culture, the fitness industry, and recovery, and why it can be so hard to tell the difference between what's helping and what isn't.

In this episode, we explore:

Sophie's own experience of disordered eating and what helped her turn a corner
Why social media can feel so triggering in eating disorder recovery
How plant-based eating can be a genuine expression of values, and when it isn't
The fitness industry, body ideals and why aesthetics can be a trap
The "strong not skinny" movement, where it lands and where it falls short
Why what you're drawn to on social media can signal where you are in your recovery
Responsibility for harmful content online: the person posting or the person scrolling?
Why defining yourself by one thing, however healthy it looks, can keep you stuck
The importance of rest and slowing down in eating disorder recovery

Please note that everyone's recovery journey is completely individual. The topics we discuss in this episode may not be appropriate for everyone and should always be explored as part of your own personalised recovery journey, ideally alongside your treatment team. We are all at different stages, and that is something to be honoured, not rushed.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Sophie via Instagram (@sophsplantkitchen) and order Soph's book, 30 in 30, here!

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, plant-based eating and exercise. Please take care while listening.

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Have you ever thought you've spent too long ill with an eating disorder, that there's just no way you can recover from an eating disorder? If that's you, this episode is for you.

This week on the Full of Beans Podcast, I'm joined by Andrea Stroud, mum to Joshua, Jacob and Tommy who has lived with anorexia, in secret, for over 40 years. Andrea hopes that by sharing her story and the reality of living with an eating disorder and its impact on family life, she can give others hope that it’s never too late to recover.

We also talk about years of missed red flags from medical professionals, the moment Andrea said "I am actually quite unwell," and what has made eating disorder recovery feel different this time around.

In this episode, we explore:

How growing up in a weight-focused family left Andrea feeling different from everyone around her
How gymnastics, dance and athletics brought an early focus on appearance and comparison
The missed red flags across years of medical appointments, from gynaecology to gastroenterology
How dismissal by healthcare professionals reinforced the belief of not being sick enough
The study day that finally gave Andrea permission to say she was actually quite unwell
How Andrea opened up to her son Josh after 40 years of silent struggles
Going back into treatment, and why this time felt different
Why rigid meal plans can work against the very thing eating disorder recovery needs
What mental hunger is and how it can be misunderstood in treatment
Opposite actions as a practical tool for challenging eating disorder thoughts
Why food is about more than fuel, it is connection, presence and belonging
Why Andrea's word for long-term anorexia recovery is connection

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Andrea on Instagram (@andreainrecovery), as well as her son Joshua (@joshuahillsnutrition)

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, anorexia and disordered eating. Please look after yourself as you listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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Have you ever felt like you’re constantly trying to "fit into a box" that just wasn't made for you?

This week on the Full of Beans Podcast, Han is joined by Dr. Lauren Lovegood, a psychologist who specialises in the intersection of Eating Disorders, Neurodiversity (ADHD/Autism), and the LGBTQ+ community.

We talk about the "internal sense of difference" that so many of us feel growing up and how, sometimes, an eating disorder can sneak in as a way to find control, "mask" our true selves, or even seek out that much-needed dopamine.

In this episode, we explore:

The Treatment Spectrum: Why anorexia is actually a much smaller piece of the ED puzzle than society thinks.
Identity & Belonging: The unique challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and how gender-affirming care can coexist with a healthy body image.
The Neurodivergent Brain: Why "Executive Function" makes university transitions so tricky and why your "fidgety brain" might be driving your food behaviours.
Gender Affirming Care: We discuss the desire to align our physical bodies with our internal identity.
The Glorification of Weight Loss: Exploring the challenges of restrictive behaviours in the queer community to cause a more "feminine" or "masculine" look.
Identity Roles & Stereotypes: How to find where we belong without fuelling obsession with our appearance.
ARFID & Sensory Safety: Understanding why "beige foods" feel safe and how to branch out without the fear and force gently.
The Low Self-Esteem Trap: How external pressure to be "disciplined" can fuel the eating disorder voice.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Lauren via her website

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, body image, neurodiversity, gender and sexuality. Please look after yourself as you listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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We often view exercise as the "golden ticket" for mental health, but for those navigating eating disorders, the line between movement and compulsion is incredibly thin.

In this week’s episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Dr. Amit Mistry, a Consultant Sports Psychiatrist at the Nightingale Hospital. Amit brings a unique dual perspective to the table, advocating for the robust mental health benefits of physical activity while managing the high-stakes clinical risks of over-exercise in inpatient eating disorder settings.

We explore why exercise shouldn't be a "black or white" conversation and how we can reintroduce movement without falling back into the trap of rigidity.

In this episode, we talk about:

The Biopsychosocial Model: How sport serves as "fertiliser for the brain" while providing self-mastery and social connection.
The Social Media Myth: Why we need to challenge the "exercise is all you need" narrative and replace it with a multi-pronged approach to mental health.
Inpatient Realities: The difficult balance of prioritising physical stability (cardiovascular status and refeeding) while introducing social exercises like yoga or swimming.
Exercise as a Spectrum: Identifying when recreational movement crosses the line into a systemic, "drug-like" addiction that impacts bone health and fertility.
Red-S vs. Depression: The clinical challenge of distinguishing between relative energy deficiency in sport and primary low mood.
The "Elite" Trap: Why 99% of us aren't elite athletes and shouldn't be following the regimented, high-intake/high-output diets we see in our feeds.
Diagnostic Switching: Understanding the shift into Orthorexia and why being "high functioning" doesn't mean you aren't in distress.

Something that really stayed with me from this conversation was the idea of Identity vs. Performance. When we strip away the sports and the training, who are we? Recovery isn't about stopping forever; it’s about regaining the autonomy to choose rest without guilt.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Dr Amit on Instagram (@dramistrypsych)

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, anxiety, restrictive eating and medical trauma. Please look after yourself as you listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

Thank you to Nightingale Hospital for sponsoring Full of Beans.

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Anecdotally, we know there is a correlation between eating disorders and suicide, yet until now, there has been no published research to show that.

This week on the Full of Beans Podcast, Han is joined by Dr Una Foye, a Research Fellow at King's College London, who is leading the qualitative arm of an MQ-funded study exploring why people with eating disorders are at higher risk of suicide and self-harm.

We talk about the groundbreaking, and long overdue, research that finally puts lived experience voices at the centre of this conversation, why the data has always been harder to read than it should be, and what the findings mean for the way we think about treatment, recovery, and care.

In this episode, we explore:

The research gap: Why there has been almost no qualitative work asking people with lived experience about the link between eating disorders and suicidality, until now.
The hidden statistics: Why deaths connected to eating disorders and suicide are so often recorded under other causes, and what stigma and the historic criminalisation of suicide have to do with it.
The complexity of risk: How the eating disorder itself, identity loss, social isolation, and the function it serves can increase suicidal thoughts.
Recovery as a risky period: How the removal of support at the point of weight restoration can leave people more vulnerable, not less.
Intersectionality and invisibility: How being male, from a minoritised ethnic background, living in a larger body, or being autistic or neurodivergent can compound the risk, and the silence.
Siloed services: Why being told "you can't be treated here if you're also self-harming" misses the point entirely, and what holistic, joined-up care could look like instead.
Asking the question: Why clinicians are often frightened to ask about suicidality, and why not asking is far more dangerous than asking.
Hope in small things: The realisation that support doesn't need to be dramatic - but simple changes and communication can help.
Lived experience at the centre: Why Una is so passionate about lived experience and how it is the thing which shapes everything she does.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Una via the KCL website

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, self-harm and suicide. Please look after yourself as you listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week’s episode of Full of Beans, I’m joined by Dr Jessica Eccles, an award-winning researcher and neurodevelopmental psychiatrist specialising in the links between brain and body, particularly as they relate to hypermobility.

Jessica is an Associate Professor in Brain-Body Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Also, she works in the Sussex NHS Neurodevelopmental Service, where she and colleagues have set up the world’s first Neurodivergent Brain Body Clinic. She has been exploring the intersection between hypermobility, neurodivergence, and mental health since 2009, and is passionate about challenging stereotypes and encouraging curiosity.

In this episode, we discuss:

What hypermobility actually is, and why it is about more than being “bendy”
The links between ADHD, autism, hypermobility, anxiety, and eating disorders
How gut issues, autonomic dysfunction, and interoception may play a role
Why body sensations can sometimes be misread as anxiety
The connection between proprioception, body awareness, and emotion regulation
Why neurodivergent people may be more vulnerable to restrictive eating patterns
The importance of looking at the full picture, rather than separating the brain and body

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
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Connect with Jessica via her LinkTree

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, anxiety, restrictive eating and medical trauma. Please look after yourself as you listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode of Full of Beans, we are joined by Dr. Hannah Lewis, a Postdoctoral Researcher at Queen Mary University of London. Hannah’s work sits at the vital intersection of eating disorder prevention and school-based body image interventions.

We step inside the halls of Westminster to discuss a recent Eating Disorder & Education Roundtable convened by the APPG on Eating Disorders and the Dump the Scales campaign.

Key Discussion Points

Inside Parliament: What actually happens at an APPG roundtable? We break down the meeting between researchers, MPs, and stakeholders to push for better school resources.
The Evidence is Ready: We have over 20 years of research supporting cognitive dissonance-based interventions (such as the Body Project), yet they are still not standard in the UK curriculum.
What the Science Says: A look at why "media literacy" alone isn’t enough to prevent eating disorders and why we need more active, group-based challenges to appearance ideals.
Prevention vs. Treatment: Clarifying that prevention isn't about asking teachers to "treat" disorders; it’s about addressing risk factors like body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, and appearance anxiety.
The 2017 Training Gap: Why a major hurdle remains the lack of specific body image and eating disorder training for Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) during their qualification.
The "Sick Enough" Threshold: Discussing how clinical barriers are moving into schools, often preventing young people from getting help until they reach a crisis point.
Diversity & Intersectionality: Why "standard" interventions can fail marginalised groups. We discuss the Brown is Beautiful project and the need to adapt the Body Project for South Asian girls.
Current School Programmes: Routine weighing in PE lessons, calorie counting as a maths exercise, the policing of "high sugary foods" in lunchboxes and weight loss adverts at school are policies we can change.
Neurodiversity & ARFID: Acknowledging that not all eating disorders are driven by body image. We explore the link between Autism, ADHD, and sensory-based eating struggles.
The Future: Moving toward an open letter to Parliament and ensuring the outcome of these discussions leads to tangible policy action.

Connect with Us:

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Follow The Brown is Beautiful Project on Instagram (@thebrownisbeautifulproject)

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorder prevention, body dissatisfaction, and mental health policy. Please look after yourself as you listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week’s episode of Full of Beans, I’m joined by Joshua Hills, a nutritionist, sports therapist, and author of You Can Eat That, whose work challenges diet culture and helps people feel calmer, more flexible, and more themselves around food.

Joshua shares how growing up alongside his mum’s experience of anorexia shaped the way he understands food, connection, and recovery.

In this episode, we discuss:

Joshua’s experience of growing up with a parent with anorexia
How his mum’s relationship with food shaped his interest in nutrition
Why food is about more than nutrients, and also about connection and enjoyment
The difference between helpful nutrition habits and more disordered patterns
Why the same behaviour can feel supportive for one person, but unhelpful for another
Emotional eating, and why it is not always something to fear
Building an “emotional toolbox” rather than relying on one coping strategy
How to start making changes around food without going all-or-nothing
Why balance looks different for everyone
Joshua’s new book, You Can Eat That

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube
Connect with Joshua via Instagram or email info@joshuahills.com

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, anorexia and disordered eating. Please look after yourself as you listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week’s episode of Full of Beans, I’m joined by Jacqui Russon, an occupational therapist and accredited DBT therapist, to explore the overlap between eating disorders and addiction.

We talk about the obsessive thinking, shame, rigidity, and emotional pain that can sit beneath both, and what this means for recovery.

In this episode, we discuss:

The similarities and differences between eating disorders and addiction
Why neither are simply a “choice”
Obsessive thoughts, rigidity, and compensatory behaviours
The role of shame, guilt, and emotional avoidance
Why understanding the function of behaviours matters
Developing safer, more supportive coping strategies
Anger, boundaries, and finding your voice in recovery
What occupational therapy actually is (and why it matters)
Why recovery needs to involve real-life practice, not just talking

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube
Connect with Jacqui via Purpose People or the Nightingale Hospital

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, addiction and trauma. Please look after yourself as you listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this episode, Hannah is joined by Judy Krasna, Executive Director of F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders). Judy is a writer and eating disorder advocate based in Israel, and after volunteering for F.E.A.S.T. in multiple capacities, she became the organisation's Executive Director in February 2021.

Judy joins Hannah for a deeply moving and insightful conversation about what it means to be a parent supporting a child through an eating disorder: the isolation, the guilt, the exhaustion, and the incredible power of love and community. Judy also shares her own personal journey, including the tragic loss of her daughter Gavriella, who passed away in 2020 after a 13-year battle with anorexia nervosa.

This one is raw, honest, and so important. We hope it brings comfort and clarity to any parent or loved one who needs it.

In this episode, we talk about:

What F.E.A.S.T. is and how it supports families across the world
Why eating disorders can be so isolating for parents and carers
The damaging impact of parent blame in treatment
Why families should be seen as part of the solution, not the problem
The long-term impact of trauma on parents supporting a loved one
How eating disorders can distort trust, self-trust, and family relationships
Why support systems are so important in recovery
The challenge of balancing protection with independence
What Judy wants parents at breaking point to know
Judy's incredibly honest reflections on losing her daughter, Gavriella

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube
Connect with FEAST via their website (feast-ed.org/)

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders and suicide. Please look after yourself as you listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this episode, I'm joined by Mel Nelson, a qualified counsellor, Senior Counsellor at an eating disorder charity (SWEDA), and autism-informed practitioner, to discuss the intersection of undiagnosed neurodiversity, compulsive exercise, and eating disorder behaviours.

Mel spent over 25 years working in the dance and fitness industry before retraining as a counsellor, and she brings together a really rare combination of lived experience and professional expertise. We got into some really honest territory in this one, and I think so many of you are going to hear yourselves in this conversation.

In this episode, we cover:

Why bulimia stays hidden for so long (and the shame that keeps it that way)
The "fitting in" feeling and why it can make an eating disorder so hard to spot
How neurodivergence and eating disorders can look so similar from the outside
Why routine isn't always just a neurodivergent thing (and how to tell the difference)
What compulsive exercise and purging have more in common than people realise
The late diagnosis that changed everything, and why it's never too late
Why recovery sometimes has to start with the smallest of changes

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube
Connect with Mel via her website (newday-counselling.co.uk) or Instagram (@newday_counselling)

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, compulsive exercise, bulimia, depression, and neurodivergence. Please look after yourself as you listen.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Holly Marsh, a psychotherapeutic counsellor who specialises in eating disorders in private practice, and someone who also brings her own lived experience of recovery into the room.

Holly shares how, during her own recovery, she often found parts of treatment confusing… especially when they seemed to echo the very voice she was trying to challenge of not being "sick enough". That experience has really shaped how she now thinks about recovery, both personally and professionally.

What We Cover in This Episode

What the “eating disorder voice” actually is (and why it can feel confusing)
How the eating disorder can shape-shift and mimic your own thoughts
The “superpower” feeling and why it can be so hard to let go
Why recovery can feel worse before it feels better
The role of values in guiding recovery
How to start separating your thoughts from the eating disorder
The short-term “payoff” that keeps people stuck
Navigating relationships and rebuilding trust with loved ones
Honesty, identity, and the role of lived experience in recovery and professional work

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, anorexia and recovery. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this episode of the Full of Beans Podcast, I’m joined by Professor Hubertus Himmerich, Consultant Psychiatrist and Reader in Eating Disorders at King’s College London, and the principal investigator of the EDEN study.

The EDEN study is the first study of its kind exploring whether low-dose oral ketamine, compared with placebo, could support people living with both anorexia nervosa and major depressive disorder.

Depression affects around 50% of people with anorexia, and when low mood, anxiety and hopelessness are present, it can make recovery feel incredibly difficult. Traditional antidepressants often don’t work well for people with anorexia, which is why researchers are exploring new approaches.

What We Cover in This Episode

Why is depression so common in anorexia nervosa
Why SSRIs often don’t work well in this population
The science behind ketamine and how it affects brain plasticity
Why the EDEN study focuses on improving mood rather than weight
How depression can reduce hope and motivation in recovery
The difference between medical ketamine treatment and recreational ketamine use
How the study has been shaped by people with lived experience
Why new treatment approaches needed in the eating disorder field

If you're interested in taking part in the EDEN study, the team are currently recruiting participants! Please email eden@kcl.ac.uk to find out more!

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, depression, ketamine use and mental health treatment.. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this episode of the Full of Beans Podcast, I’m joined by Mel Ciavucco, an integrative counsellor, writer and trainer, to talk about weight stigma and the impact it has on eating disorder treatment and recovery.

This conversation explores something that often sits at the heart of eating disorders but is still too often left unspoken: the fear of weight gain, the internalised beliefs people hold about larger bodies, and the ways those beliefs can show up in therapy, treatment, and recovery.

In this episode, we explore:

What weight stigma is and why it matters in eating disorder work
Why fear of fatness is often central to eating disorder distress
How diet culture and anti-fat bias shape treatment and recovery
Why people in larger bodies are often overlooked or misunderstood in services
The harm caused by focusing on weight loss instead of relationship with food
Why “don’t worry, we won’t let you get fat” is so problematic in treatment
The importance of curiosity over reassurance when exploring fear of weight gain
How therapists’ own internalised biases can affect ethical practice
Why body acceptance and safety are crucial for recovery
How self-worth, anger, compassion, and social justice can all play a role in healing

This is such an important conversation about compassion, nuance, and creating a world where recovery feels safer for everybody.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube
Visit Mel's website or follow her on Instagram @melciavuccocounselling

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, body image, weight stigma, fatphobia, and disordered eating.

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Today I’m joined by Dr Charlotte Markey, Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University and a world-leading expert in body image research with over 25 years of research into body image and eating behaviours.

Girls today are facing growing pressures around appearance, and with the rise of social media and the lasting impact of the pandemic, it’s becoming even harder for young people to feel confident and comfortable in their bodies.

Charlotte’s updated book, The Body Image Book for Girls, is designed for ages 9–15 and gives practical, evidence-based tools to help girls understand puberty, navigate social media, challenge body image myths, and build a healthier relationship with their bodies.

If you’re a parent, teacher, clinician, or someone who cares about the pressures young people are growing up with today, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:

Why Charlotte released an updated edition, and what’s changed in recent years
How shame keeps body image struggles hidden, and why open conversations matter
The different body pressures facing girls and boys today
Why body image concerns often linger, even in eating disorder recovery
Social media as a risk factor and how to make your feed safer
Why puberty can be a particularly vulnerable time for girls’ body image
How parents and educators can respond: validate first, ask questions, and seek support early

Timestamps:

00:00: Introduction and Charlotte’s background
03:40: Why the book exists and the importance of early support
12:20: Clinical insights: body image and eating disorder recovery
21:35: Social media, algorithms, and taking breaks
30:10: Puberty and body changes
38:35: Supporting young people: what adults can do

Resources & Links

The Body Image Book series: TheBodyImageBook.com

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, weight and appearance pressures, puberty, and social media. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Vanessa Longley, CEO of BEAT, the UK’s eating disorder charity. Vanessa is also a mum to a 21-year-old who is in recovery, and she brings a deeply compassionate perspective on what it’s really like to support someone you love through an eating disorder.

This conversation was recorded during Eating Disorder Awareness Week, where the theme is community, and it really sits at the heart of this conversation. From the fear carers often carry in silence, to the power of ordinary conversations and shared moments, Vanessa shares what helps people keep going through the hardest days.

If you’re supporting someone with an eating disorder and feeling overwhelmed… if you’re in recovery and rebuilding trust with the people around you… or if you care about improving eating disorder support and services, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

Why community can be a powerful protective factor in recovery
What carers often carry behind the scenes, and why they need support too
The instinct to “rescue” and how to support without letting fear lead
Why you don’t need to be an expert in food, you need to be yourself
The importance of ordinary conversations and shared interests
How modelling a future, a life beyond the illness, supports recovery
Why collaboration between charities, clinicians, researchers and lived experience matters
How BEAT supports people with eating disorders and those who care about them
Vanessa’s message: recovery is possible, and asking for help is the first step

Timestamps:

00:00: Introduction and Vanessa’s role at BEAT
04:30: Vanessa’s personal journey and experience as a parent
10:30: Supporting carers and managing fear
19:30: The role of community and finding support
26:00: Supporting someone day-to-day and staying connected
32:00: Collaboration, research, and improving services
44:00: BEAT resources and where to get help

Resources & Links

Visit Beat's Website to find information, phone, webchat, and email support and the helpfinder for eating disorder support in your local area

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders, relapse, inpatient care, food restriction, carer stress/anxiety, and mortality risk. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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Today I'm joined by Dr Courtney Raspin, a Chartered Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Director of Altum Health, a specialist eating disorders and mental health clinic in London. Courtney has over 25 years of clinical experience, including a decade in one of the NHS's largest eating disorder services.

She's just co-authored a book called The Weight Loss Prescription with psychiatrist Dr Max Pemberton (available 26th Feb!) - a book about the psychology of GLP-1 weight loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro. Given her background in eating disorders, Courtney has a nuanced perspective on weight loss medications, which I think is really important to hear.

If you’re in eating disorder recovery and feeling unsettled by the rise of GLP-1 medications… if you’ve noticed feelings of jealousy, confusion or fear around them… or if you’re trying to understand where health support ends and diet culture begins, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:

How Courtney’s work in eating disorders shaped her approach to weight management
The warning signs of high drive for thinness
Why weight loss doesn’t automatically improve body image
The difference between body neutrality and body positivity
Why GLP-1 medications aren’t inherently harmful
The risks of unregulated access, online prescribing, and counterfeit medication
The various causes of “food noise” and why GLP-1 medications may help
What psychological support in weight management actually involves
Courtney’s guidance on GLP-1s and eating disorder recovery

Timestamps:

00:00 Courtney’s journey into weight management
05:00 Body neutrality and realistic body image work
08:30 Understanding GLP-1s: benefits, risks and misconceptions
12:00 Food noise and why context matters
16:00 The psychological work behind lasting change
21:00 Health vs the thin ideal
27:00 Tensions within the ED field and professional responses
31:30 What to consider before starting GLP-1s
34:30 Courtney’s book and final advice

Resources & Links

Follow @drcourtneyraspin on Instagram

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating), restriction, weight loss, GLP-1 medications, and body image. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Jo Read, a mum to two daughters, ARFID advocate and 1/3 of 3 Mums 1 Mission ARFID. Jo's youngest daughter, Ethel, is diagnosed with ARFID and is awaiting an autism assessment. Since supporting Ethel through her sensory-based eating difficulties, Jo has poured her energy into raising awareness, because when you’re living it, ARFID can feel unbelievably isolating.

If you’re a parent or carer navigating food fears, sensory sensitivities, “helpful” comments that aren’t helpful, and the constant planning that comes with ARFID, this one is for you. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re responding to a very real, very complex need.

Key Takeaways:

The reality of ARFID as a genuine fear that can override hunger
Sensory sensitivities (texture, smell, predictability) are at the core of ARFID
Why consistency and familiarity make certain foods feel safer
The limits of BMI as a marker of health in children with arfid
How sensory overload at mealtimes can increase food avoidance
The impact of ARFID on family life, routines, siblings and social plans
Why “just stop feeding them” advice doesn’t work for ARFID
The value of community, advocacy and finding people who understand
How progress in ARID can look small but still be meaningful

Timestamps:

00:00 Jo’s story and Ethel’s ARFID diagnosis
02:20 Early Signs of ARFID
05:30 BMI and Nutrition
10:50 Safe foods, Predictability and Super Senses
14:10 The Sensory Overload of Eating
17:00 Family Impact: Days Out, Siblilngs, Friends
20:20 Social Judgement and Support
29:00 Looking Ahead and Slow Progress

Resources & Links

Follow @eff_and_arfid on Instagram
Listen to the 3Mums1Mission ARFID Podcast

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders, ARFID. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this episode of Full of Beans, Hannah is joined by Sarah Woodruff, mum to Grace and 1/3 of the podcast 3Mums1MissionARFID. Sarah co-created the podcast after feeling deeply isolated navigating her daughter’s eating difficulties, wanting to create a space where parents could hear stories that reflected their own and feel less alone.

In this conversation, Sarah shares Grace’s journey in more depth, including the years of uncertainty, dismissal, escalation, and the ongoing reality of supporting a child with ARFID and autism.

This episode is for parents, carers, and SEN professionals who are feeling unheard or wondering whether they’re “overreacting.” It offers reassurance that you’re not imagining it, permission to trust your instincts, and comfort in knowing that others have walked a similar path. Above all, it’s a reminder that ARFID is complex, individual, and never a result of bad parenting.

Key takeaways:

What ARFID can look like beyond early childhood
Why the term “late-onset ARFID” deserves questioning.
How autism, sensory overwhelm and anxiety can affect eating
Why emetophobia (fear of vomiting) can make eating feel genuinely unsafe
How school stress and transitions can exacerbate ARFID in children
How ARFID differs from “fussy eating”
How food avoidance can lead to weight loss, distress, or social isolation
How lowering pressure around food can support ARFID recovery
The power of parental intuition, even when professionals dismiss concerns

Timestamps:

02:50 Grace’s early eating and when things began to change
07:40 Anxiety, school stress, and the escalation of food restriction
10:10 ARFID, emetophobia, and reaching crisis point
13:30 Hospital care, NG tube feeding, and diagnosis
22:50 Autism, masking, and questioning “late-onset” ARFID
29:00 What helped: reducing pressure and rebuilding safety
36:20 A message for parents who are questioning themselves

Resources & Links

Listen to the 3Mums1Mission ARFID Podcast

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders, ARFID, NG tube feeding. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Michelle Jacques. Michelle is a devoted mum of two who has lived with ARFID since her son started weaning. Through her own experience of supporting her son with ARFID, she has become a passionate advocate, working tirelessly to raise awareness and support others navigating life with this complex food intake disorder. She is the founder of @arfid_life_uk, where she raises awareness of ARFID by sharing her family's experience.

This episode holds space for the grief, the guilt, the fight, and also the hope, including the unexpected shift Michelle has seen as her son’s body becomes nourished again.

This week, we discuss:

What ARFID can look like and how it can go beyond “picky eating.”
How sensory differences, autistic eating, and ARFID can overlap
How illness can trigger choking fears and a trauma response that reinforces food avoidance
What it’s like when a child’s intake drops to just a couple of “safe” items
What a PEG (gastrostomy tube) is and how PEG feeding can support ARFID
The emotional impact of PEG decisions for parents, including grief andguilt
Why nutrition can change anxiety, rigidity, and capacity
The role of advocacy in ARFID awareness
How to document ARFID symptoms to report to a doctor

Timestamps:

03:10 Sensory differences, autism, and how ARFID developed over time
07:40 Illness, choking fears, and how trauma can collapse food intake
09:15 Hospitalisation: constipation and appendix surgery
18:30 What a PEG is (and what people often misunderstand about it)
29:40 How PEG feeding can support ARFID
41:30 Guilt, grief, and learning to let the feelings exist
45:10 ARFID Advocacy work

Resources & Links

Follow @arfid_life_uk on Instagram
Listen to the 3Mums1Mission ARFID Podcast

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders, ARFID, NG tube feeding. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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Kel O’Neill is a UK-based counsellor, educator, researcher, and lived-experience advocate specialising in eating disorders. She is the founder of Mental Health Bites, creator of The Eating Disorder Recovery Companion, and the curator of VOXED – Voices of Experience in Eating Disorders. Kel’s work focuses on ethical, trauma-informed practice, challenging stigma, and bridging the gap between lived experience and professional knowledge.

This week, we discuss:

What VoxED is and why Kel created it.
Why eating disorder education often feels inaccessible, and what VoxED is doing differently.
How VoxED broadens “lived experience” to include clinicians, carers, researchers and community voices.
Why lived experience shouldn’t be tokenistic, and how it can be valued as expertise.
Why the eating disorder field needs shared spaces for nuanced, difficult conversations.
How recovery goes beyond food and weight to identity, meaning and living.

Timestamps:

00:00: What is VoxED?
02:10 :Where did the idea began (EDAW 2021)
05:10: Who's speaking at VoXED
06:40: Moving beyond “tick-box” lived experience
08:10: The purpose of VoxED: shared space + shared power
14:40: Why change has been slow in eating disorders (and what’s missing)
21:10: Recovery beyond food and weight: identity, meaning, and living
42:10: VoxED details: date, access, recordings, and low-cost tickets

VoxED conference details:

Date: Friday 13th February
Format: Fully online (9:00–18:30, with breaks)
Tickets: self-select pricing options £20 / £37 / £50

Resources & Links

Follow Kel on Instagram (@kel_mhb)
Visit Kel's website (www.counsellingandtraining.co.uk) to find out more about VOXED
Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Michelle Jacques, Sarah Woodruff and Jo Read. Together, they are the hosts of 3Mums1MissionARFID, which is on a mission to raise awareness regarding ARFID as a result of their experience of navigating their own experience of supporting their children with ARFID.

This week, we discuss:

What ARFID is and how it differs from “fussy eating”
How sensory sensitivity, gag reflexes, and nervous system overload affect eating
How fear of choking and emetophobia (fear of vomiting) can drive food avoidance
How illness and medical trauma can cause sudden drops in food intake
What it feels like to parent a child with ARFID, including guilt, grief, and constant vigilance
How dismissal and judgment from professionals and others impact families
What an ARFID diagnosis can offer, and where support often still falls short
How NG and PEG feeding can become part of ARFID care and the complex emotions that come with it
How school stress, anxiety, and social pressures can contribute to late-onset ARFID
Why peer connection and lived-experience support are so powerful for parents

Timestamps:

04:20 Why they started Three Mums One Mission: ARFID
11:00 Jo: sensory sensitivity, gag reflex, and “typical” feeding advice that didn’t fit
20:50 Michelle: illness triggers, supplements, and PEG feeding
32:00 Sarah: late-onset ARFID, school anxiety, crisis point + hospital experience

Resources & Links

Follow @3Mums1MissionARFID on Instagram

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
Check out our website
Listen on YouTube

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders, ARFID, NG tube feeding. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week’s episode of Full of Beans, Hannah is joined by Debs Taylor, mum to Zara Taylor, to talk about Zara’s life, her battle with anorexia, and the new APPG report on preventing deaths from eating disorders, which is dedicated to Zara.

Debs is the Operations and Project Manager at Dump the Scales CIC, bringing a unique blend of lived experience, organisational expertise, and campaign passion to the team. As a devoted parent and carer with over a decade supporting her daughter through an eating disorder, she has become a dedicated advocate for improved awareness, support, and systemic change. Debs also serves on the UK FEAST Executive team and represents FEAST within the Wales Eating Disorders Clinical Implementation Network.

This conversation is a tribute to Zara’s kindness, courage and determination to recover, and a call for urgent change in how eating disorders are understood and treated.

This week, we discuss:

Zara's experience of anorexia and her diagnosis journey
Zara's treatment experience of a decade of inpatient admissions
Why being labelled “complex” triggered a sense of hopelessness
Zara's motivation to recover and lack of clinical support
The preventable loss of Zara and the devastation for her family
A look Inside the APPG “Prevention of Deaths” report
Calls for a national strategy, proper training and real accountability

Timestamps

05:00 – Zara’s early life, character, and dreams for the future
10:00 – First signs of illness, delayed diagnosis and early admissions
18:00 – Years in inpatient units: isolation, tube feeding and lack of continuity
24:00 – “Complex cases”, blame, and the impact of hopeless language
31:00 – Zara’s growing wish to recover and barriers to appropriate care
36:00 – Zara’s death, the inquest, and why Debs believes it was preventable
44:00 – Inside the APPG “Prevention of Deaths” report and its main asks
52:00 – How listeners can support the campaign and honour Zara’s legacy

Resources & Links

Visit the Dump the Scales website to read the APPG report and find out more.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Check out our website here
Listen on YOUTUBE here

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders and suicide. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Hannah is joined by Jenny Langley, an advocate in the eating disorder community. After supporting her son through anorexia 20 years ago, Jenny has dedicated her life to making sure families feel informed, empowered, and never alone.

For over 15 years, Jenny has worked with the Eating Disorders Research team at the Institute of Psychiatry and is trained in the New Maudsley Model, where she now coaches carers, trains clinicians, and delivers practical skills workshops. She is co-author of the New Maudsley Skills-Based Training Manual and writer of Boys Get Anorexia Too, a book that has helped countless families feel seen.

This week, we discuss:

What it’s really like to support a child through anorexia as a parent
The shock, guilt, shame many carers describe
Early inpatient treatment, trauma, and learning on the job as a family
The New Maudsley approach for supporting family dynamics
The animal metaphors (rhino, kangaroo, jellyfish, terrier, ostrich, dolphins, St Bernard)
Why carers’ self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essential
The unique role of dads and male carers
Relapse, “safety behaviours” and why recovery often looks more like discovery

Carers matter. Families matter. And with the right support, they can be powerful allies in recovery – not by being perfect, but by staying, learning and loving through the mess.

Timestamps:

01:20 – Jenny’s Story

05:30 – Emotions Felt By Parents and Carers

11:00 – Externalising the eating disorder as “Rex”

16:40 –The New Maudsley Approach

28:20 – Animal Metaphors and Carer Styles

41:00 – Treatment Trauma, NG Feeding and Post-Discharge

55:10 – Dads, Male Carers and Keeping Communication Open

Resources & Links

Connect with Jenny visit her website

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Check out our website here
Listen on YOUTUBE here

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Hannah is joined by Alix Walker. Alix is an eating disorder counsellor and coach, and a wellbeing speaker, who works with clients to overcome eating and body image difficulties following on from her own personal experience.

This week's festive episode brings a real perspective of being in recovery at Christmas, with advice on how to navigate this season that isn't just a few quick tips that feel like they diminish the struggles of Christmas.

This week, we discuss:

Common challenges Alix supports her clients with during the festive period
The pressure and overwhelm caused by Christmas markets
Making recovery-focused decisions when challenging your eating disorder
Giving yourself permission to engage in what feels right to you
Finding compassion for others who are also stuck in diet culture thought patterns
Visiting home for Christmas and experiencing emotional triggers
Finding time for reflection or space during the festive season
Redefining what Christmas means to you and making it what you need
The impact of social media on your own Christmas experience

Timestamps:

01:20: Common Eating Disorder Struggles at Christmas
03:20: Christmas Markets and Knowing When to Challenge
06:13: Managing Guilt After Social Events
07:41: Navigating Work Parties
10:47: Finding Balance and Compassion
14:17: Navigating Diet Talk
16:57: Handling Comments from Family Members
23:05: Taking Responsibility for Triggers
26:29: Finding Personal Space
29:14: Redefining the Meaning of Christmas Away from Social Media

Resources & Links

Follow Alix on Instagram @counsellingwithalix
Check out Alix's Linktree

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Check out our website here
Listen on YOUTUBE here

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week’s episode of Full of Beans, I’m joined by Ailidh Musgrave, an eating disorder campaigner, whose story spans years of misdiagnosis, medical trauma, and being repeatedly told she was “too complex” to treat.

Ailidh was diagnosed with anorexia at 13, and spent her teens and early adulthood in a cycle of nine inpatient admissions, severe depression, self-harm, sepsis, multiple surgeries and even temporary paralysis. Alongside her eating disorder, she lives with autism and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which went misunderstood or dismissed for years.

Now, two years out of hospital, back in education and moving in with her partner, Ailidh is using her experience to push for safer, more compassionate care and to challenge the Assisted Dying Bill through the #DyingForTreatment campaign.

In this conversation, Ailidh shares what it’s like to be rejected from over 20 hospitals, labelled “too complex”, and still find her way back to life – and why she believes no one with anorexia should ever be put on a palliative pathway.

This week, we discuss:

Misdiagnosis, gastrointestinal symptoms and the long road to an EDS diagnosis
The dramatic shift from CAMHS to adult services
How autism and neurodivergence were misunderstood in eating disorder treatment
Being turned away by over 20 hospitals and the “postcode lottery” of care
Why Ailidh is speaking out against the Assisted Dying Bill and the risk for people with anorexia
The power of time, trust and being truly listened to in recovery
How her mum held onto hope when she couldn’t – and why hope is the most important thing clinicians can offer

Lived experience and family perspectives are essential if we want eating disorder care to be truly compassionate, person-centred and safe. Ailidh’s story is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond help, no matter how long or how complex their journey has been.

Timestamps:

01:20 – Ailidh's Experience of Inpatient Admissions
05:50 – CAMHS vs Adult Inpatient Care
09:40 – Autism and Misunderstanding
14:10 – EDS Diagnosis and Medical Trauma
18:30 – 9 Admissions in 13 Years
24:20 – Community Aftercare and Service Gaps
29:00 – Concerns About The Assisted Dying Bill
36:40 – Finding Internal Motivation For Recovery
43:10 – The Impact On Family

Resources & Links

Connect with Ailidh on LinkedIn

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Check out our website here
Listen on YOUTUBE here

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Hannah is joined by Anna Carnegie. Anna is a Research Fellow at KCL, where she coordinates the Eating Disorders Clinical Research Network (or "EDCRN") and lends support to the UK Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (or "EDGI UK").

Alongside her academic role, Anna brings her own lived experience of OCD, anorexia, and long-term recovery. She now uses that experience to shape research, advocate for better funding, and push for eating disorder studies that truly centre the people they’re supposed to help.

This week, we discuss:

The huge funding gap in eating disorder research and why it matters
What EDCRN and EDGI UK are, and how they’re trying to answer basic questions about “what works”
Genetics, metabolism, and why there is no single “eating disorder gene”
The emotional burden and boundaries of working as a peer researcher
Anna’s journey through OCD, anorexia, and treatment in Ireland and the UK
How lived experience can shape research design, language, and priorities
The life-changing impact of an NHS admission that focused on life goals, not just weight
Why one-size-fits-all treatment doesn’t work and the need for truly individualised care

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introducing Anna and her roles at King’s, EDCRN & EDGI UK
04:00 – The reality of underfunding in eating disorder research
08:30 – Lived experience, stigma, and language in research settings
14:00 – Peer research, boundaries, and “naming the elephant in the room”
20:00 – Anna’s story: OCD in childhood, anorexia in adolescence, and treatment in Dublin
37:00 – What EDCRN does and why standardised outcome data is so important
42:00 – Genetics, vulnerability, the “jar” analogy, and prevention
46:00 – One-size-fits-all treatment, neurodiversity, and hopes for the future of ED care

Resources & Links

Connect with Anna on X (@Anna_Carnegie)
Connect with Anna on Blue Sky (@annacarnegie.bsky.social)
Find out more about EDCRN
Find out more about EDGI UK or email edgi@kcl.ac.uk

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Check out our website here

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders and OCD. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Zoë Harwood. Zoë is the founder of Light Minds Collective, a compassionate and soul-centred coaching space dedicated to helping individuals heal from low self-confidence, eating disorders, and poor body image.

With over 20 years of experience in mindset coaching within the dance industry and beyond, Zoë combines holistic and creative approaches to guide clients towards living with confidence, integrity, and purpose.

Drawing on her own lived experience of orthorexia, which complicated her pregnancy and led to hyperemesis and a difficult delivery, Zoë now uses her journey to raise awareness of eating disorders in pregnancy and beyond, and to empower others to find food freedom and authentic self-worth.

This week, we discuss:

How the pursuit of “health” can mask deep fear and anxiety
The overlap between orthorexia and OCD behaviours
The role of veganism and “clean eating” in fuelling obsessive food rules
Zoë's experience of hyperemesis and pregnancy while living with orthorexia
How shame, guilt, and self-blame show up in motherhood and recovery
The importance of curiosity and compassion when “healthy habits” become harmful

Timestamps:

00:00 – Zoë's background in dance and early relationship with food
04:00 – The fear of illness that fuelled her obsession with “health”
08:00 – When veganism and clean eating became orthorexia
12:00 – Understanding orthorexia as a form of OCD
17:00 – Pregnancy, hyperemesis, and refusing medical treatment
24:00 – Shame, guilt and the impact on motherhood
31:00 – Finding recovery and redefining “healthy”
38:00 – Advice for those struggling during pregnancy or with orthorexia

Resources & Links

Connect with Zoë on Instagram @lightmindcollective
Visit Zoë's website

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Check out our website here

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders, orthorexia, pregnancy complications, and medical trauma. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode of the Full of Beans podcast, Han is joined by Dr Tomos Williams. Tom has worked in the CWP Eating Disorder Service since May 2022. He works across community and specialist inpatient settings. He is the Psychiatric lead in the regional Type 1 Diabetes and Disordered Eating Clinic, the local MEED lead, and also works with patients with complex presentations, acting as a link person for local acute trusts. He is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatry Eating Disorder Faculty Executive Committee.

This week, we discuss:

What T1DE is, and why “diabulimia” is an outdated term
The life-threatening risks of insulin omission
How eating disorders and diabetes treatment often conflict
Why T1DE clinics are essential, but underfunded
The role of eating disorder and diabetes professionals
What joined-up, trauma-informed care looks like
The outcomes and success of T1DE pilots
The urgent need for political support to save these services

Timestamps:

01:30 – What is Type 1 Diabetes and Disordered Eating (T1DE)
04:00 – Medical risks associated with insulin omission
08:50 – Building the T1DE clinic & lack of national funding
13:10 – The power of a multi-disciplinary team
18:40 – Early signs of T1DE and what clinicians should look for
22:10 – Impact of trauma & perfectionism in diabetes
25:00 – Outcomes & HbA1c improvements
29:00 – Barriers to insulin pump access
33:20 – Can you recover from EDs while managing diabetes?

Resources & Links:

The Compassion Project (Wessex & London T1DE Pilot)
Parliamentary Inquiry into T1DE (2023)
Diabetes UK on T1DE

Want to help save T1DE services?

Write to your local MP and demand continued funding. Mention the NHS England pilot outcomes and the need for integrated care for patients with type 1 diabetes and eating disorders.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Check out our website here

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses lived experiences of eating disorders, restrictive behaviours, and mentions of specific foods. Please take care when listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Logan Strather, integrative psychotherapist, clinical lead at an eating disorder charity in Nottinghamshire, and co-founder of Garden Room Therapy.

Logan first explored late-onset eating disorders (LOED) during his undergraduate research and now works directly with clients experiencing these challenges first-hand.

In this episode, we discuss:

Is “late-onset eating disorder” the right term?
What the research (or lack thereof) tells us about age and onset
Hormonal and neurological factors (e.g., menopause, oestrogen, impulse control)
How medical weight stigma contributes to missed diagnoses
Eating disorders in care homes and older adults
The emotional toll of shame, grief, and moral incongruence
Gendered assumptions and the underrepresentation of men
What needs to change in treatment models for older adults

Timestamps:

01:30 – What does “late-onset ED” actually mean?
05:00 – Hormones, menopause & appetite regulation
08:00 – Weight stigma in healthcare
12:00 – Life transitions & ED vulnerability in older age
25:00 – Men and late-onset eating disorders
30:00 – Neurodivergence and late diagnosis
34:00 – Adapting treatment for older adults
40:00 – What needs to change in research & services

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions around eating disorder behaviours, weight stigma, menopause and grief, and care homes. Please take care when listening.

Resources & Links:

@gardenroomtherapy on Instagram
Freed Recovery (Nottinghamshire charity service) – rebranding soon!

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Check out our website here

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Eric Pothen. Eric is a Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach and an eating disorder advocate who serves on the Peer Council for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and the Community Engagement Committee for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). After struggling with an eating disorder for several years, Eric now uses his lived experience to raise awareness and support others on their recovery journeys, particularly around eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image, with a special focus on men.

Eric is currently pursuing a degree in Counselling at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, to become an eating disorder therapist, specialising in working with men and the LGBTQ+ community.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

Navigating shame, identity, and the onset of an eating disorder
Why recovery can feel messy
Reframing exercise and “food is fuel” in recovery
Recovery perfectionism vs. authentic recovery
Supporting individuals as people first, not by gender stereotypes
The hidden and under-discussed behaviour of chewing and spitting
The importance of intention and reframing in long-term recovery
Understanding the intersectionality of identity in ED support

Timestamps:

03:00 – Eating disorder onset: identity, stress & sadness
08:00 – Shame & internalised stigma for men
12:00 – People pleasing and external validation
18:00 – Compulsive exercise & social reinforcement
22:00 – Recovery as rewiring: food, movement & intention
27:00 – The messiness of recovery & doing it solo
30:00 – Alcohol, chewing/spitting & hidden behaviours
34:00 – Marathon training: helpful or harmful?
40:00 – Intersectionality and seeing the person, not the gender

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of eating disorder behaviours including anorexia, compulsive exercise, chewing and spitting, and alcohol use. Please take care whlist listening.

Resources & Links:

Instagram: @ericpothan
NEDA Peer Council: nationaleatingdisorders.org

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Check out our website here

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode of Full of Beans Han is joined by Anne Richardson. Anne is a Registered Nutritional Therapist, lecturer and supervisor. She has been practising for more than ten years and exclusively works in the field of disordered eating. Anne suffered with anorexia in her teens and now draws from her lived experience to blend her knowledge of nutrition with her CBT skills. She works with people all over Europe to help them achieve food freedom. She is also invested in helping other practitioners work with disordered eaters as she recognises that general nutritional advice can be extremely damaging to disordered eaters. Anne is also a mum, a maker of all things and especially a keen baker.

This week, we discuss:

The truth about eating late at night and weight gain
Why your brain needs carbohydrates to sleep
The truth about pasta and couscous
How black-and-white thinking harms recovery
Mental vs. physical hunger: how restriction plays into cravings
Normalising emotional eating
Finding balanced nutrition in recovery

Timestamps:

05:30 – What a nutritionist does in ED recovery
14:00 – The “don’t eat after 6pm” myth
21:00 – Mental vs physical hunger
30:00 – The truth about fear foods like pasta
39:00 – Why emotional eating isn’t bad
43:00 – Finding balance in recovery

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses lived experiences of eating disorders, restrictive behaviors, and mentions of specific foods. Please take care when listening.

Resources & Links:

Follow Anne on Instagram @theeatingdisordernutritionist
Visit her website theeatingdisordernutritionist.co.uk

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In today’s episode, I’m joined by Harry and his grateful mum, Jacqui, who are the hosts ‘Don't Weight to Change?’ which began following my personal 10+ year battle with anorexia.

By sharing their story, they aimed to help others struggling with mental health issues, especially young boys and men, creating a safe space for candid discussion and support.

Their story is one of honesty, compassion, and the power of connection between parent and child, showing how recovery is not only about healing the individual, but also about transforming relationships and finding hope together.

In this week's episode of Full of Beans, we discuss:

Harry’s experience as the first male inpatient on a UK eating disorder ward
The impact of gender stereotypes on diagnosis, denial, and support
Harry's desire for male support and role models in recovery
How exercise addiction and perfectionism mask disordered behaviours
The role of family in recovery
The trauma and helplessness felt by parents and loved ones
Why the New Maudsley Method was a turning point in their recovery journey
How the Don’t Wait to Change podcast is helping other men feel seen and heard

Timestamps:

01:58 – Why they started their podcast, Don’t Wait to Change

03:10 – Early signs and unhelpful eating disorder treatment

06:46 – The lack of male-specific ED support

10:27 – Inpatient experience as the only male

15:01 – The role of exercise and compulsive behaviours

22:10 – The impact on family and how they coped

43:02 – How vulnerability strengthened family bonds

49:42 – Why weight doesn't equal wellness

📍 Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorder behaviours, medical trauma, and suicidal ideation. Please take care when listening.

Resources & Links:

Follow Harry & Jacqui on Instagram @dontweighttochange
Listen to their podcast on Spotify Don't Weight To Change

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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This week, I’m joined by the incredible Harriet Parsons, CEO of BodyWhys, the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland.

Harriet is a qualified psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. Alongside her clinical background, she’s passionate about education, advocacy, and making services more accessible and compassionate for carers.

Harriet joins us to discuss how services can better support the families, partners, and carers of people living with eating disorders, and why helping “the system around the person” is just as important as direct treatment.

Together, we explore:

The Pillar Programme and how it builds carer resilience
How Maudsley Carer Skills can empower families to support recovery
The myth of the “perfect carer” and why presence > perfection
The importance of meeting carers where they are emotionally
Supporting professionals to better understand the carer experience
How carers can change their approach to support recovery

Timestamps:

04:25 – Harriet’s pathway into ED work and psychotherapy
08:10 – Understanding the unique needs of carers
13:00 – Pillar Programme: what it is and how it works
19:15 – Maudsley Carer Skills & emotional coaching
24:45 – Why psychoeducation is game-changing
30:40 – What Harriet wishes more professionals knew
36:00 – Moving from “fixing” to “supporting”
41:50 – Final reflections and words of encouragement

⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses eating disorders and caregiving. Please take care while listening.

Resources & Links:

Visit Bodywshy

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, disordered eating behaviours, and body image concerns. Please listen with care and seek support if you are struggling.

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This week, I’m joined by my dear friend George Mycock, a PhD candidate at the University of Worcester, who is studying men’s help-seeking and access to care for Eating and/or Body Image Psychopathology (EBIP)

George is also involved in several projects, including the Mental Health and Movement Alliance at the charity Mind, the steering group for the National Audit of Eating Disorders and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and co-led a project with the Consider Male Eating Disorders Team from the University of Nottingham and King's College London.

George joins us today to discuss his PhD research, focusing on how to make eating disorder services more accessible for men and his hope for future awareness.

Together, we explore:

The presence of imposter syndrome in academia and research
The barriers men face when seeking help for eating disorders
How services and resources often unintentionally “other” men
Muscle dysmorphia, body image pressures, and male experiences of disordered eating
George’s work on developing inclusive guidance for services
Why hope, awareness, and representation matter for men’s recovery

Timestamps:

01:04 – George's PhD research on men and eating disorders
10:00 – Why terminology matters (EBIP vs eating disorders)
20:00 – Barriers men face in accessing services
30:00 – Research on clinician bias and awareness
40:00 – Developing inclusive guidance with lived experience
55:00 – Why opening up these conversations matters

⚠️ Trigger warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, disordered eating behaviours, and body image concerns. Please listen with care and seek support if you are struggling.

Resources & Links:

Visit Myominds
Review paper from George's PhD
"Touchy subject" paper
Link to the guidance document

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Remie Colledge. Remie is a neurodivergent public speaker, trainer and writer, with lived experience of recovery from anorexia. Remie discovered she was autistic many years after her struggle with anorexia began, and she received an even later ADHD diagnosis. Understanding and processing her experiences through a neuroaffirmative lens became a turning point, and a therapeutic part of her recovery journey. Remie is passionate about the value of sharing lived experience in an intentional way, along with working together with others to create a more neuro-inclusive world to live, work and belong, a world that really supports neurodivergent wellbeing.

This week, we discuss:

How undiagnosed neurodivergence shaped early eating difficulties
Why ED behaviours can become coping strategies for sensory overload
How autism & ADHD traits can get entangled with disordered eating
Letting go of “perfect recovery” and embracing the grey areas
What eating disorder burnout looks and feels like
Reconnecting with joy, identity, and special interests in recovery
Building a life that works with your neurodivergent brain, not against it

Timestamps:

04:00 – School transitions, sensory overload & early food struggles
12:00 – Control, masking, and the early roots of anorexia
17:00 – Autism, perfectionism & the “myth” of linear recovery
24:00 – Burnout: neurodivergent & ED-related
30:00 – ADHD, hyper-focus, and the illusion of “doing it all”
38:00 – Building a recovery that respects your neurotype
43:00 – Connection, identity & life beyond the ED

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses anorexia, recovery relapse, diagnostic experiences, and burnout. Please take care while listening.

Links and Resources:

Connect with Remie on Linkedin
Visit Remie's website

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by James Downs and Marissa Adams to discuss their recent publication exploring the link between eating disorders, late-diagnosed autism and social connectedness.

James is a mental health campaigner, peer researcher and expert by experience in eating disorders. He works to develop collaboration across a range of professional and personal perspectives to improve mental health for all. He is also a musician, movement practitioner, and artist.

Together, James and Marissa recently published research exploring the link between eating disorders, late autism diagnosis, and social connectedness.

This week, we discuss:

How late autism diagnosis can reframe the story of an eating disorder
Why one-size-fits-all eating disorder treatment often fails autistic people
The role of masking, misdiagnosis, and co-occurring conditions in ED development
Why individualised, neurodiversity-affirming care is essential for recovery
How social connection looks different for autistic people (small circles, pets, nature)
The importance of creating safe, validating treatment spaces where people can “re-story” identity
Why embracing difference can unlock more flexible, compassionate recovery support for everyone

Timestamps:

06:30 – Late diagnosis, masking, and misdiagnosis
13:30 – Inpatient treatment, relapse, and the need for adaptation
18:30 – Making sense of autism post diagnosis
25:00 – Untangling autistic traits and eating disorder behaviours
31:00 – Social connection, pets, and neurodivergent-friendly community in recovery
38:00 – What flexible, individualised treatment can look like
45:00 – Identity, acceptance, and embracing neurodivergence in recovery

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of anorexia, bulimia, relapse, inpatient treatment, and diagnostic experiences.

Read James and Marissa's recent paper [here].

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Rachel Egan. Rachel is a mental health campaigner who has personal experience of anorexia, laxative use, depression and anxiety. Rachel is the Strategic Communications and Marketing Manager for Dump the Scales, a trainer and activist who delivers eating disorder training sessions and has appeared on Sky News, BBC News and has her own column on the Huffington Post, all to improve the understanding of eating disorders

This week, we discuss:

Rachel’s experience of anorexia and laxative misuse
Why laxative abuse felt like a form of self-punishment
The serious physical health risks associated with laxative misuse
Rachel’s concerns about GLP-1 weight-loss drugs being marketed to the general public
Why GLP-1s could be especially dangerous for people with eating disorders
The urgent need for regulation, education, and behavioural support alongside medication
How social media, body ideals, and fatphobia influence our health choices
Rachel’s optimism about Gen Z and their resistance to appearance pressures

Timestamps:

01:00 – Rachel’s experience of anorexia and laxative misuse
07:00 – The shame and secrecy around bingeing and purging
09:30 – Physical and emotional toll of laxative misuse
13:00 – Recovery journey and finding support
16:30 – Concerns around GLP-1 weight-loss medications and eating disorders
24:00 – The impact of weight stigma, fatphobia, and diet culture
30:00 – The risk of normalising disordered behaviours through medication
34:00 – Body image, steroids, and pressure on young people

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of anorexia, binge eating, laxative abuse and GLP-1 mediations.

Resources & Links:

Rachel's Instagram
Rachel's Website
Dump The Scales Instagram

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Mollie Campbell is a lived experience advocate with a history of ARFID. After a misdiagnosis of anorexia and lack of treatment for ARFID, Mollie shares her story to increase awareness to help others who are struggling.

This week, we discuss:

Mollie's experience (of lack there of) of ARFID treatment and her anorexia misdiagnosis
How emetophobia played a role in Mollie's ARFID
The common ARFID misunderstandings that need to be addressed to support ARFID recovery
Techniques Mollie has used to increase food variety in her diet
The support Mollie received from her GP
How Mollie's school helped her during her ARFID recovery

Timestamps:

[00:42] - Mollie’s introduction and early experiences with eating disorder services
[06:20] - Misdiagnosis of anorexia and why treatment fell short
[08:05] - How emetophobia (fear of sickness) played a role in her ARFID
[12:00] - Body image and ARFID
[23:36] - Helpful strategies: traffic light system & laddering exposure
[32:00] - The crucial role of her GP and how they advocated for her
[35:30] - Support from teachers and what made the difference
[43:33] - Mollie’s advice for young people with ARFID and those supporting them

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of ARFID, anorexia, self harm and suicide.

Resources & Links:

Connect with Mollie via Instagram

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Marcelle Rose. Marcelle empowers women to overcome binge eating, emotional eating, and eating disorders, enabling them to reclaim their lives through a unique synergy of nutritional therapy, eating psychology, and mindset coaching. She is the author of the bestselling book The Binge Freedom Method™: Your Four Pillar Plan to Beat Emotional Eating for Good, and a BANT Registered Nutritionist and Coach with specialist training in eating disorders and behaviour change.

Marcelle works with clients across the UK and internationally, and also supports women through her free Facebook community, The Food Freedom Collective.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

The cycle of binge eating and how restriction drives it
Why structured eating and nourishment are essential tools for recovery
The emotional roots of binge eating and how to identify triggers
How to build self-awareness using food and emotion journaling
The importance of understanding hunger and satiety cues
Concerns about GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for people with disordered eating
How GLP-1s may increase vulnerability to eating disorders and body image issues
The physiological impact of GLP-1s and concerns we don't yet know about

Timestamps:

01:00 – Introducing Marcelle and her work in nutrition, mindset & ED recovery
05:00 – The binge-restrict cycle and the emotional aftermath
10:30 – Structured eating, blood sugar regulation & empowerment through food
17:00 – Emotional triggers, ED thoughts & journaling for self-awareness
23:00 – Reconnecting with hunger and satiety cues
27:30 – What GLP-1 medications are and how they affect satiety
32:00 – The dangers of promoting GLP-1s as binge eating “solutions”
38:00 – Media influence, weight stigma & fear of weight gain

Resources & Links:

Marcelle's Book (The Binge Freedom Method™)
Marcelle's Instagram
Facebook page
The Food Freedom Collective
Marcelle's Website
Marcelle's Linkedin

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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This week on the Full of Beans podcast, Han is joined by Brea Cannady. Brea is the founder of PREPÆRE™, a platform focused on integrating mental health safeguards into cosmetic care. Her work challenges the aesthetic industry to take emotional wellbeing seriously by creating tools and resources that support patients before treatment ever begins.

Through PREPÆRE™, she advocates for better standards, safer conversations, and responsible care pathways that protect both patients and practitioners. Her mission is rooted in lived experience, deep research, and a refusal to accept the status quo.

Together, we explore:

What Body Dysmorphic Disorder really is
The risks of using surgery as a solution to psychological distress
Why cosmetic procedures can worsen BDD symptoms
Healthy vs. harmful motivations for aesthetic treatments
How Prepaere empowers both clients and clinics for safe comestic treatments
The need for psychological safety and better regulation in aesthetic medicine

Timestamps:

00:34 – Brea's personal experience with BDD
03:18 – Brea's experience of cosmetic surgery
10:05 – Misconceptions about BDD & body image
14:30 – Can surgery ever be the solution?
19:35 – Addiction to appearance-based control
24:22 – When “self-care” becomes reliance
31:00 – What should be the clinician’s role?
35:40 – Introducing the Prepaere tool

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of body dysmorphic disorders, eating disorders and cosmetic surgery.

Resources & Links:

Email: info@prepaere.com
PREPÆRE™ Instagram
Brea's LinkedIn
PREPÆRE™ Website

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr. Stephen Linacre. Stephen is a Principal Clinical Psychologist in the NHS with extensive experience supporting individuals with eating disorders and neurodiversity. He’s published research, contributed to books, and chairs the trustee board of Freed Beaches, a Nottingham-based charity supporting people with eating disorders.

Having lived through an eating disorder himself, Stephen brings a powerful dual perspective to his clinical work and advocacy, particularly in raising awareness for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).

This week, we discuss:

Stephen’s lived experience of anorexia nervosa
Navigating eating disorder recovery alongside Type 1 diabetes and cerebral palsy
How his personal eating disorder experience shaped his career in clinical psychology
Introduction to ARFID and the lack of recognition in services
Key differences between ARFID and anorexia
The role of neurodiversity and sensory sensitivities in ARFID
Why misdiagnoses like “fussy eating” are harmful
Practical advice for clinicians, parents, and carers supporting someone with ARFID

Timestamps:

01:42 – Stephen's personal experience of anorexia as a teenage boy
05:51 – Living with Type 1 diabetes and cerebral palsy
12:00 – Stigma, recovery, and men with EDs
16:40 – Introducing ARFID and why services fall short
18:28 – ARFID vs. anorexia: why standard treatment may be harmful
22:05 – Autism, sensory issues, and ARFID overlaps
24:00 – Challenges with diagnosis, language, and access to care
27:00 – Advice for parents, carers, and clinicians

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of anorexia, ARFID, chronic illness, and recovery. Please listen with care.

Resources & Links:

ARFID & Autism research paper
Birth complications & eating disorders research paper
Peace pathway (Autism & eating disorder resources)
ARFID Awareness UK

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

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This week, Han is joined by Zoe Hazel, a mental health advocate, campaigner, and public speaker with lived experience of binge eating disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Zoe has shared her story at the Dump the Scales Summit & March, spoken in Parliament to push for Mental Health Act reform, and sits on the Rethink Mental Illness Lived Experience Advisory Board.

In this candid conversation, Zoe opens up about her journey with binge eating disorder, the lack of treatment available, and why we need to change the conversation and care pathways for people living with BED. We also discuss stigma, self-compassion in recovery, and what helps when support is hard to find.

This week, we discuss:

Zoe’s early experiences of binge eating disorder
The role of secrecy and shame reinforced her cycle of restriction and binge
Zoe's reality of BED stigmas that exist
The links between BED, bipolar disorder, and emotional regulation
The reality of navigating BED without treatment or local services
Why weight stigma in healthcare perpetuates harm
Practical strategies Zoe uses to interrupt urges to binge

Timestamps:

3:07 – Zoe’s early experiences with binge eating disorder
8:05 – Injury, mobility changes, and stigma in healthcare
14:55 – Control, addiction, and the emotional cycle of BED
20:07 – The absence of treatment services for BED
26:36 – What treatment should look like for BED
31:06 – Shame, secrecy, and the importance of talking about BED
33:50 – Zoe’s practical coping tools

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of binge eating disorder, restriction and bipolar disorder.

Resources & Links:

Connect with Zoe via Instagram

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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This week, we're joined by Dr. Anna Colton, a clinical psychologist and eating disorder specialist passionate about helping families to prevent passing on food and body image struggles to the next generation. She's the author of How to Talk to Children About Food, recently featured in The Times and ITV’s This Morning.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating parenting, recovery, or both to learn how we can break the cycle of disordered eating by fostering healthier food narratives for the next generation.

Whether you're in recovery or supporting someone who is, this conversation is a powerful reminder that healing is possible and essential when raising children.

Key Takeaways:

How childhood messaging about food and body image influences long-term beliefs
Supporting recovery as a parent while protecting your children from harmful narratives
Why the “good vs. bad food” binary causes harm, especially in schools
How to navigate food talk with children if you're struggling yourself
How to create age-appropriate, inclusive, and curious conversations about nutrition
The reality of recovery: why motivation doesn’t always start with self
The cultural pressure of “clean eating,” GLP-1 medications, and the impact on children

Timestamps:

02:00 – The story behind Anna's book
05:30 – Where food beliefs begin in childhood
11:10 – The harms of diet culture in schools
17:20 – Healing when you’re still struggling yourself
23:00 – Recovery as a form of parenting
30:00 – Why disordered eating is often overlooked
33:40 – The danger of unregulated weight loss meds

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of eating disorders, disordered eating, and weight loss medication, which may be triggering for some listeners.

Resources & Links:

Book: How to Talk to Children About Food Book
Connect with Anna via: Website | Instagram

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here
Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here
Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Orlagh Reid. Orlagh is a qualified coach, accredited counsellor and psychotherapist with over 20 years' experience in complementary health, psychology and coaching. Orla specialises in women’s health, alcohol freedom, and clinical sexology.

Orlagh joins Han to discuss the often-overlooked relationship between alcohol use disorder and disordered eating, exploring the complexities and shared behaviours between the two.

This week, we discuss:

How alcohol is often used to self-soothe or replace food
The cultural normalisation of alcohol and how it affects recovery
The similarities between eating disorder and alcohol recovery journeys
How neurodivergence and menopause in alcohol misuse
The shift toward alcohol freedom, and what that truly means
The importance of curiosity and awareness in your relationship with alcohol and food

Timestamps:

01:00 – The culture of alcohol in Ireland
05:00 – How alcohol became part of Orlagh's work
08:30 – The all-or-nothing mindset in both EDs and alcohol use
13:40 – Neurodivergence, diet neglect, and alcohol patterns
20:00 – Social pressures and the reward cycle
26:00 – Alcohol and menopause
32:00 – Orthorexia, wellness extremes & personal reflection

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, alcohol use disorder, and disordered eating. Please check in with yourself before listening. Support is available via charities such as Beat and First Steps.

Resources & Links:

Orlagh's website

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of eating disorders, alcohol use disorder, and disordered eating.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Kate Moryoussef – host of the award-winning ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast, ADHD lifestyle and wellbeing coach, EFT practitioner, and newly published author of The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit.

Kate shares her personal journey of receiving an ADHD diagnosis at 40, how it interlinked with her daughter’s diagnosis, and the ripple effects of awareness that changed both their lives. We dive into:

Key Takeaways:

The emotional impact of late ADHD diagnosis
Why masking, self-criticism, and burnout are common in neurodivergent women
The nuanced connection between ADHD and disordered eating
Emotional regulation, perfectionism, and self-soothing behaviours
The role of screening and neurodivergent-informed support in eating disorder treatment
How ADHD affects women uniquely across the lifespan, including hormonal health
Kate’s holistic wellbeing tools for managing ADHD

Timestamps:

00:47 – Kate's journey to diagnosis & supporting her daughter
04:00 – ADHD traits in women & the power of community
10:00 – Masking, friendships & self-acceptance
17:00 – Disordered eating & ADHD: what Kate has learned from hosting the podcast
25:00 – Why neurodiversity should be at the forefront of healthcare
35:00 – The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit: who it's for & how it helps
43:00 – Holistic, neuroaffirming support tools

Resources & Links:

Kate's website
The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit (available from 17 July)
Kate on Instagram: @adhd_womenswellbeing

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of disordered eating, ADHD, and trauma.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this deeply moving episode, Han is joined by Lesley and Neal Davison. In 2017, their 27-year-old daughter, Megan, took her own life as a result of a long struggle with T1DE, a deadly combination of food and insulin restriction.

Since her death, Lesley and Neal have campaigned on all platforms to raise awareness of this condition and successfully carried out a legal challenge to the outcome of her original inquest.

This episode highlights the urgent need for integrated care and the systemic reforms they’re now fighting for.

Key Takeaways:

What is T1DE (type 1 diabetes with disordered eating), and why is it often misunderstood?
Megan’s lived experience: from early signs to repeated hospital admissions
How the lack of joined-up care between diabetes and ED services became fatal
The legal inquest that exposed failures, and the changes they’re advocating for
How to support those at risk, as a professional or loved one

Timestamps:

08:30 – Megan’s T1D diagnosis & early challenges

16:10 – Onset of disordered eating & insulin restriction

25:00 – Hospitalisation, distress & gaps in care

34:15 – The inquest and campaigning for change

42:00 – Supporting others: advice for parents and clinicians

52:40 – What integrated care should look like

Trigger Warning:This episode includes discussion of suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, and the loss of a loved one.

Resources:

The Megan Sugar Davison Story
Inquest coverage in the BBC
BEAT Eating Disorders – Diabulimia Info
Diabetes UK – Mental Health Support

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this episode of the Full of Beans Podcast, Han is joined by Rose, who shares her deeply personal story of struggling with an eating disorder while living with undiagnosed autism and ADHD.

Key Takeaways:

How masking neurodivergent traits can contribute to emotional distress
The role of eating disorders as a “comfort blanket” and coping strategy
Challenges with misdiagnosis, especially around Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, Autism and ADHD in women
Why many neurodivergent individuals are dismissed in healthcare settings
The power of finding safe, affirming relationships
Practical advice for clinicians supporting neurodivergent individuals

Timestamps:

01:50 – How autism and ADHD shaped Rose's eating disorder experience
08:00 – The emotional regulation of restriction
14:00 – School trauma and perfectionism
21:00 – Misunderstandings in the healthcare system
30:00 – Navigating friendships post-diagnosis
36:00 – Rose's message for healthcare professionals

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of eating disorders, self-harm, and mental health trauma.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

Read our latest blog here

Further Resources: First Steps ED

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this episode of the Full of Beans Podcast, Han is joined by Sarah Elder, a registered eating disorder dietitian and advanced clinical practitioner, to explore the real role of dietitians in eating disorder recovery.

Together, we unpack what it means to offer trauma-informed, compassionate, and culturally appropriate nutritional care, far beyond simply providing meal plans. Sarah also shares her mission to make ED nutrition education more accessible and effective for all professionals working in the field.

Key Takeaways:

Why eating disorder dietitians do so much more than write meal plans
The difference between nutrition education and psychoeducation
What trauma-informed nutritional care looks like in practice
The impact of GI issues in recovery and how dietitians can help
Why collaborative, values-based support is essential for long-term healing
The importance of cultural and personal context in meal planning
Why Sarah believes “real food” must reflect real people’s lives

Timestamps:

04:30 – Why trauma-informed, accessible ED nutrition training matters

08:00 – Psychoeducation vs. nutrition education in recovery

13:00 – GI issues during recovery & how to approach them

16:45 – What trauma-informed care means in practice

23:40 – Challenges of restrictive diets & misunderstood advice

27:00 – Collaborating with therapy & OT teams in care

29:00 – Dismantling the fear of seeing a dietitian 3

2:10 – Standard meal plans vs. individualised support

36:30 – Cultural food practices and integration in recovery

Trigger warning: This episode discusses eating disorders and gastrointestinal distress.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

Connect with Sarah:

Sarah's Website
Sarah's Instagram (@saraheldernutrition)

Read our latest blog here

Further Resources: First Steps ED

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Daniel Magson, CEO of First Steps ED. Daniel shares his lived experience with bulimia, including how he was dismissed by a GP at 17, told that “boys don’t get eating disorders,” and left to struggle in silence.

Years later, Daniel is using his experience to lead national change, proving how lived experience can shape more compassionate, accessible, and person-led support.

What we cover:

Bulimia stigma and being invalidated by doctors
Living in secrecy and the impact of shame
Sexuality and its intersection with eating disorder experiences
Inner child work and the power of therapy in healing
Daniel’s role as CEO and the mission of First Steps ED
The importance of storytelling and peer-led support

Timestamps:

05:30 – Living with bulimia as a teenage boy

12:00 – Being dismissed by a GP and hiding in secrecy

20:00 – Shame, identity, and the impact of silence

30:00 – Recovery, therapy, and connecting with his inner child

34:00 – First Steps ED and why lived experience matters

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of bulimia, healthcare dismissal, and identity-related stigma. Please listen with care.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

Connect with Daniel:

First Steps ED Website
First Steps ED Instagram
Daniel's Linkedin

Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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This week on the Full of Beans podcast, I’m joined by James Hitchin, therapist and founder of the Wellbeing and Recovery Collective, for an open and grounding conversation about navigating addiction, eating disorder recovery, and the stigma that so often surrounds both.

James shares his lived experience with disordered eating and substance use—and how his journey through recovery shaped his work supporting others. Together, we explore how shame, silence, and societal expectations can create barriers to seeking help, especially when experiences don’t fit the stereotypes.

This episode was recorded during Men’s Mental Health Week, but the conversation is relevant all year round.

Key Takeaways:

James' personal experience of addiction, binge eating disorder and excessive exercise
The similarities and differences between addiction and eating disorders, and how they can intertwine
The impact of stigma, silence & societal expectations on men
The role of support groups in recovery
The role of masculinity and gym culture in disordered eating
How James uses his lived experience to support others in recovery
Why inclusivity and accessibility matter in recovery spaces

Timestamps:

06:00 – James’ journey through addiction and ED recovery
12:00 – Masculinity, stigma & opening up
20:00 – Gym culture, control & body image
27:00 – Lived experience in therapy work

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of eating disorders, addiction, and mental health challenges. Please listen with care.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

Connect with Sarah:

The Wellbeing and Recovery Collective Website
The Wellbeing and Recovery Collective Instagram (@twrcollective)
James' Linkedin

Read our latest blog here

Further Resources: First Steps ED

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this powerful episode of the Full of Beans Podcast, Han is joined by Jodie Goodacre, a mental health campaigner and passionate eating disorder advocate. Jodie bravely shares her lived experience of anorexia, CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), autism, and ADHD — highlighting how systemic gaps in care left her unsupported and unheard.

As we prepare for the 3rd annual #DumpTheScales March on June 21st, 2025, Jodie’s story offers a vital look into why this campaign, and collective action, is so important.

Key Takeaways:

How Jodie’s eating disorder developed and went unrecognised due to weight stigma
The impact of chronic illness and neurodivergence on her mental health
Harmful treatment experiences and medical trauma within inpatient services
The challenges of being dismissed as “not sick enough” because of BMI
Why Jodie channels her pain into advocacy — and how she's helping drive change
What to expect at the 2025 #DumpTheScales March

Timestamps:

04:50 – Early signs of disordered eating and stigma in sport
14:00 – The fallout of being dismissed due to weight
20:00 – Complex mental health needs and disjointed care
32:00 – Inpatient experience and the toll of institutional trauma
46:00 – Recovery, therapy, and fighting for a better system
51:00 – What #DumpTheScales means and why we march

Trigger Warning:

This episode contains discussion of eating disorders, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, self-harm, and traumatic treatment experiences. Please take care when listening.

Join Us at the #DumpTheScales March:

Location: Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square, London
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Timings: Speeches at 10:00 AM | March at 11:00 AM | Final speeches at 11:45 AM

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

Connect with Sarah:

Dump the Scales Website
Dump the Scales Instagram (@dump_the_scales)

Read our latest blog here

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

For more information or to sign up, click here.

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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In this week’s episode of the Full of Beans Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Dr. Amy Harrison, Clinical Psychologist, Associate Professor at UCL, and Clinical Lead at Altum Health. With over 13 years of experience across inpatient, day, and outpatient settings, Amy brings a wealth of expertise and warmth to her work supporting young people with eating disorders.

Together, we take a deep dive into Family-Based Treatment (FBT), a powerful, evidence-based approach designed to help children and adolescents recover in the community with the support of their families.

Key Takeaways

What Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is and how it works
Who FBT is designed for and how it supports younger individuals
The structure and goals of FBT across different stages of treatment
Why involving someone's family as support is central to recovery
Debunking myths: FBT does not blame parents
Challenges of FBT and how to navigate resistance and emotional distress
How clinicians can get trained in FBT (including Amy’s upcoming training with Altum Health)

Timestamps:

06:30 – What is Family-Based Treatment (FBT)?
10:15 – Who FBT is suitable for (and who it may not fit)
13:50 – Reintegrating autonomy after initial food support
17:30 – Looking beyond food: feelings, systems & communication
22:40 – Common challenges families and clinicians face
27:20 – Advice for clinicians seeking FBT training
30:00 – The power of collaboration in recovery

Trigger warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, suicidal ideation and assisted dying.

Connect with Us:

Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

Connect with Amy and Altum Health:

Amy's LinkedIn
Altum Health on LinkedIn
Altum Health on Instagram

Read our latest blog here

Further Resources: First Steps ED

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛

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This week’s Full of Beans episode tackles one of the most critical (and controversial) topics in eating disorder care: are eating disorders really untreatable, or are we simply using the wrong tools?

We’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Anita Federici, clinical psychologist and international DBT trainer. Dr. Federici has worked with those considered “treatment-resistant” and asks an important question: is it the person who’s resistant, or is the system failing to meet their needs?

Key Takeaways

The limitations of traditional CBT models in eating disorder care
The importance of DBT's acceptance-based approach
The importance of understanding trauma, neurodivergence & emotional dysregulation in recovery
The reality of two contradictions existing: I want to recover AND I need to engage in my eating disorder.
The danger of labels like "terminal anorexia" and "severe and enduring"
Why the system may be treatment resistant, not the individual
The vital role of clinicians in holding hope for their patients
The ethical dilemma of the assisted dying bill

Timestamps:

04:50 – DBT vs CBT in eating disorder treatment
16:10 – Treatment-resistant or treatment-mismatched?
24:30 – The assisted dying bill: ethical concerns
33:00 – Who gets labelled “terminal” and why?
42:00 – Why hope isn’t optional, it’s essential

Trigger warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, suicidal ideation and assisted dying.

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

💬 Connect with Anita on Instagram (@dranitafederici), Linkedin (dr-anita-federici-phd) or visit her website (The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation).

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Further Resources: First Steps ED

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

✨ Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who might need it! ✨✨ If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

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In this week’s episode, Han is rejoined by Priya Tew, an award-winning, experienced registered eating disorder dietitian who works with clients to enjoy life free of anxiety around food and their body.

Priya has worked extensively within the NHS and private hospitals, supporting individuals both 1-1 and in outpatient settings. Now in private practice, she offers tailored 1-1 support and group sessions through her Recovery Tribe, helping people navigate and achieve lasting eating disorder recovery.

Together, we explore the often-overlooked topic of eating disorders in midlife, the rise of disordered eating among women at this life stage, and why it’s never too late to recover.

Key Takeaways

Eating disorders in midlife and why they're often misunderstood.
The impact of life transitions, identity shifts, and menopause on body image.
How diet culture targets midlife women and fuels disordered eating
The importance of stripping nutrition back to basics: simple, realistic, and balanced.
Finding joy in life’s little moments and building authentic community connections
Why recovery is always possible; whether you’re 25 or 75.

Timestamps

05:00 – Why do eating disorders occur in midlife.
14:00 – How do menopause and body changes impact mental health?
24:00 – The impact of diet culture on midlife women.
34:00 – The power of community and connection in recovery
42:00 – It's never too late to recover

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, body image struggles, and mental health topics that may be triggering for some listeners. Please take care while tuning in.

Connect with Priya:

Instagram: @priya_tew
Website: dietitianuk.co.uk

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

💬 Connect with Sophie on LinkedIn here

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Further Resources: First Steps ED

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

✨ Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who might need it! ✨✨ If you loved this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might benefit!

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Sophie Temple. Sophie is a final-year Doctoral Researcher specialising in eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image (including body dissatisfaction and body appreciation) during the menopausal transition. My research focuses on how menopausal quality of life impacts these factors, utilising both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

We discuss:

Sophie PhD research on body image, disordered eating, and menopause.
The surprising gap in eating disorder research in midlife.
How menopause impacts women’s confidence, identity at work and hormones.
Body dissatisfaction, weight gain and the role of HRT and diet culture.
How to develop stronger body appreciation through movement and community.
Navigating menopause as a chance to reclaim autonomy and joy.
The impact of growing up with diet culture in previous generations.
Sophie's vision for more accessible, positive menopause support.
How self-awareness, connection, and authenticity can buffer difficult transitions.

Timestamps:

⏱️ [03:20] Exploring Why Menopause is Under-Researched

⏱️ [06:00] The impact of hormones, hot flushes & workplace stigma

⏱️ [09:00] The link between hormones and disordered eating

⏱️ [12:00] The role of hormones in body shape change

⏱️ [14:45] The impact of diet culture and fear of weight gain in menopause

⏱️ [19:00] The benefits of body appreciation in menopause

⏱️ [23:40] The power of redefining your identity during menopause

⏱️ [26:00] The development of body image perspectives between generations

⏱️ [33:10] Advice for women approaching menopause

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses disordered eating, body image dissatisfaction and menopausal symptoms.

Resources: First Steps ED

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

💬 Connect with Sophie on LinkedIn here

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

✨ Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who might need it! ✨

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In this week’s episode of Full of Beans, Hannah is joined by Jessica Murphy, a writer, yoga practitioner, and university lecturer, who shares her story of living with anorexia and bulimia for nearly 30 years.

From teenage onset to navigating adult eating disorders, Jessica reflects on the long-term impact of disordered eating, her recovery journey, and what it means to reclaim joy, connection, and identity.

This week, we discuss:

How eating disorders often go unnoticed in adults and why “looking healthy” doesn’t mean being well.
The impact of long-term behaviours, relapses, and the internal struggle that continues even in a “recovered” body.
Why Jessica doesn’t use the word “recovered” and how recovery is a daily choice, not a destination.
The things we miss when engrossed in an eating disorder and the impact it has on those around us.
Navigating delayed puberty, body changes, and reclaiming her identity as a woman in later life.
Why “one day at a time” matters, and how building new coping tools is key to healing.

Timestamps:

⏱️ 03:15 – The onset of anorexia and bulimia during Jessica's teens

⏱️ 07:50 – Adult eating disorders & invisibility

⏱️ 14:10 – Living with bulimia and anorexia for decades

⏱️ 22:45 – What recovery looks like for Jessica Recovery isn’t linear

⏱️ 26:20 – Grief and impact of an eating disorder on friendships, opportunities, and milestones

⏱️ 30:30 – Discovering womanhood after an ED

⏱️ 36:00 – Advice for long-term recovery

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorder behaviours, hospitalisation, and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care.

Resources: First Steps ED

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

💬 Connect with Jessica on Instagram (@djcats).

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

✨ Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who might need it! ✨

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Aidan Custy, a registered dietitian and sports nutritionist with a background in CAMHS eating disorders. Aidan combines his expertise in eating disorder recovery and sports performance to support athletes in fueling their bodies without falling into restrictive patterns.

Key Takeaways:

The pressures on athletes to look or perform a certain way.
How disordered eating can develop within sports culture.
What Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) is and its impact.
Signs & symptoms of under-fueling, including changes in performance, menstrual cycles, and immunity.
The pyramid of things worth worrying about when it comes to nutrition.
The importance of finding balance between optimal performance and mental wellbeing.
Challenging myths around body shape, food, and athletic success.

Timestamps:

[05:15] Why athletes are at higher risk of disordered eating and the pressures they face.

[14:00] Understanding RED-S: What it is, who it affects, and how it shows up in athletes.

[22:50] Common signs of under-fueling and its impact on hormones, bone density, and performance.

[31:40] The pyramid of sports nutrition: what matters most for fueling.

[39:20] Why overtraining and under-fueling are often normalised in sports culture.

[44:00] How eating enough is more important than perfect nutrition for performance.

[50:00] The social impact of sports culture and detaching identity from training.

TW: This episode discusses binge discusses eating disorders, disordered eating in athletes, and body image challenges. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know needs support, contact a trusted professional or helpline.

Connect with Aidan: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

Need Support? If you relate to some of the symptoms Aidan mentioned and want to know what to do next, we recommend reaching out to your GP or connecting with eating disorder dietitians such as Aidan, Renee McGregor or Elle Kelly for further support.

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

✨ Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who might need it! ✨

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In this powerful and insightful episode, I sit down with DJ, a peer support worker with lived experience of binge eating disorder (BED), ADHD, and addiction. Now in recovery and sober for five years, DJ shares his journey through mental distress, addiction, and ultimately finding purpose in supporting others. We explore the complexities of diagnoses, the overlap between ADHD and addiction, and the invaluable role of peer support in eating disorder treatment.

Key Takeaways:

The intersection between ADHD, addiction, and binge eating disorder.
How peer support bridges the gap between patients and clinicians.
The importance of challenging internalized weight stigma in recovery.
The role of community and connection in sustainable healing.
Why recovery isn’t about perfection but about building a fulfilling life.

Timestamps:

[01:42] – DJ’s background and role as a peer support worker

[03:35] – Understanding peer support and its role in eating disorder recovery

[08:04] – DJ’s lived experience with BED and ADHD

[14:06] – The pros and cons of diagnoses and their impact on identity

[21:18] – ADHD, impulse control, and the connection to addiction

[25:45] – DJ’s path to sobriety and overcoming addiction

[30:04] – Navigating body image challenges in recovery

[35:50] – The role of peer support in multidisciplinary treatment teams

[40:30] – How lived experience enhances eating disorder treatment

[44:10] – Advice for integrating peer support into healthcare settings

Connect with DJ: Lois Bridges Eating Disorder Centre (Dublin) (@loisbridgesdublin)

TW: This episode discusses binge eating disorder, ADHD, substance use and other mental health issues. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know needs support, contact a trusted professional or helpline.

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

✨ Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who might need it! ✨

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Paola Falkoski, an advanced specialist eating disorder dietitian and somatic experience therapist. Paola specialises in Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and provides a clinician’s perspective on what ARFID is, how it differs from other eating disorders, and the best approaches for treatment. Together, Han and Paola explore common misunderstandings, the connection between ARFID and autism, and how clinicians and families can support individuals with ARFID effectively.

Key Topics Discussed:

Understanding ARFID, how it differs from picky eating and why it is a serious eating disorder.
How dietitians help individuals with ARFID manage nutritional deficiencies and expand food choices.
Breaking down myths, misconceptions and stigmas about ARFID and why awareness is essential.
Exploring the overlap and clarifying why not all individuals with ARFID are autistic.
The importance of tailored approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all method.
=Addressing what progress and success mean for someone with ARFID.

Timestamps:

[06:31] - What ARFID is and how it differs from picky eating
[12:45] - The role of a dietitian in ARFID treatment
[17:20] - Common misconceptions and stigma around ARFID
[23:10] - The connection between ARFID and autism
[30:45] - Why treatment should be individualized and adapted
[40:10] - What recovery from ARFID looks like
[46:00] - Where to find Paola online and closing thoughts

Connect with Paola by visiting her website.

Resources & Links:

ARFID Awareness UK
BEAT
Be Body Positive
North Cumbria ARFID Patient and Carer Resource
British Dietetic Association ARFID Position Statement

TW:

This episode discusses eating disorders, ARFID, and food-related anxieties. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know needs support, contact a trusted professional or helpline.

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr. Kai Thomas to mark Trans Day of Visibility. Kai is a postdoctoral researcher at Cardiff University and the lead investigator of the LEADING Study, which explores eating disorders in neurodivergent and gender-diverse individuals.

Key Topics Discussed:

Kai’s personal experience of anorexia and realising they were trans during recovery
Factors such as gender dysphoria which can trigger eating disorders in trans folks
How gatekeeping and BMI restrictions in gender-affirming care can fuel disordered eating
The aims of the LEADING Study and the importance of co-producing research with lived experience
What clinicians need to better support trans and gender-diverse individuals
The need for individualised, inclusive care and better clinical training

⏱️ Timestamps:

[03:00] – Kai’s lived experience of anorexia and being trans
[15:20] – Introduction to the LEADING Study and its aims
[19:00] – Gender diversity, neurodivergence, and overlapping experiences
[23:16] – Misconceptions: “Being trans causes eating disorders”
[26:00] – Barriers to accessing gender-affirming care care
[33:00] – What Kai hopes the research will change in healthcare
[35:00] – Why clinicians need training and confidence to support trans people

The LEADING Study is looking to hear from trans, gender diverse, and nonbinary people to understand the links between gender diversity, neurodivergence and eating disorders.

We are looking for people who are…

Aged 18+ years,
Currently based in the UK and fluent in English,
Trans, gender diverse, and/or non-binary,
And have lived experience of an eating disorder (current or historical) - diagnosis not required to take part.

Email: LEADING_Study@cardiff.ac.uk | ThomasK30@cardiff.ac.uk

Socials: Linktree | Kai's LinkedIn | Kai's Research Profile

TW: This episode discusses eating disorders, gender dysphoria, disordered eating behaviours, and barriers to gender-affirming care. Please listen with care and seek support if needed.

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

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This week, I’m joined by Bayada Mohamed Osman, a Sudanese-American advocate, public health professional, and poet with roots in the DMV. Bayada shares her journey navigating eating disorder recovery, the impact of culture and religion, and her advocacy for marginalised communities, including her work supporting Sudan during its ongoing crisis.

Key takeaways:

Public health & advocacy: How Bayadir's background shaped her understanding of mental health
Culture & eating disorders: The intersection of culture, religion, and disordered eating in Sudanese & Muslim communities
Resonating with diagnosis: Why eating disorders don’t fit one mold & how they manifest differently
Control, trauma & survivor’s guilt: How these factors play a role in disordered eating patterns
Ramadan & recovery: Navigating fasting while prioritizing health
Community & healing: Why connection, advocacy, and self-compassion are key in the recovery journey

Timestamps:

[00:34] – Bayadir’s background in public health and advocacy

[05:50] – Being diagnosed with ARFID & eating disorder unspecified

[15:30] – Cultural stigma around eating disorders & mental health

[24:10] – Survivor’s guilt, food security & balancing advocacy

[38:00] – How Bayadir shifted her mindset towards recovery

[44:50] – The role of religion in healing & navigating Ramadan

TW: This episode discusses eating disorders, famine, and war. Please listen with care. If you or someone you know needs support, contact a trusted professional or helpline.

Connect with Bayada:

📲 Instagram: @yourbaya | @bridges.co

🌐 Website: yourbaya | bridges.co

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

✨ Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who might need it! ✨

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Fiona Hollings (Fi), an autistic advocate who has nearly recovered from anorexia. Fi shares her journey of navigating an eating disorder while being undiagnosed autistic, the challenges of treatment that wasn't tailored to neurodivergent needs, and how understanding her autism helped her move toward recovery. Together, Han and Fi explore the crucial overlap between autism and eating disorders and discuss how treatment can be adapted to better support autistic individuals.

Key Topics Discussed:

Understanding the Autism-Anorexia Connection: Exploring why autistic individuals may be more susceptible to developing eating disorders.
Challenges in Traditional Treatment: Why standard eating disorder treatment often fails autistic individuals and what needs to change.
The Role of Routine and Sensory Considerations: How structure and sensory adaptations can make recovery more manageable.
Managing Autism to Aid Recovery: How embracing autistic traits can support a sustainable recovery from an eating disorder.
The Peace Pathway Approach: How this initiative is revolutionizing eating disorder treatment for autistic individuals.
Taking Action: How listeners can advocate for better treatment adaptations and find support resources.

Timestamps:

[03:36] - Fi introduces herself and her journey
[09:33] - The struggles of being autistic in traditional eating disorder treatment
[16:12] - The impact of an autism diagnosis on recovery
[24:01] - Practical strategies for recovery while being autistic
[35:56] - Understanding the Peace Pathway and its role in improving care
[42:30] - The importance of individualized treatment for eating disorders
[46:02] - Where to find Fi online and closing thoughts

Resources & Links:

The Peace Pathway
Follow Fi on Instagram (@finding_fi_)
Connect with Fi on LinkedIn

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders and neurodiversity. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know needs support, reach out to a trusted professional or helpline.

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

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In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Chelsea Roff returns to the podcast to discuss the Assisted Dying Bill before Parliament and its potential implications for individuals with eating disorders.

Chelsea shares insights from her research, highlighting the concerning gaps in safeguarding and the risk of eating disorder patients qualifying as "terminally ill."

We explore the ethical, medical, and policy challenges surrounding assisted dying, the importance of proper treatment access, and why public awareness and advocacy are crucial.

Key Topics Discussed:

Understanding the Assisted Dying Bill: A breakdown of what the bill proposes and who it applies to.
Eating Disorders and Assisted Death: Why individuals with eating disorders may be at risk of qualifying under this bill.
The Capacity Debate: The complexities of assessing capacity in patients with severe anorexia and the lack of safeguards.
The Role of the NHS: Why improvements in eating disorder treatment services should be a priority over expanding assisted dying laws.
Legislative Concerns: Why individual cases should not drive national legislation and the risks of setting a dangerous precedent.
Action Steps: How listeners can get involved, contact MPs, and push for necessary amendments to safeguard vulnerable individuals.

Timestamps:

[02:52] Chelsea returns to the podcast – reflecting on the past year.

[09:00] What is the Assisted Dying Bill? Key details and potential implications.

[18:20] "Terminal anorexia" – breaking down the terminology and its impact.

[26:40] The complexity of assessing capacity in eating disorder patients.

[35:10] The role of the NHS in supporting patients before reaching crisis.

[44:00] What amendments have been proposed, and why were they rejected?

[51:00] How you can take action to protect vulnerable individuals.

Resources & Further Reading:

Read the full bill here
Read the letter to MPs about the billhere
Read Chelsea’s Research on Assisted Dying & Eating Disordershere
Write to Your MP: use the template here

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders, assisted dying, and suicide prevention. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know needs support, reach out to a trusted professional or helpline.

Connect with Us:

🎙️ Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast here

📲 Follow Full of Beans on Instagram here

✍🏻 Read our latest blog here

Thank you for listening and being part of this important conversation!

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Georgia Spence. Georgia is an Associate Nutritionist registered with the Association for Nutrition, and specialises in women’s health. Georgia works 1 day a week for her Nutrition Business (Georgia Spence Nutrition) and works 4 days in the NHS. Georgia has been working with patients 1:1 over the last 3 years and aims to empower women's health through nourishment and balance; using evidence-based methods designed to create long-lasting positive results in a calm and supportive environment.

This week, we discuss:

The impact of nutritional misinformation, in particular involving women's health.
The truth behind painful periods and when to seek help.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and what symptoms may women experience.
The impact that PCOS can have on fertility.
The link between eating disorders and PCOS.
The impact of weight loss recommendations on PCOS support.
Supportive approaches to navigating PCOS without restrictive eating.
Holistic approaches to nutrition and exercise to find joy in movement and self-care.

To learn more about Georgia, you can visit her website or follow her on Instagram (@gspence_nutrition).

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to contact your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Michelle Jacques. Michelle is a devoted mum of two who has lived with ARFID since her son started weaning. Through her own experience of supporting her son with ARFID, she has become a passionate advocate, working tirelessly to raise awareness and support others navigating life with this complex food intake disorder.

ARFID is often misunderstood, yet its impact extends far beyond the dinner plates. It shapes daily life, family dynamics, and emotional wellbeing. Michelle’s journey sheds light on the challenges children and their families face, offering insight, understanding, and hope to those struggling in silence.

This week, we discuss:

Michelle’s personal experience of supporting her son with ARFID.
The challenges Michelle has faced in getting an ARFID diagnosis for her son.
The role of connection and support from other parents supporting children with ARFID.
The challenge of facing fear foods for Michelle’s son.
Navigating the social aspects of food with ARFID.
The importance of recognising small wins and not just focusing on food in ARFID recovery.
The impact on family life and dynamics when navigating ARFID.
The reality of ARFID recovery and the importance focuses.

To learn more about Michelle, you can follow her on Instagram @arfid_life_uk, or follow Michelle's new podcast @3mums1missionarfid/,

Please note that this podcast explores topics (including eating disorders including ARFID) that some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to contact your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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Eleanor is a Psychology student and Lived Experience Professional working as a Peer Support Worker on a CAMHS ward and a Patient Representative for the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Eleanor is passionate about using her lived experience of neurodivergence, mental illness and iatrogenic harm to improve service development and provision, particularly concerning the use of restrictive practice and ‘positive risk-taking’ on psychiatric wards.

Eleanor's journey through mental illness.
Understanding the difference between mental health and mental illness.
The impact of misdiagnosis - in Eleanor's case, Autism and ADHD, which were misdiagnosed as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).
The role of neurodiversity in Eleanor's experience.
Navigating mental health practices including restrictive practice and positive risk-taking and how this needs to be managed to avoid neglect.
Eleanor's reflections on her care and how this impacted her recovery.
The importance of healthcare professionals understanding the difference between their own and their illnesses' voices.
The current challenges in mental health care including limited resources, funding, staff numbers and education.
The role of lived experience and co-production in mental health care improvements.

To learn more about Eleanor, you can follow Eleanor on Twitter (@goodmorningels) or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Please note that this podcast explores topics (including eating disorders, self-harm and restrictive practice) that some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to contact your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Julie White. Julie is a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Neurodiversity Coach, and peer support facilitator, raising awareness of mental health and neurodiversity.

Diagnosed with ADHD in her 40s, she reflects with ‘kindsight’ on her own challenges with executive functioning and disordered eating.

With both personal and professional experience, she supports individuals and organisations in fostering inclusive environments. Julie also recognises and navigates ARFID and disordered eating in her partner, offering compassionate support and understanding.

This week, we discuss:

Julie's experience of supporting a loved one with ARFID.
The role of neurodiversity in Julie's experience of disordered eating.
The signs of symptoms of ARFID Julie recognises in her partner.
The impact of ARFID on her relationship.
The misconceptions associated with ARFID Julie has faced.
The importance of communication in navigating food challenges with ARFID.
Educating others on ARFID with compassionate curiosity.
The role of self compassion and kindsight when supporting a loved one with ARFID.

To learn more about Julie, you can visit her website or follow connect with her on LinkedIn.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to contact your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Bethany Ashley Smith. Bethany is a psychotherapist who is on a to help people feel more confident and independent in their healing journey. Bethany has spent 20 years combining her own lived experiences, working as a mental health nurse and her professional expertise in trauma, addiction, ADHD, and relationships. As a neurodiverse, mixed-race woman who’s walked her own recovery path, Bethany brings empathy and understanding to her work.

This week, we discuss:

The similarities and differences between eating disorders and addiction.
The impact of eating disorders on sexuality.
How eating disorders impact relationships and intimacy,
The role of education in sexual health and healthy intimacy.
Changes in sexual desire post-recovery in a new body.
Managing sexual desire in a healthy, choice-based way.
Therapist-client dynamics in exploring sexual health.
The importance of normalising conversations around sex.

To learn more about Bethany, you can visit her website at https://bethanyashleysmith.co.uk/ or follow her on Instagram @bethany_ashley_smith.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, we speak with eating disorder advocate, Nicky Smith, about report released by The All-Party Parliamentary Group, “The Right To Health: People with eating disorders failed”.

The report shares the experiences of those impacted by eating disorders and the inaccessible care for those who need it.

As part of the report, we are calling on the Government to:

🪧Develop a National Strategy for Eating Disorders

🪧Additional Funding for Eating Disorder Services This funding should address the demand for both adult and children’s services

🪧Confidential Inquiry into All Eating Disorder Deaths

🪧Increased Research Funding for Eating Disorders: The aim is to enhance treatment outcomes and ultimately discover a cure for eating disorders

🪧 Non-Executive Director Oversight for both adult and children Eating Disorder Services. This oversight and accountability should be implemented in all NHS Trusts and Health Boards in the UK

Nicky is a member of FEAST and works closely with other family members and carers to advocate for current and emerging eating disorder issues in the UK. Nicky’s daughter has had anorexia for 12 years, so unfortunately Nicky has developed extensive experience from adolescent and adult eating disorder services including inpatient, community, out-of-area placements, sectioning under the Mental Health Act, nasogastric feeding, SEDU, acute mental health and general hospital admissions, hence her passion for support with the End Eating Disorders Campaign.

This week, we discuss:

Nicky's personal experience of supporting her daughter with an eating disorder.
The APPG Report on Eating Disorders.
Recommendations for change in eating disorder services.
The complexity of recovery and treatment of eating disorders.
The importance of long-term support and hope.

To read the full report, follow this link.

If you would like to get involved, head over to the End Eating Disorders Website Please visit our website to find out more or search #dumpthescales on social media.

You can also find out more about the APPG and its members on the End Eating Disorders Website.

Additionally, we have drafted an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, asking them to consider our recommendations and take immediate action to end eating disorders. You can keep the pressure up by emailing your MP with our template letter, tweeting your support or sharing our graphics on social media or making a donation to further our campaigning work in this area.

We will also be marching for the End Eating Disorders Campaign on Saturday 7th June 2025, so please come along to show your support!

Find out more by following the campaign on...

Bluesky - @dumpthescales.bsky.social

Twitter/X - DumpTheScales

Instagram - @dump_the_scales

LinkedIn - Dump The Scales

Facebook - Dump the Scales

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Zuzanna Gajowiec. Zuzanna is a Clinical Psychologist, Family Therapist, and Ireland’s first Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Consultant (CEDS-C). With over a decade of experience, Zuzanna is dedicated to supporting individuals and families on their journey to recovery, focusing on physical healing, body image, and family connections.

As the IAEDP Chapter Chair of Ireland and Clinical Lead at a Residential Eating Disorder Treatment Centre, Zuzanna also teaches, consults, and supervises other therapists, sharing her expertise to advance the understanding of eating disorders.

This week, we discuss:

The science behind GLP-1 and how they work in the body.
The impact of GLP-1s being presented as a safe, miracle drug.
The difference in dosage and use for diabetes and weight loss, and the lack of research.
The side effects of misuse of GLP-1 medications.
How GLP-1 medications can implicate ED treatment and impact recovery.
The importance of health care professionals understanding GLP-1 medications.
The attraction of quick fixes as opposed to difficult therapy and how we navigate this.

Zuzanna mentioned a few resources in the podcast, and you can find them here:

GLP-1 research in ED populations
Ragen Chastain's narrative on GLP-1 medications
Ragen Chastain's Substack

To find out more about Zuzanna, you can connect with her in the following places:

Instagram - @supported_families
Website - https://supportedfamilies.ie/
LinkedIn – Zuzanna Gajowiec

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Sam Bowen. Han met Sam at the gym, and they instantly clicked. Sam's happy-go-lucky, supportive attitude stood out as so different from the rest of the fitness industry. Sam has been incredible in supporting Han's recovery—not just physically, but mentally too—helping Han feel confident and empowered. Sam focuses on balance, fun, and finding what works for his clients lifestyle, avoiding the restriction and negativity so common in fitness culture. With Sam, fitness is about building strength, confidence, and happiness in a way that truly fits you.

This week, we discuss:

Reframing fitness from aesthetic goals to performance goals that improve your life.
Making exercise a part of someone's life rather than an obsession or self-sabotage.
The importance of getting to know clients and being flexible in your approach to fitness.
How to encourage others to get into the gym if they're concerned or anxious.
A balanced approach to nutrition rather than the restrictive, strict diets.
The truth behind diets, quick fixes and a different perspective to Ozempic.
Eating to fuel your life, not just your training.

To learn more about Sam, follow him on Instagram @sambowenpt or visit his website https://www.coachingbysb.co.uk/.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Tallulah O'Hea. Tallulah is a Body Confidence Coach and the founder of The Body Conversation, a company dedicated to delivering inspiring, educational and empowering body image workshops for teenage and pre-teen girls. Driven by a deep passion for supporting young girls in navigating body image challenges, Tallulah creates a foundation for meaningful discussions about body confidence within schools through her impactful workshops. Inspired by her own transformative journey in redefining her relationship with her body, Tallulah is committed to helping women overcome struggles with body image and cultivating a healthier, more positive connection with themselves.

This week, we discuss:

Navigating puberty and body image issues.
The impact of social media and parental influence on body image issues.
Changing body image perspectives.
Pregnancy and body acceptance.
Reframing conversations around dieting.
A new perspective on nourishment and punishment.
Empowering young girls to exercise for self care.
Creating positive body image in schools.
Advice for teachers and parents supporting young people.

To learn more about Tallulah's work, you can visit The Body Conversation website at www.thebodyconversation.co.uk.

You can also connect with Tallulah on Instagram @tallulahohea and LinkedIn.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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A bit of a different episode this week - Full of Beans first ever SOLOCAST!

Join me as I take a deep dive into the past year and reflect on how recovery has gone this year, the things that have helped, and my thoughts for others.

This week, I discuss:

Reflections on recovery and how this progressed in 2024.
Why recovery felt different this time.
The impact of an eating disorder on my friendships.
The impact of a neurodivergent diagnosis on my recovery.
The reality of recovery burnout.
Understanding the difference between what you want and what your eating disorder wants.
The importance of reminding yourself of the impact the eating disorder had on you to motivate you in recovery.
The impact of an eating disorder on my relationship and how I changed this.

You can also connect with me on Instagram @thefobpodcast.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to contact your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Emilie Faure. Emilie is the founder and CEO of Juniver, an award-winning health company that’s transforming the way we approach eating disorders. Juniver is the first digital therapeutic of its kind, providing on-demand 24/7 support through an app including a personalised, AI-powered recovery coach.

Juniver’s mission to improve access to effective help for people with eating disorders, is deeply personal to Emilie, born from her own recovery journey, which highlighted the gaps in traditional care.

Before founding Juniver, Emilie’s career spanned sales strategy and partnerships at organisations like White Cube gallery and Sotheby’s; she brings a wealth of experience scaling teams and leading with empathy.

This week, we discuss:

Emilie's inspiration for starting Juniver and the services Juniver provides to people struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating.
The technology behind the digital therapy solution, Juniver.
The two pillars of recovery: managing an urge differently and eating enough for your bodies needs.
Navigating urges when you're alone and how Juniver supports this in an unbias way.
The keys to habit formation in recovery: start small, build on what you're doing already, experiment and tweak, celebrate success.
Tips for navigating the festive season during eating disorder recovery including boundaries, planning and meeting yourself with compassion.

To learn more about Juniver, you can visit her website at www.joinjuniver.com or download the Juniver App on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/juniver/id1637450809.

To access the discount mentioned in the episode, use code JUNIFOB.

Connect with Juniver by following them on Instagram @joinjuniver and TikTok @joinjuniver.com.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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This week, Han is joined by Julie and Fleur to discuss Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) in eating disorder recovery. Fleur, a mum of two, shares her experience using NVR to support her daughter through anorexia recovery with kindness and compassion. She highlights the importance of self-care and nurturing the parent-child relationship to help her daughter reconnect with the family instead of retreating into the disorder.

Julie, a family therapist in a CAMHS Eating Disorders Team, has been using NVR since being inspired by parents' stories at a 2011 conference. With a passion for NVR, Julie shares how its principles guide her as both a therapist and parent, offering valuable insights for families supporting a loved one.

This week, we discuss:

What Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) is and how it supports individuals and families facing mental health challenges.
Using NVR to help parents manage emotions and conversations with a loved one struggling with an eating disorder.
The role of self-care and reconciliation gestures in reconnecting with a loved one.
The value of external support and how it can differ based on individual needs.
Strategies for managing frustration when a loved one isn’t engaging in recovery.
Navigating difficult conversations about eating and treatment without feeling misheard or upset.
How to seek support from others, like schools, and what to request.
The importance of modeling a fulfilling life to help a child distance themselves from their eating disorder.
Rebuilding trust and navigating the festive season with your child.

To find out more about NVR you can check out the following:

Haim Omer - Non-Violent Resistance
John Burham - The Cycle of Supported Meal

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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Charlotte Markey, Ph.D., is a body image scientist, having studied body image and eating behaviors for nearly three decades. She is passionate about understanding how to help people have a healthy relationship with their body and food. Charlotte is a psychology professor at Rutgers University and a research scientist who has published over 100 scholarly articles and chapters about health issues.

Dr. Markey is also an book author, having most recently published The Body Image Book series (The Body Image Book for Girls in 2020; The Body Image Book for Boys in 2022, and Adultish: The Body Image Book for Life in 2024). She also recently co-edited the 3-volume Encyclopedia of Mental Health (2023). She writes regularly for news outlets such as Psychology Today and is often interviewed for TV, news articles, and podcasts including the NY Times, Washington Post, and NBC.

This week, we discuss:

Body image, how it differs across genders and the importance of tailored body image support.
The impact of comments on body image.
Preventative measures for body image concerns that parents can implement.
Shifting the current body image narrative and nurturing positive body image.
The impact on body image of societal pressures to look a certain way.
Navigating a changing body through aging and enjoying life's journey and what your body enables you to go through.

To learn more about Charlotte Markey, you can visit her website at www.CharlotteMarkey.com or the books’ webpages www.TheBodyImageBook.com

Connect with her on Facebook (Dr. Charlotte Markey), Instagram (@char_markey), TikTok (@charmarkey), Threads (@char_markey), or Substack (@BODY TALK).

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Mia Morgan. Mia is a final-year PhD candidate at the University of Derby, researching how nature connectedness can benefit people with disordered eating. Her project involves developing the first nature-based intervention tailored to this group, in collaboration with those with lived experience. With a background in psychology and experience as a support worker on an eating disorder inpatient ward, Mia is passionate about creating accessible, holistic interventions, especially harnessing the power of nature for mental health.

This week, we discuss:

Mia’s inspiration for focusing her PhD project on eating disorders and nature-based interventions.
The definition of “nature-connectedness” and how spending time in nature impacts our mental health.
Exploring the 5 pathways to nature connectedness: the 5 senses, beauty, emotion, compassion and meaning.
The role of caring for nature to motivate purpose, create responsibility and develop meaning.
The accessibility of nature and examples of how to tune into nature each day for emotional regulation.
The role of nature on positive body image.

To reach out to Mia about her study or taking part, you can find her on X (@miamorgan1997) or LinkedIn (Mia Morgan).

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week’s podcast, Han is joined by Chloe Reid. Chloe is a registered nurse, gelato enthusiast, golden retriever lover and mental health advocate. Chloe battled with atypical anorexia nervosa for most of her 27 years on this planet and has lived with mixed anxiety and depression disorder since she was a teen. Following the COVID-19 pandemic she has been diagnosed with multiple chronic health conditions which have turned her life upside down; chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, hypermobility spectrum disorder and mast cell activation syndrome to name just a few. Chloe strives to educate myself and others on what life can be like for those facing similar health adversities.

This week, we discuss:

Chloe's experience of atypical anorexia and chronic conditions.
Hypermobility and the intersection of eating disorders and ADHD.
Navigating various diagnoses and how they impacted Chlo's eating disorder experience.
The impact of gastrointestinal issues and dietary recommendations on eating disorder recovery.
Navigating chronic fatigue and its impact on eating disorder symptoms.
Learning to trust your body despite chronic illness and the impact it can have on listening to your intuition.
Seeking support for multiple conditions and how to balance recovery from an eating disorder.

You can find out more about Chloe by finding her on Instagram @chronically.curious.chlo.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Juidth Matz. Judith is the co-author of several books on the topics of eating and weight struggles, including Beyond a Shadow of a Diet: The Comprehensive Guide to Treating Binge Eating Disorder, Emotional Eating and Chronic Dieting. This has been called “the new bible” on this topic for professionals. Her other resources include the recently released The Emotional Eating, Chronic Dieting, Binge Eating & Body Image Workbook, The Body Positivity Card Deck, The Making Peace with Food Card Deck, and The Diet Survivor's Handbook.

Judith has a private practice in the Chicago area where she focuses her work with clients who want to get off the diet/binge rollercoaster and learn to feel at home in their bodies. Through her counselling, workshops, training for mental health professionals, and books, Judith has helped thousands of people to develop self-care skills that increase physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing without a focus on the pursuit of weight loss. Through educational programs, she is dedicated to helping people end their preoccupation with food and weight and to fighting weight stigma.

This week, we discuss:

Judith's journey to working with individuals with binge eating disorder and writing her book, Beyond a Shadow of a Diet.
The impact diet culture has on our perception of binge eating disorder and recovery, as well as how complex this can be.
The concept behind the Health At Every Size (HAES) movement and how this supports individuals to focus on health, not weight.
The concept of intuitive eating and how to reframe your relationship with food and exercise to support health.
How clinician's can support their clients in recovery from binge eating disorder and increase their understanding of the mental health condition.

You can find out more about Caroline by finding her on Instagram @judmatz, visiting her website, or joining her Diet Survivors Facebook Group.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Beth Francois. Beth is a registered dietitian specialising in the treatment of eating disorders. Beth’s approach to eating disorder support is rooted in compassion, hope, and freedom. Beth combines evidence-based practices with a deep understanding of the emotional complexities of eating disorders to help her clients find lasting recovery and rediscover the joy of nourishing their bodies and minds.

This week, we discuss:

Beth's thoughts around the term "extreme hunger" and why this occurs during eating disorder recovery.
The different ways hungered is perceived in active restriction vs recovery.
The urgency of hunger in recovery post restriction.
The importance of responding to hunger, restoring hunger cues in recovery and reframing thoughts towards hunger.
Overcoming fear foods, emotional eating and the feeling of losing control.
Tips for navigating binge eating following restriction.

You can find out more about Beth by finding her on Instagram @theeddietitian or visiting her website.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Caroline Drummond-Smith, a devoted wife, mother of three grown-up children, and a survivor of a 35-year battle with anorexia. Her journey from struggling with an eating disorder—which deeply impacted her family—to finding true happiness and self-acceptance is both powerful and inspiring. Now an eating disorder coach and founder of Zest Health Coaching, Caroline is passionate about helping others discover their true worth beyond the confines of their struggles. Her story is one of resilience, healing, and the enduring strength of family bonds.

This week, we discuss:

Caroline's experience of an eating disorder for 35 years and how this changed over time due to her responsibilities as a mother.
The impact of an eating disorder for 35 years on Caroline's overall health.
The impact of Caroline's eating disorder on her relationship, including the secrecy and frustration associated.
The role of a late autism diagnosis on Caroline's recovery and understanding of her eating disorder.
The impact of Caroline's eating disorder on her role as a mother.
Caroline's recovery after 35 years of living with an eating disorder and the position impact this has had on her life.
The difference between functioning and thriving in life, and how an eating disorder impacts this.

You can find out more about Caroline by finding her on Instagram @zesthealthcoaching or visiting her website.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Bethany C. Crowley, MFT, CEDS, BCN. Bethany is the founder and clinical director at The Journey Therapy in Kailua, Hawaii, where she leads a compassionate team dedicated to helping those struggling with eating disorders. With over 25 years of experience, Bethany has guided hundreds to lasting recovery through her unique integrative approach, teaching essential skills to conquer disordered eating and handle life’s challenges. As a certified eating disorder specialist, EMDR practitioner, and biofeedback expert, she’s not only a therapist but also a mentor, offering online training and supervision to fellow professionals. When she's not supporting individuals in recovering from an eating disorder, Bethany enjoys the island life in Kailua with her family and three dogs.

This week, we discuss:

Bethany's journey into working with eating disorder patients.
An overview of Bethany's book, An Integrative Approach to Treating Eating Disorders, and where her inspiration came from.
The importance of understanding that eating disorders are more than food and body issues, and why learning about yourself is key to recovery.
Together, we then explore the 9 foundational skills for eating disorder recovery, as discussed in Bethany's book:
1. Establishing a Mind-Body Connection
2. Uncovering the Meaning Behind Food and Eating
3. Quieting Negative Thoughts
4. Practising Self-Compassion, Self-Acceptance
5. Exploring Body Neutrality and Acceptance
6. Understanding Myself in Relation to Others
7. Coping with Emotional Triggers and Building Resilience
8. Using My Authentic Voice
9. Changing My Story

To find out more about Bethany, you can check out her website. You can also purchase her book, An Integrative Approach to Treating Eating Disorders, by following this link.

Please note that this podcast explores topics that some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone that you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by David Coyle. David is a Consultant Psychiatrist, and the Clinical Lead for Adult Eating Disorder Services across multiple Trusts in Northern Ireland. With a career spanning 18 years in mental health and 7 years specialising in eating disorders, David is dedicated to his clinical work, especially where he can be creative and innovative. He is also passionate about teaching and provides training for various healthcare disciplines in the region. One of his notable interests is the introduction of Mentalisation Based Treatment (MBT) as part of the treatment options available within his service, which focuses on severe and complex eating disorders.

The concept behind MBT and why this is useful for individuals with eating disorders.
How does MBT differ from other types of therapy models e.g. CBT, SSCM-ED, MANTRA.
What takes place in an MBT group session in David's service and the outcomes they have witnessed.
The importance of engaging loved ones in therapy to ensure holistic support and wrap-around care.
The impact of MBT on understanding one's own emotions and the impact that our emotions can have on others.
The importance of understanding emotions and the diversity each emotion has and can take shape.
How to navigate your recovery and therapy if others in your network don't want to engage in therapy or express emotions.
How services can introduce MBT into their practice.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Marlene van den Berg. Marlene is an Occupational Therapist and therapeutic team manager at Akedo, Montrose Manor, a specialist eating disorder clinic. Marlene has worked in mental health for over 18 years, working with clients with acute & chronic mental health conditions, eating disorders, addiction concerns, and personality disorders. Marlene also hosts an outpatient support community: Healing Spaces Wellness and has a specific interest in group intervention and holistic, healing processes. As an Occupational Therapist she is passionate about supporting clients to find within themselves the motivation to live fully in all the areas of their lives; to engage in activities and processes that lead to inner and outer wellbeing and to encourage them to become their most authentic, healthiest selves.

This week, we discuss:

The Montrose Manor approach, and how this differs from standard forms of treatment.
Realising your eating disorder is a sign that life feels difficult, prompting you to take care of yourself.
How Montrose Manor helps clients understand their struggles and develop personalised coping tools to manage their eating disorders and prioritise self-care.
How Montose Manor helps their clients to step away from their eating disorder and the community they are part of within the treatment centre.
The importance of developing life skills during eating disorder recovery.
The difficulty of "getting rid" of your eating disorder, and the importance of refining life and freedom without an eating disorder life can bring.

To find out more about Montrose Manor, you can visit their website here or email them at help@montrosemanor.co.za.

Please note that this podcast explores topics some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Marcus Kain. Marcus is an Eating Disorder Informed Nutrition and Stress Management coach who specialises in binge eating recovery. Through private coaching and the Strong Not Starving podcast he provides coaching and resources to help people leave binge eating behind, navigate struggles with body image, manage stress, and create fulfilling relationships with food and exercise.

This week, we discuss:

The presentation of eating disorder in men and how they differ, or in fact don't, to women.
The role of exercise in recovery and understanding what is appropriate for your recovery.
Hormonal changes that occur in men due to overtraining and dietary restriction, and the impact this can have on body composition.
Diet trends that men may be susceptible to including biohacking.
Societal influences and disordered eating in men.
Prioritising stress management and recovery.
Self-reflection and patience in the recovery journey.

Please note that this podcast explores topics that some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone that you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Kevin Jarvis (they/them). Kevin is a disabled, mad, and queer artist and advocate from so-called Western Massachusetts- located on Pocumtuk people’s land. Kevin’s art and activism speaks to their lived experience with mental health in an unfiltered way. They exhibit a passionate effort towards making the world more accessible through client-led care, harm reduction, and liberation-oriented care. Kevin uses their personal experiences with ARFID, queerness, and neurodivergence to support others navigating the same muddy waters. When they aren’t engaging with the community, you can find Kevin hammocking in the woods, creating art, or messing around with their 2 cats.

This week, we discuss:

What is ARFID and the different subtypes?
Do only neurodiverse individuals struggle with ARFID?
The intersection of ARFID, neurodiversity and body image.
The challenges in diagnosing ARFID.
Sensory issues in those with neurodiversity that may lead to difficulties with eating and body image.
Neurodiversity and the queer community.
Unmasking, finding community and your authentic self.

You can find out more about Kevin and their work by heading over to their IG page @kevindoesarfid.

Please note that this podcast explores topics that some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone that you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr Una Foye and Dr Moritz Herle. Una is a mental health researcher working at King’s College London. She has a special interest in eating disorders and uses lived experience voices to help improve our understanding of eating disorders and treatment.

Moritz is a Lecturer at the Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. Moritz’ research focuses on the origins and development of eating behaviours, childhood weight and their impact on later health outcomes such as eating disorders and obesity.

Una and Moritz are working together on a project exploring the intersection of eating disorders, suicide and self-harm. The project is funded by a fellowship from Rosetrees Trust, Stoneygate Trust, and MQ Transforming Mental Health.

This week, we discuss:

The motivations and elements of the study Mortiz and Una are conducting.
Factors contributing to suicidal ideation in individuals with eating disorders.
The unique elements of the eating disorder experience and suicidal ideation.
Exploring the genetic factors in the co-occurrence of eating disorders and suicide risk
The power of multidisciplinary teams in treating eating disorders
Exploring the idea of an eating disorder as a form of self-harm.
The necessity of removing stigma around EDs and suicide to prompt important conversations.
The need for increased funding and improved services
Advice for individuals struggling with suicidal ideation during an eating disorder

To find out more about the study, you can head over to the MQ mental health website.

If you require further emotional support following this interview you might want to:

Talk with a relative, friend or other supporter if that is what you prefer
Contact your GP, or a mental health professional if you are currently using services
Use a publicly available source of emotional support, we have included a list of some options below:

Samaritans - Call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database.

FirstSteps Eating Disorders, an England-based eating disorders charity.

Call : 0300 1021685

Email: info@firststepsed.co.uk

Beat Eating Disorders,the UKs leading national Eating Disorders charity.

Call: England (0808 801 0677), Scotland (0808 801 0432), Wales (0808 801 0433), Northern Ireland (0808 801 0434)

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Louise Johnston. Louise is a consultant psychiatrist and clinical lead at the Eden Unit, a Regional Unit for Eating Disorders in Aberdeen, Scotland. Louise has a dual specialisation in medical psychotherapy and child and adolescent psychiatry, along with additional training in various therapeutic modalities. Louise chairs a national working group focused on managing co-morbid personality disorders and eating disorders in Scotland and is involved in the eating disorder training and accreditation system as an EEATS supervisor. Louise’s passion for creative therapies, influenced by her love for music creation, drives her efforts to contribute to advancing the evidence base in this area.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

The role of a consultant psychiatrist when working with eating disorder patients.
The role of the Mental Health Act for eating disorder patients and why this may be required, for example, NG tube feeding, medication and safety.
Medications that can be used for eating disorders and the reasons behind this.
Palliative care for eating disorders from the perspective of a consultant psychiatrist.
The role of creative therapies in eating disorder recovery including art therapy, music therapy and many more.
How therapists can incorporate more creative therapy modalities into their work to provide different recovery strategies to patients.

You can find out more about Louise's work at the Royal College of Psychiatry by checking out their X account, @rcpysch.

Please note that this podcast explores topics that some individuals may find difficult to hear and should not be used as a replacement for professional advice. If you need further support after this podcast, please consider talking to someone that you trust. You may also wish to reach out to your GP or mental health professional.

We've included a list of additional support options in case you need them:

Samaritans are here for whatever you are going through. You can call free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

FirstSteps Eating Disordersis an eating disorders charity for children and their families, young people, and adults affected by eating difficulties and disorders. You can call them on or email info@firststepsed.co.uk.

Beat Eating Disordersis an eating disorder charity offering support for those with or supporting someone with an eating disorder. You can call their helpline for free on 0808 801 0677 (England), 0808 801 0432 (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 (Wales), 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Becky Grace, a BABCP-accredited CBT Therapist. Becky has 30 years of personal experience of binge eating and bulimia, received a late ADHD diagnosis aged 35, and self-identifies as autistic. Additionally, Becky spent 10 years in the fitness industry, where her eating issues and compulsive exercise were masked by industry norms. Becky has worked in mental health services for 14 years and now works in her private practice supporting individuals struggling to navigate the connections between eating disorders and neurodiversity to manage their compulsions, urges and habits.

This week, we discuss:

Becky's personal experience of a late diagnosis of ADHD and how this intersected with her binge eating patterns.
Becky's experience of being in the fitness industry and how this exacerbated disordered eating behaviours.
The intersection between ADHD and excessive exercise to manage ADHD behaviours - is it always positive?
Becky's experience of misuse of painkillers to self-soothe, manage dissociation and reduce emotional pain.
Becky's perspective of why the bulimia and BED behaviours remained in her life despite the negativity they brought to her life.
How Becky navigates ADHD behaviours without leaning into disordered behaviours.

To learn more about Becky, please head to their IG page @iambeckygracetherapy or visit their website.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics, including binge eating behaviours, excessive exercise and the intersection with ADHD. Remember to care for yourself while listening and seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week’s episode, Han is rejoined by Craig Lee. Craig is an accredited online counsellor and psychotherapist with 18 years of experience in behavioural change and mental health services. Craig uses his personal experience of an eating disorder and body dysmorphia to support clients to achieve food freedom, enhance their body image, and lead fulfilling lives using his lived experience.

The normalisation of orthorexia and the impact this may be having on individuals struggling with orthorexic tendencies.
The recent separation of orthorexia, orthorexia nervosa, and "healthy orthorexia".
The role of a diagnosis and how this can be supportive or destructive for someone's recovery.
The role of labels, how they can become someone's identity, and how this impacts them living a purposeful life.
Craig and Hannah's perspective of living with ADHD and the impact this can have on eating disorder recovery.
How to navigate an obsession around "healthy eating" and Craig's advice for navigating this.

To learn more about Craig, please head to their IG page @craigleetherapy or head over to their website.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to care for yourself while listening and seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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Chelsea Roff, Founder and Director of Eat Breathe Thrive, has spent nearly a decade developing integrative health programs for mental health challenges, including a Yoga for Eating Disorders program, now the core of a seven-week intervention. She also leads the largest study on yoga for eating disorders and serves as UK Operations Director for The Give Back Yoga Foundation.

Catherine Cook-Cottone, Ph.D., a Licensed Psychologist and Professor at SUNY Buffalo, co-edits Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention and founded the nonprofit Yogis in Service. Her research focuses on embodied self-regulation and psychosocial disorders, with over 85 publications to her name.

Together, Chelsea and Catherine co-authored a study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry revealing that over 60 individuals with eating disorders have been euthanised or assisted in suicide by physicians, often without exhausting evidence-based treatments. They have issued a joint statement opposing medically assisted suicide for eating disorders, urging the healthcare community and broader society to stand against this practice and support recovery.

In this week's podcast, we discuss:

The reasoning and inspiration for Chelsea and Catherine beginning their research into assisted dying in eating disorders.
What is meant by "terminal anorexia" and how this is an inappropriate term to use for an eating disorder (aka not a terminal illness).
The criteria required, in respective countries, for assisted dying.
The understanding of why clinicians believe assisted dying may be the best outcome for their patients.
The importance of sharing lived experiences and highlighting that full recovery is possible.
The consequences of making this decision and the impact this can have.

To read the full paper, click here.

To read and sign the Joint Statement Against Assisted Suicide for Eating Disorders, click here.

You can contact Chelsea via Chelsea's LinkedIn, Eat Breathe Thrive Instagram, and Eat Breathe Thrive's Website.

You can content Catherine via Catherine's LinkedIn, Catherine's Instagram, and Catherine's website.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics, including anorexia nervosa and suicide. Remember to care for yourself while listening and seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideation, know that you can call the Samaritans anytime on 116 123 or visit their website here.

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Brittany Valentine. Brittany is a writer, dragon boat paddler, Shiba Inu mom, and mental health advocate. Brittany has had ARFID since birth but didn’t know until a few years ago. They now have an IG account where they are educating others on eating disorders and feeding differences, as well as documenting their journey of recovery.

This week, we discuss:

Brittany's relationship with food and how they determined they had ARFID.
The anxieties surrounding food that Brittany experiences, including sensory issues.
Brittany's experience of food exposure and how this became easier as time progressed.
Brittany's experience of using cannabis to support ARFID recovery.
The endocannabinoid system and how this is related to food intake and eating behaviours.
The importance of consulting with a medical professional and consuming cannabis in moderation to avoid dependence.
The benefits of cannabis use for ARFID, based on a US study.
Brittany's perspective on recovery and their hopes for the future.

To learn more about Brittany, please head to their IG page @myplatemybusiness.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to care for yourself while listening and seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

Please note that while we discuss the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes on the Full of Beans podcast, we do not recommend taking cannabis without proper medical guidance. It is crucial to avoid purchasing cannabis from unsafe or unregulated sources, as this can pose significant health risks. Always consult a healthcare professional before considering any form of medicinal cannabis use.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Gemma Sharp and Alisha Randhawa. Gemma is an Associate Professor of Research and Senior Clinical Psychologist who leads the Body Image & Eating Disorders Research Program at Monash University in Melbourne. Gemma is also the lead of the International Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders which will be officially launched in September 2024. Alisha Randhawa is a Research Officer at the Body Image & Eating Disorders Research Group at Monash University in Melbourne, and an aspiring clinical psychologist.

This week, we discuss:

The link between the menopause and eating disorders.
The impact that the menopause can have on a woman's health, including her mental health.
The impact of changes in hormone levels, particularly oestrogen and testosterone.
The impact the menopause may have on a woman's relationship with her body.
The motivation for starting the project Gemma and Alisha have worked on together and the resources required for women going through the menopause.
How loved ones can support someone going through the menopause.

To find out more about Gemma, please head over to their research page or send any questions you have about the podcast or Gemma's work to Gemma Sharp gemma.sharp@monash.edu. You can also connect with Gemma and Alisha on LinkedIn to keep up to date with their research.

To find the menopause resource mentioned in this episode, please click here. You can also find the International Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders and online registration for the consortium launch on 25th Sept 2024 using the links attached.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Angus Castle-Doughty. Angus is an actor and film-maker known mostly for portraying Eric Foster in the award-winning Incel storyline at Hollyoaks. After taking it upon himself to lose weight for a role in a major Netflix series, he developed disordered eating and muscle dysmorphia symptoms. Now he’s making a film, Dis-Morph-Ick, in response to that experience and in a bid to increase public awareness of male eating disorders. Angus has been seen in beloved TV shows since 2020 and now is stepping behind the camera to tell this important story.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

Angus' experience of intermittent fasting and the impact this had on his relationship with food and self.
Angus' experience of being on holiday and the disordered thoughts that came up for him around food and his weight.
The impact of the acting world on Angus' relationship with his body and food.
Angus' relationship with exercise and understanding how you can have a healthy relationship with exercise after a disordered relationship.
The impact of your body being on camera and how this can encourage rumination and body dysmorphia.
The impact of before and after photos on your mental health and the health of others.
Why Angus is creating Dis-Morph-Ick and the premise behind the film.

To find out more about Dis-Morph-Ick, or to get involved, you can visit the Greenlit page or check out Angus' Instagram.

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Laura Annikal. Laura is a professional ballet dancer and sociology graduate, who has faced the pressures of body image and eating disorders in the ballet world, inspiring her to write a thesis on the subject. In ballet, where thinness is equated with success, dancers often conform to harmful body standards at the expense of their well-being. Many eating disorders go unnoticed or untreated, due to a lack of education among teachers and directors. She is dedicated to promoting body acceptance and addressing eating disorders in the ballet community, advocating for valuing health over thinness.

This week, we discuss:

Laura's experience of developing an eating disorder and how the body standards enforced in ballet led to disordered behaviours.
The impact of disordered eating on Laura's dancing, as well as her mental and physical health.
The way Laura perceived her eating disorder, as she didn't have anorexia or appear emaciated, but rather struggled with bulimia.
The different pressures put on men and women at ballet school, and how this can impact the development of disordered eating.
The change required within the dance profession to make it more accessible, reduce the pressure to confirm to certain body types, and avoid dancers developing eating disorders and disordered eating.

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In this week’s podcast, Han is joined by Amalie Lee! Amalie is a trained coach with a background in Psychology. Frustrated with the lack of easy-to-understand, science-backed eating disorder information online, Amalie started Let's Recover during her recovery from Anorexia Nervosa over a decade ago. Amalie is especially interested in the biopsychology of eating disorders, reactive hunger, and the cognitive-behavioural effects of undernourishment. In addition to coaching, Amalie hosts the podcast 'Recovery Talk', and writes the Substack newsletter 'Let's Recover'.

This week, we discuss:

Our thoughts behind extreme, or reactive, hunger and why this occurs during eating disorder recovery.
The change in hunger and energy levels during an eating disorder vs recovery, why this happens and how to navigate it.
The secret nature of an eating disorder that makes you feel special, and how to swap this narrative.
How to navigate intrusive thoughts from your eating disorder around your weight and food, and how to keep eating through recovery.
The difficulty quasi-recovery brings, how to challenge eating disorder beliefs and the importance of recognising where eating disorder behaviours arise.
The theory behind cravings and a famine response in anorexia.
Amalie's advice when clients experience reactive hunger and how to keep engaged in recovery.

To find out more about Amalie, you can follow them on Instagram @amalielee, visit their website or check out their podcast, Recovery Talk.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr. Lara Zibarras, a food freedom psychologist and an eating disorder recovery coach. She combines a background in psychology and training in nutrition, intuitive eating, and eating disorders to help clients heal their relationship with food and body image. Her 20s and 30s were riddled with food anxieties and disordered eating, so finding food freedom was truly life changing. She now runs coaching programs and online courses to help clients find health without obsession and the freedom and joy in eating again.

This week, we discuss:

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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This week, Han is joined by David Coyle. David is a Consultant Psychiatrist, and the Clinical Lead for Adult Eating Disorder Services across multiple Trusts in Northern Ireland. With a career spanning 18 years in mental health and 7 years specialising in eating disorders, David is dedicated to his clinical work, especially where he can be creative and innovative. He is also passionate about teaching and provides training for various regional healthcare disciplines. One of his notable interests is exploring the treatment options available for severe and complex eating disorders.

This week, Han and David discuss:

David's journey as a consultant psychiatrist and how he began working in eating disorders.
David's perspective on using diagnostic labels and the importance of accessing treatment.
The importance of getting to know a patient and their difficulties to provide adequate recovery treatment.
The need for weight restoration in recovery as well as the uncertainty this can bring in recovery.
David's perspective on the descriptor "Severe and Enduring Eating Disorder" and when this may be supportive for patients.
David's perspective on the Mental Health Act and when it may be appropriate to detain a patient or not.
David's experience of supporting a patient with palliative care and the reasons for when this may be necessary.
How to determine if a patient has the capacity to decide on palliative care. Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics such as the Mental Health Act and palliative care. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Priya Tew. Priya is an award-winning, experienced registered eating disorder dietitian who specialises in IBS. Priya has experience working in the NHS and private hospitals, working with people on a 1-1 basis and as outpatients. Priya now works with clients 1-1 and in her Recovery Tribe group sessions as part of her private practice to support eating disorder recovery.

This week, we discuss:

Common diet myths and how Priya works to reduce these in society.
The hype around gluten-free products and why this has become a diet trend.
The overlap between eating disorders and IBS symptoms and digestive issues.
Tips for individuals going through recovery and experiencing digestive issues.

You can learn more about Priya by following her on Instagram @priya_tew or visiting their website.

Priya is also taking bookings for her 12-week eating disorder recovery course, The Recovery Tribe! The next course will open in September and only 10 places will be available! Each week will involve small group sessions with your community. Group sessions allow you to share recovery highs and lows with others, receive support between sessions, access an expert dietitian at an affordable cost, and engage in structured learning through video resources each week! Sign up for the Recovery Tribe waitlist here!

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Joel Frost. Joel is a qualified Health Coach & Eating Disorder Specialist. Joel founded Re-minded who support sporty and active people who have recognised that they have a disordered relationship with food and movement. Re-minded aims to empower them with the tools and education to perform at the highest level possible whilst optimising their lives further than the sports pitch. Joel was inspired to build Re-minded following his journey grappling with an eating disorder for 5 years which coincided with his dreams of pursuing a career as a professional golfer.

This week, Han & Joel discuss:

Joel's eating disorder experience and how his experience of professional golf impacted this.
The impact of stepping away from golf on Joel's recovery.
The shift Joel has experienced with his relationship with golf and how he has reframed the impact this has on his mindset.
Joel's relationship with alcohol and how he used this negatively during his eating disorder.
Joel's mission with Re-minded and his hopes for supporting individuals in sport to find food and exercise freedom. To find out more about Joel, you can follow him on Instagram @joelo_frost or @re___minded. You can also visit the Re-minded website at https://www.re-minded.co.uk/. Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Emma is a specialist Eating Disorder Dietitian and a Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor. She works as a dietitian in a community NHS Eating Disorder Service and at Food Life Freedom, supporting people to take the stress out of food and build trust and confidence in their bodies.

Emma uses a process of reframing how you think and feel around food, building connection and trust with your unique body, and then building confidence in navigating conflicting food and body messages so you no longer get overwhelmed by food and health information.

This week, we discuss:

Emma's introduction to the world of disordered eating and how intuitive eating can support this.
The truth behind the use of medical tests and equipment for specific conditions and promoting them on a population level to "support health", which are actually weight-management mechanisms.
The impact wellness programmes have on your trust and relationship with your body.
Tips for individuals looking to move away from diet culture, as it can be scary when it is normalised in society.
The importance of intention and flexibility around behaviours and how these behaviours may be supportive in some circumstances.
The difference between wellness programmes and diet programmes, and how product placement can make it more enticing to sign up. You can find out more about Emma by following her on Instagram @food.life.freedom or check out their website to access Emma's service and online course. Emma is also the host of the Food & Life Freedom Podcast and has a free e-book and video training available to download.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Jade Grantham. Jade is the author of“Accept That You Are Imperfect”, a book about her personal journey and recovery with bulimia nervosa which started when she was 12 years old. Jade wrote her book not as one person’s struggle or self-help book, but a call for awareness, understanding, and early intervention, preventing the silent epidemic that is bulimia.”

This week, we discuss:

The need for Jade's book about bulimia resulting from the stereotypes and stigmas associated with bulimia.
The role that bulimia played in Jade's life and how it moved from a weight-driven behaviour to an unavoidable ritual.
The personality traits Jade believes made her susceptible to bulimia to feel accepted.
The secrecy associated with bulimic behaviours and why Jade didn't want to tell anyone about her eating disorder.
How Jade imagines recovery and her hopes for the future.

You can find out more about Jade and her book, Accept That You Are Imperfect by connecting with her on LinkedIn or following her on Instagram (@jadegrantham1).

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics, including bulimia and associated behaviours. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Molly Forbes. Molly is an author, campaigner and journalist, and the executive director and founder of the Body Happy Organisation. The Body Happy Organisation aims to help adults help the children in their care be friends with their bodies by creating environments that allow the body image of children and young people to thrive. Molly has written two books about body image, provides workshops to schools with educators and children and holds corporate training sessions for brands invested in creating a culture of positive body esteem.

This week, we discuss:

Molly's motivation behind starting the Body Happy Organisation.
How to converse with a child about body diversity, as a caregiver or a teacher.
The messaging pushed on boys and girls in children's media to align with gender stereotypes.
The importance of body image discussions with teachers and how this supports engaging conversations in the classroom.
Why celebrating body diversity supports self-esteem and encourages children to appreciate their bodies, enjoy sports and engage in health-promoting behaviours.
How to remove the common barriers that may cause children to withdraw from sport, and increase body diversity to ensure all children feel represented and included to engage in sport.
An exclusive look at Molly's new book, Every Body, which you can find here.

You can find out more about Molly and the Body Happy Organisation by visiting their Instagrams at @bodyhappyorg and @mollyjforbes or visiting the Body Happy Organisation website.

You can also find Molly's books and other fun body image resources in the Body Happy Organisation shop.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Marilyn Okoro. Marilyn is an Olympic Medallist, Athlete Welfare Changemaker, public speaker, Life Coach and Mentor. Marilyn is a champion of women and girls and is on a mission to drive change in professional sport and athlete welfare she founded a podcast series called Detach the Stigma. Marilyn is also an ACGP governance practitioner and founder of the podcast, Detach the Stigma.

This week, we discuss:

Marilyn's experience as an athlete and how her early years led to her Olympic career.
The difference between Marilyn's young athletic experience compared to being an elite athlete.
The importance of athlete support, particularly at an elite level.
Marilyn's experience of bulimia and the motivations behind bulimic behaviours.
The need for change in athlete welfare and education of coaches.
How Marilyn coped with her changing body during retirement from her Olympic carer.

You can find out more about Marilyn by following her on Instagram @marilynokorooly or LinkedIn.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Nicky Smith. Nicky is a member of FEAST and works closely with other family members and carers to advocate for current and emerging eating disorder issues in the UK.

Nicky has presented at conferences, spoken in Parliament, attended exhibitions, and has provided lectures to raise awareness of eating disorders. Nicky has also supported journal and book publications, contributed to NHS commissioning teams and research groups, and has been a parent/carer representative in an Adult Eating Disorder service collaborative Trust.

Nicky’s daughter has had anorexia for 12 years, so unfortunately Nicky has developed extensive experience from adolescent and adult eating disorder services including inpatient, community, out-of-area placements, sectioning under the Mental Health Act, nasogastric feeding, SEDU, acute mental health and general hospital admissions.

This week, we discuss:

Nicky's experience of supporting her daughter in a range of treatment settings whilst navigating anorexia nervosa.
The impact of movement around services on Nicky and her family.
The need for specialist support for eating disorder patients to provide effective care.
The experience Nicky and her daughter have had of the Mental Health Act and nasogastric tube feeding.
Navigating conversations with others who don't have experience of eating disorders and struggle to comprehend the disorder.
The difference between treatment for a physical and mental illness, and how this needs to differ for effective treatment.
Exploring the reasons palliative care for eating disorders is inappropriate.
Holding onto hope even when things get tough.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Amie Barlow. Amie is an ADHD functional fitness coach and helps ADHD career-driven women break burnout and shed shame. Amie has personal experience of disordered eating, ADHD and a complicated relationship with fitness, which is what we discuss today.

Amie's experience of ADHD and how this impacted her relationship with self due to masking.
The impact of social media on Amie's mental health and self-worth.
Exploration of the link between ADHD, body image and disordered eating.
Re-establishing your identity
Using perfectionism and dedication to your advantage, rather than becoming obsessive and reaching burn out.
How Amie works with her clients to address their individual needs.
How to determine when behaviours are disordered or healthy, particularly in our diet-obsessed society.
How to navigate the need for chaos, limit distraction and support a healthy mind.

To find out more about Amie, you can follow her on Instagram @amiebfit_.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics and neurodiversity. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Sabrina Magnan. Sabrina is a Food Freedom & Intuitive Eating Coach who helps chronic dieters heal their relationship with food & their bodies and develop lasting health-promoting habits so that they can find true authentic health, free from obsession and guilt.

This week, we discuss:

Sabrina's journey to becoming a food freedom coach, encouraged by her personal experience of orthorexia and disordered eating.
Advice for considering the impact your behaviours have now on your future, and managing the discomfort this can provoke.
The normalisation of disordered eating behaviours in society and how to navigate moving away from them.
The rise of "Crunchy Moms" and the normalisation of orthorexic tendencies.
What on earth is meant by terms such as "healthy", "balanced", "moderation", "enough" and how to learn to "trust" yourself around food.
Set point theory, how this determines your weight range and why aiming for a desired weight is not always possible.
Sabrina guides me through how she would coach a client when they have internal beliefs about how others perceive them and how to adapt these.

To find out more about Sabrina, you can follow her on Instagram at @sabrina.magnan.health or visit https://sabrinamagnan.com/ to find out more!

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Agnes Ayton. Agnes is a Consultant Psychiatrist, the Chair of the Faculty of Eating Disorders RCPsych at RCPsych Consultant Psychiatrist in Eating Disorders, and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Oxford. Agnes has a longstanding commitment to improving patient safety and quality of care and has published on these topics, more recently, the MEED guidelines.

This week, we discuss:

Agnes’ experience as a psychiatrist, and how this lead to research in eating disorders.
What is CBT-E (enhanced) and integrated CBT-E.
How integrated CBT-E differs from treatment as usual (TAU) in an inpatient setting.
The importance yet difficulties of research in an inpatient setting.
The outcomes of the integrated CBT-E study.
How other services can implement integrated CBT-E into their treatment options.

You can find out more about Agnes and her research by connecting with her on X (@AgnesAyton) or check out the paper mentioned in this podcast here.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics, including BMI metrics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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n this week’s episode, Han is joined by @qui_rkythoughts. She has personal experience of anorexia and autism to celebrate #autismacceptanceweek. She works with charities, hosts career fairs, and explores the intersection of eating disorders and autism on her podcast, @qui_rkythoughts.

This week, we discuss:

Trish's experience of anorexia and inpatient admissions, and how autism influenced Trish's patterns of behaviour.
How to navigate autistic behaviours vs eating disorder behaviours and understand where the behaviours are coming from.
Trish's advice for supporting someone who is neurodiverse during an inpatient admission.

To find out more about Trish, you can listen to her podcast Quirky Thoughts where she chats about her experiences, acknowledge her uniqueness and embrace autism or follow her on Instagram @qui_rkythoughts.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics, including BMI metrics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by AnDy Darling. AnDy Darling is a singer-songwriter, described as a mix of Gwen Stefani and Doja Cat, AnDy's music blends acoustic and electronic vibes, serving up catchy melodies and bold lyrics. Her latest single ‘Skinny' dives deep into body image struggles, partnering with BDD Foundation to raise awareness and offer support. AnDy's a burst of energy, both sassy and bubbly, leaving a lasting impression with her fresh sound.

This week, we discuss:

AnDy's experience of BDD and how this inspires her music.
The role of beauty ideals and how they impacted AnDy's experience of her body.
The role of the music industry and how it can work to support societal mental health.

To find out more about AnDy, you can follow her on Instagram @andy_darling_ae or find her on TikTok @iamandydarling.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder and body image topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr Amita Jassi. Amita is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the National and Specialist OCD, BDD, and Related Disorder Service for Children and Young People at South London and Maudsley (SLAM) NHS Trust. Amita is the lead for the BDD service and Research Lead for the clinic. In addition, she holds the role of Equality and Diversity Lead for National Specialist CAMHS and serves as a trustee for the BDD Foundation charity.

This week, we discuss:

What is body dysmorphia, including the signs, symptoms and causes of BDD.
The psychology behind BDD and the research that is required.
Treatment options available for those with BDD.
Where BDD falls in the diagnostic criteria and how the variety of presentations affects this.
Important considerations when exploring body-altering surgeries and the importance of screening ahead of surgeries.
Stigmas associated with BDD and how we can support individuals to understand more about BDD.
How non-specialist services can get involved to support their patients with BDD.

To find out more about Amita, you can follow her on Instagram (@dr.amita.jassi), Twitter (@Dr_Amita_Jassi) or find out about Amita's work at SLAM here.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week’s podcast, Han is joined by Dr Lauren Duncan. Lauren is a black woman of dual heritage and has personal experience of anorexia. Lauren has just finished her PhD where she was researching the role of racism and relationships in the development of eating disorders in black women.

This week, we discuss:

The drive for Lauren's PhD, including the lack of research on minority ethnic groups, particularly black women.
The impact of low self-esteem due to stigmas against their race and ethnicity, and how that impacted their eating disorder.
The paradox of engaging with an eating disorder to feel connection, opposed to the reality of disconnection.
The vulnerability an eating disorder puts on individuals and how this impacts relationships.
The impact of stereotypes towards black women and the importance of religion, and how this influenced the development of anorexia.
The role of boundaries in relationships and how an eating disorder can be used to excuse negative behaviours.
The ambivalence black women felt towards romantic relationships and their eating disorders.
The participant's relationship with sex, and the impact of anorexia.
The participant's hopes and dreams for the future in regards to their race, relationships and eating disorders.

To find out more about Lauren and her research, you can connect with her on LinkedIn.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Harriet Curry. Harriet is a qualified therapist and eating disorder practitioner, with a special interest in binge eating. Using an integrative psychological approach, Harriet provides therapeutic coaching to women globally, helping them regain control, understand and navigate their thoughts and feelings, and achieve freedom with food.

This week, we discuss:

Harriet's relationship with food and how her experience of binge eating disorder inspired her training as a therapist and eating disorder practitioner.
The normalisation of binge eating behaviours in society.
The hierarchy of eating disorders and shame associated with binge eating disorder.
The impact a disordered relationship with food can have and the joy food freedom can bring.
Harriet's work with clients including her pillars: foundations, nutrition, triggers, body image and maintaining post-recovery.

To find out more about Harriet and her work, you can follow her on Instagram @harrietcurry_ , TikTok @_harrietcurry or visit her website.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Laura Bourne. Laura is a final year PhD student in the Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology at UCL. Laura is interested in selective eating behaviours and complex patterns of food refusal and in particular, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Laura is keen to spread awareness and increase understanding of ARFID, and through her research, hopes to contribute to the ARFID evidence-base to work towards effectively treating this disorder.

Eating disorder awareness week is focusing on ARFID, and with that in mind, this week's episode focuses on:

Laura's research and interest in ARFID.
The diagnostic criteria, subtypes and consequences of ARFID.
The difference between ARFID and anorexia.
The difference between ARFID and fussy eating.
ARFID presentations in children, young people and adults.
The association of autism and ARFID.
The treatment available for ARFID and how to access support.

To find out more about Laura and her research, check out her UCL page here: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/68620-laura-bourne/publications.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Hope Virgo & Suzanne Samaka. Hope Virgo is an award-winning mental health campaigner and has been involved in several campaigns and projects to improve the support eating disorder patients receive. Suzanne Samaka is a mental health campaigner and the founder of the Honesty About Editing Campaign which supports youth mental health against the challenges of low self-esteem and negative body image caused by edited content on social media.

This week, we discuss:

The reason eating disorder campaigning is so important to Hope and Suzanne.
The state of eating disorder treatment, palliative care and the ways we are failing eating disorder patients.
The goals of the campaigning which Hope and Suzanne are involved in, and the difficulties they are facing.
How long we should provide treatment to eating disorder patients and if this should have a maximum duration.
How you can get involved in the eating disorder campaigning, and specifically the march on 27th April 2024 at 10:30am!

You can find more information about Hope and Suzanne and their work by following them on Instagram @hopevirgo_ / @protectyouthmentalhealth, Twitter @hopevirgo / @SuzanneSamaka or find more about their campaigns #DumpTheScales Change.org / HonestyAboutEditing Change.org.

To find out more information regarding the march on 27th April 2024, reach out to Hope on Instagram @hopevirgo_.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Carolina Mountford. Carolina is a mental health speaker & writer who is passionate about inspiring hope for freedom from eating disorders. She movingly shares her experiences of trauma, ADHD, mental illness and eating disorders, and her journey to recovery and freedom.

This week, we discuss:

The stage of quasi-recovery and how Carolina broke free from this experience.
The role of faith and religion in Carolina's recovery.
How Carolina navigated questioning God around her eating disorder.
The role of God, faith and religion in recovery.
Practices during Lent that are eating disorder-friendly.

To find out more about Carolina, you can connect with her on Instagram (@carolinamountfordmh), LinkedIn (@carolinamountford) and Twitter (@carolinamountfo).

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Emily Andrew. Emily is an Advanced EFT Tapping and Eating Disorder Practitioner and founder of We Are MindBody. Emily specialises in applying EFT to support eating disorder recovery and works with people who are struggling with disordered eating and movement to overcome fears, eliminate self-sabotage and become their favourite version of themselves.

This week, we discuss:

Emily's role as a practitioner and how she works with her clients to overcome things which are keeping them stuck.
What EFT is and how it supports clients with their concerns as an addition to your recovery toolbox.
Emily's experience of having an eating disorder and how her relationship with alcohol aligned with this.
The normalisation of binge drinking and disordered eating patterns related to alcohol.
Aspects to explore when going sober based on eating disorder thoughts.
Experimenting with non-alcoholic alternatives and having a flexible approach to alcohol and food.

To find out more about Emily, you can follow her on Instagram @wearemindbody or TikTok @wearemindbody, or check out her website for more information.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Jonathan Cotton. Jonathan is an integrative psychotherapist freelancing at an Eating Disorder charity whose personal and professional experiences lie with supporting the LGBTQ+ community, whether with self-harm/suicide crisis, identity work, offending behaviours, and eating disorders.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

The importance of clinicians having an awareness of sexuality and gender, and how it can link to mental health.
Traumatic experiences that LGBTQ+ individuals may have experienced that may have impacted their mental health.
The issue with assuming someone's sexuality and gender is the cause of their eating disorder and how we can navigate these beliefs.
Body images in the LGBTQ+ community and how this could impact disorder behaviours.
The role of labels and how this can impact your identity.
How you can meet your needs without using the eating disorder.

To find out more about Jonathan, you can connect with him on LinkedIn,

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Talia Cecchele. Talia is a Registered Dietitian and Founder of Talia Cecchele Nutrition (TCN). Talia and her clinic team work using a non-diet and intuitive eating approach to help people to ditch the diet mentality and bring balance back to nutrition. She is a big dreamer, starts her day with an oat latte and takes any opportunity she can to travel and explore.

This week, we discuss:

What is chewing and spitting disorder (CHSP)?
CHSP's link to eating disorders and other mental health conditions.
The potential causes of CHSP.
The medical & psychological consequences of CHSP?
How Talia works as a dietitian with her clients to support them with CHSP?
How to support yourself or a loved one in navigating CHSP.

To find out more about Talia you can follow her on Instagram @tcnutrition or visit her website.

To read the blog that Talia and I discuss, written by Toni Rudd (@the.binge.dietitian), click here.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Bernie Wright. Bernie is a BACP (Accred) Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Qualified Clinical Supervisor and Professional Trainer. Bernie is the Clinical Director for NEDDE Neurodiversity, Eating Disorders & Eating Distress. Bernie specialises in providing training for health professionals working with neurodivergent people who are suffering from an eating disorder.

This week, we discuss:

Bernie's experience of supporting neurodivergent people with eating disorders.
The link between eating disorders and neurodiversity based on research and Bernie's experience.
The prevalence of eating disorders in the neurodiverse community.
The difficulties in accessing support as a neurodivergent person and any additional challenges during recovery.
The difference in signs, traits, characteristics and types of eating disorders in neurodivergent people.
The importance of understanding someone's neurodivergence in eating disorder recovery and how clinicians can support them with this.

To find out more about Bernie, you can visit the Healing Minds website , or find NEDDE on Instagram (@needetraining) or Twitter (@NEDDEtraining).

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr Bryony Bamford. Bryony is a Clinical Psychologist who founded and now directs The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image. The centre provides outpatient care for eating disorders, body image issues, body dysmorphia, and emotional eating in both children and adults. Operating for 10 years, it offers evidence-based and person-centred treatment and supports professionals in the field with training and supervision.

This week, we discuss:

The approach that the London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image take to supporting eating disorder clients & the importance of holistic, evidence-based treatment.
The role of an MDT team in eating disorder treatment.
The intersection between eating disorders and body image, and how for some this doesn't play a role.
The anxiety clinicians may have in working with body image, and how this can be missed in treatment.
The science behind why a reduced calorie intake causes distortions to your body image.

To find out more about The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image you can visit their website.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Sarah King. Sarah is a Health at Every Size (HAES) Exercise Physiologist and Health Coach, who uses scientific facts and her own journey to empower individuals to develop a permanent positive relationship with food, exercise, and their body. Sarah has dedicated her career to helping individuals with disordered eating, eating disorders, exercise addiction and hypothalamic amenorrhea.

This week, we discuss:

Developing a flexible relationship with exercise by shifting your intentions.
The physiology of exercise and the importance of recovery.
How to tackle a stepped approach to changing your relationship with exercise.
The importance of being honest with yourself in order to ensure you don't move from one disordered relationship with exercise to another.
How to build up exercise into your life when this isn't something you've engaged in before.

To find out more about Sarah, you can find her on the following platforms:

Instagram / TikTok: @sarahlizking
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sarahlizking
Sarah’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/skactive

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Gemma Sharp. Gemma is an Associate Professor of Research and leads Body Image & Eating Disorders Research at Monash University in Melbourne. Gemma is also the Research Lead and Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Statewide Women's Mental Health Service at Alfred Health, which has specialist eating disorder treatment facilities.

This week, we discuss:

Gemma's research into using artificial intelligence in health and the future of robotics for eating disorder treatment.
The training provided to the chat bot to ensure it is safe for eating disorder treatment.
The chat bots, KIT, JEM, and ESSI, that Gemma and her team have created for eating disorder treatment and how this can support someone in early stages of recovery.
The chat bot, Chat Buddy, that Gemma and her team have created to provide support to carers who's loved one is experiencing an eating disorder.
The use of passive data on your mobile phone to track behaviours and support relapse prevention.

You can find out more about Gemma by following her on Twitter @gemmasharp11 or read her research on her Scopus profile.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Sophie Corbett. Sophie is a specialist eating disorder dietitian. She supports clients in her online clinic and also works in an ARFID service. Sophie is passionate about supporting those to overcome their eating problems and has additional interests in veganism during recovery and body image work.

This week, we discuss:

The motivations someone may have in starting a vegan lifestyle.
How Sophie works with her clients to understand their motivations behind following a vegan lifestyle
Considerations to make when considering veganism in recovery.
How Sophie works with her clients to support their vegan diets and enhance eating disorder recovery.
The education required for eating disorder professionals to support vegans in eating disorder recovery.
How to engage in a vegan lifestyle and support the planet without impacting your eating disorder recovery.

To find out more about Sophie, you can follow her on Instagram @cornonthecorb, or visit her website.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr Kamila Irvine. Kamila is a senior lecturer at Lincoln University, with a research interest in body image, eating disorders, weight stigma, anti-fat bias, and developmental psychopathology with an emphasis on under-researched and under-represented populations.

This week, we discuss:

Kamila's tips for those who don't have the support of family at Christmas and how to navigate the festive season.
How to make Christmas your own to enhance your recovery and the enjoyment you have during this season.
Navigating body image and food or diet-related comments during the festive season.
The shift from indulgence to restriction and diet chat in the media and society, and how to navigate this and triggers that occur.
How to move away from the arbitrary rules of Christmas and to make Christmas your own and break the mould to enhance your recovery.

To find out more about Kamila, you can follow her on Instagram @drkamilairvine or Twitter @DrKIrvine. You can also read her research on Google Scholar.

Regarding the study Kamila mentioned regarding the barriers to physical activity for cis and transgender people, you can find out more information here.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. Please check out REDCAN for more support, as suggested by Kamila. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Deirdre Reddan, an Eating Disorder and Parent Coach, and an associate instructor with Youth Mental Health First Aid Ireland. Deirdre passionately educates and raises awareness about supporting parents, often the untapped superpower when someone is unwell. She works with both parents and individuals, co-leading online group programs for parents affected by eating disorders.

This week, we discuss:

The different support people get from child & adolescent to adult services, and how this impacts the parent's involvement.
Advice for parents who are feeling guilt, shame and the need to "fix" their loved one with an eating disorder.
Tips & advice on how to go about planning Christmas festivities.
How to determine the right level of challenge for your loved one and their eating disorder recovery.
How to provide support to your loved one without applying pressure or drawing attention to your loved one's eating disorder.

To find out more about Deidre, you can visit Supported Families, or follow Deirdre on Instagram (@supported_families) or LinkedIn (Deirdre Reddan).

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Belinda Rich. Belinda is a counsellor and psychotherapist, who is completing her master's research on Judaism and eating disorders. Belinda has struggled with eating disorders intermittently for over 30 years, including her most recent struggles with atypical anorexia and ARFID. Belinda joins us today to share her research and personal experience of the interplay between Judaism, eating disorders, and how to navigate Hannukah.

This week, we discuss:

What is Hannukah, and what it means to Belinda to be Jewish?
The perception and misconceptions of eating disorders within the Jewish community.
Religious/cultural factors within the Jewish community that may influence someone’s relationship with their body/food?
The impact Hannukah may have on someone who has an eating disorder.
The positives regarding the Jewish community & Hannukah celebrations which Belinda found supportive in eating disorder recovery.
Belinda's advice for finding support and balance during Hannukah celebrations.
Belinda's top tips & resources for those participating in Hannukah or worried about discussing eating disorders within their Jewish community.

To find out more about Belinda, you can follow her on Twitter @BelindaLeanne1 or Instagram @belinda.leanne1.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Dr. Louisa Beckford to discuss T1DE for Diabetes Awareness Month 2023. Louisa is a Consultant Psychiatrist at ORRI specializing in managing co-morbidities in eating disorders, while Paula is ORRI's Lead Dietitian, helping clients return to safe and intuitive eating patterns.

This week, we discuss:

The role of a consultant psychiatrist when thinking about eating disorder recovery.
How a consultant psychiatrist can work with an eating disorder and diabetes team to support their patient.
The science behind the role of insulin, and why someone may choose to restrict their insulin.
The signs and symptoms of an eating disorder to look out for when supporting someone with diabetes.
The consequences of restricting insulin.

To find out more about Orri, you can find them on social media @orri_uk or visit www.orri-uk.com for more information.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Craig Lee for International Men's Day 2023. Craig is an accredited online counsellor and psychotherapist with 18 years of experience in behaviour change and mental health services. Craig uses his personal experience of an eating disorder and body dysmorphia to support clients to achieve food freedom, enhance their body image, and lead fulfilling lives using his lived experience of an eating disorder and body dysmorphia.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

Craig's personal experience of mental health, particularly his eating disorder, body dysmorphia and suicidal ideation.
The presentation of eating disorders and body dysmorphia in men.
Craig's thoughts regarding how we can get men to speak more openly about their mental health, the nuances involved and challenges we face.

To find out more about Craig, you can follow him on Instagram @craigleetherapy, TikTok @craigleetherapy, or visit Craig's website.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week’s podcast, Han is joined by Vedica Podar. Vedica is a passionate Advocate and Ambassador for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Besides being the Founder of Kangaroo Minds and Sport Beats Stigma, Vedica is a qualified Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aider, Active Listener, Suicide Gatekeeper, and soft-skills trainer.

This week, we discuss:

What is Diwali & what does it mean to Vedica as a Hindu?
Why might Diwali be difficult for someone with disordered eating?
Why commenting on someone's body image or food intake is normalised.
Vedica's tips for navigating Diwali when struggling with an eating disorder.
How you can support a loved one in their recovery from an eating disorder during Diwali.
What changes need to occur within Indian culture in order to reduce the stigma around mental health and open up conversations.

To find out more about Vedica, you can find them on Instagram & Twitter @kangaroominds or @vedica_podar, or on Facebook and LinkedIn as Kangaroo Minds.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Lawrence Smith. Lawrence is based in Glasgow. After many years of living in London as an actor, Lawrence has come home to Scotland to figure out what he’s doing next. Having been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at an early age, Lawrence is passionate about raising awareness for mental health issues within the diabetic community.

This week, we discuss:

What is T1DE and why the diagnosis name has progressed from diabulimia?
Factors that impacted Lawrence's development of anorexia nervosa resulting from Type 1 Diabetes.
The characteristics which would give someone a diagnosis of T1DE, and how this goes from diabetes mismanagement to T1DE.
The psychological, medical and behavioural impacts of T1DE on Lawrence's life.
The assumptions the public make surrounding diabetes, and Lawrence responded to this using disordered eating behaviours.
What helped Lawrence to recover from his eating disorder and navigate recovery whilst managing his type 1 diabetes.

To find out more about Lawrence, you can follow him on Instagram @lom_smith. Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week’s podcast, Han is joined by Zoe Davis. Zoe is a dietitian with 12 years of experience and has been working in the field of mental health and eating disorders for 7 years. Zoe is finishing her Masters in Sports and Exercise nutrition which she hopes to bring into her practice, to support athletes who are experiencing disordered eating.

This week, we discuss:

The work that Zoe does as a Dietitian, and how her career has progressed to focus on mental health & eating disorders.
The impact of excessive exercise and reduced energy intake, which can lead to low energy availability (LEA) and reduced energy deficiency syndrome (RED-S).
How to know what an "adequate amount" of energy intake is, and how variable this is between individuals.
The normalisation of reduced energy intake and low body weight in sports, and how we shift this normalisation that can lead to bingeing.
The role of personal trainers and gyms in supporting athletes and clients with their training and nutrition to reduce disordered eating.
When it can be sensible to stop exercise and how to reintroduce this back into your life during recovery.
Tips from Zoe to self-soothe rather than using exercise.

To find out more about Zoe, follow her on Instagram @zoedavisdietitianyoga or email Zoe@zoedavis.ie.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Lara Rebecca. Lara is a Mental Health & Eating Disorder Awareness Advocate, and hosts The Keep Smiling Podcast to destigmatise mental health and raise awareness. Lara joins me today to discuss her own recovery journey, and how she worked to rebuild her identity post eating disorder.

This week's podcast was a lovely little ramble down a path with Lara and I. We spoke about recovery, identity, finding yourself, and the true beauty of no longer having the eating disorder overshadow every element of your life. This conversation was beautiful, like two friends excited for their futures together, and I really hope you enjoy sitting with a cup of tea and some biscuits, giggling along with us.

To find out more about Lara, you can find her on Instagram @lara_rebecca, YouTube @lararebecca4668 or visit https://keepsmiling.buzzsprout.com/ to listen to the Keep Smiling Podcast.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Richard Palmer. Richard is an eating disorder therapist and supervisor, and the Founder of The Eating Disorder Recovery Clinic. Richard is dedicated to improving the treatment of eating disorders so that more sufferers can reclaim their lives, and does this through his therapy work within his clinic, and eating disorder training. This week, we discuss:

Richard's personal experience of disordered eating and supporting loved ones, and how this led to him focusing on eating disorders in his psychotherapy training.
The development of the Eating Disorder Recovery Clinic and their unique perspective on treating eating disorders.
The importance of treating both the eating disorder symptoms and the underlying trauma, difficulties and issues.
The difficulty of eating disorder training, including the logistics of therapy sessions, burnout, and resources available for trainees.
The elements of Richard's work that keep him within his role as an eating disorder therapist and the reward he feels from supporting clients.

To find out more about The Eating Disorder Recovery Clinic, you can visit https://edrecovery.co.uk/. You can also follow the clinic on Instagram @the_ed_recovery_clinic. Kindly note, this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by India Blakemore. India is a psychology student, who aspires to become a mental health nurse following her degree. India has personal experience of an eating disorder, a personality disorder, autism, and ADHD. India joins us today for World Mental Health Day to share her experience of various diagnoses and the impact these have had. This week, we discuss:

India's diagnoses of anorexia nervosa, ADHD, autism and personality disorder, their interplay and the impact they have had on each other.
India's hospital sections and the impact this had on her mental health.
The impact of India's late diagnosis of autism and ADHD, and the change these diagnoses have had on her life.
The advice India would give to someone supporting someone with a range of mental health diagnoses.

To find out more about India, you can find her on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok @indiablakemore.

Kindly note, that this episode delves into sensitive mental health topics including eating disorders, self-harm, suicidal ideation and personality disorders. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Integrative Psychotherapist Manaal Mulla. Manaal grew up in Dubai, is of Indian origin, and trained in the UK, so her passion lies in providing culturally sensitive care for clients with anxiety, eating disorders, and relationship difficulties. Manaal is a psychotherapist at First Steps ED in the UK and at Monarch Health Centres in Dubai, as well as a columnist for BACP spiritually journal thresholds and provides eating disorder training to professionals.

This week, we discuss:

The struggle of perfectionism and how Manaal works with clients to overcome this.
The impact of faith and spirituality in eating disorders.
The Impact of Cultural Closeness in Therapy.
Challenges individuals may face during religious ceremonies e.g. Ramadan.
Manaal's reflections on the therapeutic process.

To find out more about Manaal, you can find her on Instagram @therapywithmanaal.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Cara Lisette, a mental health advocate, qualified mental health nurse, and children's therapist. Cara, who has battled anorexia since age 12, now stable in recovery for two years, is also an author of the Eating Disorder Recovery Journal and The Bipolar Disorder Journal. Her works are influenced by her personal experiences and professional expertise. Additionally, Cara maintains a thriving mental health blog centred around her anorexia recovery.

Cara's eating disorder diagnoses (anorexia nervosa and purging disorder), what they mean, and how they have been treated differently in clinical practice.
The hierarchy of diagnostic labels, why diagnostic labels can be important and how their evidence base may not be as useful in individualised clinical practice as we believe.
The importance of exploring an individual's behaviours, worries, and concerns that drive an eating disorder, rather than the diagnosis and the expectation of symptoms.
Cara's tips for clinicians to help support a patient on their recovery journey.
The importance of being honest in recovery and not putting on your "best self", and caring for you as well as others.
Cara's tips for recovery and the feeling of "stuckness".

To find out more about Cara and her work, you can find her on Instagram and Twitter @caralisetteor head over to her blog at www.caras-corner.com.

Kindly note, this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Rebecca Thomas. Rebecca is a Specialist Support Officer at First Steps ED and lived experience of anorexia nervosa, anxiety, and depression, and is passionate about using their own journey to support others in recovery. In this week's episode, we discuss:

Rebecca's personal experience of anorexia nervosa, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
The management of multiple mental health conditions within services, and how services should be integrated to support overall mental health.
The development of mental health conditions, and how Rebecca's experience transitioned between mental health conditions, leading to suicidal ideation.
Rebecca's recovery and how she has navigated these conditions alongside each other, and how recovery has increased self-awareness.
The difference in what "recovery" means for eating disorders, depression and anxiety.
Rebecca's advice for those struggling with their mental health.

To find out more about First Steps ED, you can find them on social media at @firststepsed or visit https://firststepsed.co.uk/.

Kindly note, this episode delves into sensitive mental health topics (eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation). Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr Zoe Hodson. Zoe is a GP with a Specialist Interest in Menopause. Through her practice, Zoe has noticed the lack of research conducted to understand the link between menopause and disordered eating, despite them commonly occurring as coinciding conditions. Zoe has now made it her mission to support those experiencing menopause, by promoting the development of a compassionate relationship with self, food and body.

This week, we discuss:

What do we mean by peri-menopause, menopause, and post-menopause, and the signs/symptoms people may experience.
The relationship Zoe observed between menopause and disordered eating due to psychological changes, body shape changes, sleep changes, hormonal changes and metabolism changes.
The importance of adjusting your exercise and diet to support your body and navigate menopause, which may go against the rules/values you have followed throughout your life.
The impact disordered eating can have on menopausal symptoms and the importance of putting your health first.
The importance of little changes, learning to listen to your body, and engaging in self-care when supporting yourself through menopause.
Support and interventions available for individuals who are experiencing menopause and how this can support disordered eating.

Zoe's book recommendations:

The Complete Guide to POI and Early Menopause by Dr Mandy Leonhardt & Dr Hannah Short
The Natural Menopause Method by Karen Newby
Second Spring by Kate Codrington

To find out more about Zoe and her work, you can visit https://manchestermenopausehive.co.uk/ or follow @manchestermenopausehive on Instagram.

Kindly note, this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Ciandra Birnbaum. Ciandra is the creator of Flourish with Ciandra recovery coaching and is a passionate advocate for mental health and eating disorder recovery. Having personally experienced the devastating effects of Anorexia Nervosa at a young age, she embarked on a courageous journey of healing, resilience, and self-discovery. Through her blog and social media platforms, Ciandra shares her transformative recovery process, offering support, inspiration, and hope to others facing similar challenges.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

Ciandra's personal experience of having an eating disorder, and how her childhood impacted her eating habits.
The impact of our parent's relationship with food and how being an only child can impact our relationship with food due to loneliness.
The impact of childhood bullying on Ciandra's self-esteem and how this created a perfect opportunity for an eating disorder.
Ciandra's turning point that initiated her recovery, and how she decided she was ready and wanted to work in eating disorders.
Ciandra's recovery experience and how she has developed self-compassion and validity from other areas than her eating disorder to enhance recovery.
Choosing your version of "hard" in recovery, and whether you want this to be life-long or short-term.

To find out more about Ciandra, you can follow her on Instagram/TikTok @flourishwithciandra, or follow her podcast @recovertoflourish_pod. Also, you can visit Ciandra's website www.flourishwithciandra.com.

Kindly note, this episode delves into sensitive eating disorder topics. Remember to take care of yourself while listening, and always seek professional help if needed. This podcast is your bridge to insightful discussions, not a substitute for clinical guidance.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Baroness Kate Parminter. Kate is affiliated with the Liberal Democrat party and works within the Environment and Climate Change Committee. Kate has experience with her daughter having an eating disorder, which has driven her passion to bring about change for eating disorder support through her role within the government.In this week's episode, we discuss:

Kate's personal experience of supporting her daughter with an eating disorder, and how this has motivated her passion to campaign for eating disorders.
Kate's 3 goals for improving the support for eating disorders:
- Improving the training provided to medical professionals regarding eating disorders.
- Reducing the waiting times and creating a minimum waiting time for adult patients.
- Increasing the number of beds available for patients with eating disorders.
- The urgency of determining the prevalence of eating disorders, and the importance of further research and government support.
- Kate's efforts and aims for improving medical professional training, increasing beds, and establishing a waiting time standard for adults, and how she is working with the government to achieve them.
- The horror of the term "terminal anorexia", palliative care, and how we are not providing the appropriate support for patients.
- Improving the online safety bill to support individuals with eating disorders by recognising content that can cause harm, and protecting vulnerable adults by having an "opt-in" option on potentially harmful content.
- The importance of speaking to individuals with lived experience when making changes to a service or legislation.

To keep updated on Kate's work, or to get in contact with Kate, you can find her on Twitter @kateparminter or email her at parminterk@parliament.co.uk.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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Eva's experience of working as a youth member of parliament, and how she became interested in politics and working for the Peterborough council.
The presence of sexual harassment in schools and the reasons Eva chose this to be a key part of her manifesto and why she is working to reduce sexual harassment in schools.
The need for an improved curriculum around eating disorders in school, and how increasing a sense of self and identity could help to reduce the onset and prevalence of eating disorders.
The role and responsibility of adults working with school-aged children in recognising and responding to mental health conditions e.g. eating disorders. `
The importance of advocacy in eating disorders, how this relates to social justice, and the difficulty of advocating for yourself against the eating disorder.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Lucy Gotta. Lucy is a 3rd-year medical student in Lancaster, completing her psychiatry rotation. Lucy used to be a competitive swimmer and has her own experience of an eating disorder. In this week's episode, we discuss:

The experience Lucy has had in her medical training around eating disorders.
Lucy's experience of hypothalamic amenorrhea due to sport and her eating disorder, and the impact this had on her mentally and physically.
The impact of the eating disorder and its evaluation of a lack of period.
The consequences of a lack of menstrual cycle.
How to manage regaining your period, and the importance of remembering this is not the end of the recovery journey.
The change that occurs through recovery from being upset about having a period, to gaining your life back and being proud to have a period.
The importance of realising that in order to be free from an eating disorder, it will take hard work that has to come from you, regardless of the support around you.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Vanessa Yim, David Vilijoen and Lyn Roberts. Vanessa is a Clinical Psychologist who ran a project as part of their clinical psychology doctorate to improve a patient's experience of clinical team meetings in an adult inpatient setting. David is a consultant clinical psychologist within Oxford NHS foundation trust, where the study was conducted, and Lyn is a former patient from the ward who participated in the study.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

The purpose of the study evaluating the ward rounds/clinical team meetings (CTMs) in an inpatient adult eating disorder ward, and the aims of this study.
The impact of meeting size and "strangers" attending from the clinical team which could be improved by named nurses and meeting agendas to support decision-making for treatment formulation.
The importance of acknowledging a patients stage of recovery, medical and physical conditions, motivation and ambivalence when formulating treatment plans and engaging in shared decision-making with patients.
The impact COVID restrictions had on ward rounds in terms of impersonality.
The importance of trust between the clinical team and patients in order to achieve the best formulation for a treatment plan which can be complicated by the ED voice.
The importance of language used by the clinical team to reduce the power imbalance that can be observed by patients.
The importance of having benchmarks in place for requests whilst on an in-patient ward, and the pros and cons of having individualised vs group benchmarks.

To read the paper which has been discussed in this episode, please visit https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-bulletin/article/patients-experiences-of-clinical-team-meetings-ward-rounds-at-an-adult-inpatient-eating-disorders-ward-mixedmethod-service-improvement-project/482579F1ADABBEF0C23E62100D5B943C.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Matt Davis. Matt is a nutritionist specialising in disordered eating and body image. Matt is the founder of The Flourishing Athlete, where he aims to help athletes and fitness enthusiasts develop a positive relationship with food body and self to flourish in life and sport.In this week's episode, we discuss:

What the Flourishing Athlete is, and how Matt's personal experience inspired this project.
The aims Matt has for the Flourishing Athlete project, and how he hopes to help athletes to navigate athletic diet culture by creating a positive relationship with food, body and self.
The difference between a healthy and disordered pursuit of athletic excellence and how to determine whether your motivations behind exercise are disordered or healthy.
The importance of supporting all athletes, sports and fitness enthusiasts in understanding how to cultivate a healthy, balanced relationship with exercise whilst acknowledging the influence of health professionals, coaches and social media influencers.
The concept of intuitive eating, and how this can be achieved as an athlete striving for athletic excellence after tracking food intake for so long by stepping away from athletic diet culture.
The Flourishing Athlete course's structure, and why each chapter is important for the overall development of self-compassion, identity, and recognising internal biases.

To learn more about Matt and The Flourishing Athlete, you can find them on Instagram @theflourishingathlete. `

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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Today I am joined by Jamie Chan. Jamie is a PhD researcher and a doctoral tutor in the School of Psychology at the University of Sussex. Jamie is studying psychological processes underlying women's social class and body image from a social psychological perspective, including cultural differences and discrimination. In this week's episode, we discuss the following:

Jamie's background & how they got into the body image and social class research in women.
South Asian women's body image experience regarding acculturation, skin colour and body satisfaction.
The differences in body image dissatisfaction in women living in the East versus those living in the West, and the role social media has played in this.
The role of the media in representing different races and cultures on screen, and the white-centric focus in different cultures impact body dissatisfaction.
How body image research has developed over time to integrate different ethnicities and races into the scope.
The importance of qualitative studies (e.g. focus groups) to understand the experiences of different cultures and races, without assuming someone's eating disorder will present with specific characteristics based on the group they exist in and instead of only comparing to the experience of white people.
The importance of understanding someone's identities, environment, biases, and power dynamics in a clinical setting which may impact the information patients share in the therapeutic space.
The impact social class has on body dissatisfaction, as a result of different factors that affect individuals. To find out more about Jamie and their research, you can find them on Twitter @jamie_chan_. Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Clare Steedman and Rachael Alder-Byrne. Clare and Rachael are the CEO’s and founders of TEDS – The Eating Disorder Specialists.

Clare and Rachael's approach at TEDS allows them to see their clients as individuals with their own difficulties and recovery journey ahead of them, and use the client's past, present, and future to support clients in moving away from their eating disorder.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

How TEDS work with their clients to determine what recovery may look like for them, and how they tailor their work together to achieve this.
Changes that occur in recovery, and how a client's identity, motivations, and values which are centralised around their eating disorder need to be addressed in recovery with the support of a therapist.
The role of fear and the unknown in holding someone back from eating disorder recovery, and how this can be overcome by trying something different.
The development of new coping mechanisms rather than leaning into old behaviours, the importance of practice and patience to normalise novel, positive behaviours.
The psychotherapy tool EMDR and how this process can be used to help clients reprocess trauma that may be holding someone back from eating disorder recovery.

To find out more about Rachael and Clare and their work at TEDS, you can find them on social media @teds_edspecialist or visit https://edspecialists.co.uk/. You can also find the BEAT help finder mentioned in this podcast here: https://helpfinder.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Ed Millgate. Ed is a Clinical Scientist with a specific interest in schizophrenia, however, Ed joins us today to step away from his research practice and share his experience of an eating disorder and the interaction his sexuality did, and didn't play a role in its development.

Ed's personal experience of developing an eating disorder and how this tied into his identity.
The impact Ed's sexuality had on the development of his eating disorder, and how his body shape supported his identity.
The pressures which exist in the gay community to conform to particular body types.
The role of dating apps and how they contribute to body image and self-esteem preoccupation.
The overlap, yet distinction, between the development of Ed's eating disorder and thoughts regarding his sexuality.
Elements within a treatment setting that would have retrospectively supported Ed's recovery.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Giulia Di Clemente. Giulia is a Senior Counselling Psychologist at the Maudsley Eating Disorder Service in London, where they work with clients to integrate the FREED pathway into their treatment and support other services in adopting the treatment pathway.

What is the FREED pathway?
Why the FREED pathway is currently only available for patients aged 18 - 25 years old with an experience of an eating disorder for less than 3 years.
The role of "emerging adulthood" and how important it is to address this in therapy for those aged 18 - 25 years old.
The research and outcomes which have been demonstrated using the FREED model and how this can improve treatment outcomes for all patients.
The concept of "duration of untreated eating disorder" and the impact that FREED has had on this, including awareness and education for medical professionals.
How the FREED pathway works to make the treatment approach more individualised for patients within their therapy.
How the FREED pathway is using social media both to increase awareness of eating disorders, reach out to individuals who may not realise they have an eating disorder, and to promote recovery.
Guilia's role as a FREED clinician and what it means to be a FREED champion.
The role of diagnoses in treatment and the pros/cons of these from a clinician's perspective.
How to get involved as a service with FREED, and the hopes of expansion in the future.

To find out more about the FREED pathway and how you can get involved, please visit https://freedfromed.co.uk/ for more information.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined Andy Jones. Andy has personal experience of anorexia nervosa and is an advocate for sharing his mental health experience and reducing the stigma associated with eating disorders, particularly age. In this week's episode, we discuss:

Andy's personal experience of how his eating disorder developed.
The importance of mental health campaigning to Andy, and why he wants to share his story to support the lives of others.
Why it is not as simple as "just recover" despite the impact Andy's anorexia is having on his life, family, and relationships.
The impact anorexia has, and how weight loss becomes the priority and only focus of someone's life.
The spark that keeps Andy going, however small the step, and how he navigates recovery with his loved ones despite the difficulty and his struggles.

To find out more about Andy and to hear about his mental health advocacy, you can find him on Twitter @mynameisAndyJ.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics and active anorexia in detail which some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Toni Rudd. Toni is a binge eating and food freedom dietitian who works with women who yo-yo diet to stop bingeing, to eat without restriction, and to find food freedom.

In this week's podcast, we discuss:

Toni's work as a non-diet dietitian, and how she came into this area of work.
What the term "non-diet" means, the impact this can have on someone's life, and how someone can step into this approach after years of dieting.
The impact of long-term dieting, on both your physical and mental health.
What the term "yo-yo dieting" means, the consequences of this approach.
Tips from Toni on how to step away from dieting, despite our society that praises weight loss and restriction.
Toni's view of what she has gained through saying goodbye to dieting.

To find out more about Toni, you can find them on Instagram at @the.binge.dietitian or go to https://www.thebingedietitian.com/.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Lindsey Depledge, the Chief Product Officer, and Co-Founder of Beanbag Health. Beanbag Health is a digital app which uses evidence-based CBT-E to support individuals struggling with eating and body image issues to achieve life-long recovery. Lindsey has used her background in behavioural science, health, and education technology, to develop Beanbag Health which is the topic of discussion today. In this week's episode, we discuss the following:

What Beanbag Health is and how it helps people.
Where the idea behind the Beanbag Health app comes from, based on the co-founder's experience and requirements they noticed weren't being met.
Where the Beanbag Health app can fit into someone's treatment for an eating disorder.
What CBT-E is, why it's suitable for app use, and how it can support someone in their recovery.
How the Beanbag Health app navigates tracking things like weight, meals, behaviours and emotions in a pro-recovery manner without numbers.

To learn more about the Beanbag Health app, please visit https://www.beanbaghealth.com/ or @beanbaghealth on Instagram!

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Associate Professor Gemma Sharp. Gemma is an Associate Professor of Research at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia and leads the Body Image & Eating Disorders Research Group. Gemma is also a Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Statewide Women's Mental Health Service at Alfred Health, which has specialist eating disorder treatment facilities. In this week's episode, we discuss the following:

Gemma's personal development within her career and how she came to researching social media, body image and eating disorders.
The importance of peer support and clinical support for eating disorders and body image concerns.
The impact that social media can have on our eating and exercise behaviours e.g. what I eat in a day.
The role that social media influences could have in promoting positive eating and exercise behaviours, and how researchers, clinicians, and influences can do this together in an accessible way through science communication.
How image-based platforms, editing photos, the use of filters, and the increase in "selfies" have altered our perception of self and the impact this has had on desires seen in domestic surgeries.
The impact that social media has on our perception of our own bodies and BMI, and how we can work to increase the diversity of body types on social media.
Characteristics that Gemma has noticed may make someone more susceptible to the negative consequences of social media.
Gemma's tips for navigating social media to make it a positive space that provides a pleasurable experience, rather than making you feel worse.
How clinicians can promote the use of social media through digital mental health initiatives, and how novel technology like AI can support this.

To learn more about Gemma's research, you can find her on Twitter @gemmasharp11 or search "Gemma Sharp Monash University" on Google. Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Marcus Kain. Marcus is a Nutrition Coach who helps individuals to beat binge eating and to create a rewarding relationship with food and exercise. In this weeks episode, we discuss:

Marcus' work as a coach and how this career path developed for him.
The common traps that people fall into when engaging in a new fitness regime or dietary pattern, and the importance of intention.
How Marcus works with his clients to step away from bingeing behaviours.
How to know you are eating "enough" when recovering from restrictive behaviours.
How Marcus supports his clients to challenge damaging beliefs, and how to reprogram these to achieve a better relationship with food, body and exercise.
The importance of self-compassion, and what it really means.
Marcus' experience of binge eating, using food as a coping mechanism and how he stepped away from this reliance.
Stress management tips to reduce binge eating behaviours including prevention, the company you keep, focus on your physiology (e.g. breath).

You can find out more from Marcus on social media @mkaincoaching, or listen to his podcast Strong Not Starving! Marcus' website: https://www.mkaincoaching.com/Strong Not Starving links: https://www.mkaincoaching.com/strong-not-starving

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorders and disordered eating behaviours. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way. Note that this podcast should not be used as a replacement for clinical advice.

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In this weeks podcast, Han is joined by Courtney McLean. Courtney is a PhD candidate at Monash University, where they are conducting research to determine the association between veganism, vegetarianism, and eating disorders. Courtney is also developing a validated, novel eating disorder tool for these individuals who present in eating disorder clinical settings engaging in vegan and vegetarian dietary patterns. In this weeks podcast, we discuss:

Where Courtney's motivation and insight for beginning her PhD research on the relationship between eating disorders, veganism and vegetarianism.
Exploring your intentions as to why you are engaging in a vegan/vegetarian diet, and if this is positive towards your recovery.
The importance of respecting someone's values and exploring the impact eating meat may have on their recovery.
The quantity and portion sizes required in order to meet nutritional requirements.
How current questionnaires and screening tools for eating disorders are not adaptable to vegans and vegetarians.
The hope for research surrounding veganism and vegetarianism in eating disorders, including prevalence rates and cognitive traits.

To find out more about Courtney and the research they are conducting, you can find them on Twitter @CourtneyPMcLean.

You can also find the Royal College of Psychiatry Consensus statement on considerations for treating vegan patients with eating disorders here: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/members/faculties/eating-disorders/vegan-patients-eating-disorders-mar19.pdf?sfvrsn=be96d428_2

Please note that this podcast discusses vegan and vegetarian dietary patterns and eating disorders. This podcast is not aimed to criticise vegan and vegetarian lifestyles but to explore the impact of these diets during eating disorder recovery. Please tread lightly, check in with yourself, and do not replace clinical advice and support with this podcast.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Emily Troscianko. Emily is a writer and researcher about bodies, minds and health. Emily writes a blog on eating disorders called A Hunger Artist for Psychology Today, and her piece "The Seductions of Anorexa" is our topic of conversation today.

In this week's episode, we discuss the following:

Anorexia as an anaesthetic - making everything else mean less.
Why does it feel more enticing or possible to follow the directions of an eating disorder, but not those around us and move away from it?
Anorexia as a Rosette Stone - giving you ready-made meaning.
Anorexia as a gold star: Giving you top marks in the little things.
Anorexia as halo: Making you feel special.
Anorexia as hunger strike: Letting you be other than what you’re expected to be.
Anorexia as partial suicide: Letting you live.
When will it all be enough?
How Emily overcame the seductions of anorexia to recover after 10 years of darkness.

To find out more about Emily and her work, you can find her website at https://hungerartist.org/.

Please note that this podcast discusses the seductions of anorexia which may be triggering for some individuals. This podcast is intended to unpick the reality behind anorexia and why it is difficult to escape from and is not a glorification of behaviours.

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In this weeks episode, Han joined by Lucy House. Lucy is a registered mental health nurse, who has personal experience with an eating disorder. Following on from her personal experience, Lucy decided to train as a registered mental health nurse and has experience of working in an eating disorder unit.

In this weeks podcast, we discuss:

The role of a mental health nurse, within the mental health setting and more specifically in eating disorder treatment.
Training that is provided to mental health nurses regarding eating disorders, and how this could be improved.
Signs and symptoms for nurses to watch for on a ward which could indicate an eating disorder.
The importance of a handover in supporting someone with their eating disorder recovery.
How Lucy's personal experience of an eating disorder has shaped her carer today, as well as how she looks after herself allowing her to look after others.
The improvements that can be made to supporting eating disorder clients from a nurses perspective.
The role of a nurse within an inpatient admission, and a patients overall recovery journey.

For more information about Lucy, you can find them on Instagram and Twitter @lvrecovery.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.

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How Sophie's experience of body image and her relationship with food has shaped her work as an Eating Disorder Therapist.
Sophie's thoughts on the factors which impact our perceptions of our body, and how our mood plays a key role in this.
The impact of changing body ideals on our perception of self, how maintaining these can be impossible to sustain so thinking about internal feelings is more fulfilling and sustainable.
How we use our bodies to communicate our emotions, and why low self-worth and self-esteem can impact our emotions so strongly.
The impact of treatments such as plastic surgery have on our perception of our bodies, and how individual's may require more support than is offered to understand the motivations behind these procedures.
The changes that occur in recovery, as well as natural changes that occur with age, and how to navigate these and the fear associated with change.
How to shift your mindset to embrace change as a positive once the pre-change anxiety has reduced.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder behaviours and body image that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and note that this podcast should not be a replacement for clinical advice. You can find out more about Sophie and her work on social media @foodbodyself_ or @projectprevented, or visit her website https://foodbodyself.co.uk/.

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In this weeks podcast, Han is joined by Dr Marianne Miller. Marianne is an eating disorder therapist and binge eating coach who supports clients through eating disorder recovery.

In this week's episode, we come together to dispel the common myths associated with binge eating disorder and share the research behind BED. Together, we discuss:

What actually is binge eating disorder?
How Marianne got into eating disorder coaching.
We demystifying the following:
- BED is just an excuse for people who are "greedy".
- BED is a food addiction.
- BED doesn't have a "look" or "size", despite often being discussed in tangent with obesity, particularly in research.
- BED recovery does not mean going on a diet or restricting your food intake.
- BED is not anorexia without willpower.
- Recovery from a long term eating disorder or when you've had different types of eating disorders isn't possible.
- How someone may transition from one eating disorder to the other.
- Medical treatments and therapeutic options for BED that have shown promising results.

Please note that this podcast discusses myths and stigmas associated with binge eating disorder that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way and remember this shouldn't be used as a replacement for therapeutic advice.

To find out more about Marianne, you can find her on Instagram @drmariannemiller or visit https://www.drmariannemiller.com/free-masterclass to check out the free master class they are offering!

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In this weeks podcast, Han is joined by Iman Rahman. Iman is a queer, disabled, Muslim who lives with ARFID. As a result of the lack of conversations around culture and religion with the ED community, Iman joins us to share their experience and help others feel less isolated in their journey. In this weeks podcast, we discuss: * What is Ramadan? * How Iman navigates Ramadan with ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder). * The misunderstanding of eating disorders, and how Iman naivgates these conversations. * Iman's experience of chronic illness, how this affects Ramandan, and interplays with their eating disorder. * How Iman's family supports their eating disorder and chronic illness throughout Ramandan. * How to support someone practising Ramandan if you aren't. * How you can observe Ramadan without fasting if that's not something you feel able to.

For more information, you can find Iman @alilbitofaith on Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok and to find all the resources they mentioned in this weeks podcast. You can also find Iman on @disabled.BIPOC for Iman's page regarding BIPOC individuals and their stories.Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorders and Ramandan, which may be triggering for some individuals. Please tread lightly, check in with yourself, and ensure you don't use this as an alternative for therapeutic advice.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Livia Sara. Livia is the founder of Liv Label Free, where Liv works as a food freedom coach to support individuals with eating disorders to embrace their autistic characteristics in their recovery, rather than trying to change them.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

What is Liv Label Free, and what was Livia's journey?
Labels and diagnoses, how they can affect our identity, and how this can vary for eating disorders and neurodiversity.
Understanding the difference between eating disorder behaviours and autism, and how they can be s destructive or supportive respectively.
How treatment services can adapt their approach to support individuals for their individuality, promoting long term recovery.

To find out more about Livia and her work, you can find her on Instagram @livlabelfree or visit her website ww.w.livlabelfree.com

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder behaviours that some individuals make find challenging to hear. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way. Note: this podcast should not be used as a replacement for therapeutic support.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Emma Carter. Emma has personal experience of supporting her daughter with an eating disorder. Emma started to jot down a few notes about her experience, which has now led to her writing a book through the lens of a mother’s eye and the depths of a mother’s heart regarding the highs and lows of her daughter's battles with anorexia. By describing their journey, Emma hopes to help others on a similar path, which can sometimes feel lonely, isolating, and sometimes shameful.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

What to do if you notice potential signs of an eating disorder, or how to pick up on the signs that retrospectively seem "obvious".
How to navigate your loved one's ambivalence and to get support.
Emma's experience of supporting Poppy, and how this can change throughout someone's journey.
How Emma supports herself in order to make sure she can support Poppy, and the reality that this isn't easy in the beginning.
How Emma has supported her son and ensured his needs were met whilst his sister was ill.
Why Emma started to write, and how this progressed into her book "Slaying Monsters Dodging Doughnuts".
How Emma navigated the darkest, lowest moments and remained hopeful throughout Poppy's recovery.
Tips Emma has for separating the eating disorder from her daughter, and how this has supported Poppy's recovery and brought them together.

Please note that this podcast discusses topics some individuals may find triggering such as eating disorder behaviours and recovery. Please tread lightly, check in with yourself, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical advice.

To find out more about Emma, and her book, head over to www.emmacarter.co.uk or follow Emma on Twtitter @Emma_Carter007.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Rachel Evans. Rachel is a bulimia recovery specialist and has created her practice to use her personal experience of recovering from an eating disorder to support clients as a chartered psychologist in their eating disorder recovery journey. Rachel specialises in bulimia recovery and joins us today to discuss navigating this recovery process from her personal and clinical experience.

This week we discuss:

What is bulimia?
How to navigate reducing bingeing and purging behaviours.
How eating disorders thrive in isolation, and tips on navigating this so eating disorder behaviours don't take over.
The motivation people may have behind engaging in behaviours, and how to work through these in recovery.
The consequences of behaviours associated with bulimia, and how they may not always show up immediately.
How to support someone else who is trying to recover from bulimia and reduce behaviours?

To find out more about Rachel, you can find her on Instagram @rachel.evans.phd or visit their website https://eatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/.

You can also find a summary of the book that Rachel recommends here: https://embodieddietitian.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Sick-Enough.pdf or find the full version by searching "Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders - Jennifer L. Gaudiani".

Please note that this podcast discusses behaviours associated with eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa, that may be challenging for some individuals. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way, and remember this should not be used as a replacement for clinical advice.

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In this weeks episode, Has is joined by Adam Fare, Zoe Burnett, and Christina Taylor. Adam, Zoe and Christina are mental health campaigners who all have a range of mental health illnesses and neurodiversity lived experiences.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

The importance of friendship and community in recovery, particularly individuals who have been there and understand your difficulties.
How we can work together to get all voices heard, rather than individual voices that may not share every experience?
Stigmas that they have experienced, and how they support each other to navigate these challenges to ensure they continue with their activism and awareness-raising work.
How you can navigate friendships with similar mental health conditions so you don't create a friendship around it, which encourages anti-recovery behaviours and an ED identity.
Finding identity beyond an eating disorder.
How to navigate support groups, making friends, and boundaries in sharing struggles with each other in mind.

To find out more about Zoe, Adam, and Christina, you can find them at:

Zoe - @barefootrebel1 or @firststepsed
Adam - @adamfare1996
Christina - @chtaylor_ or @beated

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dewald Louw. Dewald is a Counselling Psychologist based in Cape Town, South Africa, and currently works as a remote therapist at Orri, a private eating disorder clinic in London. Dewald has extensive experience working with adolescents and adults in inpatient and private settings and has observed the unique mental health challenges that often go unnoticed in boys and men which make it difficult for them to embrace therapeutic environments.

This year, Eating Disorder Awareness Week (2023) focuses on eating disorders in boys and men. In this weeks podcast, we discuss:

The prevalence of eating disorders in men and why this may be higher than expected.
The signs and symptoms in boys & men compared with girls & women.
Muscle dysmorphia and its presence in men, and how to distinguish a disorder from a healthy relationship with exercise.
The idea that, similar to women and girls, eating disorders are a form of protection and ability to survive, not just a food and body issue.
How masculinity impacts the development of eating disorders.
The role of group therapy in male eating disorder recovery.
How to make eating disorder treatment centres more accessible for boys and men, allowing them to access the treatment they require.
The need for male-appropriate screening tools and assessments.
How ORRI are supporting boys and men with eating disorders and what's behind their #RememberYourBROS.

To find out more about ORRI you can visit www.orri-uk.com, or find @ORRI_UK on Instagram or Twitter.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder behaviours that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember that this is not a replacement for therapeutic support.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by H Coakley. H is a queer, non-binary registered nutritionist dietitian, who works with individuals with eating disorders and disordered eating. H works with folks from a range of identities and experiences, including queer, trans and gender non-conforming individuals.

.In this weeks episode, we discuss:

H's personal experience of an eating disorder and how this has led to their work as a dietitian with queer, trans, non-gender confirming, individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating.
The unique experiences that trans and non-gender conforming individuals may experience, and how this may contribute to an eating disorder including gender dysphoria and dysmorphia.
H's approach to unpacking an individual's unique experiences, and how to work through this to move away from an eating disorder and build new coping mechanisms that are more supportive.
H's experience of working with clients on hormonal replacement therapy, and how this has impacted clients.
The importance of developing alternative coping mechanisms, and understanding that just changing your body may not provide the relief from the eating disorder individuals expect.
How H's recovery aligns with their work as a dietitian.
How healthcare systems can work with trans, queer, and gender non-conforming clients to ensure their unique experiences are acknowledged and respected.

To find out more about H, you can find them on Instagram @pandowellness or visit their website https://www.pandowellness.org/.

You can also find out more about the FedUp Collective where H works to support trans+, intersex, and gender-diverse people who are experiencing eating disorders to get the support they require and deserve. You can find them on Instagram @fedupcollective or visit https://fedupcollective.org/.

Please note that this podcast episode discusses topics such as eating disorders, gender dysphoria and dysmorphia, and other topics that individuals may find difficult. Please tread lightly, check in with yourself, and remember that this podcast is not a replacement for therapeutic advice.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Jennifer Danby for a Valentine's Day special; taking a deep dive into our relationship with ourselves and others, and an eating disorder. Jennifer is a Clinical Lead and Family Therapist in a specialist lifespan eating disorder service in London and specialises in emotion-focused family therapy. Jennifer joins us today for a valentine’s special, to talk about our relationship with self and how this is affected by an eating disorder. Jennifer is also conducting a research study at Imperial College London, which involves providing psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to individuals with an anorexia nervosa diagnosis to determine whether this could be an alternative, effective, treatment for people in the future.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

Jennifer's work in eating disorders, and how this has led her to work in emotion-focused family therapy.
How eating disorders affect the relationship with self and others, as well as how an eating disorder relationship exists.
The characteristics that may lead to eating disorder development, and how they may predispose you to an eating disorder, but don't need to be abolished.
The study Jennifer is conducting using Psilocybin to provide psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for women with an anorexia nervosa diagnosis when treatment hasn't been accepted in a successful way.
- The research behind the use of Psilocybin in mental health treatment and how this can help individuals to tap into emotions and feelings suppressed by the eating disorder.
- The addictive nature associated with eating disorders and if this is affected by using psychedelics in trials.
- The hopes for the study going forward, and overall for the treatment of anorexia nervosa.

Please note that this podcast discusses the relationship with eating disorders which some individuals may find challenging. Please check in with yourself and tread lightly, and remember this episode should not be replaced for clinical advice. Please note that this podcast is not encouraging illegal drug use.

To find out more about Jennifer and her research, you can read more here:

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/research/eating-disorder-research/psilocybin-as-a-treatment-for-anorexia-nervosa-a-pilot-study/

https://www.mentalhealthfoundations.ca

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/psychedelic-research-centre/trials/panorexia/

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.735523/full?&utm_source=Email_to_authors_&utm_medium=Email&utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&utm_campaign=Email_publication&field=&journalName=Frontiers_in_Psychiatry&id=735523

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dr Helen Startup and Dr Nicky Gilbert. Helen and Nicky join Han to discuss Schema Therapy from both a clinical and personal perspective.

This week, we discuss:

What is schema therapy, where did it develop from, and what's the theory behind it?
The parts that make us who we are, and how we work through Schema Therapy to adapt the intensity of these roles e.g. growing the healthy adult and shrinking the critic a bit.
The society we live in, and how more critical and perfectionistic traits are favoured over self-care and compassion for self.
Nicky's personal and Helen's professional experience of Schema Therapy.
What is the Schema Therapy school, and how you can get involved.

To find out more about Helen and Nicky, or the Schema Therapy School, you can find them at:

Twitter: @SchemaSchool @NickyGilbert14
Instagram: @schematherapyschool @drnickygilbert

Helen is a teacher and trainer of schema therapy. Along with her colleague Janis Briedis she co-directs Schema Therapy School UK which offers a complete training course in Schema Therapy as well as briefer specialist workshops. She co-authored, 'Creative Methods in Schema Therapy: Advances and Innovation in Clinical Practice', which was published in 2020. She used to work as an NHS consultant psychologist in an eating disorders service but now works mainly in the private sector.

Nicky is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with more than 10 years of experience in Specialist eating disorder teams. She currently works freelance, providing supervision to clinicians working in the NHS and private sector, and therapy to individuals with eating disorders and other difficulties. Her love of schema therapy began after her own experience of receiving it. It is an approach that often informs her work even when she is not using it in a formal sense.

Please note that this podcast discusses various therapeutic models and challenges that may be faced. Please tread lightly, check in with yourself, and note this podcast should not be a replacement for therapeutic support.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Emily from We Are Mind Body.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

Emily's experience of having an eating disorder and her recovery, and how that led to her starting We Are Mind Body.
Other coping mechanisms that can be used in recovery, particularly turning to alcohol and how this is normalised within society.
What EFT is, how it originated, and the current research surrounding it.
We speak specifically about the research surrounding EFT in eating disorders, and the current focus on craving work and weight loss strategies.
How Emily sees EFT being used in eating disorders, such as anxiety e.g. fear foods or binge eating, trauma, memories, and core beliefs.
We end with a live EFT session for you to try along to! Check out Instagram if you would like to watch this snippet.

To find out more about Emily and her EFT work, you can find her on Instagram @wearemindbody, or find links to all Emily's work here: https://linktr.ee/wearemindbody.

Please note that this topic discusses eating disorder behaviours and a reliance on alcohol that some listeners may find challenging. Please check in with yourself along the way and note that this podcast should not be replaced with therapeutic support.

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In this weeks very special 100th episode, Han is joined by her bestie George Mycock, the founder of MyoMinds. George joins Han to discuss what 100 episodes of Full of Beans have taught Han, and the relapse that she is currently experiencing.

A big, big thank you to everyone who has supporting Full of Beans so far. Without your support, this wouldn't be possible, but I truly am so grateful for the kind words you share, and the change we are creating.

Please note that this episode dives in deep relapse and recovery, so please make sure you tread lightly and look after yourself. This conversation is important, but may be raw.

To find out more about George, you can find him on Instagram and Twitter @myo_minds and @MyoMinds, respectively.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Rory Brown. Rory is a health, behaviour, and performance coach and works with clients to determine the limiting beliefs they hold which are preventing calmness, confidence, and freedom.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

Rory's practice of working with clients to achieve their goals, promote beneficial change, and how his work in the fitness industry found him there.
Goal setting, the need for a quick fix, and the difficulty in sticking to goals that are externally enforced rather than internally.
The importance of discomfort, tolerance, and confidence in facing fear and promoting change.
The role of breath work and mindfulness, and the feeling of safety and disconnect in relation to an eating disorder.
Rory's personal experience of an eating disorder, and how he transitioned from having an eating disorder to the practice he works in now.
The restriction and eating disorder or fear provides, and the realisation of the world outside of an eating disorder.

To find out more about Rory and his practice, you can find him on Instagram @rorythomasbrown or visit https://www.rorybrown.org/.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorders, body image, trauma and other mental health-related topics that com individuals may find distressing. Please check in with yourself along the way, and tread lightly.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Jodie Calleja. Jodie is a vlogger, who hosts a Vlog with her husband Steve, documenting Jodie's recovery journey and how they are working as a partnership to navigate the challenges of eating disorder recovery.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

The role that Steve plays in Jodie's recovery, and how Jodie's perception of Steve's role has changed as her recovery journey has progressed.
The importance of external, clinical support in eating disorder recovery for both the one with the eating disorder and their partner.
The importance of recovering for you rather than recovering for a partner, or anyone externally.
The importance of understanding what the eating disorder provides you in order to navigate recovery, determine your goals, and be able to move forward now for the future.
Jodie's perspective of how to help someone with recovery in the moment, asking what they need, and being flexible and patient.
Jodie's attempt at "All In", how this worked out for her, and how the way social media perceives all in might not be the most beneficial for recovery.
The impact of Jodie's eating disorder on her marriage, demonstrating just how manipulative and detrimental eating disorders can be.
The support that is available for partners, and how this needs to be improved.

To find out more about Jodie and their Vlog, you can find them on Instagram and Youtube @recoveryinpartnership, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjolMcNcoKiJHb0pfbf_GdA

Please note that this episode discusses eating disorders (particularly anorexia nervosa) relapse in realtime. Please check in within yourself throughout the episode, and note that this podcast should not be used as an alternative to clinical support.

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In this weeks epiosde, Han is joined by Elle Kelly. Elle is a registered sport, eating disorder, and disordered eating dietitian. Elle works with clients with eating disorders and disordered eating to improve their relationship with food, and has excellent knowledge on this specifically in the athletic community.

As we move into a challenging time of year, where diet and gym culture thrive, we thought it would be good to navigate these challenges together and the impact of certain behaviours.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

Navigating the festive period, and the movement into the new year, and how to work through the normalisation of disordered eating behaviours.
The difference between eating disorders and disordered eating, and how disordered eating has become normalised in society.
The presence of disordered eating in sports and athletes, and the difficulty of identifying this due to external pressures, goals, training routines etc.
The prevalence of eating disorders in lean vs non-lean and weight vs non-weight dependent sports.
The Female Athlete Triad and Low Energy Availability (LEA) in athletes, what it is, how this can present, and the long term impacts of these issues.

To find out more about Elle, you can find her on Instagram @ellekellynutrition or visit her website https://www.eknutrition.com/.

Please note that this podcast discusses a number of eating disorder and disordered eating behaviours that some individuals may find challenging. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way. It should also be noted that this podcast should not be replaced by clinical support.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Hannah Harvey. Han has personal experience of an eating disorder and her recovery journey, and now runs a peer support group to help others as a result of her personal experience.

In this week's episode we discuss:

Han's personal experience of her eating disorder.
The different aspects of your life and how the eating disorder can overshadow these, making you forget how you are enough in so many areas of your life but not with the eating disorder.
What being in recovered or being recovered actually means, and how the eating disorder may try to distort this.
Han's experience of recovery, navigating rules, and advice for others.
Han's approach to setting goals in her recovery and New Year's and resolutions.
How Han sets her big and small goals, how she sticks to them, and how a Tesco meal deal can change your life.

Additionally, Han and I set ourselves goals for when this podcast is released to see if we can set them. They were:

Han (Harvey) - to be louder in calling out diet culture and to be really aware of the subtle messaging of diet culture around New Year.
Han (Hickinbotham) - to be actively engaging in eating disorder treatment.

And... make sure you listen until the end for an incredible surprise.

To find out more about Han, you can follow her on Instagram @hananaharvey or Twitter @1HannahHarvey.

Please note that this podcast discusses anorexia nervosa recovery and thoughts around eating disorders. Please check in with yourself along the way. Note, this podcast should not be a replacement for clinical support.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Harriet Frew. Harriet is the founder of The Eating Disorder Therapist Podcast, works as a counsellor to help clients find peace with food and their body, and provides training to mental health professionals around eating disorders and body image.

In this weeks episode, we tackle your questions and concerns regarding the festive period, including:

Navigating social events which are high frequency and checking in with yourself to ensure you are looking after yourself and not saying yes to everything causing burnout.
How to navigate the food, ensure you eat regularly, and maintain your blood sugar levels.
How to navigate challenging comments around food, appearance, diet chat etc from others and the importance of communication.
How to navigate the guilt that sometimes comes alongside eating, and how we can begin to enjoy the food without wanting to compensate afterwards.
How to navigate the urge to engage in binging and purging behaviours, and other compensatory behaviours which may feel inescapable during the festive period.
The importance of communication, whether this is someone with you in person or someone who can be on the other end of the phone for when you need a vent.
How to use Christmas as a tool for recovery, rather than fearing the event.
Supporting a friend or family member in eating disorder recovery this Christmas, the importance of communication and checking in.

You can find out more about Harriet on Instagram @theeatingdisordertherapist_ or https://www.theeatingdisordertherapist.co.uk/

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder behaviours that some individuals may find triggering. Check in with yourself along the way and tread lightly. Please note that this podcast should not be replaced for therapeutic support.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dr Joanna Silver. Joanna is the lead psychological therapist at Orri, a specialist eating disorder treatment service in London. Joanna joins us to discuss Christmas preparation, and to provide advice on navigating a number of festive concerns.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

Common concerns that Joanna has witnessed in clients including:
- The increased number of social events and how to navigate them.
- Spending more time with family members.
- Wanting to restrict before social events.
- The urge to binge because of the quantity and types of food in the home at Christmas that may normally be avoided.
- Navigating triggering conversations around food and body.
- Supporting someone through eating disorder recovery as a family member or friend, and the importance of communication.
- How as a loved one to make sure you have time for yourself and enjoy the things you like about the festive period too.

My main takeaway from this podcast is: do what works for you, and what makes you happy.

You can find out more about Orri @orri_uk on Instagram or Twitter. You can also find out more at orri-uk.com.

You can also check out the BEAT website for support around the festive period, as mentioned by Joanna. https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/news/coping-with-eating-disorder-christmas/

Please note that this podcast discusses a number of eating disorder behaviours that some individuals may find difficult. please check in with yourself along the way and tread lightly.

Please don't forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe! You can find FOB on Instagram and Twitter @thefobpodcast or visit www.fullofbeansed.co.uk for more information!

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Emily Nuttall. Emily is a mental health campaigner, and ambassador for BEAT and Mind. Emily is also advising at Action for Children.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

Emily's experience of an eating disorder.
The impact of having cerebral palsy on the development of Emily's eating disorder, and how this impacted her recovery.
The impact of having autism on the development of Emily's eating disorder, and how this impacted her recovery.
What Emily found useful in her treatment, and the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach which individualises treatment based on the patient, not the diagnosis.
Emily's awareness-raising work as an individual with lived experience.

To find out more about Emily, you can find her here:

Twitter: @emily4993
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-nuttall-89b725195/
Instagram: @emilyemzn
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/emilyn93

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dr Jamie Feusner. Jamie is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and is the principal investigator in the Brain, Body & Perception Research Program. The clinical research at the Brain, Body & Perception Research Program aims to understand the brain's basis of perception, emotion, and reward across conditions involving body image, obsessions, and compulsions.

The main research topics of the Brain, Body & Perception Research Program are Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Anorexia Nervosa (AN).

In this weeks episode we discuss:

What is BDD?
How Jamie got interested and started researching BDD.
The link between OCD, AN and BDD.
The brain region activation difference between someone with BDD and healthy controls.
The difference in structures in the brain of individuals with BDD, and how they contribute to BDD symptoms.
The importance of insight in BDD and how it can support an individual.
The role SSRIs can play in improving the symptoms of BDD.
The treatment options available for BDD, and the complexity of this are due to the involvement of many different parts of the brain.
The next step in Jamie's research, using TMS to increase the brain's plasticity, which may improve the behavioural interventions provided for BDD. As well as eye movement, emotions, and brain connectivity.

If you would like to find out more information about the Brain, Body & Perception Research Program and Jamie's research, you can find more information here:

Email: anorexia.research@camh.ca or bdd.research@camh.ca
Website: https://bbp.lab.utoronto.ca/
Twitter: @BDD_anorexia

Please note that this podcast discusses behaviours specific to eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Please check in with yourself along the way, and note that this episode should not be replaced for clinical advice and support.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Emmy Brunner. Emmy is a personal empowerment and transformation coach, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and the CEO of The Recover Clinic. Through Emmy’s personal and professional experience, Emmy works with clients to establish their trauma response, and to help them develop coping mechanisms to manage difficult life events.

In this weeks episode we discuss:

Please note that this episode should not be replaced for professional support. If you are struggling, reach out and know you are not alone.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dr Anna Oldershaw. Anna is a clinical psychologist and academic, specialising in emotion-focused therapy and schema therapy. Anna is also the Chief Investigator on the SPEAKS study, which aims to support patients in navigating emotions suppressed by AN, see the façade of AN, and promote growth and recovery through emotion-based scheme therapy.

What is SPEAKS and how the study was conducted?
How SPEAKS supports individuals in understanding their emotions and finding out who they are, and moving away from their vulnerable selves.
Different coping styles may lead to the development of an eating disorder.
Trusting yourself in recovery, moving from external to internal motivation.
The therapeutic process involved in SPEAKS, including the formulation of self.
The facade of anorexia nervosa, where anorexia nervosa might feel like it’s helping and when it becomes a poor fit in life.
Finding alternative coping mechanisms through the development of a healthy adult.
The applicability of SPEAKS, and its effectiveness for individuals with a longer duration and more complex eating disorder that is often missed in traditional therapies.
The availability of SPEAKS and the future prospects.
The results and promising outcomes from the SPEAKS study.

To find out more about SPEAKS or Anna…

Twitter: @SPEAKSstudy & @annaoldershaw
Email: anna@emotionspeaks.co.uk
Private therapy & training: www.emotionspeaks.co.uk
Papers:
- Lost self paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00219/full
- Seeing through the facade paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.868586/full
- Trial protocol: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/2/e050350
- SPEAKS therapy animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gia_2y0CBvo

Please note that this episode should not be replaced by professional support and advice. If you are struggling, please reach out for support and know you are not alone.

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Jacqueline Davis. Jacqueline is the founder of Binge Breakers and works as a bulimia recovery coach to help her clients to change their habits, shift their mindsets and engage in intuitive eating.

In this weeks episode we discuss:

Jacqueline's experience of an eating disorder, and how this lead her to coaching.
The binge-purge cycle, and what these behaviours provided for Jacqueline.
Jacqueline's recovery methods including pausing, managing urges, communication, and intuitive eating.
Limited beliefs that prevent recovery, and the importance of unpacking what is holding you back in making the decision of stopping binge-purge behaviours.
The link between bulimia and burnout, the consequences of behaviours that outweigh the "high" that are sometimes associated with binge-purge behaviours.
How to navigate and reframe relapses, slip-ups, and the guilt and shame that can be associated with this into a learning moment and sign that difficult emotions are being felt.
How to navigate weight restoration in bulimia recovery.

Jeanette Archer - pausing

To find out more about Jacqueline, you can follow her on Instagram @bingebreakers_bulimia, or check out her website https://www.bingebreakers.com.

Please note that this episode discusses behaviours such as bingeing and purging, which some individuals may find triggering. This podcast should not be replaced with clinical advice and support. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Sean Saw Jun Kyle. Sean has personal experience of difficulties with food and body image and joins Han in this episode to explore the differences between western and Asian culture, and how this may contribute to the development of difficulties with eating and body image.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

Sean's experience of growing up in Singapore, and how the conversations around mental health differ from his experience in the UK.
The difference in calorie counting and diet culture in Singapore compared to the UK.
Sean's experience of force-feeding as a young Dragon Boat and canoeing national athlete, and the nutritional support he received.
The normalisation of gym culture Sean was exposed to whilst growing up.
The comments Sean received regarding his eating and weight as a child, and how this impacted his move the UK and eating around new people.
The difference in understanding of mental health and eating disorders between generations in Singapore, and the change needed for a supportive environment.

Please note that this podcast discusses body types in different cultures, gym culture, and force-feeding which some individuals may find difficult.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Larabella (Lara) Myers, a friend of Han's from uni, who has personal experience of anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

Lara's experience of anorexia nervosa, treatment, and her recovery process.
Lara's experience of a transition to binge eating disorder, and why she felt this transition occurred.
Lara's experience of weight restoration, arbitrary measures set in treatment, and managing a change in body shape.
The impact of prolonged starvation on Lara's hormones causing overstimulated thyroid glands and weight gain.
Lara's move to Singapore and the impact of body ideals, food types, and cultural differences on recovery.
Lara's tips for weight restoration and changing her perspective

To find out more about Lara, you can follow her on Instagram and TikTok @larabellamyers.

Please note that this episode discusses topics that some may find difficult including low weight and weight restoration.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Hope Virgo, Sharon White OBE and Suzanne Samaka. Hope Virgo is an award-winning mental health campaigner who has been involved in several campaigns and projects to improve patients' support for eating disorders (EDs). Sharon is the co-chair of the school nurses international, and the CEO of the School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA), where she is a passionate advocate for children, young people, and their families. Suzanne Samaka is a mental health campaigner and the founder of the Honesty About Editing Campaign which supports youth mental health against the challenges of low self-esteem and negative body image caused by edited content on social media.

On 17th October, MPs and campaigners will come together to launch the first ever eating disorder manifesto and a toolkit for school nurses empowering them to have the right conversations. EDs are not new illnesses, but they have risen increasingly since the pandemic and delays have led to chronic long-term illness and loss of life. Campaigners have acknowledged we are no longer hiding behind the pandemic and ensure no one is dying from an ED in 2022.

This campaign is working to remove the stigma, shame, guilt, and misunderstanding that surrounds these illnesses, ensuring timely access to specialist support is provided to everyone, and to provide adequate funding to meet the demand required of ED services. everybody should have timely access to specialist services.

The School Nursing Toolkit named "eating disorders can affect anybody" has been produced to support children, young people, and their families through the provision of the latest evidence, research, and user-informed best practice guidance. This will allow school nurses to work with families, schools, and peers to support mental health in and out of education.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

The ED manifesto, timely treatment, and the importance of speaking about EDs in all situations, not just schools.
How the toolkit aims to support school nurses.
The importance of involving carers, parents, teachers, school nurses, and others experiences and needs for the resource to be effective and useful.
A school nurse's role is identifying and supporting the child, young person, and families with an ED.
How to meet the demands of children and young people with the current workforce, and how this project will support mental health.
How social media and digital technologies are used to come alongside children and young people to support their mental health.
Teaching children and young people about mental health in schools.
Prospects and plans for mental health support in children and young people.
Working together as a team of mental health professionals, nurses, teachers, and families, with an asset-based, patient-centred approach in order to support the individual.
The hope for translating these resources into tools available for adults and the workplace.

To find out more about the campaign, toolkit, and podcast guests, visit:

SAPHNA:
- Website - https://saphna.co
- Toolkit - https://saphna.co/news/saphna-launch-eating-disorders-toolkit/
- Sharon White:
- Twitter - @SAPHNAsharonOBE
- Suzanne Samaka (#HonestyAboutEditingCampaign):
- Instagram - @protectyouthmentalhealth
- Twitter - @suzannesamaka (twitter)
- Campaign link - https://www.change.org/p/amend-the-social-media-law-to-label-content-that-has-been-digitally-edite

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Hailey Hechtman. Hailey is the Executive Director of Causeway, a non-profit organisation which helps people with mental illness and other challenges to find meaningful and rewarding work and to live more independently.

In this week's episode, we discuss:

Mental health in the workplace, and how this can be affected and supported.
How to navigate interviews and coming back to work following mental health difficulties.
What Causeway do, and how they support individuals in the workplace.
Hailey's personal experience of mental health issues and disordered eating.
Diet culture in the workplace and how these conversations can be navigated.
How to have a discussion around mental health with your employer, and how to create a safe and inclusive environment at work.

To find out more about Hailey and Causeway, you can find Hailey on Twitter and Instagram @HaileyHechtman, Causeway @CausewayWork on Twitter, or @causewayworkcentre on Instagram or visit https://www.causewayworkcentre.org/.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Georgie Lazzari. Georgie is a Peer Support Development Worker in the NHS, and a Group Facilitator at First Steps ED.

We start in this episode by discussing Georgie's personal experience of an eating disorder, and how this led her to her peer support work. We discuss the time Georgie had to have off work due to her eating disorder, and the challenges this proposed.

We then speak about peer support work, how it can be used in eating disorder treatment, and how it differs from but can work alongside clinical treatment. We speak about when peer support may be useful, the benefits of peer support, and the challenges to be aware of.

We then speak about working in eating disorders following your own recovery, and the challenges that this may develop. In this, we speak about the support required, the courage it takes to work in this environment, and the fact that it is okay to step away once recovered and not work in eating disorders.

Please note that this episode discusses recovery and eating disorder behaviours that some individuals may find difficult, please tread lightly and check in with yourself.

You can find more information about Georgie @GeorgieLazzari on Twitter and Instagram. Please also go to @FirstStepsED on Twitter and Instagram or www.firststepsed.co.uk to find out more about their peer support work.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Sam Sharpe and Syd Friedman who both work at the FEDUP collective. The FEDUP collective is an organisation fighting eating disorders in underrepresented populations.

Sam is a transgender, intersex person who is passionate about science communication, queering up the STEM field, and biology and social justice. Syd identifies as transgender, non-binary and bisexual, and is passionate about social and environmental justice, specifically advocating for LGBTQ communities and demonstrating the injustices in the US food and mental health systems.

We begin this episode by discussing Sam and Syd's personal experience, and how that led them to seek support from the FEDUP collective. We speak about the work of FEDUP, including their support groups, and the work they are doing to build awareness of eating disorders in trans, non-binary and intersex people.

Next we speak about the treatment available in the US for individuals with eating disorders, and touch on the injustices present in the health system for trans, non-binary and intersex people.

We then speak about the role of clinicians and peer support work, and discuss the importance of educating medical professionals on the unique support trans, non-binary and intersex people will require.

We discuss the limited research that is present regarding eating disorders in trans, non-binary and intersex people, and chat about the stigmas and preconceptions that may exist in society regarding eating disorders in trans, non-binary and intersex people. We also discuss the presence of ARFID and neurodiversity in the community.

To find out more about FEDUP, you can find them on Twitter and Instagram @fedupcollective or visit fedupcollective.org for more information.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorders in trans, non-binary and intersex people that some individuals may find difficult. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined Tom Davies. Tom is the host of the Proper Mental Podcast, which aims (and achieves) to normalise conversations around mental health.

Han and Tom begin the episode by discussing the importance of talking about mental health illness, and the reasons why Tom started Proper Mental. We then discuss Tom's mental health journey, and how things hit a low point, leading to him having thoughts around ending his life.

We discuss the idea of masculinity, relationships, medication, fatherhood, and communication and how they fed into Tom's mental health journey.

Finally, we discuss what is needed next for mental health illness, and how awareness is only one part of the puzzle.

Please note that this podcast episode discusses topics such as depression and suicide. This podcast is based on lived experience and should not be used as a replacement for clinical advice. If you are struggling, please reach out support and remember this too shall pass.

For support, please find the following resources:

Samaritans - for everyone
- Call 116 123
- Papyryus - for everyone
- Call: 0800 068 4141
- Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org,
- Text: 07860 039967,
- Apps: https://papyrus.orcha.co.uk/
- Help & Advice: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/help-advice-resources/
- Mind - for everyone
- Call: 0300 123 3393
- Email: info@mind.org.uk
- Other organisations: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/supporting-someone-who-feels-suicidal/useful-contacts/
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - for everyone
- Call: 0800 58 58 58
- Visit: thecalmzone.net
- Shout Crisis Text Line - for everyone
- Text "SHOUT" to 85258
- Visit: https://giveusashout.org/
- YoungMinds Crisis Messenger: for people under 19
- Text: "YM" to 85258
- Visit: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/shout-85258/
- Childline – for children and young people under 19
- Call: 0800 1111 (the number will not show up on your phone bill)
- SOS Silence of Suicide SOS Silence of Suicide – for everyone
- Call: 0300 1020 505 (4pm to midnight every day)
- Email: support@sossilenceofsuicide.org

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In this week's episode, Han is joined by Logan Strouther. Logan is a Specialist Support Officer at First Steps ED, where he provides integrative psychotherapy. Logan is passionate about disordered eating behaviours which have been normalised in society, and both the negative and positive impacts they can have.

We start the conversation on the topic of rumination, and how many people engaging in ED behaviours will think about these 24/7, causing thoughts around food and body to persist all the time.

We then talk about "what I can eat in a day" videos and how they can driver comparison, and may not be accessible for all. We speak about the benefits and challenges these videos propose.

Another topic we discuss is using apps to track your food intake and exercise, and Logan shares his personal experience. We discuss how behaviours can be disordered, but not always meet the diagnosis for an eating disorder. Logan provides brilliant tips on becoming more trusting in yourself so you are able to step away from tracking calories.

We speak about the gym culture and where to draw the line of disordered eating, and with this speak about restrictive practices along with "cheat days".

Finally, we speak about the idea of good and bad foods, and how nutritional information and guidance has to be provided on a societal level rather than an individual level, which can often miss out on the nuance of eating disorders. We also discuss replacing natural foods with low sugar, fat, and carb options, and the thoughts around this in society.

To find out more about Logan and his work, you can follow Logan on Instagram @ed_psychotherapy.

Please note that this episode discusses a number of behaviours which may be triggering to some individuals. The purpose of this episode was to highlight the normalisation, yet problems associated with these behaviours. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Florence. Florence is a key stage 2 teacher, on a mission to support children with their mental health.

In this episode, we start by discussing why Florence went into teaching and where her motivation to support children’s mental health came from.

We speak about the current education system and where mental health is taught, and Florence provides some great tips on bringing mental health conversations into the classroom. We also speak about the role of a teacher, how to navigate difficult conversations around food and body, and the differences between boys and girls.

We then speak about navigating lessons such as PE, how to support children who are uncomfortable and how to focus on compliments regarding achievements not looks.

We then speak about the impact parents can have on their children's biases towards food and body, and how difficult this can be. We discuss how the Department of Education can work to provide appropriate education to children about self-acceptance, which is fundamental to a productive, happy life.

Florence has provided the following recommendations for teachers and parents to learn more about eating difficulties, body image, and mental health, and how to have these conversations with children:

KS1:

The heart and the Bottle - Oliver Jeffers
Not Today ,Celeste - Liza Stevens
Michael Rosen’s Sad Book - Michael Rosen

KS2:

Non-Fiction:

How Not to Lose it: Mental Health Sorted - Anna Williamson
You Are Awesome - Matthew Syed

Fiction:

A Kind of Spark - Elle Mcnicoll
Pumpkin Pie - Jean ure
Julia & The Shark
The Goldfish Boy - Lisa Thomoson
All the Things that could go Wrong - Stewart Foster
Interactive:
The HappySelf Journal
The Mood Journal - Fearne Cotten
Draw it Out - Written by Steffanie Lorig and Rosalie Frankel

You can find out more about Florence and her work on Instagram at @GrowthNotGrades.

Please note that this podcast discusses issues such as eating difficulties, body image, and support for children.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dr Emily Setting. Emily was diagnosed with atypical anorexia in 2019, and is very passionate about debunking the stigmas associated with eating disorders.

We start by talking about Emily's experience, and how she developed an eating disorder in her adult years and how this came about for her. We spoke about her experience of gaining support from the GP, how her BMI didn't mean the criteria for anorexia nervosa, and the impact the comments the GP made on her eating disorder.

Throughout our conversation we come back to stigmas that our community felt need to be demystified in eating disorders, these include:

EDs only occur in teenage women.
Everyone with an ED is underweight.
People with EDs don’t like food.
People with EDs are attention seeking and selfish.
Anorexia is the only ED.
Recovery from an ED doesn’t take a very long time.
EDs are shameful.

We speak about the role of an eating disorder and what it provides, how this makes recovery so hard, and the grieving process that comes with this. We speak about the addictive nature of eating disorders, and the normalisation of some disordered behaviours.

We speak about diet culture, and how a number of aspects of this have been incorporated into society and the impact of the dieting industry on our insecurities.

We speak about how for those who haven't engaged in eating disorder recovery navigating diet culture can be difficult as a result of a lack of awareness and understanding, and how in recovery you have to fit against all of this. We also speak about how our eating disorders have provided us with the knowledge that diet culture is not conducive or helpful, and how we are able to step away from this throughout recovery.

Please note that this episode discusses a number of eating disorder behaviours that may be triggering for some individuals. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Chloë Grande. Chloë is a Canadian mental health blogger, writer and speaker. Chloë has personal experience of anorexia nervosa, and following a relapse decided to start her blog to raise awareness of eating disorders.

In this weeks episode, we discuss Chloë's experience of her eating disorder, and how the pandemic triggered her relapse. We discuss her motivation for recovery, and how she has moved from having an eating disorder to raising awareness about them.

We also discuss Chloë's experience of Social Anxiety Disorder, the impact this has on her life, and how this integrates and affects her eating disorder.

To find out more about Chloë, her blog and her work, you can find her @chloshegrows on Instagram and Twitter, or visit chloegrande.com.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Been There Founder, Tessa Peters. Been There is an app for individuals with body image struggles, which provides free one to one mentoring support, via the app, from a real person who has experienced similar issues.

In this episode, we start by discussing Tessa's experiencing of developing an eating disorder, and how this impacted her life. We then spoke about her experience of Eating Disorders Anonymous, and how this inspired her to develop Been There.

We spoke about body image issues, and how we navigate these in our day-to-day lives. This leads onto discussions around social media and social support, and other mechanisms of support.

To find out more about Tessa and Been There, you can find them on social media @beenthere.app or visit www.beenthereapp.com.

Please note that this podcast discusses dieting and purging behaviours which may be triggering for some individuals. Please tread lightly and check in on yourself throughout.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Chloë Grande. Chloë is a Canadian mental health blogger, writer and speaker. Chloë has personal experience of anorexia nervosa, and following a relapse decided to start her blog to raise awareness of eating disorders.

In this weeks episode, we discuss Chloë's experience of her eating disorder, and how the pandemic triggered her relapse. We discuss her motivation for recovery, and how she has moved from having an eating disorder to raising awareness about them.

We also discuss Chloë's experience of Social Anxiety Disorder, the impact this has on her life, and how this integrates and affects her eating disorder.

To find out more about Chloë, her blog and her work, you can find her @chloshegrows on Instagram and Twitter, or visit chloegrande.com.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Maddie Isaac. Maddie is a very good friend of mine, and is also a mental health nurse, who is currently awaiting treatment for her anorexia nervosa relapse.

With Maddie, we begin by discussing her experience of an eating disorder, her first diagnosis, and the treatment she received when she was younger. We then go onto discuss her life without an eating disorder, and how this crept back into her life during the pandemic.

We go on to speak about recovery, and how this feels more challenging this time around. We speak about the support Maddie's partner and flat mate provide for her, and the differences between support from friends is different to family, making recovery in adulthood feel more challenging.

Finally, we discuss Maddie's role as a mental health nurse, and how this made her more proactive in seeking support. We discuss Maddie's experience of witnessing eating disorders on her ward, the eating disorder training she received as a mental health nurse, and the changes we need to see going forward to provide adequate support in mental health services.

Please note that this episode discusses relapse, eating disorder behaviours, suicide, and other topics that listeners may find triggering. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Hazel Cornhill. Hazel is a mental health campaigner, podcaster, and blogger, who is working to increase awareness and bust stigmas around mental health. Hazel cohosts The Reality Tourist Podcast,– aka THE psychosis podcast, where Hazel speaks with others and discusses their experience of psychosis.

We begin this weeks episode by discussing the impact that bulimia and psychosis have on Hazel's day to day life. We discuss the behaviours involved in Hazel's bulimia and discuss how Hazel experiences psychosis, and how these conditions interact or are distinct.

We then speak about Hazel's experience of treatment, and how her comorbidities (including ADHD) have been managed and supported. We speak about the impact of each diagnosis, and how they worked to make support more challenging.

We then go through some hypotheses stated by M. Seeman (2014) to explore the interaction between bulimia and psychosis. These include:

Eating disorders and psychoses are entirely separate disorders may occur in the same person by chance.
Due to starvation, electrolyte and metabolic imbalances, psychotic-like symptoms may occur in patients with an eating disorder.
Controlling food intake can provide mastery, achievement, and control in individuals who have a low self-efficacy (common in psychosis).
Eating disorders are delusional in individuals who struggle with body image distortions.
Eating disorders in an early sign of psychosis, or psychotic-like symptoms can be the sign of the beginning of an eating disorder.
Anti-psychotics may cause weight gain and lead to eating disorder behaviours, whilst anti-depressants used in eating disorders can cause psychosis.
Psychotic symptoms are a marker of severity in eating disorders, while food refusal signals a severe and dangerous stage of psychotic illness.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder behaviours, self-harm, suicide, and psychosis. This episode may be triggering for some individuals, so please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this weeks episode Han is joined by

With Vicky, we begin by speaking about the current work they do in order to support medical staff working with individuals with eating disorders, ranging from dietitians to nurses to obstetricians, and the role that they may play in eating disorder treatment.

We then discuss the new guidelines, MEED, which stands for Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders. The new guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists is based on the advice and recommendations of an Expert Working Group provides. It provides a comprehensive overview of the latest evidence associated with eating disorders, including highlighting the importance and role of healthcare professionals from right across the spectrum recognising their responsibilities in this area.

We talk about managing compensatory behaviours, refeeding syndrome, and NG tube feeding, and how they should be managed for eating disorder patients. We also speak about parental support and how parents can support their loved ones when admitted to hospital.

To find out more about Vicky and the training they provide, you can find them on Twitter @VickyVella2.

The MEED guidelines can be found here: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/improving-care/campaigning-for-better-mental-health-policy/college-reports/2022-college-reports/cr233

Please note that this episode discusses eating disorder behaviours and inpatient admission that may be required. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this weeks podcast, Han is joined Nia Modley. Nia is a trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and has her own experience of anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

We begin by discussing Nia's mental health journey, and the development of her eating disorder. Nia initially had anorexia nervosa, which later transitioned to bulimia nervosa. In the podcast we discuss how these eating disorders presented differently for Nia, the different impact they had, and how she felt towards them.

Later we discuss Nia's education, and how she dropped out of her exams in order to focus on her recovery (hence the title!) which she is extremely proud of and passionate about.

We then speak about Nia's poetry and how her writing helps her to talk about her mental health. We speak about the reality of recovery, the nitty gritty, the uncomfortableness, the desire to stop and the inability to see how numbing could be better than feeling. But how in the end, it is completely worth it.

To find out more about Nia and her poetry, you can find her on Instagram @niamodley or search Nia Modley on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZtN5jORoQdfPHPmuYEdVgQ

Please note: this podcast contains discussions surrounding anorexic and bulimic behaviours that may be triggering for some individuals. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Tahlia David. Tahlia has ARFID and has had this all her life despite only being diagnosed when she was 20 years old.

We begin by discussing the development of ARFID for Tahlia, and the symptoms she and her family noticed. We discussed how this changed over the years, and how those around her changed their opinions of her eating habits as she came into adulthood.

We discuss Tahlia’s treatment and her misdiagnose of anorexia aged 15, and how she then went back for a diagnosis when she was 20 and got the correct treatment which has been improving her repertoire of foods she can manage.

We then speak about the awareness of ARFID and how this needs to improve, not only in society but also with medical professionals.

Finally, we talk about methods to increase the variety of foods that can be managed such as food chaining, and how as a loved one you can support your loved one navigating ARFID.

To find out more about Tahlia, you can follow her @tahliapaiged or read her blog that will be coming soon!

Please note that we discuss ARFID characteristics and behaviours that some individuals may find difficult to hear. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this week’s episode, Han is joined by Neil Procter. Neil is an actor and his theatre company, Lancashire People's Theatre, is developing a play about eating disorders in men based on Neils experience.

With Neil, we begin by discussing his personal experience of an eating disorder, and how he transitioned from anorexia, to OSFED, to bulimia, to BED, and orthorexia. We spoke about the Neil’s personality, environment, and social life at the time, and how this impacted his need for the eating disorder.

We then when onto speak about Neil’s experience of BED, the way these behaviours helped Neil manage life when it was falling apart, and why moving away from these behaviours was so hard when they are almost normalised in society.

Neil discusses his practice of Buddhism and how this has allowed him to focus on creating an unshakeable sense of self, rather than being defined by external factors, including his eating disorder. On the topic of conversation, we discuss Neil’s recent ADHD diagnosis and the impact he feels this has had both on the development and maintenance of his eating disorder.

We then go onto speak about the more beneficial coping mechanisms Neil has developed through recovery, and the impact being male has had on his journey overall. We spoke about the men who are helping to raise awareness for eating disorders, and the importance of more discussions around this from those in the public eye.

To find out more about Neil, you can follow him on Twitter @procter_neil or read more at Lancashire People’s Theatre (@lancashirepeoplestheatre).

Please note that we discuss various eating disorder behaviours in this episode. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this weeks very special duo episode, Han is joined by Dr Kamila Irvine and Zoe Burnett. Kamila researcher and lecturer at the School of Psychology at the University of Lincoln, specialising in body image and eating disorders. Zoe is an award winning speak, author, trainee counsellor at First Steps ED, and has lived experience of atypical anorexia.

For our pride month special, Dr Kamila and Zoe join us to speak about body image and eating disorders in lesbian and bisexual women. Dr Kamila has completed a number of research projects exploring body image in lesbian and bisexual women, revealing that body image may not be so different to straight women after all.

Additionally to Dr Kamila's research, we discuss the unique challenges that lesbian and bisexual women may face that may increase the development of an eating disorder. As ever, we can appreciate that eating disorders are multi-factorial, however these factors may increase the prevalence of eating disorders.

We also discuss topics such as objectification, body standards in the community, the impact of heterosexism and internalised beliefs regarding body image that relate to the topic.

To find out more about Dr Kamila, you can follow her one @DrKIrvine or find her research here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kamila-Irvine.

To find out more about Zoe, you can follow her on socials @BarefootRebel1 or visit https://www.barefootrebel.co.uk/.

To find out more about First Steps ED, you can follow them on socials @firststepsed or visit https://firststepsed.co.uk/.

Please note: this episode discusses the unique challenges that the LGBTQ+ community may face that may increase body image and eating disorder struggles. Please tread likely and check in with yourself along the way.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Hannah Lewin. Hannah is a qualified PT and the founder of Mind + Motion, an online tool that includes movement to help people move toward their recovery from disordered relationships with exercise and food.

With Hannah, we discuss how our relationship with exercise can be affected during an eating disorder. We talk about Mind + Motion, and how Hannah uses a compassionate approach to help her clients to value their body and how they can exercise, rather than feel like its never enough.

We discuss the role of a coach, and the expertise required to support an individual with an eating disorder history. Additionally, we discuss how you can find peace and enjoyment in exercise along the path of recovery.

To find out more about Hannah and Mind + Motion, you can follow @mindplusmotion or @hannahllewin on Twitter, or @mindplusmotion or @hannahlewin_ on Instragram. You can also visit https://mindplusmotion.com/ to find out more.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Bobby Temps. Bobby is the host of Mental - The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health, which speaks with a range of individuals about their mental health journey.

In this weeks episode, we begin by chatting with Bobby about their personal experience of mental health, and their epxeirnece of depression and anorexia. We discuss the differences between the two conditions, including the development, the stigma, and the impact the conditions had on their life.

We then go onto talking about recovery, and the impact this can have on our lives. We discuss mental health in general and talk about how this can shape you but can sometimes take over you. We talk about the development of our careers, and signs to be aware of in recovery.

Finally, we discuss Bobby's mental health campaigning and the changes required for mental health awareness in different generations.

To find out more about Bobby and Mental - The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health (or Bobby's other podcast, Dating Games), simply search Bobby Temps or the podcast name on your favourite podcast app, or you can find them on social media @bobby_temps or @mentalpodcast.

Please be aware we discuss anorexia and depression in this episode.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by PhD candidate Melinda Karth. Melinda is a PhD candidate at Purdue University, where she is looking at anxiety in individuals "recovered" from anorexia nervosa.

With Melinda, we begin discussing her journey into neuroscience, and what inspired her research. We then speak about the current animal models that are used in eating disorder research, including the binge eating model and anorexia model in mice. We also discuss the potential for a bulimia nervosa animal model, and PICA in giraffes!

We then speak about Melinda's PhD work, and discuss how animals demonstrate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and discuss her PhD looking at anxiety and anorexia in weight restored individuals. Finally, we discuss how different parts of the brain are involved in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety.

To find out more about Melinda and her research, you can follow her @MelindaKarth and check out Melinda's blogs here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-neuroscience-eating-disorders

Please note we discuss a number of eating disorder behaviours and how they are manipulated in mice models. Take care and tread lightly.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dr Nicky Gilbert. Nicky provides private eating disorder treatment, supervision to eating disorder clinicians and trains clinicians in the Maudsley MANTRA approach.

MANTRA is an integrative therapy which was designed at the Maudsley hospital in South London. MANTRA aims to address the cognitive, emotional, relational, and biological factors which keep individuals stuck in anorexia, and aims to uncover more productive coping mechanisms for the individual.

With Nicky, we begin by discussing her carer and how this has developed over the years. We then begin to talk about MANTRA, including topics such as the workbook, activities, the process, and who it is suitable for and the scope for new workbooks.

We discuss how MANTRA is tailored to the individual, and provides you a tool to go forward in your recovery, to reflect upon, and the role of a therapist.

To find out more about Nicky and her work, you can follow her on Twitter @NickyGilbert14.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Bella Maki. Bella holds a weekly sibling support group, further to her sisters recovery from anorexia nervosa. Bella joins us today to discuss the impact of a sibling having an eating disorder, the support that is available, and how you as a sibling can help you loved one.

We start by discussing the impact that her sister's diagnosis had on Bella, and how as the oldest child she took on the role of looking after her younger brother.

We discuss the things that Bella's family did to ensure the eating disorder didn't become centralised in their family, how they made decisions so the eating disorder wasn't comfortable, and separated their loved one from the eating disorder.

We also discuss how Bella found support for herself, what helped their family to remain as a unit, and the support that is now out there for siblings supporting a loved one.

For more information, you can follow Bella at @bellamaki24 and you can contact her about joining her sibling support group if you are interested!

Bella also suggested the following for sibling/family resources:

https://www.feast-ed.org
https://equip.health
Brave girl eating - Harriet Brown (book)

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Mary Franklin-Smith. Mary is the founder of Light of Mind, which explores mental health in a novel way, and provides guidance to find your own inner light and to wake up to your wonder.

This week, Han and Mary start by discussing Mary's approach as a therapist, and her novel way of supporting clients as a whole rather than their current mental health struggles to uncover the treasures an individual holds inside.

Mary speaks about her experience as a drama therapist, and how she works with clients to use this to uncover the mask of their eating disorder and find their light within. Mary discusses her focus on innate health, rather than in health, and how this allows her to support clients to find their healthy flourishing identity.

We also discuss recovery, how this looks different for everyone, how moving into recovery feels uncomfortable but actually trusting your inner light will support you to find your true nature beneath all the masks you may have been holding in front of you.

To find out more about Mary and Light of Mind, you can visit https://www.lightofmind.co.uk or follow Mary @lightofmind12.

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Today I am joined by Ariana Rodriguez, one half of the dancing dietitians from Embody Health London, who specialise in treating chronic dieting and eating disorders.

With Ari, we begin by discussing the EHL method and the importance of providing a variety of therapeutic methods to clients during recovery. We discuss the various treatment modalities offered, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

We discuss the role of an eating disorder and the brains desire to choose comfortable, anxiety relieving behaviours despite the long term impact, and discuss grounding techniques to navigate these situations in a more recovery productive manner.

Following this, we discuss the support groups available at EHL, and the importance of community in recovery. We discuss the role of others experiences, comparison, and boundaries.

Finally, we discuss the idea of full recovery, the idea that all individuals have the capacity to fully recover, and the readiness required to embark on the recovery journey.

To find out more about Ari and EHL you can find them on Instagram at @nutritionari and @embodyhealthlondon_.

You can also visit: https://embodyhealthlondon.com

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Phaedrae Longhurst. Phaedra is a body image and appearance-related research at the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists and is completing a MSc in Psychology at the University of Exeter. Phaedra joins us today to discuss her personal experience and academic knowledge of interoception, body image, and eating disorders in individuals with autism.

With Phaedrae, we begin by discussing the concept of interoception and how this links to eating disorders and body image. We also discuss alexythymia, intuitive eating, body image, and how all of these elements tie together to curate a positive or negative experience of ones body.

We then discuss Phaedrae's experience of having an eating disorder and autism, and how they impacted each other. We discuss stimming, how Phaedrae's need for exercise affected her eating disorder and the treatment she received.

Finally, we discuss eating disorder treatment and the requirements need to make treatment more accessible for neurodivergent individuals.

For more information about Phaedrae and her research, you can find her research here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Phaedra-Longhurst or follow her on twitter @phaedrajayne or Instagram @phaedralonghurst.

Please note that this episode discusses body image, disordered eating patterns, and the link to autism. Go gently and take care of yourself.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Meg Mccabe. Meg is the CEO and founder of The Recovery Collective, a global movement towards healing.

Together with Meg we discuss all things recovery. We start by discussing The Recovery Collective and it's ethos, approach, and the impact that that community can have on an individuals recovery.

We then discuss the various stages of recovery, including the first steps that you must make to embark recovery, the importance of connection throughout, making decisions in recovery and the importance of regular eating.

We then talk about the reality of full recovery, and the consistent work needed to get to this point, as well as the awareness that this is completely possible for all.

To find out more about the recovery collective, you can visit: http://www.meg-mccabe.com/community/ or follow @the_recoverycollective on Instagram.

To find out more about Meg, you can visit https://www.meg-mccabe.com or follow @meg_mccabe on Instagram.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Abbie Young, the communication coordinator from Taste Life UK. Taste Life UK is a midlands based charity, providing tools for recovery for those who struggle with eating disorders and for their supporters, including training and courses.

In this weeks episode, we discuss the support that Taste Life UK provides, including their courses and training. Taste Life UK provide training which is fully accredited by the University of Brighton Health Sciences REQ mark (Recognised Educational Quality) for anyone of a caring and compassionate nature. This training is then used to run courses for those with, or supporting someone with, an eating disorder.

A new course that Taste Life UK is running is Mens Track, a male only Taste Life UK course. As a result, we discuss male eating disorders, the further support needed, and the importance of male only support groups.

You can more information about Taste Life UK here: https://www.tastelifeuk.org/

Taste Life UK desperately need more course leaders, especially male leaders, so if you are interested please follow the link below to find out more: https://www.tastelifeuk.org/get-involved/run-a-course/training-information/

Finally, if you would like to sign up to attend a course ran by Taste Life UK, you can find information here: https://www.tastelifeuk.org/get-help/find-a-course/location-map/

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Sharon. Sharon is the writer behind The BED Post Blog, whereby she shares her experience of decades of BED and her recovery journey. Sharon shares her experience in this episode so honestly, and openly, and I feel honoured to have shared this space with her.

In this episode, Han and Sharon firstly discuss what BED is, and whether the diagnosis criteria/explanation does the experience of BED any justice. We speak about the reasons someone may binge, what it may provide, and the guilt and shame attached with these actions.

Following this, we speak about the stigma attached to BED, and how to speak to your loved ones about your eating disorder. We speak about warning signs, relapses, and how to look after yourself if you do engage with these behaviours during recovery.

Finally, we talk about Sharon's GP experience, the treatment she has received, and the fantastic resources you can use during your own recovery.

To find out more about Sharon, you can follow her on social media @thebedpostblog or visit her website https://thebedpost.blog to read her incredibly insightful and honest reflections.

Please note that this podcast episode discusses Sharon's experience of BED. Whilst no details are provided regarding these behaviours, please tread lightly as this may be triggering for some individuals.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Daniel Manseray. Daniel is the founder of the eating disorder exercise clinic and is a specialist mental health physiotherapist and dialectical behavioural therapist.

In this episode, we talk all things exercise and eating disorders with Daniel. We discuss how Daniel uses his experience as a physiotherapist and dialectical behavioural therapist to support individuals with eating disorders to develop a healthier relationship with exercise.

With that in mind, we discuss the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship with exercise and the biopsychosocial factors to consider when thinking about someone’s relationship.

We then speak about the link between emotions and exercise, which may be causing someone’s dependence on exercise, as well as identity and managing the return to exercise following on from a break during eating disorder recovery.

We discuss the prevalence of eating disorders in different types of sports including the difference between lean (e.g., endurance, aesthetic, and weight-dependent sports) and non-lean sports (e.g., ball, power, technical sports) and the consequences that may occur including the female athlete triad or RED-S.

Finally, we discuss the education and awareness that is required for both coaches and athletes to ensure they understand a healthy and unhealthy relationship with exercise and the consequences of this, as well as support throughout for individuals to call upon or recognise if things start to become unhealthy.

Resources recommended for professionals:

UK Sport: https://www.uksport.gov.uk/~/media/files/resources/eatingdisordersin_sport.pdf
Project RED-S: https://red-s.com
SEES Guidelines: https://www.safeexerciseateverystage.com/access-sees-guidelines
NEDA: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/compulsive-exercise

To find out more about Daniel and the ED Exercise Clinic, you can follow them on Instagram @edexerciseclinic or visit https://www.edexerciseclinics.com.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Chelsea Levy, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, HAES aligned, anti-diet, and fat positive. Within Chelsea’s work, she uses Health at Every Size principles, working with individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating through weight-inclusive therapy, body image healing, and intuitive eating.

In this episode, we begin by discussing Chelsea's work as an eating disorder dietitian, and how she supports individuals to feel comfortable and accept their bodies for who they are. We also discuss how Chelsea works in a weight-inclusive manner, and focuses on other health parameters other than weight.

We discuss the role of weight stigma in society and the impact this can have on individuals in recovery from an eating disorder and those in a larger body.

To find out more about Chelsea, you can find her on Instagram @chelsealevynutrition or you can visit her website www.chelsealevynutrition.com, or email her directly at chelsea@chelsealevynutrition.com.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Clare Steedman and Rachael Alder-Byrne, the clinical directors of TEDS – the eating disorder specialists. Clare is a specialist occupational therapist and systemic psychotherapy practitioner, and Rachael is a specialist art therapist and EMDR therapist.

Clare and Rachael provide eating disorder treatment for individuals 16 years and over which is highly specialised and based on an integrative therapy approach, considering you as a whole person with past, present, and future challenges that may be preventing your recovery that they support their clients to work through.

In this weeks episode, we discuss the service provided by Clare and Rachel at TEDS, and how their clinical experience has shaped the values they hold at TEDS. We discuss how their treatment differs from a more typical eating disorder treatment pathway, holding the past, present, and future within your treatment process.

We also discuss Clare and Rachael's specialties, including family therapy, EMDR, arts psychotherapy, and how they provide an integrative approach to their clients. Ultimately, TEDS see their clients as a whole, and not just their eating disorder, which shines through in this conversation.

To find out more about TEDS, you can find them on instragram @teds_edspecialist, or you can visit https://edspecialists.co.uk.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Emma O'Brien. Emma wrote the play Measured, which has was fortunate enough to see a week or so ago.

Measured is a play demonstrating the impact an eating disorder can have on the individual and their loved ones. Measured begins the day Sophie, the lead character, is discharged from the hospital. Following this, Measured explore the impact of recovery on identity, "normal life", relationships, and life in general.

With Emma, we discuss the premise of Measured and how she came about writing such an incredible play. We discuss her experience, how this shaped the play, and how she gained insight from others to make sure eating disorders were portrayed in a real, informative, and thought-provoking manner.

For more information about Measured or Emma's work, you can follow Emma on twitter @scousiepie or you can find Measured @measuredfest.

You can also find the cast here:

Juliette Burton (Sophie) - @JulietteBurton
Aaron Phinehas Peters (Tom) - @aaronphinehasp
Cat Rob (Director) - @CatRobey

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Haley Justice. Haley is a specialist wellness consultant, who uses her specialist knowledge in psychology, nutrition, and mental health to work with fitness coaches to support their clients struggling with disordered eating and mindset.

In this weeks episode, we discuss the pressures of fitness and how they may elude to eating disorder behaviours. We discuss the personal and professional experience Haley has in fitness, and how this has shaped her carer and passion for supporting coaches to support clients who display ED behaviours.

We discuss the behaviours in body building which may appear disordered, and discuss how to determine someone's intentions with these behaviours, and where a coach may be able to step in. Haley provides tips and insight into having a conversation with a client you are concerned may have an ED, and the role of a coach.

Finally, we discuss why fitness sells and alternatives that coaches can use in their adverts instead of weight loss.

Please note that this podcast discusses disordered eating and behaviours that some listeners may find triggering. Please look after yourself and tried lightly.

To find out more about Haley, you can find her on Instagram @haleyjjustice.

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In this EDAW bonus episode, Han joins Dr Alice Mayor on an Nutritank IG live to talk all things eating disorders.

This years EDAW aims to increase the education and training junior doctors get for eating disorders, which is currently only 2 hours.

In this chat, we discuss the different types of eating disorders, and the stigma that still unfortunately exists around these. We also talk about the stigma that exists in healthcare settings and what might be needed to help tackle this. We discuss if education for doctors in their medical school curriculum would help and also the role of GPs. We discuss issues around social media and body image and how this might impact younger generations.

For more information about Alice and Nutritank, you can follow them on instagram @dralicemayornutrition and @nutritank_official.

Thank you again to Alice and Nutritank for having me in for a chat - it was a nice change to be on the question receiving end!

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Asher Larmie, a.k.a. The Fat Doctor! Asher joins us for a very special eating disorder awareness week special, and FULL OF BEANS 1ST BIRTHDAY!

This years eating disorder awareness week is focusing on educating GPs, and breaking through the stigma's we currently hold in a medical setting relating to eating disorders. Asher is extremely passionate about weight-inclusive medicine and passionate about intuitive eating, HAES, and fat acceptance.

In this weeks episode, we discuss the role and responsibilities of a GP in eating disorder care, and the role of weight in a medical setting. We discuss the idea that weight is a marker of health, and discuss the impact that monitoring food and exercise can have on an individual.

We discuss the curriculum provided to GP's, and the understanding they require about eating disorders, as well as the need for individualised care rather than looking at treatment in a population based studies to inform care.

We also discuss Asher's campaign, No Weigh, which is an international campaign to eradicate medical weight stigma through education and empowerment. We want to see an end to BMI, unsolicited weight loss advice, weight-centered healthcare and the “weight management” industrial complex. For information, advice, and resources, follow: https://www.noweigh.org.

What you've been wanting to ask questions:

What does the ideal early intervention look like to you?
What should I expect from my eating disorder treatment if my BMI is more than 18.5?

If you would like to find out more or reach out to Asher, you can find more information on their website at https://www.fatdoctor.co.uk or reach out to them on social media @fatdoctoruk (instagram) or @thefatdoctoruk (twitter).

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Adam Fare. Adam is an advocate of mental health, eating disorders, neurodivergence, stomas and equality. Adam joins us to discuss his experience of an eating disorder, and the consequences that have occurred due to improper treatment.

In this episode, we discuss Adam's personal experience, and the struggle he had in receiving appropriate support for his eating disorder. We explore the points Adam feels interventions could've been provided including education on alternative coping mechanisms, male hormones, and an increased understanding of eating disorders in mental health teams.

Additionally, we discuss Adam's comorbidities including his stoma and the impact this has on his eating patterns and the confusion this can provide doctors when supporting him with an eating disorder. We also discuss the physical and health consequences that occur to men, and the need for more understanding of the similarities and differences between eating disorders in different genders

Finally, we discuss Adam's relationship with exercise and the role exercise professionals (in particular coaches) play in spotting the signs of an eating disorder. And we discuss Adam's diagnosis of atypical anorexia, and the use of terminology in this diagnosis.

To find out more, you can find Adam on Twitter @adamfare1996 and Instagram as @adamfare96, or check out his blog https://mymessylife96.blogspot.com/?m=1.

Please note that this podcast discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals related to eating disorders. Tred lightly and take care.

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This week I am joined by Sophie Smith. Sophie is a recovered eating disorder advocate and uses her experience to raise awareness. Sophie joins us to discuss her experience of orthorexia, and how she is using her experience to support others.

In this weeks episode, Sophie joins us to discuss her personal experience and how her eating disorder developed. We discuss things that occurred during her childhood which may have impacted the development of her eating disorder. We also discuss Sophie's twin, and the similarities and differences between the two of them that may have affected eating disorder development.

Sophie is currently completing a master’s degree in social work and is training with the Carolyn Costin Institute to become an eating disorder recovery coach. Sophie is a speaker with the Butterfly Foundation in Australia. We discuss the advocacy work that Sophie engages in, and the impact of the health and wellness culture on the development of orthorexia.

Finally, we discuss the role of Sophie's eating disorder in her career, and how she ensures she remains recovered and uses her experience to support others and herself.

To find out more about Sophie, you can find her on instagram @Sophie_beyondrecovery or visit https://linktr.ee/sophieclare1103.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Tom Midgley. Tom is a registered Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapist and a Highly Specialised Eating Disorders Dietitian. Tom is the director of the Body Image Treatment Clinic, in London, where he works with clients to treat a number of conditions relating to body image distress such as trauma and eating disorders, two conditions we will discuss today and how they can be treated.

In this episode, we explore the link between body image, trauma, and eating disorders. We discuss how body image difficulties may present themselves in individuals with and without an eating disorder, and also how they may vary between different eating disorders.

We also discuss the role of a therapist in body image distress and eating difficulties, and the role Tom plays in supporting someone in reducing their inner critic, using their over-controller characteristics in a more beneficial manner, and introducing more compassion towards themselves.

Please note that this episode includes reference to sexual abuse and trauma-related topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please tread lightly and take care of yourself,

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by mental health speaker and writer, Carolina Mountford. Carolina has personal experience of an eating disorder, and uses this to educate and inspire individuals regarding eating disorders.

In this episode, we speak about Carolina's experience and how her childhood led to her never feeling enough. As a result, Carolina developed a crippling eating disorder which lasted for 15 years before she could break free.

This episode is truly inspiring. After Carolina explaining her experience, we discuss her recovery. Her complete freedom from her eating disorder and how full recovery is totally possible. Carolina uses a beautiful anecdote that I will hold with me forever.

This is truly an episode not to miss, especially if you are looking for motivation in your recovery.

For more information, you can find out more about Carolina on her website https://www.carolinamountford.com, or Twitter @CarolinaMountfo, Instagram @CarolinaMountfo,

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Steph Shott. Steph is the author of "Just Keep Swimming: A Story of Hope Against Anorexia". This harrowing story of dealing with anorexia and beating it is engrossing, disturbing and utterly inspirational.

In the episode, Steph and I discuss the development of her eating disorder, and the treatment she received. Steph was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant that all of her face to face treatment went online. Together, we discuss the pros and cons of online treatment, and how she kept herself going with a more accountable recovery journey.

Additionally, we discuss Steph's relationship with exercise and how this was worsened by the pandemic. We discuss excessive exercise and the detrimental effects it can have on an individual, which we often don't speak about in society.

To find out more about Steph, you can find her on social media @ShottStephanie and you can find her book here: https://www.foyles.co.uk/witem/biography/just-keep-swimming-a-story-of-hope,stephanie-shott-9781914913112

Please note that this episode discusses topics such as restrictive eating and excessive exercise. Tread lightly and take care of yourself.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Ellen Maloney. Ellen has her own experience of an eating disorder, which she received intensive treatment for, as well as autism and obsessive compulsive disorder.

With Ellen, we discuss her eating disorder journey and how her treatment differs from what is normally offered. The treatment Ellen received helped her to determine what SHE liked beyond her eating disorder and what her eating disorder had led her to believe.

We also discuss the impact of Ellen’s other diagnoses, and how they had impacted her eating disorder recovery. Whilst these diagnoses gave Ellen some clarity on certain behaviours, it equally made things more challenging. OCD and autism may be associated with characteristics such as perfectionism and social isolation, which can often be seen as something to grow away from in eating disorder recovery.

To find out more about Ellen, follow @eatsleeplaughexplore.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Specialist Eating Disorder Dietitian, Bethany Francois.

Beth joins Han to discuss the eating disorder behaviours, bingeing and purging. Together, they discuss the difference between bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, anorexia binge-purge subtype, and purging disorder. They then speak about the role of a dietitian in recovery from these behaviours, and how dietetics support can be beneficial.

Additionally, they discuss the binge-purge/binge-restrict cycle, and interventions which may help to reduce the occurrence of these behaviours using self-compassion and distraction techniques.

Finally, Beth and Han discuss the medical and physical consequences of bingeing and purging, including self-induced vomiting, laxative and diuretic abuse, and excessive exercise.

To find out more about Beth, you can find her on instagram @theeddietician.

Please note, this note discusses various compensatory behaviours associated with eating disorder which may be triggering for some individuals. Please tread lightly and take care of yourself.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Jason Wood. Jason is the author of Starving for Survival, whereby Jason explores his personal experience of orthorexia, and the consequences of when healthy eating goes wrong.

This episode comes at a time of year when dieting, exercise, restriction, and other behaviours that society deem as potentially healthy are thrusted in our face. Unfortunately, these behaviours are not always as positive as we first think, which Jason explains.

With Jason, we discuss his childhood and the comments he received which led his perfectionistic nature to become a weight loss "success". As a result of the challenging experiences Jason had experienced, Jason's clean eating became his coping mechanism which led to an ever reducing list of foods that were acceptable and a mounting list of things that he believed would threaten his health.

Additionally, we discuss Jason's campaigning for male mental health, and the importance of sharing the experience of those we don't often expect.

To find out more about Jason, you can follow him on social media @orthorexiabites, or visit his website to find out more https://www.orthorexiabites.com/starvingforsurvival.

Please note that this episode discusses sensitive topics that some listeners may find difficult including loss of family members, alcoholism, restrictive behaviours.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Christina Taylor, who shares her eating disorder experience of Christmas time.

Christmas can be an incredibly challenging time, and this year especially it might be filled with lots of apprehension and uncertainty regarding the coming weeks. It's important that you make Christmas comfortable, but try to use it as a time to challenge, engage, and spend time with those that you love.

In this episode, Christina shares tips and tricks for how she has previously navigated the activities that come with Christmas including social activities at work, Christmas dinner, seeing friends and family, preventing ED behaviours, and many other difficult yet manageable situations.

If you are finding the festive season challenging, please reach out to the following services:

BEAT's services are operating from 4pm - midnight from the 24th December - 3rd January. Contact BEAT at:
- England: 0808 801 0677
- Scotland: 0808 801 0432
- Wales: 0808 801 0433
- Northern Ireland: 0808 801 0434
- Their other services are here: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/services-over-christmas/
- You can find tips for support here: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/christmas-with-an-eating-disorder/
- First Steps ED have a Caregivers Guide to Christmas: https://firststepsed.co.uk/a-caregiver-guide-to-christmas/
- Other useful contacts:
- Mind (information and support) -
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) (support for anyone who needs to talk) - 0800 58 58 58 thecalmzone.net
- Switchboard (support for LGBTQ+) - 0300 330 0630 switchboard.lgbt
- Men's Advice Line (for men experiencing domestic abuse) - 0808 801 0327 - mensadviceline.org.uk
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline (for women experiencing domestic abuse) - 0808 2000 247 nationaldahelpline.org.uk
- Samaritans - 116 123 (freephone) samaritans.org
- Shout (24/7 text support during a crisis) - 85258 (text SHOUT) Shout's tips on feeling less alone over the festive season

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Zoe John. Zoe John has personal experience of an eating disorder, ranging from anorexic to bulimic to binge eating disorder tendencies, but has never received a diagnosis.

During the podcast, we speak about how Zoe transitioned from one eating disorder to another, and the role this played in her life. We also speak about her experience of domestic abuse, and the impact this had on her eating disorder (and vice versa).

Finally, we speak about how Zoe recovered without clinical support, and the role her sport plays in her recovery maintenance.

Please note that during this episode we discuss eating disorder behaviours and domestic abuse which some listeners may find triggering. Please tread lightly and be kind to yourself.

If domestic abuse is something you are experiencing, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/ for help and advice.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Abi Reynolds. Abi is the perinatal lead at Wednesday's Child. Wednesday'd Child began as a gift marketplace, to enable curated gestures to be purchased for oneself, or someone else who may be in recovery from an eating disorder. Wednesday's child now provides 1-2-1 therapy, group recovery support, parent & family therapy, school audits & educational programmes, online learning for healthcare professionals....and a great deal more.

In this weeks episode, we discuss Abi's experience of an eating disorder. Abi's eating disorder developed after her first pregnancy, and before her second. She then went onto struggle with her eating disorder throughout her pregnancy, with little support, and struggled to manage eating disorder recovery and raising her new baby.

Abi is extremely passionate about helping those who are going through similar situations, to help individuals recognise this is not their fault and the help should be there. Abi works at Wednesday's child to promote the awareness of eating disorders during pregnancy, and to support medical professionals in providing adequate support to those who require it.

All of the above is discussed throughout the podcast episode, as well as potential triggers, how medical professionals can help, tips for those concerned about relapse, and tips for those concerned about passing their disordered relationship with food and body onto their children.

To find out more about Abi, you can follow her on twitter: @AbiJaneReynolds or instagram: @abireynolds.

You can also find out more information about Wednesday's Child at: https://wednesdayschild.co.uk, or on Instagram: @wearewednesdayschild, or Twitter: @wearewednesdays.

Please note that some individuals may find this episode triggering or upsetting, as a result of the discussion of disordered eating behaviours and pregnancy. Please tread carefully and look after yourselves.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by PhD student, Laura Bourne. Laura is currently conducting her PhD at UCL, exploring the eating disorder ARFID, avoidant restrictive feeding and intake disorder.

Laura is interested in getting a better understanding of ARFID: what do we already know, what do we need to know, what are the different presentations, what impact does it have on the individual and their family.

In this weeks episode, we explore the things we already know about ARFID: the signs, symptoms, and medical consequences associated with ARFID.

We discuss the stigma's associated with ARFID: "picky eating", "poor parenting", "they'll grow out of it". We also explore the "link" between ARFID and autism, and whether they can be distinguished.

Finally, we discuss the treatment types for ARFID, how it differs from other eating disorders such as AN and BN, and how to initiate recovery, especially if the individual with ARFID doesn't understand the need for recovery.

To find out more, you can find Laura's research here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Laura-Bourne or you can find more about ARFID specifically here: https://www.arfidawarenessuk.org.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dave Chawner. Dave is a number 1 best-selling author, award-winning stand up, presenter, and mental health campaigner.

I first came across Dave's genius comedy which works to change the tone around mental health when I watched his TedTalk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqbL-UhhyPk) about his experience of Anorexia Nervosa. Dave now uses comedy in order to talk to hard to reach groups about mental health, which led to Dave producing Comedy for Coping, a course for individuals to gain peer support, celebrate good mental health, and build their identity further to recovery.

In the podcast, we take a similar structure to Dave's book, Weight Expectations: One Man's Recovery from Anorexia. Together we talk about Dave's love of writing a diary, and explore the many stages of eating disorder recovery including pre contemplation, contemplation, preparation, relapse, action and maintenance.

Within these stages, we discuss topics like denial, loneliness, early intervention, identity, numbing, addiction, sex drive, recovery & fun, highs and lows, and understanding that not everyday will be perfect.

This episode is packed with great advice, stories, and I promise you'll have a giggle along the way!

To find out more about Dave and Comedy for Coping, head over here: https://www.davechawner.co.uk/mental-health-comedy

Please note that we do discuss topics that some individuals may find triggering including anorexic behaviours and alcohol addiction.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Occupational Therapist, Kendra Blake. Kendra works at an intensive day care clinic for eating disorders, where she practices Occupational Therapy. She also has her own practice, Blake Wellness, where she encompasses balance, body awareness, functional training and self-compassion in her practice.

With Kendra, we discuss what occupational therapy is, and how it can be used in eating disorder recovery. We also talk about embodiment and Kendra's compassionate approach to eating disorder support.

With embodiment in mind, we discuss how to adapt to a changing body through recovery and the GI symptoms associated, as well as finding meaningful, enjoyable movement. We also discuss the role of exercise in recovery.

To find out more about Kendra and her practice, find her on Instagram @_kendrablake or visit https://www.blake-wellness.com.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Veronica Kamerling. Veronica is an Expert by Experience as a result of her two daughters struggling from eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Veronica now works as a counsellor, helping families to manage their codependent relationships which can often contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders. She also works as a Carer Representative for the Royal College of Psychiatry.

With Veronica, we discuss the development of her daughters eating disorders, the impact this had on family life, the discovery of their codependent relationship, the work they did independently to reduce their codependency, and the benefit this has had on them all as a family. We also discuss what codependency is and how it developed for Veronica and her daughter.

To find out more about Veronica and codependency, visit https://www.eatingdisordersandcarers.co.uk/

Please note that this conversation discusses sensitive topics around codependency, eating disorders, and relationships which some listeners may find triggering. Please tread lightly and take care.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by PhD student, Hannah Lewis. Hannah is a PhD student from Queen Mary University of London.

With Han, we discuss body image, body dysmorphic disorder, and the impact this may have on your mental health.

We talk about how eating disorders and body dysmorphia are often seen in tandem, but their treatment is rarely integrated. There is a common misconception that BDD and ED are separate entities which don't cross paths, which can invalidate an individuals experience. This podcast explores the link and documents the changes that must occur in order for individuals to be treated for both, valid, diagnoses.

We speak about interventions for body image, and how in an ideal world this would prevent eating disorders, but explore the multi-factorial aspect of eating disorders and the need for further preventative measures.

We then speak about Han’s research, looking at the body project, which uses cognitive dissonance, to tackle body image concerns in the hope of preventing eating disorders, and how to make this relevant for varying cultures, genders, sexualities, and ethnicities.

Please hold for the ED and BDD integrated pathway that Han and I will dedicate our souls to providing.

For support see

BDD foundation: https://bddfoundation.org
BEAT ED: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Overcoming Body Image Problems Including Body Dysmorphic Disorder by Alex Clarke and Rob Willson

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In the weeks episode, Han is joined by specialist eating disorder doctor, Chuks Nwuba!

Chuks works on an inpatient eating disorder ward in West London, and it is his aim to provide treatment to those who deserve it; and to the level they deserve.

With Chuks, we discuss the role of a doctor in eating disorder treatment, the importance of an MDT, and the vital need for education of GPs in order to improve eating disorder treatment (oh, and money and recognition).

We also talk about the impact of development on eating disorder prevalence, the impact eating disorders have on hair, skin, and the nervous system, AND the role of exercise and the impact of excessive exercise!

This episode is PACKED and it was an honour to speak to chuks about his experience and understanding. There can be a lot of negativity towards services but I just want to say thank you to all those working their 🍑 off in order to provide a service.

Like Chuks said, we need more money and more recognition of the severity of eating disorders to make treatment more accessible. It's great telling people to come and speak to us earlier to catch the ED, but if all we do is send them away because we don't have the resources, we're never going to get there.

If you are struggling, please reach out to charities such as @beatedsupport, @firststepsed and @anorexiabulimiacare for support.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Research Assistant, Farheen Hassan.

Farheen works as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Appearance Research and has conducted research into the impact of Ramadan on eating behaviours and body image in individuals from Muslim communities.

Together we discuss Farheen's personal experience of an eating disorder and disordered eating, the support available for eating disorders in muslim communities, and the impact of collective communities on treatment.

We also discuss Farheen's research and the impact she noted of Ramadan on body image and eating behaviours, causing a change in eating patterns and thought about one's body.

Please note, this podcasts aim is not to question the religious act of Ramadan, but instead to share insight into the impact that this may have on invididuals with and eating disorder to increase awareness and education.

For more information, you can find Farheen on Twitter @farheenhassan12 or Instagram @farheenhassan57. You can also read Farheen's research: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7604292

Here are some further resources suggested by Farheen to increase your understanding of eating disorder's in Muslim communities:

https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/17/during-ramadan-i-suffered-with-my-eating-disorder-in-silence-9550314/
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/what-its-like-to-have-an-eating-disorder-during-ramadan
https://gal-dem.com/the-struggle-of-navigating-ramadan-with-an-eating-disorder/

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Rob Donaldson. Rob is a Dad, and his daughter is currently recieving in patient support for an eating disorder.

This episode was difficult, and different to normal, as usually the guest will be recovered, far along in their jounrey, or working within eating disorders.

Whilst talking to Rob, we discussed the impact that eating disorders have on family life, the impact that COVID had on his ability to see his daughter, and what needs to change in terms of parental support. We also spoke about his "role" in his daughters recovery, how he supports himself and his family during the challenging time, and the hope he has for the future.

Please bare in mind that this episode is honest therefore some listeners may find it upsetting. Please take care and be compassionate with yourself.

Finally, if you are listening to this episode as a parent or carer, hold on in there. You are amazing and thank you for your support. It may not feel it now, but your loved one will be forever grateful for the support you provide.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Alice MacBain.

Alice is an ambassador of Rosier Goodness, waving the flag for chronic anxiety and depressive episodes. Alice is also an advocate for talking about mental health, sexuality, and size inclusion.

With Alice, we discuss their experience of disordered eating and we discuss the boundary between eating disorders and disordered eating. We also discuss their experience of mental health, and the benefits she has gained from attending therapy and taking medication.

We talk about Alice's relationship with their body, and how understanding their gender has allowed them to develop a much healthier relationship with their reflection.

We finish by asking Alice YOUR questions about gender and eating disorders, in our new section of the podcast: what you've BEAN wanting to ask.

To find out more about Alice, you can follow them on Instagram @urfavefattie or check out their work with Rosier Goodness @rosiergoodness.

Please note that this podcast discusses topics that may be triggering for some individuals. We discuss disordered eating and eating disorders, gender identity, body dysmorphia, anxiety, depression, therapy, medication and other mental health based topics.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Actor and Singer, Lawrence Smith.

In this weeks podcast, we discuss a whole host of really important topics, and explore things that may sometimes be uncomfortable to discuss.

Lawrence was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child, so he hasn't ever known any difference. With Lawrence, we discuss labels, diabulimia, and the need for protection and support as he had always had his diabetic team.

We discuss how eating disorders can be a cry for help, a need for safety, to shrink yourself and show you aren't okay if you can't put it into words - all of these things have negative connotations but are TRUE and shouldn't be seen as a negative.

We speak about the work needed to improve the support of those with diabulimia, including education, funding, and the role of professionals.

We also have the difficult conversation of using an ED as self harm, the hard truth that you can't blame your eating disorder for your behaviour, and that you have the choice to recovery.

Finally, we discuss sexuality and how back tracking to see if different factors may have triggered your ED is difficult because it's happened - how do you know what impact has it had?

If you would like to find out more about Lawrence, you can find him on Instagram @lom_smith or check out his website, lomsmith.com.

Please not this topic includes sensitive topics that some may find distressing: eating disorder behaviours, misuse of medication, depression, suicidal ideation & thoughts, self-harm. If you require support please reach out to charities such as Diabetes UK, BEAT, First Steps ED or call the Samaritans for support on 116 123.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by nutritional therapist, Kaysha Thomas. Kaysha works with individuals to achieve authentic health without being obsessive and to build a healthy lifestyle that is kind to her clients mind and body.

With Kaysha, we discuss her clinic work, as well as the presence of eating disorders within the black community. The research is sparse, but so far we can suggest that eating disorders present very differently to how they present in white communities.

We discuss body image, mental health, eating disorders, the ideal body type, cultural aspects and the food choices within black communities.

To find out more, you can visit https://www.kayshathomas.com or follow @kayshathomas.

Kaysha also recommended the following resources:

Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hunger-Memoir-Body-Roxane-Gay-ebook/ & https://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-All-Black-Girls-Know-ebook/dp/B005HF3Q1S
Alisia McCullough's peer support Group: https://www.instagram.com/
They can sign up for my newsletter for info on my upcoming group programme and membership community: https://www.kayshathomas.com/
Post on EDs in the black community (which has a reference list): https://www.instagram.com/p/CMAnTxhsfnq/
Interview my interview with Alishia McCullough on EDs in the black community: https://youtu.be/4rd9xY8XJiQ

Not All Black Girls Know How to Eat: A Story of Bulimia

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Principle Investigator Gerome Breen. Gerome is the principle investigator for the EDGI study, the UK’s largest ever genetic research project into eating disorders.

The aim is to collect the psychological, medical, and genetic information of 10,000 people with experience of any eating disorder. This will help us to better understand the role our genes and environment play on the development and treatment of these illnesses. EDGI is part of an international collaboration, with many countries coming together as part of the same initiative.

With Gerome, we discuss the genetic, environmental, metabolic, hormonal, and other implications which may impact eating disorder predisposition.

For more information about EDGI, you can find them on twitter and instagram @egdi_uk or visit https://edgi.org to get involved.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Katie McKenzie, a medical student from Liverpool University. Together, we discuss Katie's experience of how her eating disorder developed at university, the decision to drop out and how she managed this, how she recovered and came back to uni in a much better place.

This episode is packed full of tips and advice for heading off to uni, how to manage meal times, exercise, making friends and living with new people! If you're heading off to uni and you're worrying about how you will manage recovery, this episode will provide you with important reflections.

For more information, you can find Katie on Twitter @kjmck98 and on Instagram @katiemck98.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Suzanne Samaka, the founder of the #honestyaboutediting campaign.

Suzanne has witnessed the impact that social media has on children and young people in terms of increasing the prevalence of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and eating disorders. This is the reason she started this campaign.

Suzanne is on a mission to change the laws around edited images on social media by highlighting when an image has been manipulated in order to tackle the expectations we as a society are putting on ourselves - that are unrealistic.

With Suzanne, we discuss social media, editing, the impact our on self-esteem, and how parents can support their children through this challenging stage of life.

To find out more about the campaign, you can find Suzanne on twitter and instagram as @protectyouthmentalhealth or search #honestyaboutediting on any social media platform. You can also sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/change-social-media-laws-to-state-when-content-is-filtered-or-edited?utm

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Tom Rebair. Tom is an expert by experience, after struggling with his own mental health and feeling overwhelmed with labels.

Tom shares his experience of anxiety, anorexia, and autism; 3 conditions which often occur hand in hand and can have a drastic impact on each other.

With Tom, we discuss his mental health journey, the progression of his eating disorder and how his gender impacted the treatment he received, and the work he has been doing with The Princes Trust & The NHS Foundation Trust to improve mental health treatment overall.

For more information, you can find Tom on Instagram and Twitter as @tomrebair.

In this episode we discuss eating disorder behaviours and the effects eating disorders have on an individual.

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In this week episode, Han is joined by Joss Walden, a health psychology MSc student and mental health campaigner, who works with BEAT ambassador and course facilitator at Taste Life UK.

Joss has her own journey and experience of anorexia nervosa, emotional eating and anxiety. With Joss, we discuss her in patient experience, her relapses, her recovery journey, what worked for her, and how she continued you push through recovery during weight restoration and maintenance.

To find out more about Joss, you can find her on Instagram @honeyareyouhappy, on Twitter as @JossWalden or visit www.honeyareyouhappy.com.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by embodiment writer and teacher, founder of The Girlness Project, and Yoga & Body Awareness Therapist, Pippa Richardson!

In 2017, Pippa founded The Girlness Project, an initiative which aims to support the emotional and physical health of young girls as well as the importance of self care.

In this episode, Pippa and I explore what Somatic Therapy is, how eating disorders affect your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system which leads to an inability to connect within. We then go onto explore connecting with others, intimacy and what it means other than sex, and how we can feel intimacy with others if sex isn't something we feel comfortable doing during ED recovery (or any time in life).

To find out more about Pippa, the Girlness Project, or any of the topics we've discussed today, you can find Pippa @_pippa, @girlnessproject or visit https://www.thegirlnessproject.com.

Please note that during this episode we discuss sex, intimacy and the obstacles that may prevent this during ED recovery such as trauma, body image, and vulnerability.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Sarah Barron, a PhD student from Cambridge.

Sarah joins us this week to discuss her ED journey and her positive outlook on the impact these experiences have had on her today. Sarah has always competed as an athlete, whether that was swimming, body building, or powerlifting, but has now found peace and enjoyment in sport. Additionally, she has found enjoyment in life and so much self awareness that it's truly inspiring to listen.

We also discuss Sarah's recent diagnosis of ADHD and the impact she feels this may have had on her ED development.

To find out more about Sarah, you can find her on Instagram @strength_with_saz.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by photographer Amy-Rose Deffley and writer/sports nutritionist Tamar Aliphon, who together are producing the [Mask]ulinity project.

[Mask]ulinity is a documentary-style photo project which shines a spotlight on professional sportsmen who are often respected and often idolised men for their body image, strength (both mentally and physcially) and masculinity.

With Amy-Rose and Tamar, we talk about the generational, environmental, social, emotional, and mental pressures inflicted on men to act, behave, and look a certain way. We also discuss identity in sport, the impact of body manipulation in weight-categorised sports, and how women can act as allies to support male mental health and reduce the rhetoric that all men need to be big and strong.

To find out more, or to donate to the [Mask]ulinity kickstarter, please head over to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/power-journey/mask-ulinity.

You can also find out more about Amy-Rose @guns_for_roses and Tamar @fulledbymacros (or visit www.fuelledbymacros.com).

Amy-Rose and Tamar also asked me to put a special thanks out to @thetinmen and @jameselliottofficial for their constant work to raise awareness of male mental health.

Don't forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe to the podcast to help us reach those who require support at the moment.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Sam Raby, assistant children and young people's coordinator and boy's and men's lead at First Steps ED, and eating disorder charity based in the midlands.

With Sam, we discuss the work they are conducting at FSED to increase the awareness and support for boys and men with EDs, the importance of speaking up about male mental health, Sam's personal experience of OCD and how this may be linked to eating disorders.

Don't forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe to the podcast to help us reach individuals who require support at the moment.

You can find Sam on Instagram and Twitter, @ocdinboyz, where Sam shares his OCD journey, raises awareness and spreads positive vibes.

You can also find out more about First Steps on Instagram and Twitter, @firststepsED or visit their website www.firststepsed.co.uk.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by registered associate nutritionist, intuitive eating counsellor in training and Clinic Coordinator at TC Nutrition, Andrea Clares (ANutr).

With Andrea, we explore the 10 principles of intuitive eating, as initially proposed by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch in 1995. Intuitive Eating encompasses self-care when eating, and teaches individuals to use instinct, emotion, and rational thought to make decisions around food. Not only does intuitive eating take us back to a natural and instinctive way of eating, but it is evidence-based and weight inclusive with over 100 studies backing it's validity.

This episode explores intuitive eating from a disordered eating perspective, with eating disorder recovery at the heart of the episode. Whilst Andrea explores the principles, Han asks sensitive questions about the onset and logistics of intuitive eating during eating disorder recovery.

Don't forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe to the podcast to help us reach individuals who require support at the moment.

You can follow Andrea on Instragram @andreacm_nutrition or on Facebook as Andrea CM Nutrition. You can also find out more about AndreaCM Nutrition here: https://www.andreacmnutrition.com

You can find out more about the origin of intuitive eating here: https://www.intuitiveeating.org.

You can find out more about TC Nutrition here: https://www.taliacecchele.com/clinic

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by BEAT's Clinical Lead, Jess Griffiths.

BEAT is the UK's leading eating disorder charity which is on a mission to end the pain and suffering associated with eating disorders through support, helplines, and campaigns.

With Jess, we discuss the incredible work BEAT is conducting to provide eating disorder training to medical staff as well as the support they provide to parents and carers. Additionally, we discuss how we can increase awareness of eating disorders and reduce the associated stigma through creative means.

Finally, we discuss Jess' personal eating disorder experience and how it has made her the incredible clinician she is today.

To find out more about beat, you can visit www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk or find them on social media @beated. Additionally, you can find Jess on Twitter as @jessthegriff.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Talia Cecchele, a registered dietician and nutritionist who works both in her private clinic and on a specialist eating disorder unit to support individuals during their recovery process.

With Talia, we discuss a number of dietetic related topics including the importance of meal plans, the science behind GI symptoms that may occur during eating disorder recovery, and how to navigate the emotions associated with symptoms including bloating. Additionally, we discuss a number of dietary intolerances and requirements that many individuals develop as a result of their eating disorder.

This is an evidence-based, science-packed episode so be sure to get your pen and paper out to take notes!

You can find out more about Talia and her clinic at https://www.taliacecchele.com or you can find Talia on social media @tcnutrition.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dr Lorna Collins.

Lorna has a truly inspiring story. Aged 18, Lorna experienced a tramatic brain injury which resulted in total amnesia and the development of many psychiatric illnesses causing her to be an inpatient on a psychiatric ward for almost 2 years.

Art became Lorna's medicine, and she developed the ability to express herself through art which has become the centre of her recovery. Lorna has previously worked as a Peer Support Worker with Oxford NHS ED service and a patient representative at the Royal College of Psychiatry, and now she is actively researching why art helps us to make sense of ourself.

To find out more from Lorna, you can find her on social media @sensinglorna or you can visit her website - www.lornacollins.com.

Please note, this episode discusses self harm, eating disorders and psychiatric illness.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Kerrie Jones, a lead psychotherapist in the treatment of eating disorders and the CEO of Orri.

Together, Han and Kerrie discuss the individualised, stepped-down approach that Orri, a private eating disorder clinic providing intensive day care treatment for those with Anorexia Nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder aged over 18, provides.

Han and Kerrie talk about the importance of an individualised treatment plan, the research behind inpatient vs intensive day care treatment, and what makes Orri different.

To find out more about the services provided by Orri, you can find them @orri_uk on Twitter and Instagram or you can visit their website at www.orri-uk.com.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Dr Ieuan Cranswick, a senior lecturer at Leeds Beckett University and has conducted (and still is conducting!) research into his area of interest, Muscle Dysmorphia.

During the podcast, we discuss Ieuan's research and personal experience, the stigma's and possible causes, the impact of COVID-19 and other aspects which are linked to muscle dysmorphia, anabolic steroid use and male identity.

If you are interested in reading more of Ieuan's work, you can find Ieuan's research at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ieuan-Cranswick

Also, you can find Ieuan on Twitter and Instagram @ICSportsTherapy, or you can contact Ieuan via email to have a chat or be involved in his studies at

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Mental Health blogger Cara Lisette. Cara has personal experience of anorexia nervosa (purge subtype) and bipolar disorder, and is dedicated to increasing awareness of eating disorders.

In our conversation with Cara, we discuss her personal experience of an eating disorder, quasi-recovery, the "unglamorous" side of anorexia nervosa, health consequences of anorexia nervosa and the impact of COVID-19 on Cara's day patient treatment.

If you would like to find out more about Cara and her work, you can find her on Instagram at https://caras-corner.com or find her on Instagram or Twitter @caralisette.

Please note that this podcast episode discusses anorexic behaviours which may be triggering for some individuals. Also, this episode discusses Cara's personal experience and should not be taken as clinical advice.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Renee McGregor, a leading sports and eating disorder specialist dietician. Renee is only the RED-S advisor board and sits on the International Task Force for Orthorexia. This episode is certainly a treat for those interested in these 2 disorders.

The conversation with Renee not only explores the definition and health consequences for both RED-S and orthorexia, but we also explore Renee's opinion on the predisposing characteristics of these disorders which are important to consider during recovery.

For more information regarding Renee's work, you can visit her website at https://reneemcgregor.com/ or find her on Instagram for informative sports and nutrition posts at @r_mcgregor!

Also, check out Renee's #trainbrave campaign which aims to inspire athletes to share their stories, raise awareness of ED's and RED-S, to provide resources and empower coaches and athletes to have open discussions about ED's and RED-S.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Genna, an advocate for self-love and fitness for all body types.

If you enjoyed listening to Genna today, you can read her blog at https://www.whollygenna.com or you can find her on Instagram at @whollygenna.

This is not clinical advice.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Zoe Burnett, a motivational speaker and author who has lived experience of Atypical Anorexia, PTSD, anxiety and depression.

Zoe joined us on this weeks episode to discuss her Atypical Anorexia recovery journey, and how her experience sparked her interest for Set Point Theory. She is extremely passionate about debunking the social norms of dieting and ensuring that the next generation grow up to appreciate their bodies.

Zoe also discusses her experience of being pregnant and still struggling with eating disorder thoughts in a refreshing and honest manner. Her dedication to providing her daughter with a diet-free world is truly beautiful.

For more insight from Zoe, please check her out on Instagram as @barefootrebel1 or @RebelBarefoot on Twitter. You can also find Zoe's TedTalk on Set Point Theory at https://www.youtube.com/watch?timecontinue=2&v=aPuk30ILAa8&feature=emblogo

Not clinical advice. Trigger warning: Atypical Anorexia discussed

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Today Han is joined by Kate Winter, someone who Han has looked up to for many years.

Kate is a fellow Warwick University alumini, ex police officer, ex body builder come yoga teacher and meditation teacher. Kate has an extremely inspiring story regarding her eating disorder recovery, moving from a place of self-punishment to inner peace through meditation.

Kate now practices Ashtanga yoga and Vedic meditation which together have helped her to find her power. Through connecting to her inner self, Kate has become much more attuned to who she is and now wanders through life the way she wants it, free from her eating disorder.

Kate shares insight into her recovery, disorder behaviours which lingered as "health-concious choices" and the freedom meditation has provided her.

this is not clinical advice. trigger warning: anorexia nervosa discussed

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As a very special episode, Han and George from MyoMinds got together to record 100 getting to know you questions for the Captain Tom 100 Challenge.

This weekend, we are celebrating Captain Tom's 101st birthday to raise money for the incredible Captain Tom foundation which supports charities for young people's mental health. You can donate here: https://captaintom.org/captain-tom-100

To find out more about George and his incredible work with MyoMinds, please follow @myo_minds on Instagram and @myominds on Twitter.

P.s. if you get to the end please let us know so we can send you a medal.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by James Downs. James is a mental health activist who works with the Royal College of Psychiatry, NHS England and MQ (a mental health charity).

James has taken is own eating disorder experience to provide a patients perspective of current services to promote positive change. With James, Han discusses the steps we need to take as a community and in the health care setting in order to provide individualised and suitable treatment for everyone.

Just as eating disorders vary each time you hear someone's story, so does their recovery process and the way we see our own eating disorders. This episode focuses on individuality, diversity and self-discovery.

For more information and to follow the incredible work James is taking part in, you can find James on Instagram and Twitter as @jamesldowns, or check out his yoga at https://www.yogaproject.co.uk

This is not clinical advice.

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In today's episode Han is joined by Charli Babb. Charli is a PhD student at the University of Cardiff and is completing her PhD as part of the SEDAF project.

Charli joins us to discuss the similarities between anorexia nervosa and autism, as well as how eating disorder treatments must be altered to meet the needs of autistic women. Once again highlighting the need for individualised treatment across eating disorder services.

To read more about Charli's research, you can find her research at ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Charli-Babb) and the SEDAF blog http://sedaf18.blogspot.com/ .

You can find the SEDAF team on Twitter at @SEDAF18 or Charli' on Instagram and Twitter as @CharliPsych.

This is not clinical advice.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by George Mycock (pause for giggle) who is the founder of MyoMinds.

MyoMinds is on a mission to make sharing mainstream within the exercise and athletic community to understand that exercise isn't always the antidote for mental health.

George joins us to discuss his own eating disorder experience, sharing his story of binge eating disorder, bulimia and muscle orientated disordered eating. He also provides extensive knowledge regarding compulsive exercise backed up by research.

This is not clinical advice.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by a fellow Warwick Alumni and close friend, Jodie.

Jodie is the founder of Jodie Yates Art. Jodie uses her abstract and beautifully colourful paintings of tits 'n' bits to challenge the norms and structures of the male gaze, empower individuals to accept their bodies and champion body neutrality.

With Jodie we also discuss intersectional feminism and the tips it could provide to eating disorder awareness, the important shift from body positivity to body acceptance and how abstract nude portraits can really empower our sense of self.

Please check out Jodie's incredible work on Instagram at @jodieyates.art or check our her Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JodieYatesArt.

Disclaimer: this podcast should not be seen as clinical advice.

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In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Hope Virgo, a multi-award winning mental health campaigner, public speaker and published author of Stand Tall Little Girl and Hope Through Recovery (OUT NOW!)

Hope leads the eating disorder campaign, Dump the Scales, which is on a mission to change the guidance provided to front line health care professionals to understand that eating disorders are not defined by weight.

Hope also hosts talks for schools, universities and parents to increase awareness and early intervention to reduce the prevalence of eating disorders.

In todays episode we talk about the importance of increasing eating disorder awareness through conversations as well as the importance of letting go of this "one size fits all" in eating disorder diagnosis and treatment.

Finally, Hope shares insight into how she stayed motivated through her recovery and the important things she does today to ensure her eating disorder doesn't creep back in.

For more informationFor more information please check out @thefobpodcast on Instagram or Twitter, and visit BEAT, First Steps ED or SEED for support or speak to your local GP.

Content warning: anorexia nervosa. This is not clinical advice.

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This week, Han is joined by Katie, a registered associate nutritionist who has her own inspiring story regarding anorexia nervosa recovery.

A key aspect of recovery for Katie was the support network she had around her. From her family to her friends, Katie describes the importance of a support and how those looking to help their loved one can navigate the difficult situations eating disorders create.

For more information please check out @thefobpodcast on Instagram or Twitter, and visit the BED website for support.

You can also find Katie and her extensive nutritional knowledge on Instagram @e.k.nutrition!

Content warning: anorexia nervosa discussed.

This is not clinical advice.

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In today's episode, Han is joined by Katie Barbaro, the author and illustrator of the handwritten memoir "Fed Up: An Illustrated Guide to Food Freedom".

Katie's book documents her experience with bulimia nervosa, approaching potentially distressing, yet relatable, situations with humour and wit, leaving you smiling and laughing at past situations.

This episode explores many avenues such as intuitive eating, binary thinking, diet culture, recovery and being true to yourself.

For more information please check out @thefobpodcast on Instagram or Twitter, and visit BEAT, First Steps ED or SEED for support or speak to your local GP.

Content warning: bulimia nervosa discussed. This is not clinical advice.

PREORDER FED UP HERE: https://orchardpresspublishing.com/shop or visit @Fedupthebook on Instagram to find out more!!!

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This week, Han is joined by Becca, an assistant psychologist who works within an inpatient and outpatient eating disorder service.

Becca shares insight into her own battle with anorexia and her journey from studying Clinical Psychology at Exeter and Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition at UCL. Becca has both empathy and passion for this subject and uses her knowledge and personal experience to explain things in a simple, relatable and engaging manner.

Be prepared to be inspired to recover as Becca describes the unexpected joys of recovery in a truly beautiful manner.

For more information please check out @thefobpodcast on Instagram or Twitter, and visit the BEAT website for support.

Content warning: anorexia nervosa discussed. This is not clinical advice.

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For our debut episode we are joined by Aiden Mortimer, a registered associate nutritionist who has previously battled with bulimia during his boxing career. Bulimia nervosa affects around 1-1.5% of the population, but as Aiden explains, it can affect anyone; not just women.

Aiden is now a ambassador for BEAT, the UK's eating disorder charity aiming to end the pain and suffering for an estimated 1.25 million individuals suffering from eating disorders.

Join us today as Aiden describes the crippling effects of bulimia, his motivation to recover and the support you can gain from BEAT.

For more information please see @thefobpodcast on Instagram or Twitter. Support can be found on the BEAT website as well as speaking to your local GP.

Content warning: bulimia nervosa behaviours discussed.

Not clinical advice.

The Full of Beans Podcast: Recent Episodes

Hannah Hickinbotham