Eating Disorder Recovery Speakers

“Not only do I want to like myself but I’m not letting someone else make money off of me hating myself. That’s just a bunch of bull shit” - SamIn our conversation, Sam and I talk more about how kids internalize the ways in which older figures in their lives discuss food and body image. We discuss what “looks like health” in the media vs. what is actual health, finances and treatment, discrimination and accessibility, and what it looks like for others to step in to help someone with an eating disorder. Follow Sam on IG @countkissesnotcaloriesResources:NEDA Helpline : (800) 931-2237Dana SuchowYour Dieting Daughter by Carolyn CostinInstagram Accounts to check out:@danasuchow@iamdaniadriana@bodyposipanda@neda@lizzobeeating@scarrednotscared@simonemariposa@glitterandlazers@curvesbecomeher@iskra@mynameisjessamyn@iamivyfelicia@realryansheldon@tessholliday@rybnyc@lexiemanion@aerie (don't retouch their models ever)@beatingeatingdisorders@unlikelyhikers

“The ED community will exclude people because they don’t have this preset label, because they don’t have this diagnosis written on a paper somewhere. There is this whole other group of people that, because they never received treatment, they’re not even allowed to have a conversation with people who have” - SamGrowing up watching her mom struggle with food and body issues, Sam started overeating at a young age; she dealt with bullying as a child because of it. From middle school through grad school, her symptoms bounced from purging to overexercising to restricting to drinking too much. In her story, Sam tells of what recovery looked like as someone who never received formal treatment, likely due to her family’s financial insecurities. Sam believes that if you can get treatment, get it, but wants people to know that she recovered by learning about eating disorders in her college classes and becoming involved with NEDA and the body positive community on social media. Follow Sam on IG: @countkissesnotcaloriesResources:- NEDAInstagram Accounts to check out:@danasuchow@iamdaniadriana@bodyposipanda@neda@lizzobeeating@scarrednotscared@simonemariposa@glitterandlazers@curvesbecomeher@iskra@mynameisjessamyn@iamivyfelicia@realryansheldon@tessholliday@rybnyc@lexiemanion@aerie (don't retouch their models ever)@beatingeatingdisorders@unlikelyhikers

This too shall pass:These days of feelingUnloved & Unlovable,Broken,Dirty,Like a burden:Heavy,Needy,Annoying,Clingy.This too shall pass:These days where your sensitivity makes it feelLike you’re too fragile to live in a world like ours.Like you’re an alien walking this earth for the very first time;A stranger, trying to figure things out,But you can’t quite get it.Strange.Like you don’t fit in anywhere.Like an outsider.Separate.Lonely.This too shall pass:These days of hating your body.Hating your earth suit.Your crawling skin.These days of hating your legs:The vehicles with which you move amongst the people.These days of hating your female parts.These days of hating your arms:Those desperately reaching for something,Wanting to hold on to ANYTHING.This too shall pass:The anxiety & obsession.The vise in your head.The pressure.The depression.The wounds of your past.The pit in your stomachThe darkness & dimness.The hole in your chest.The ache in your heart.The emptiness in your soul.This too shall pass:The days of working so hard but feeling like you get nowhere.Like you never accomplish anything.Of people telling you that you never accomplish anything.People questioning your commitment.You questioning your commitment.Of feeling too sick to commit.Of feeling too exhausted to move.Of feeling done.And when it passes:You’ll have days of feelingLoved & Loveable,Whole & Good & Wanted.And sometimes you’ll still have days of feelingHeavy & dark.But you’ll know how to cope,And you’ll know it will pass.So you’ll be still & skillful & patient.And rest & waitFor the good days of wholeness to come again.And when it passes:You’ll stop viewing your sensitivity as a flawAnd recognize that your sensitivity is actually a gift.It is THE gift that will create connections in your life.And grow connections into friendships & romances.And be the thing that separates you from other peopleIn a good way.In a way that is cherished & appreciated & loved.In a way that makes people want to keep you closeAnd to know you for the rest of forever.And when it passes:You’ll understand that it was another person’s hopeThat you would hate your body.Because your insecurity was a way for them to profit.And maybe then you’ll get angry at THEM instead of at yourself.And hopefully then you’ll start to heal,And forgive yourself,And find acceptance of yourself,And learn to like yourself beyond your body.And then look in the mirror and realize thatYou like your body sometimes, a little.And then that you like your body sometimes, a lot.And then that you like your body more often than you don’t.And then realize that you love yourself so muchAnd that your body is a part of you.So how could you ever not like it again?And when it passes: The anxiety & obsession will have taught youThe spaciousness of peace & freedom.The pit in your stomach will give way to hunger.Yes, for food, but for more than just food.Hunger to achieve all that you hope for,And all that you have yet to hope forBut will indeed hope for one day.The emptiness will stop feeling lonelyAnd start feeling exciting.Because when you’re emptyYou can fill yourself up with anything.That ache in your heart will stop feeling painfulAnd start feeling holy.*And when it passes:You will realize that you can stop working so hard.And that the current of life will take you places.And that grace will open doors.And YOU can decide whether or not to walk through them.And that decision will come with less effort & more ease.You will realize that the glory of surrenderIs worth the struggle of letting go.Let it pass.*line adapted from The Radiance Sutras by Lorin Roche

In this bonus episode/teaser for the start of a new season, Kristen Brunello, host of EDRS, discusses where she has been for the past year and a half and what she has learned during 12 weeks of quarantine. Topics Include: - Yoga - Depression/Anxiety - Creativity - Listening - Doing the work - Asking for help

Non Wels & Kristen Brunello explore the importance of community in recovery, giving ourselves permission to take moments of peace, and how Kristen became an eating disorder recovery coach.Check out You, Me, Empathy!

Kristen Brunello is the Founder of Always a Being, which provides affordable eating disorder recovery coaching, and the creator and host of the Eating Disorder Recovery Speakers podcast. Kristen struggled with an eating disorder from the ages of 12 –24 and hopes to make the philosophy, tools and inspiration that helped her recover accessible to those still suffering. Her passions include yoga, cats, friendships, tacos, New Jersey, and equality.We were so excited to dive in and learn from Kristen! We end up discussing…• Kristen’s story and her 12 year battle with an eating disorder• Her work as a Recovery Coach and what she is up to now• Opening up about mental health, addiction and eating disorders• Is it possible to fully recover?• Addiction vs. eating disorders• Finding meaning and purpose• Ayurveda, balance & recovery• The underlying struggle with control and stuffing down feelings• How to help loved ones with eating disorders• Resources & recommendationsHow to find Kristen:• Kristen’s Website: www.alwaysabeing.com• Kristen’s Podcast: Eating Disorder Recovery Speakers Podcast• Kristen’s Instagram: @always_a_being• Kristen’s 8 day recovery course: Accept Recovery• Kristen’s Recovery Archetype Quiz: www.alwaysabeing.com/quizEating Disorder Resources & Recommendations from Kristen:• https://www.meetup.com/• Coby Kozlowski: www.cobyk.com• Carolyn Costin: www.carolyn-costin.com• Recovered Living: www.recoveredliving.com• “Your Dieting Daughter” by Carolyn Costin• “The 8 Keys to Recovery with Eating Disorders” by Carolyn Costin• “Eating in the Light of the Moon” by Dr. Anita Johnston• “Solemate” by Lauren Mackler• “Women Who Run With The Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes• Food Psych Podcast

“I wanted to do what I needed to do so that I could be myself again. I wanted people to laugh with me. I wanted to play soccer and enjoy it and not hate being out there and struggle to get through it. So my motivation for getting back to a healthy state was to be who I was before, but even better. With those goals in mind, that really helped inspire me to take chances and to take risks.” – ErinIn my conversation with Erin, she and I talk about friendships in eating disorder recovery, eating disorders in college athletes, raising a child with food allergies, recovery tips and goals, and more.Full List of Conversation Topics:- The light & shadow sides of personality traits- When friends tell someone about your ED for the sake of your health- Advice for people who are concerned about their friend with an ED- College athletes and EDs- Raising a child with food allergies- Using incentives & consequences as ways to recovery- Rock bottoms- Recovery tips & goals- Advice for school administrators to handle athletes with EDResource- Erin's Blog- Austin's Allergies- Accept Recovery

“I wanted to do what I needed to do so that I could be myself again. I wanted people to laugh with me. I wanted to play soccer and enjoy it and not hate being out there and struggle to get through it. So my motivation for getting back to a healthy state was to be who I was before, but even better. With those goals in mind, that really helped inspire me to take chances and to take risks.” – ErinErin struggled with an eating disorder as a star soccer player at Michigan State University. Eventually becoming a successful soccer coach, she has a unique perspective on eating disorders in college athletes. A mother of 3, Erin is also the author of the recently released children’s book “Austin’s Allergies” based on the true story of her son Austin who has severe food allergies. In her story, Erin talks about all of these things, as well as shedding some light on how to work your recovery even when there are very real food limitations involved.Resources:- Erin's Blog- Austin's Allergies

“On April 4, 2016, I became weight restored. I’ve worked NY Fashion Weeks, graduated from an amazing university with honors, and started my own personal styling business at 23, but nothing in life am I prouder of than becoming weight restored. What I feared the most is eventually what saved me” – AmyIn my conversation with Amy, she and I talk more about her religion and faith in God as a tool that helped her recover, social media in recovery, weight gain post weight restoration, when weight changes with age, southern smash, and more.Full List of Conversation Topics:- Depression, suicide, & self-harm- Relapse- Religion & God- Social Media in recovery- The scale in recovery- Southern Smash - Scale Smashing- Weight gain post weight restoration- When weight changes with age- Stories of hopeResources:- Oliver-Pyatt Centers- Oliver-Pyatt on Instagram: @oliverpyatt- Center for Discovery- Joy’D Etsy Shop- Joy'D on Instagram: @joyoveryourdestination- Southern Smash- McCall Dempsey- McCall Dempsey on Instagram: @mccalldempsey- Accept Recovery

“On April 4, 2016, I became weight restored. I’ve worked NY Fashion Weeks, graduated from an amazing university with honors, and started my own personal styling business at 23, but nothing in life am I prouder of than becoming weight restored. What I feared the most is eventually what saved me” – AmyAmy is the founder of the Joy’d initiative which sends gifts to people in treatment. She is also in grad school to become a therapist. Her story is a raw one about her experiences with an eating disorder and major depression. She tells of her many relapses, her struggle with self-harm, moments in her life when she had no desire to get better, the power that her scale had over her, and what it felt like to gain weight past her “weight restoration” goal. However Amy’s story is one of hope; she talks about how worth it all of the struggles were because of how amazing her life is now, and how her faith and religion helped her recover.Resources:- Oliver-Pyatt Centers- Oliver-Pyatt on Instagram: @oliverpyatt- Center for Discovery- Joy’D - Joy Over Your Destination Etsy Shop- Joy’D on Instagram: @joyoveryourdestination- Southern Smash

“I think my recovery now is talking about it. That’s how I deal with it. That’s how I keep it real. I put it out there. I own it. This is part of me. I don’t have any regrets.” – KarliKarli is a fitness professional who puts her experiences with anorexia out in the open in order to help others heal. While Karli did see some outpatient treatment professionals, none of them seemed to work for her, because as she says, “nothing works if you’re still lying to yourself.” In her story she tells about her struggle with anorexia and how learning about the physical body and nutrition helped her in her recovery. In our conversation, Karli and I talk about why she believes someone is always in recovery, the mental and physical effects of an eating disorder, relationships in recovery, and how her ED made her a stronger person.Full List of Conversation Topics:- Why she believes we are always “recovering” from an eating disorder- Mental and Physical effects of an eating disorder- How her eating disorder made her manipulative- When people you love “call you out”- Relationships in recovery- How her eating disorder made her a stronger person- Definitions of healthResources:- Accept Recovery: https://alwaysabeing.com/ecourse/

“What’s interesting is that the commitment and fire that was present during both eating disorders is the same commitment and fire that helped me overcome them. I refused to settle to be unhappy and feel tethered to these disorders, and it feels surreal to look back and realize how far I’ve come.” – SamSam is a life coach and a yoga teacher who has overcome a struggle with several eating disorders, including orthorexia. In her story, Sam reads two eerily similar journal entries written several years apart. What they both have in common? The last sentence which says, “I want to be me again”. In our conversation, Sam and I talk more about orthorexia and how it is portrayed in the media and on social media. We also talk about yoga and the benefits of having hard conversations with people that we love.Full list of Conversation Topics:-Orthorexia-Social Media and Orthorexia-Yoga & Self-Inquiry in recovery-Community and its effect on Recovery-The benefit of having “hard conversations with people”-Personality traits in the development of an ED-Anxiety and yogaResources:-Sam’s Website-Sam’s IG Handle: @yogawithsam-Coby Kozlowski-The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health-Ana Forrest-Jim Rohn-Nonviolent Communication-Accept Recovery 8 Day E-Course

“A lot of times the struggle of recovery is like this huge mountain you need to climb. And you’ve fallen so far that the peak of the mountain looks a century away. Understand that you don’t need to find the path. There are Sherpas. There are people who will guide you. You don’t have to do it alone. Even if the people around you don’t understand, there are people who are out there that do” – JGIn my conversation with Janine, she and I talk more about being a recovery role model, how to find motivation to heal when the people around you don’t understand your struggle, having a relationship with how your body looks, positive affirmations and more.Full List of Conversation Topics:- Being a recovery role model- Loneliness- Vulnerability, sharing, and connection- Tips for loved ones of people with eating disorders- How to find motivation to heal your ED when the people in your life don’t understand- How to have patience for people in your life who don’t understand your ED- Choice in recovery- Having a relationship with how your body looks- Reasons for exercising other than weight loss- Recovery pets- AffirmationsResources:- The Renfrew Center- "I Am: A Life-changing Guide to Creating the Future You Desire" by Janine Naomi Grant- Accept Recovery 8-Day E-Course

“A lot of times the struggle of recovery is like this huge mountain you need to climb. And you’ve fallen so far that the peak of the mountain looks a century away. Understand that you don’t need to find the path. There are Sherpas. There are people who will guide you. You don’t have to do it alone. Even if the people around you don’t understand, there are people who are out there that do” – JanineJanine and I were in residential treatment together in 2007. As the first person that I knew who was doing well in her recovery, she was someone that I looked up to. Janine currently lives in Colorado Springs where she works as the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Abundant, a leadership mastermind that supports sales professionals in their growth. Her mission is to help others experience the brightest and most authentic version of the light within themselves. In her story she talks about the feeling of loneliness and how it contributed to her eating disorder. She also talks about how having a recovery pet, being in a sales position, and starting to live life on HER terms helped her in recovery. Janine says her eating disorder gave her the invitation to learn more about what makes her happy and that sharing her story helps her to create deeper connections with other people.

“If our parents show dysfunctional behavior when we are children, we are victims. But nobody says we have to be the victim our whole life. Something has to happen to wake us up. When we awaken, then it is our responsibility to step out of the victim role and become heroes” – ElenaElena is a life coach, speaker, and author who grew up and currently lives in Sardinia, Italy. In her story, Elena reads a chapter called “Mama, why don’t you love me” from her upcoming book. The chapter tells of her struggle with binge eating disorder and bulimia from a young age, and how visualization, inner child work and her learned ability to reparent herself helped her heal the wounds from her childhood – the real issues underneath her eating disorder. In our conversation, Elena and I talk more about EDs and recovery in Italy and the Netherlands, advice for mothers of children with EDs, connecting to your inner child, and more.Full List of Conversation Topics:- Eating Disorders & Recovery in Italy- Eating Disorders & Recovery in The Netherlands- Advice for mothers of children with ED’s- Healing & connecting to your Inner Child- Self-Observation & Inner Child- When you release toxicity, what do you get?- What’s good in life now.Resources:- Elena’s Website- Accept Recovery 8-Day E-Course

“I remember being frustrated because it seemed like people would have ‘Aha moments’ and recovery would be so easy for them after that. It wasn’t like that for me. Recovery for me took a long time. Get support, don’t give up, recovery can happen for you” – SarahIn my conversation with Sarah, she and I talk more about eating disorders and identity, spirituality and meditation, body image, how to deal with friends who diet, and more.Full List of Conversation Topics:- ED symptoms as external validation- Identity – “Who am I?”- Spirituality & Meditation- Body Image/Phobia- How to deal with having friends and family members who diet/detox/hate their bodies- Eating Disorder Recovery CoachingResources:- Sarah’s Website- Sarah's Book Recommendations- Sarah’s Blog - Sahaj Marg - Quarter-Life Calling- Health at Every Size- Accept Recovery E-Course

“I remember being frustrated because it seemed like people would have ‘Aha moments’ and recovery would be so easy for them after that. It wasn’t like that for me. Recovery for me took a long time. Get support, don’t give up, recovery can happen for you” – SarahSarah is a fully recovered eating disorder recovery coach who was certified through the Carolyn Costin Institute. She lives in Victoria British Columbia and prior to being a coach in private practice, she was a dietitian working with individuals with eating disorders. Sarah’s story tells of her long struggle with an eating disorder and how finding a meditation and spiritual practice that resonated with her was a significant factor in her recovery.Resources:- Sarah’s Website- Sarah’s Book Recommendations

Kristen’s meditation teacher Lorin Roche once said to her, “there is a part of you that is not broken.” When she heard this she felt like she had been punched in the stomach and stabbed in the heart and was immediately brought to tears; it hurt so badly because it was exactly what she needed to hear. In this Meditation Bit, Kristen reads 3 meditations from Lorin’s book “The Radiance Sutras” which is a translation of the tantric text the Bhairavan Tantra. Two of the three meditations discuss how you can use your pain and wounds as portals into the divine and healing.Resources:- Lorin Roche- The Radiance Sutras: 112 Gateways to the Yoga of Wonder & Delight

Amanda is 20 years old and aspires to help those with eating disorders one day. In her story she tells about her struggles and relapses with anorexia and depression and shares a lot of treatment tools that she found helpful in her recovery. In our conversation, she and I talk about our experiences with residential treatment, coping skills and motivation in recovery, blind weights, relationships, and more.Full List of Conversation Topics:- Center for Discovery & Residential Treatment- Recovery as a full-time job- Coping skills for recovery- Motivation to get better- Negative vs Positive Self-talk- Relief-band and its effect on treatment- Weighing and blind weights- ED, Recovery, & RelationshipsResources:- IG Handle: HealthyIsTheNewSkinny- Center for Discovery- Center for Discovery Scholarship- Reliefband- The Mental Illness Happy Hour Podcast- Mentally Yours Podcast- Healthy is the New Skinny: Your Guide to Self-Love in a “Picture Perfect” World by Katie H. Willcox- Pound for Pound: A story of one woman’s recovery and the shelter dogs who loved her back to life by Shannon Kopp- Amanda’s Blog: Beautiful Us Recovery- Accept Recovery 8-Day E-Course

“Suddenly when I walked through the world, I felt powerful… I thought, this is me taking up the space that I didn’t think I was entitled to years ago. And now, because of recovery, I can walk like this” - MollieIn my conversation with Mollie we talk about the amazingness of the female body, as well as give advice for how parents can approach puberty with their daughters. We also talk about the neuroscience behind bulimia, Overeaters Anonymous, and the recovery vs recovered debate from the standpoint of the 12-steps.Resources:· Portia Nelson Autobiography in 5 chapters· Mollie’s website· AA meeting finder (Alcoholic Anonymous)· OA meeting finder (Overeaters Anonymous)· EDA meeting finder (Eating Disorders Anonymous)· ANAD meeting finder (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)· CoDA meeting finder (Co-Dependents Anonymous)· Accept Recovery 8 Day E-Course

“Suddenly when I walked through the world, I felt powerful… I thought, 'This is me taking up the space that I didn’t think I was entitled to years ago. And now, because of recovery, I can walk like this'” - MollieIn her story, Mollie tells of life growing up in LA culture and how puberty and the implications of developing a woman’s body impacted her struggle with bulimia. Now a clinician in the eating disorder field, Mollie talks about the neuroscience behind bulimia and how the 12-steps and boxing helped her in her recovery.Resources:- Mollies Website- Overeaters Anonymous

“I don’t know how I truly feel about the fully recovered vs. recovery debate. But I can tell you this. I am a different person than when I was in the throes of an eating disorder. Nothing is the same. Nothing. I laugh, cry, take risks, speak in front of people, bake for fun, go out to eat, foster warm, caring relationships. I have my sense of humor back. Life is huge, and chaotic, and painful, and lovely, and I’m living it. Life in color with all of its uncertainties is so preferable to that cold, sterile certain life with an eating disorder.” – ColleenIn my conversation with Colleen we talk more about the biopsychosocial model of mental health and illness, personality traits in people with eating disorders, advice for people who are in recovery that want to work in the eating disorder field, Health at Every Size, and more.Full List of Conversation Topics:-Biopsychosocial model in developing an eating disorder-Personality traits predisposed to an eating disorder-How these personality traits can also help in recovery and life-How to navigate the waves of emotions in recovery-Importance of experiential therapy techniques in recovery-How body language and changing your physiology can help-Higher Purpose in Recovery-Recovery Resources-Instagram and Recovery-Advice for people in recovery who want to work in the recovery field-Health at Every SizeResources:-Project HEAL-Recovery Warriors-Food Psych Podcast with Christy Harrison-Life Without Ed by Jenni Schaefer-Food to Eat: Guided, hopeful, and Trusted Recipes -for Eating Disorder Recovery by Lori Lieberman, RD-8 Keys to Recovery From an Eating Disorder by Carolyn Costin-Eating in the Light of the Moon by Dr. Anita Johnston-Appetites: Why Women Want by Caroline Knapp-The Three Waves of Volunteers and the New Earth by Dolores Cannon (the book Kristen couldn’t remember the name of in the episode)

“I don’t know how I truly feel about the fully recovered vs. recovery debate. But I can tell you this. I am a different person than when I was in the throes of an eating disorder. Nothing is the same. Nothing. I laugh, cry, take risks, speak in front of people, bake for fun, go out to eat, foster warm, caring relationships. I have my sense of humor back. Life is huge, and chaotic, and painful, and lovely, and I’m living it. Life in color with all of its uncertainties is so preferable to that cold, sterile certain life with an ED.” – ColleenIn her story, Colleen describes the “perfect storm” that led to her eating disorder. Now a Health at Every Size informed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia, Colleen also tells of how finding meaning and purpose in her life helped her in her recovery. As someone who escaped the fire of an eating disorder, she is running back with buckets of water to help those still stuck.Resources:- Accept Recovery 8-day E-Course

In Steph’s interview we talk more about the diet culture in Hong Kong, how she learned to accept that she was more than just her eating disorder, and how CrossFit helped her in her recovery. She also talks about how YOU can get involved in Body Banter.Questions Answered:-What was it like to have an eating disorder in Hong Kong? Did it limit your ability to gain access to help?-How did your family help you recover?-What are you currently growing into?-What are your thoughts about realizing that you used to think you would rather die than gain weight?-Who is Steph, the WHOLE human being?-How did CrossFit change the path of recovery for you?-What was the difference between CrossFit in recovery and exercise before recovery?-How can people benefit from or get involved with Body Banter?-Are there any words of wisdom that you have for the people listening?Resources: - “Eating in the Light of the Moon” – Anita Johnston, Ph.D- Body Banter- Muscle Up Munchkin (Steph’s blog)

Steph struggled with anorexia while growing up in Hong Kong. In her story she talks about the impact that the extreme diet in Hong Kong had on her. In addition to extreme diet culture, Hong Kong also had a major lack of eating disorder awareness and treatment options. As a result, Steph recovered at home with the support of her family. Steph is now a student at Duke University and is the founder of Body Banter, which is an online platform that aims to engage communities in increased discussions about body image, raise awareness about the diversity in our experiences of body image issues and to make body positivity practices accessible and engaging.

"For me, my body is my number 1 friend in this." - SusanSusan’s interview starts off with a poem that she wrote about her eating disorder. We then talk more about journaling, body knowledge, reiki, and other kinds of therapeutic modalities that Susan is finding helpful. Vegetarianism/veganism in the eating disorder world are also discussed, as well as her relationship with food now, and the hero’s journey. Questions Answered:-Why do you love journaling so much and what do you find helpful about it?-When you were at your sickest what do you think your body was trying to tell you?-What does your body feel like when you feel free?-How did Reiki help you in your recovery?-What kinds of modalities does your therapist use with you that you're finding helpful in your recovery?-Why does being a vegetarian work for you? What was the choice behind becoming one?-What does your relationship with food look like today?-What do you love about eating with people? Resources:-The Emotion Code-EFT Tapping-The Hero’s Journey

"For me, my body is my #1 friend in this" - SusanSusan is a writer and a yogini who has recently found her voice (hear her roar). In her story she tells about recovering from an eating disorder while growing up in a household riddled with drugs and alcohol and having severe depression. Having only started therapy 6 months ago, much of Susan’s story is about self-recovery through journaling, yoga, reiki, meditation, and forming a relationship with cooking and food. Susan’s eating disorder caused her whole body to hurt with nerve damage and she found freedom from the pain through somatic therapies that taught her how to express her feelings and emotions, rather than staying silent and keeping them in. Resources: - Coby Kozlowski- Quarter-Life Calling: Creating an Extraordinary Life in Your 20's- Kripalu

"I absolutely love what I do. It makes me feel like I have a purpose that is so much higher than any message my eating disorder could possibly send me." - JaclynThis week’s episode features an interview with Jaclyn. Jaclyn is a first-year PhD student studying post-feminist ideology. She prefers to measure her recovery in her ability to find balance in life rather than labeling it as recovered or recovering. In her story, Jaclyn talks about a doctor putting her on a diet at age 8, how her perfectionism affected her ED and recovery, and how much she loves and is proud of the work that she is doing. In her interview we talk about her current relationship with her body, why we love being women, what women empowerment actually means, and how socioeconomic status can affect a person’s ability to access recovery.Questions Answered:-How did being put on a diet as a kid affect your relationship with food and your body growing up?-What is your relationship with your body now?-How did your perfectionism affect your eating disorder and your recovery?-What does "true" recovery for you look like?-What was your rock bottom and what were some ways that you came out of it?-What are you learning in your PhD studies of post-feminine ideology? -How does the saying "Empowered women empower women" apply to you?-What message do you have for people listening today?Resources from this episode:-“Why I Won’t Ever Identify As Recovered” by Dr. Maria Paredes-Health at Every Size-“Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl-“Women Who Run With the Wolves” by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

“Sometimes recovery felt like a choice and other times it felt like a chore, but I knew I had to keep going. I am grateful to my previous self for sticking it out. Because I made a series of small choices then, I don’t have to make them now and can live comfortably. So kudos to my younger self. She was a bad ass” – JessJess is a therapist who primarily works with adolescents with eating disorders because she was an adolescent when she was in recovery. Now recovered from all types of eating disorders, Jess tells the story of what it was like to be in treatment and recovery as a teenager, and how she shifted her identity from someone with an eating disorder to someone who is a true bad ass. In the interview portion of this episode, Jess gives some advice for the loved ones of adolescents with eating disorders. She also gives some body positive, fat acceptance literary suggestions for people who are struggling.Questions Answered:-What was it like to “identify as an eating disorder”?-How did you separate yourself from your eating disorder and build your own identity?-What were some things that made you special, outside of your eating disorder?-What was the difference for you between choosing to go to treatment vs. when people told you that you had to go?-How do you come to the realization that recovery was a choice to be made?-What is it like looking back on the choice that you made to recover from the place of being recovered? -How did hearing that “you wouldn’t recover from an eating disorder?” affect you, especially since you were so young? -What advice do you have for adults with adolescents in their life with an eating disorder"-What literature or resources have you come across that might be helpful for people in recovery?-What's good in your life now?Resources from this episode:-Jess’ website-"Two Whole Cakes" by Lesley Kinzel-"Shrill" by Lindy West- Health at Every Size -"Body Kindness" by Rebecca Scritchfield-Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch

In the interview portion of Jen's episode, we go deeper into the topics of rehab, pregnancy, and motherhood. We also talk about depression, blind weights, intuitive eating, and the DBT skill of opposite action.Questions-What did you love about your experience at the Renfrew Center? What are some tools that you gained? What are the good things about residential treatment?-How did your depression and eating disorder coexist and drive each other?-What makes you want to live and thrive?-How would you summarize Intuitive eating?-What is your experience with being pregnant and being in recovery from an eating disorder?-What is the cost of being so concerned about your weight?-How does acting the opposite of your urges or “acting as if” help?-What are you doing now?Resources-The Renfrew Center-Laura Hill research on neurobiology and ED video-Carolyn Costin – 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder Workbook-“RD Real Talk” Podcast – Heather Caplan Podcast. Episodes that start with “EI Principle”-Intuitive Eating

“Like an ember in a tinder bundle, the brightness that I had as a child remained despite the darkness that surrounded it. My flight into recovery became focused on one thing: tend to that light. So I did.” – JenIn Part 1 of this episode of Eating Disorder Recovery Speakers, Jen tells a detailed account of her struggle with and recovery from bulimia. Her story consists of what her life was like during her illness, her positive experiences in residential treatment, and what it was like to be in recovery from an eating disorder while pregnant and with a newborn.

"Feeling like I was existing, instead of living, was a call to claim myself. Thank goodness I chose to listen. It wasn't easy. It’s probably the hardest work I'll ever do in my life, but it's the thing that I'm proudest of and it's the thing that I'll defend most fiercely: my right to do what fills my soul." - KristieEpisode 5 features Kristie. Kristie owns the company Recovered Living, who’s mission it is to provide practical online and face-to-face eating disorder recovery support services which are affordable, innovative, and personalized for individual needs.When I asked her what she wanted me to title this podcast, she simply said “Happy and Recovered”.EDNOS (eating disorder not otherwise specified) is the most prevalent eating disorder, and while just as dangerous at all other eating disorders, it's symptoms often span anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, but do not fully fit the criteria of any in particular. In her story Kristie talks about how she became the hero of her own journey by finding support even though she lived in a village of just 35 people in New Zealand. This episode also discusses body image, trusting your body, exercise, self-care, and offers advice for loved ones of those with eating disorders. Questions Answered:- What is the difference between recovered verses recovery?- How has your body image changed from when you were sick to where it is today?- What do you love about the organization Health at Every Size? - How did you accept your body? Its set point, strengths, and limitations?- What is the difference for you between living and existing?- What are things that help you when challenges arise in life?- What things do you do for self-care?- Where did you find help when there weren’t resources available by where you lived?- How can someone learn to be active without being symptomatic?- What is your company Recovered Living? What services do you provide?- If you could give loved ones of somebody struggling with an eating disorder advice, what would you say?Resources from this episode:- Monte Nido- Recovered Living- Finding Joe (movie)- “Goodbye Ed, Hello Me” – Jenni Schaefer- “Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain” – Portia de Rossi- John Demartini- Health at Every Size- “The Obesity Paradox: When Thinner Means Sicker and Heavier Means Healtheir” – Carl J. Davie- “The Obesity Myth: Why America’s Obsession with Weight is Hazardous to Your Health” – Paul Campos

"I love the woman that I’m becoming... I'm in a place now where I celebrate everything that makes me unique… Whatever God is doing with me and yoga is really good." - KimEpisode 4 features Kim, a yoga teacher and an ordained minister. Her story and interview will touch on how yoga and religion have helped her in her recovery from bulimia, eating disorders in the black community, and how when one person is brave enough to shine their light by sharing their truth, it has the potential to inspire other people to do the same.Homework links:- “This Little Light Of Mine” – Odetta with introductory quote by Marianne Williamson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMaWsfLYQko- “This Little Light of Mine”- Bruce Springsteen (you can’t take Jersey out of the girl…): https://youtu.be/V5Vm8uaCiRw- Lyrics: https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3203784/Cedarmont+Kids/This+Little+Light+of+MineQuestions Answered:- Why did you decide to start telling your story?- What other things have you shared about your life that you have found has helped other people?- What do you love about having a blog?- How have you grown in the past 7 years?- In what ways do you contribute to society?- What teachings from yoga or religion help you when things get hard?- What has helped you get to where you are, other than formal treatment?- What are some tools you use that you have learned in therapy to "eat normally"?- What correlations have you noticed between things going on in your life and how your symptoms change?- What are some tools that you use to meet challenges face-to-face?- How does calling a friend help you the most when you're struggling?- What is your experience as a black woman in dealing with an eating disorder?- What are some resources that you use to help you out in life?- What's good in your life right now?Resources from this episode:- Kim’s Website: http://www.reverendyogi.com- Kim’s Blog: https://thankyouverysweet.com- “Trust in the Lord. Lean not into your own understanding, but in all ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path” Proverbs 3: 5-6- Marianne Williamson: https://marianne.com- Wayne Dyer: https://www.drwaynedyer.com

“At some point it becomes a choice. You’re hitting your head against the rocks at the bottom and that’s not helping you get anywhere. It’s time to take a step back, dust your knees off, nurse your wound on your head, and start looking at how you're going to crawl out.” - TiffanyEpisode 3 features an interview with Tiffany. Tiffany is an energy healer, emotions coach, and recovered binge eater. As her website describes, “she is here to cultivate the good vibes and bring in the sparkle.” Never in treatment for her eating disorder, Tiffany discusses how positive affirmations and crystals helped her recover.Find Tiffany:www.tiffanychammer.comOn Facebook: Rock on with Tiffany!Questions Answered:How do you find support or help when you feel like you have no resources around you for formal treatment?How can changing your language help you in recovery?What affect do crystals have? Which crystals can help people with eating disorders? How do you use them?Resources from this episode:The Art of Happiness - Dalai LamaThe Language of Emotions - Karla McLarenThe Art of Empathy - Karla McLarenEating in the Light of the Moon - Anita Johnston The Body Project: http://www.bodyprojectsupport.org/homeThe Emily Program: http://www.emilyprogram.comEating Recovery Center Support Groups: https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/alumni/support-groupsIAEDP - http://www.iaedp.comNEDA - https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.orgDBT - https://psychcentral.com/lib/an-overview-of-dialectical-behavior-therapy/Jenni Schaefer: https://jennischaefer.comCarolyn Costin - https://www.carolyn-costin.comTalkspace - https://www.talkspace.comBetterhelp - https://www.betterhelp.comAutomatic writing/automatic journaling: https://www.annasayce.com/how-to-do-automatic-writing/Crystals/Stones:Moldavite - stone of changeFor people sensitive to emotions:Rose quartzAmethystTo remind you of body awesomeness and vitality:CitrinePyriteCarnelian - good for immune system boost upHelpful for people who bingeApatite stoneSmoky quartzChrysocolla - accessing you authentic voiceLapis lazuli - remembering true sense of selfCharoite - connect you to passion a purpose

As an introvert, I loathe shallow conversations. I prefer silence over "chatting" any day. However, I love deep conversations. When I teach yoga, as much as I try to learn the names of the students who attend my classes regularly, sometimes its challenging to learn much more than that. A few weeks ago a student of mine asked me if I taught yoga for a living. I told him that it is hard to make a living teaching yoga, and that I teach yoga and doing eating disorder recovery coaching. Combined - that is my living. He seemed really interested in that, and became more interested when I mentioned that I was starting a podcast.As it turns out, Derek is a mental health counselor, undergraduate instructor, and a researched in Supported Education at Rutgers University. He hosts his own podcast called College Student Success Podcast , which is devoted to helping college students with mental health issues succeed in achieving their goals. Here is my interview on his podcast!---Original Episode Notes: Key Info for this Podcast: Join Kristen and I today as we discuss:How Kristen and I met, and her story of recoveryThe concept of the term “recovered” as it’s not one we use on the show muchCoping strategies, both ones she used early in her recovery as well as ones she uses now, and how coping strategies have evolved over timeKristen’s Recovery Coaching Business, and tools she used to help get her started in entrepreneurshipWhat faculty can do to better support students who are strugglingAdvice for students who might be listening and worried if they have problemWebsites/Links Referenced on the Show:Always a Being – Kristen’s Website https://alwaysabeing.com/Eating Disorder Recovery Speakers – Kristen’s Podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/eating-disorder-recovery-speakers/id1335778637?mt=2Housekeeping:If you are a recent college grad or faculty member that’s in recovery for mental health issues, I’d love to interview you about your goal achievement quest, the struggles/adversity you faced, as well the wellness strategies you used! I’m particularly interested in interviewing student entrepreneurs and those involved in mental health advocacy. There are a variety of ways to reach out.Email me at: collegestudentsuccesspodcast@gmail.comThe Official Podcast WebsiteVisit the podcast’s Facebook page! orFollow the podcast on TwitterSubscribe to the podcast in iTunes, Stitcher Radio, Soundcloud, or Google Play. A rating and/or review would also really help out the show and allow new listeners to discover it. Thanks for all the reviews so far!Looking for help on how to become a better online student in college? Try my course, Ace Your Online Class, available on Udemy. It’s got lots of tips and strategies on how to not only survive learning online in today’s college environment, but thrive! Totally free.Thanks to Rob Cavallo for today’s intro music. For more information about him or the music you heard today, you can email: peloquin17@yahoo.com 

“As challenging as it can be, stay open to ideas put in front of you” – BlanningEpisode 2 features an interview with Blanning Egan. Blanning is a human rights activist who tells the story of her past struggle with anorexia, drinking, and drugs. Blanning talks about how yoga and meditation helped her when formal treatment did not and the impact that travel and human connection had on her recovery.Questions Answered:-Why do you share your story?-What insights do you have on the similarities and differences between your eating disorder and your issues with drugs and alcohol?-How did you foster self-love and how did it affect your recovery?-What about human interaction is important to you?-How else did restricting show up in your life, other than with food?-What feelings did you need to work through in order to recover?-How do you deal with fear today?-What potential does traveling have to affect recovery and how one views the world?-What advice do you have for others who are struggling with an eating disorder? Resources from this episode:-Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: www.kripalu.org-Coby Kozlowski: www.cobyk.com-Lorin Roche/Radiance Sutras: www.lorinroche.com-Headspace: www.headspace.com Live Zoom Q&A with Blanning Meeting Details-Time: Feb 9, 2018 7:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)-Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/337287370-Or iPhone one-tap : US: +16699006833,,337287370# or +14086380968,,337287370# -Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 646 876 9923 - Meeting ID: 337 287 370-International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=jHO5ytK-oi9d2pYg5fcLrjKHhglBNJg9  

This episode features host Kristen Brunello and her story. Kristen talks about having anorexia in middle school, high school, and college. She discusses how internal pressure, dysfunction at home, and the death of her grandmother triggered her eating disorder, how she sought treatment, what her relapse was like, and finally how yoga and having a community helped her fully recover. Questions answered: Why do you share your story?Does it get easier to share your story?What are some things that you heard through treatment that really helped you?How did you pay for treatment?Do you have any advice for family members of someone in treatment?What do you love about the way that you look?Why is Recovery worth it?References from this episode:- Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/cicrf/home/Live Zoom Q&A Meeting Details:- Saturday February 3, 1-2pm EST- Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/132259311- Or iPhone one-tap : US: +14086380968,,132259311# or +16468769923,,132259311# - Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 408 638 0968 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 669 900 6833 - Meeting ID: 132 259 311- International numbers available: https://zoom.us/zoomconference?m=JfEMsXdnZvI2S1tyCjVFhLMo2WyW2grJ