The Full of Beans Podcast

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 overlapHow illness can trigger choking fears and a trauma response that reinforces food avoidanceWhat it’s like when a child’s intake drops to just a couple of “safe” itemsWhat a PEG (gastrostomy tube) is and how PEG feeding can support ARFIDThe emotional impact of PEG decisions for parents, including grief andguiltWhy nutrition can change anxiety, rigidity, and capacityThe role of advocacy in ARFID awarenessHow to document ARFID symptoms to report to a doctorTimestamps:03:10 Sensory differences, autism, and how ARFID developed over time07:40 Illness, choking fears, and how trauma can collapse food intake09:15 Hospitalisation: constipation and appendix surgery18:30 What a PEG is (and what people often misunderstand about it)29:40 How PEG feeding can support ARFID41:30 Guilt, grief, and learning to let the feelings exist45:10 ARFID Advocacy workResources & LinksFollow @arfid_life_uk on InstagramListen to the 3Mums1Mission ARFID PodcastConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans PodcastFollow Full of Beans on InstagramCheck out our websiteListen 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 💛

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 VoXED06:40: Moving beyond “tick-box” lived experience08:10: The purpose of VoxED: shared space + shared power14:40: Why change has been slow in eating disorders (and what’s missing)21:10: Recovery beyond food and weight: identity, meaning, and living42:10: VoxED details: date, access, recordings, and low-cost ticketsVoxED conference details:Date: Friday 13th FebruaryFormat: Fully online (9:00–18:30, with breaks)Tickets: self-select pricing options £20 / £37 / £50Resources & LinksFollow Kel on Instagram (@kel_mhb)Visit Kel's website (www.counsellingandtraining.co.uk) to find out more about VOXEDSubscribe to the Full of Beans PodcastFollow Full of Beans on InstagramCheck out our websiteListen on YouTubeIf 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 💛

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 hungerSensory sensitivities (texture, smell, predictability) are at the core of ARFIDWhy consistency and familiarity make certain foods feel saferThe limits of BMI as a marker of health in children with arfidHow sensory overload at mealtimes can increase food avoidanceThe impact of ARFID on family life, routines, siblings and social plansWhy “just stop feeding them” advice doesn’t work for ARFIDThe value of community, advocacy and finding people who understandHow progress in ARID can look small but still be meaningfulTimestamps:00:00 Jo’s story and Ethel’s ARFID diagnosis02:20 Early Signs of ARFID 05:30 BMI and Nutrition10:50 Safe foods, Predictability and Super Senses 14:10 The Sensory Overload of Eating 17:00 Family Impact: Days Out, Siblilngs, Friends20:20 Social Judgement and Support29:00 Looking Ahead and Slow ProgressResources & LinksFollow @eff_and_arfid on InstagramListen to the 3Mums1Mission ARFID PodcastConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans PodcastFollow Full of Beans on InstagramCheck out our websiteListen 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 💛

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 childhoodWhy the term “late-onset ARFID” deserves questioning.How autism, sensory overwhelm and anxiety can affect eatingWhy emetophobia (fear of vomiting) can make eating feel genuinely unsafeHow school stress and transitions can exacerbate ARFID in childrenHow ARFID differs from “fussy eating” How food avoidance can lead to weight loss, distress, or social isolationHow lowering pressure around food can support ARFID recoveryThe power of parental intuition, even when professionals dismiss concernsTimestamps:02:50 Grace’s early eating and when things began to change07:40 Anxiety, school stress, and the escalation of food restriction10:10 ARFID, emetophobia, and reaching crisis point13:30 Hospital care, NG tube feeding, and diagnosis22:50 Autism, masking, and questioning “late-onset” ARFID29:00 What helped: reducing pressure and rebuilding safety36:20 A message for parents who are questioning themselvesResources & LinksListen to the 3Mums1Mission ARFID PodcastConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans PodcastFollow Full of Beans on InstagramCheck out our websiteListen 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 💛

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 eatingHow fear of choking and emetophobia (fear of vomiting) can drive food avoidanceHow illness and medical trauma can cause sudden drops in food intakeWhat it feels like to parent a child with ARFID, including guilt, grief, and constant vigilanceHow dismissal and judgment from professionals and others impact familiesWhat an ARFID diagnosis can offer, and where support often still falls shortHow NG and PEG feeding can become part of ARFID care and the complex emotions that come with itHow school stress, anxiety, and social pressures can contribute to late-onset ARFIDWhy peer connection and lived-experience support are so powerful for parentsTimestamps:04:20 Why they started Three Mums One Mission: ARFID11:00 Jo: sensory sensitivity, gag reflex, and “typical” feeding advice that didn’t fit20:50 Michelle: illness triggers, supplements, and PEG feeding32:00 Sarah: late-onset ARFID, school anxiety, crisis point + hospital experienceResources & LinksFollow @3Mums1MissionARFID on Instagram Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans PodcastFollow Full of Beans on InstagramCheck out our websiteListen 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 💛

In this week’s episode of Full of Beans, Hannah is joined by Melanie Davies, a sleep and stress consultant and clinical hypnotherapist, to explore how hypnotherapy can support anxiety regulation, emotional overwhelm, and disordered eating patterns.Together, Hannah and Melanie unpack what hypnotherapy actually involves, how it works with the emotional and unconscious mind, and why nervous-system-based approaches may help when behaviour-focused treatments feel limiting or incomplete.This week, we discuss:What clinical hypnotherapy is and how it differs from stage hypnosisHypnosis as a naturally occurring state of focused attentionThe role of the unconscious mind in habits, urges, and emotional eatingAnxiety, stress responses, and food-related coping behavioursEmotional regulation as a foundation for sustainable habit changeHypnotherapy as a complementary approach alongside existing treatmentUsing imagination to support neural rewiring and behaviour changeAnchoring techniques to support self-soothing and nervous system calmingEvidence and emerging research in hypnotherapy, disordered eating, and IBSEthical practice, contraindications, and the importance of assessmentTimestamps02:10 – Why hypnosis isn’t “mind control” and what actually happens in session05:40 – Focused attention, suggestibility, and everyday hypnotic states09:10 – Emotional drivers of binge urges, restriction, and food noise13:30 – Individualised treatment and why one-size-fits-all approaches fall short16:50 – Reconnecting with bodily cues, fullness, and interoceptive awareness20:30 – Supporting long-term change: maintenance, self-hypnosis, and autonomy24:10 – Calming cortisol, anchors, and nervous system retraining27:50 – Clinical evidence: bulimia, impulsive eating, IBS and the gut-brain axis33:20 – Integration with medical care, ethics, and suitability36:00 – Accessing support and next stepsResources & LinksVisit Melanie’s website: MelanieDaviesMindSolutions.comConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans PodcastFollow Full of Beans on InstagramCheck out our websiteListen on YouTube⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders, disordered eating behaviours, anxiety, and binge eating. 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 💛

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 journeyZara's treatment experience of a decade of inpatient admissions Why being labelled “complex” triggered a sense of hopelessnessZara's motivation to recover and lack of clinical supportThe preventable loss of Zara and the devastation for her familyA look Inside the APPG “Prevention of Deaths” report Calls for a national strategy, proper training and real accountabilityTimestamps05:00 – Zara’s early life, character, and dreams for the future10:00 – First signs of illness, delayed diagnosis and early admissions18:00 – Years in inpatient units: isolation, tube feeding and lack of continuity24:00 – “Complex cases”, blame, and the impact of hopeless language31:00 – Zara’s growing wish to recover and barriers to appropriate care36:00 – Zara’s death, the inquest, and why Debs believes it was preventable44:00 – Inside the APPG “Prevention of Deaths” report and its main asks52:00 – How listeners can support the campaign and honour Zara’s legacyResources & LinksVisit the Dump the Scales website to read the APPG report and find out more.Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website hereListen 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 💛

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 parentThe shock, guilt, shame many carers describeEarly inpatient treatment, trauma, and learning on the job as a familyThe New Maudsley approach for supporting family dynamicsThe animal metaphors (rhino, kangaroo, jellyfish, terrier, ostrich, dolphins, St Bernard)Why carers’ self-care isn’t selfish, it’s essentialThe unique role of dads and male carersRelapse, “safety behaviours” and why recovery often looks more like discoveryCarers 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 Story05:30 – Emotions Felt By Parents and Carers11:00 – Externalising the eating disorder as “Rex”16:40 –The New Maudsley Approach28:20 – Animal Metaphors and Carer Styles41:00 – Treatment Trauma, NG Feeding and Post-Discharge55:10 – Dads, Male Carers and Keeping Communication OpenResources & LinksConnect with Jenny visit her websiteConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website hereListen 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 💛

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 periodThe pressure and overwhelm caused by Christmas marketsMaking recovery-focused decisions when challenging your eating disorderGiving yourself permission to engage in what feels right to youFinding compassion for others who are also stuck in diet culture thought patternsVisiting home for Christmas and experiencing emotional triggersFinding time for reflection or space during the festive seasonRedefining what Christmas means to you and making it what you needThe impact of social media on your own Christmas experienceTimestamps:01:20: Common Eating Disorder Struggles at Christmas03:20: Christmas Markets and Knowing When to Challenge06:13: Managing Guilt After Social Events07:41: Navigating Work Parties10:47: Finding Balance and Compassion14:17: Navigating Diet Talk16:57: Handling Comments from Family Members23:05: Taking Responsibility for Triggers26:29: Finding Personal Space29:14: Redefining the Meaning of Christmas Away from Social MediaResources & LinksFollow Alix on Instagram @counsellingwithalixCheck out Alix's LinktreeConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website hereListen 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 💛

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 diagnosisThe dramatic shift from CAMHS to adult servicesHow autism and neurodivergence were misunderstood in eating disorder treatmentBeing turned away by over 20 hospitals and the “postcode lottery” of careWhy Ailidh is speaking out against the Assisted Dying Bill and the risk for people with anorexiaThe power of time, trust and being truly listened to in recoveryHow her mum held onto hope when she couldn’t – and why hope is the most important thing clinicians can offerLived 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 Admissions05:50 – CAMHS vs Adult Inpatient Care09:40 – Autism and Misunderstanding14:10 – EDS Diagnosis and Medical Trauma18:30 – 9 Admissions in 13 Years24:20 – Community Aftercare and Service Gaps29:00 – Concerns About The Assisted Dying Bill36:40 – Finding Internal Motivation For Recovery43:10 – The Impact On FamilyResources & LinksConnect with Ailidh on LinkedInConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website hereListen 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 💛

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 mattersWhat 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 researcherAnna’s journey through OCD, anorexia, and treatment in Ireland and the UKHow lived experience can shape research design, language, and prioritiesThe life-changing impact of an NHS admission that focused on life goals, not just weightWhy one-size-fits-all treatment doesn’t work and the need for truly individualised careTimestamps:00:00 – Introducing Anna and her roles at King’s, EDCRN & EDGI UK04:00 – The reality of underfunding in eating disorder research08:30 – Lived experience, stigma, and language in research settings14:00 – Peer research, boundaries, and “naming the elephant in the room”20:00 – Anna’s story: OCD in childhood, anorexia in adolescence, and treatment in Dublin37:00 – What EDCRN does and why standardised outcome data is so important42:00 – Genetics, vulnerability, the “jar” analogy, and prevention46:00 – One-size-fits-all treatment, neurodiversity, and hopes for the future of ED careResources & LinksConnect with Anna on X (@Anna_Carnegie)Connect with Anna on Blue Sky (@annacarnegie.bsky.social)Find out more about EDCRNFind out more about EDGI UK or email edgi@kcl.ac.ukConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck 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 💛

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 anxietyThe overlap between orthorexia and OCD behavioursThe role of veganism and “clean eating” in fuelling obsessive food rulesZoë's experience of hyperemesis and pregnancy while living with orthorexiaHow shame, guilt, and self-blame show up in motherhood and recoveryThe importance of curiosity and compassion when “healthy habits” become harmfulTimestamps:00:00 – Zoë's background in dance and early relationship with food04:00 – The fear of illness that fuelled her obsession with “health”08:00 – When veganism and clean eating became orthorexia12:00 – Understanding orthorexia as a form of OCD17:00 – Pregnancy, hyperemesis, and refusing medical treatment24:00 – Shame, guilt and the impact on motherhood31:00 – Finding recovery and redefining “healthy”38:00 – Advice for those struggling during pregnancy or with orthorexiaResources & LinksConnect with Zoë on Instagram @lightmindcollectiveVisit Zoë's website Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck 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 💛

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 termThe life-threatening risks of insulin omissionHow eating disorders and diabetes treatment often conflictWhy T1DE clinics are essential, but underfundedThe role of eating disorder and diabetes professionalsWhat joined-up, trauma-informed care looks likeThe outcomes and success of T1DE pilotsThe urgent need for political support to save these servicesTimestamps:01:30 – What is Type 1 Diabetes and Disordered Eating (T1DE)04:00 – Medical risks associated with insulin omission08:50 – Building the T1DE clinic & lack of national funding13:10 – The power of a multi-disciplinary team18:40 – Early signs of T1DE and what clinicians should look for22:10 – Impact of trauma & perfectionism in diabetes25:00 – Outcomes & HbA1c improvements29:00 – Barriers to insulin pump access33:20 – 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 T1DEWant 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 hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck 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 💛

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 onsetHormonal and neurological factors (e.g., menopause, oestrogen, impulse control)How medical weight stigma contributes to missed diagnosesEating disorders in care homes and older adultsThe emotional toll of shame, grief, and moral incongruenceGendered assumptions and the underrepresentation of menWhat needs to change in treatment models for older adultsTimestamps:01:30 – What does “late-onset ED” actually mean?05:00 – Hormones, menopause & appetite regulation08:00 – Weight stigma in healthcare12:00 – Life transitions & ED vulnerability in older age25:00 – Men and late-onset eating disorders30:00 – Neurodivergence and late diagnosis34:00 – Adapting treatment for older adults40:00 – 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 InstagramFreed Recovery (Nottinghamshire charity service) – rebranding soon!Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website hereIf 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 💛

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 disorderWhy recovery can feel messyReframing exercise and “food is fuel” in recoveryRecovery perfectionism vs. authentic recoverySupporting individuals as people first, not by gender stereotypesThe hidden and under-discussed behaviour of chewing and spittingThe importance of intention and reframing in long-term recoveryUnderstanding the intersectionality of identity in ED supportTimestamps:03:00 – Eating disorder onset: identity, stress & sadness08:00 – Shame & internalised stigma for men12:00 – People pleasing and external validation18:00 – Compulsive exercise & social reinforcement22:00 – Recovery as rewiring: food, movement & intention27:00 – The messiness of recovery & doing it solo30:00 – Alcohol, chewing/spitting & hidden behaviours34:00 – 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: @ericpothanNEDA Peer Council: nationaleatingdisorders.orgConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website hereIf 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 💛

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 gainWhy your brain needs carbohydrates to sleepThe truth about pasta and couscousHow black-and-white thinking harms recoveryMental vs. physical hunger: how restriction plays into cravingsNormalising emotional eatingFinding balanced nutrition in recovery Timestamps:05:30 – What a nutritionist does in ED recovery14:00 – The “don’t eat after 6pm” myth21:00 – Mental vs physical hunger30:00 – The truth about fear foods like pasta39:00 – Why emotional eating isn’t bad43:00 – 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 @theeatingdisordernutritionistVisit her website theeatingdisordernutritionist.co.ukConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereRead our latest blog hereIf 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 💛

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 wardThe impact of gender stereotypes on diagnosis, denial, and supportHarry's desire for male support and role models in recovery How exercise addiction and perfectionism mask disordered behavioursThe role of family in recovery The trauma and helplessness felt by parents and loved onesWhy the New Maudsley Method was a turning point in their recovery journeyHow the Don’t Wait to Change podcast is helping other men feel seen and heardTimestamps: 01:58 – Why they started their podcast, Don’t Wait to Change03:10 – Early signs and unhelpful eating disorder treatment06:46 – The lack of male-specific ED support10:27 – 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 @dontweighttochangeListen to their podcast on Spotify Don't Weight To Change Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereRead our latest blog hereIf 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 💛

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 resilienceHow Maudsley Carer Skills can empower families to support recoveryThe myth of the “perfect carer” and why presence > perfectionThe importance of meeting carers where they are emotionallySupporting professionals to better understand the carer experienceHow carers can change their approach to support recoveryTimestamps:04:25 – Harriet’s pathway into ED work and psychotherapy08:10 – Understanding the unique needs of carers13:00 – Pillar Programme: what it is and how it works19:15 – Maudsley Carer Skills & emotional coaching24:45 – Why psychoeducation is game-changing30:40 – What Harriet wishes more professionals knew36:00 – 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 BodywshyConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereRead our latest blog hereIf 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 💛

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 researchThe barriers men face when seeking help for eating disordersHow services and resources often unintentionally “other” menMuscle dysmorphia, body image pressures, and male experiences of disordered eatingGeorge’s work on developing inclusive guidance for servicesWhy hope, awareness, and representation matter for men’s recoveryTimestamps: 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 MyomindsReview paper from George's PhD"Touchy subject" paperLink to the guidance documentConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereRead our latest blog hereIf 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 💛

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 difficultiesWhy ED behaviours can become coping strategies for sensory overloadHow autism & ADHD traits can get entangled with disordered eatingLetting go of “perfect recovery” and embracing the grey areasWhat eating disorder burnout looks and feels likeReconnecting with joy, identity, and special interests in recoveryBuilding a life that works with your neurodivergent brain, not against itTimestamps:04:00 – School transitions, sensory overload & early food struggles12:00 – Control, masking, and the early roots of anorexia17:00 – Autism, perfectionism & the “myth” of linear recovery24:00 – Burnout: neurodivergent & ED-related30:00 – ADHD, hyper-focus, and the illusion of “doing it all”38:00 – Building a recovery that respects your neurotype43:00 – Connection, identity & life beyond the EDTrigger Warning: This episode discusses anorexia, recovery relapse, diagnostic experiences, and burnout. Please take care while listening.Links and Resources:Connect with Remie on LinkedinVisit Remie's websiteConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereRead our latest blog hereThank 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 💛