Rewired

Whilst not everyone experiences it, weight gain is an unavoidable part of many people’s recoveries. In this episode of Rewired, we dive into our own weight restoration journeys, unpacking the fears, challenges, and tools we used along the way.We discuss how our perspectives shifted, body changes, big “spikes” on the scale – and why eating disorders and fully living life couldn’t coexist. From set point theory to dealing with comments, navigating body image to releasing control, we explore what helped us get through it – how things changed – and why, despite the fears, it was worth it.Topics covered:The fears and realities of weight gain What weight gain actually means – personally and societallyThe empty promises (and threats) your ED makes The body vs. the life it enablesDealing with comments and compliments Weight targets, set point theory, and letting go of controlThe role of perfectionism and recovery rulesFear foods, consistency and trying to hack the “formula”The biology of ED behaviours Social media curation and protecting your recovery spaceAccepting change: choosing a value-aligned life over a body-focused oneConnect with us:Meg:Instagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafia:Email: safia.s.muzaffar@gmail.comInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachMember of the Beyond Body Coaching team: Beyond Body CoachingEm [copywriter & editor]:@em_schone[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so should not be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery. 

In this episode of The Rewired Podcast, Meg and Safia dive into the importance of food challenges in eating disorder recovery. We explore why fear foods develop, how avoidance keeps us stuck, and the role of exposure in rewiring our thoughts around food. Drawing from our own lived experiences, we share the challenges we faced, practical strategies for tackling fear foods, and the mindset shifts that helped us push through the discomfort.

UPFs & Nutrition Noise with Maeve Hanan RD For many, all the recent noise around ultra-processed foods (and diet culture generally) is making recovery really tough. The constant chatter on what to eat — what not to eat — and how to eat is hard at the best of times, and that’s without an ED brain. With that in mind, we’re joined by Registered Dietitian Maeve Hanan to tackle some of this noise head-on. Maeve is a specialist dietitian with over 12 years’ experience, and who now focuses on supporting those stuck in food rules and anxiety. Along the way, we unpack the myths around UPFs, nutrition misinformation, and why so much of this messaging can be harmful for people with EDs — as well as some of the ways to protect your recovery going forwards. Topics covered:* What ultra-processed food actually means* Where current UPF fear messaging comes from* Correlation vs causation in nutrition research* Why nutrition knowledge can increase food anxiety* Ultra-processed foods in recovery and long-term health* Preference vs fear when avoiding foods* Weight gain, feared foods, and blame* Using the ACT matrix to support recoveryConnect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.comMaeve Hanan — Dietetically SpeakingWebsite: https://dieteticallyspeaking.comInstagram: @dieteticallyspeakingEm (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schoneResources mentioned:* The ACT Matrix – https://youtu.be/cCCSpOtDPV0?si=Jf-ezp7zjsr5Wlw9[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

Living with an ED is one of the most overwhelming, frightening, and isolating experiences a person can go through and sadly, this can also be true for those around them. Especially when you’re a family member or carer who just wants to help. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Vicki Mountford, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Eating Disorder Service Lead at Sage Clinics, to explore what family support can look like in recovery. We talk about the vital role parents and carers play at every stage of recovery, from early intervention to adulthood. Plus, Dr Vicki shares tools on helping a loved one navigate fear, boundaries and autonomy without losing sight of the bigger picture.With decades of clinical experience behind her, Dr Vicki brings compassion to a conversation that so many families are grappling with. If this is something you or someone you know is going through, we really hope this episode is useful. Keep going from people who’ve been there, your support means more than you know. Topics covered:* Dr Vicki’s background* The part of parents and carers alongside professional support* Helping parents feel more confident in their role* Supporting a child when they feel overwhelmed, panicked, or shut down* Balancing boundaries with autonomy and choice* Understanding quasi-recovery and how families can respond* Supporting adult children* Making sense of difficult decisions, including inpatient care* What parents often find hardest – and what helps them keep going* Reassurance for families who feel exhausted, scared, or unsureConnect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.comDr Vicki MountfordInstagram: @dr_vicki_mountfordSage ClinicsInstagram: @sage_clinics AED Middle EastInstagram: @aedamiddleeastEm (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schoneResources mentioned:* Skills-based Caring for a Loved One with an Eating Disorder – Janet Treasure et al.[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

New Year: If Not Now, When?Ever found yourself waiting for the “right time” when life is calmer, motivation is higher or everything feels more certain, to start recovery? Be that a new meal plan, a challenge, reaching out to a coach or medical profession, targeting exercise compulsions — this episode is all about this common ED trap, and how that moment rarely (if ever) properly arrives. We talk about how ambivalence is normal and explore what actually helps you start moving forward: tackling perfectionism, working with (not against!) uncertainty, and understanding that recovery often creates the conditions you’re waiting for, rather than requiring them first.Topics covered:* Why the “right time” feels necessary – and how the ED benefits from delaying* The cost of waiting while life keeps moving* Ambivalence as a normal part of early recovery* Perfectionism and the search for “perfect conditions”* What it really means to start recovery* Reframing “not ready” and taking those first steps forwards* The key takeaway – imperfect action builds momentumConnect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.comEm (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schoneDISCLAIMERPlease keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

Loneliness is often one of the quietest but most painful parts of an eating disorder. In this episode, we talk honestly about how isolation can show up during an eating disorder and why so many people feel alone, even when they’re not physically by themselves…We explore how eating disorders shrink your world, sometimes even without you realising, and how recovery can sometimes feel lonelier before it feels better. Drawing on our own experiences of disconnection (and the grief that can come with it), we’ll share what helped us begin rebuilding relationships.Also, we’ve got an exciting update! Introducing ‘Rewired in Action’, a new community we’ve created for people who want connection, support and shared understanding as they navigate recovery. A place to ask questions, hear from others, and hopefully feel less alone in the process.Topics covered:
• What loneliness looked like for us during our eating disorders
• How eating disorders create isolation
• The emotional cost of disconnection / feeling left behind
• Why isolation isn’t a personality flaw or a failure
• Why recovery can feel lonelier at first
• Gentle ways to begin reconnecting without pressure
• Why you don’t have to be fully recovered to reconnect
• Rebuilding identity and meaning outside of the eating disorder
• You’re not alone – and your world can grow again
• Introducing ‘Rewired in Action’ community and how it can support youIf you’re curious or would like to find out more, please get in touch (contacts below)! SOCIAL HANDLESConnect with us:Meg
Instagram: @megsy_recovery
YouTube: Megsy Recovery
TikTok: megsy recoverySafia
Instagram: @safia_edrecoverycoach
Email: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.comDISCLAIMER
 Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

Perfectionism in Eating Disorder RecoveryPerfectionism shows up in many forms during eating disorder recovery and often, it doesn’t disappear when behaviours change. Instead, it can quietly shift shape, moving from food and behaviours to how recovery is done.In this episode, we explore how perfectionism can keep recovery feeling delayed, conditional, or “never quite enough,” and why real recovery is often far messier, slower, and more uneven than we expect.*Connect with us**Holly*Website: [https://hibeautiful.com.au](https://hibeautiful.com.au)Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/hi.beautiful](https://www.instagram.com/hi.beautiful)____TikTok: [https://www.tiktok.com/@aspoonfullofsunday](https://www.tiktok.com/@aspoonfullofsunday)Substack: [https://aspoonfullofsunday.substack.com](https://aspoonfullofsunday.substack.com)*Meg*Instagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recovery*Safia*Instagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: [hello@safiaed.com]Website: [https://www.safiaed.com]*DISCLAIMER*Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

The Holidays can be such a difficult time if you have an eating disorder. In this episode we largely focus on Christmas, but this can apply to any holiday you celebrate which can disrupt your routine, bring you around different people, expose you to different foods and comments, and generally create stress for you. We chat around our own experiences of managing the holidays in our recoveries, and how to take actions over the holiday period which move you towards where you want to go in life (aligned actions), and keep you prioritising your recovery so that when the day/season passes you are still on track.Topics covered:•⁠ Some of the difficulties of the Christmas period with an ED•⁠ ⁠Handling comments•⁠ ⁠Handling different eating times and unknown routines•⁠ Practicing different foods in advance•⁠ ⁠Clothing and Christmas outfits•⁠ ⁠Seeing this year as a stepping stone for next year•⁠ Managing that need to show up as a ‘super happy’ version of you•⁠ ⁠New Years - resolution setting and reflecting on another year passingConnect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: www.safiaed.comEm (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schone[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

Embodiment in Recovery with Holly SundayThis week, we’re joined by the lovely Holly Sunday: co-founder of Hi Beautiful ED Recovery Coaching, co-host of the Beyond Body podcast, and fellow coach at Beyond Body Coaching.We look at what it means to truly ‘be’ in your body again — and discuss all the difficult feelings that come up at the prospect, especially after years of struggling against that same body. Holly shares her own story of finding full recovery, how she brings embodiment into her work with clients, and the practices that helped her reconnect with herself.We’ll also explore the process of learning to feel safe in yourself again; using curiosity as a tool; the power of stillness — and the small, joyful rituals that make daily life feel more grounded, be that silent retreats or rediscovering the pleasure of cooking again!Topics covered:* What embodiment means and why it matters* Holly’s journey to full recovery and coaching* Practical ways to reconnect with your body* The joy of cooking and mindful nourishment* Finding stillness through silent retreats* The role of mindfulness in recovery* Words of wisdom for early recoveryResources mentioned:* Befriending Your Body – Ann Saffi Biasetti* Embodiment and the Treatment of Eating Disorders – Catherine CookConnect with usHollyWebsite: [https://hibeautiful.com.au](https://hibeautiful.com.au)Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/hi.beautiful](https://www.instagram.com/hi.beautiful)____TikTok: [https://www.tiktok.com/@aspoonfullofsunday](https://www.tiktok.com/@aspoonfullofsunday)Substack: [https://aspoonfullofsunday.substack.com](https://aspoonfullofsunday.substack.com)MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: [hello@safiaed.com]Website: https://www.safiaed.comDISCLAIMERPlease keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

Tackling Movement CompulsionsWhat happens when movement stops being joyful and starts being a rule you can’t break? In this episode, Meg speaks with Safia about her experience of exercise compulsion during her eating disorder – how it developed, what it cost, and how she began to rebuild a balanced relationship with movement.We talk about the impact of overexercise on mental, physical and social health, and the subtle ways compulsions can still show up even in recovery. From stress responses to value alignment, we explore practical ways to loosen the grip of movement rules and manage triggers — all with the ultimate aim of reconnecting with your body in a more compassionate way.Finally, we touch on how the Recovery in Action course supports those struggling with exercise compulsions – including its dedicated week on movement — and how to sign up if this sounds helpful for you. Topics covered:* When exercise becomes unhealthy* How movement compulsions affect mind, body and relationships* The difference between discipline and distress* Practical tools to rebuild trust with rest* Navigating triggers and social pressure* Balancing bone health and recovery needs* Reframing movement through valuesConnect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: www.safiaed.comEm (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schone[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

Hope Virgo: Recovery, Faith & Advocating for ChangeHope Virgo is a multi-award winning campaigner, speaker and author of three amazing books: ‘Stand Tall Little Girl’, ‘Hope Through Recovery’ and ‘You Are Free (Even If You Don’t Feel Like It)’. In this inspiring episode, she candidly shares her own personal experience of suffering from an eating disorder and offers lots of great practical recovery tips to stay motivated. With her super cute newborn cuddled up on her throughout this is an episode not to be missed. Topics covered:-Hope’s experience of pregnancy and motherhood, the overwhelming gratitude for her little one as well as the more challenging messaging around food and body that she received when pregnant. -Her concerns regarding calories being put on menus and the prevalence of diet culture in children that she has become aware of from speaking in schools.-The campaigns she has spearheaded: #DumpTheScales and #ChangeTheStory-Her beautifully written, raw and relatable memoir: ‘You Are Free (Even If You Don’t Feel Like It)’ in which she includes reflective exercises, insightful interviews and advice from her own experiences.-Why to fight for full recovery and how to break out of the halfway house, stuck-in-the-mud stage of recovery.-The role her faith has played in her recovery.-Advice for how to reach out to others you can be vulnerable with for support and motivation.-Great ideas for supporting loved ones suffering from an eating disorder on their recovery journey.  You can find us on social media:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.comHope Instagram: @hopevirgo_Resources Hope mentioned:https://feast-ed.org/feast-30-days/https://firststepsed.co.uk/Em (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schone[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

In this bonus episode, we take a deeper dive into our upcoming Recovery In Action workshop, running from November 9th to 30th, 2025. We unpack the structure, share how it came to life, and reflect on how we wanted to create something which we wish we’d had during our own recovery journeys.This workshop blends our professional coaching tools with our lived experience to help you build a personalized toolbox of strategies for real-time change. It’s all about empowering you to shift your mindset and take action—right in the moment.We’re also so excited to be joined by some amazing participants from our May Recovery In Action cohort, who share their insights and experiences from the last workshop.If this sounds like something you’d be interested in joining, we’d love to hear from you, and there are spots still available. Reach out via Instagram or any of the contact channels below to sign up or ask us any questions. [SOCIAL HANDLES]MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recovery SafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.comEm (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schone [DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

Tools, Triggers & Body Image with with Mia FindlayIn this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Mia Findlay, founder of Beyond Body Coaching and the What Mia Did Next YouTube channel (@whatmiadidnext). Mia is an eating disorder recovery coach, speaker, and advocate who helped train both of us in our own coaching practice.Together, we dig into some of the most common challenges in recovery – from body image and boundaries to fear foods and calorie counting. Mia also shares how her experience of living with endometriosis has influenced her recovery journey and the compassion she brings to her coaching work — be that navigating triggers, trying to separate physical health needs from disordered thoughts, or building a unique recovery toolkit. Topics covered:* Managing body image in recovery and beyond* The intersection of chronic illness and EDs* Adapting advice to your individual needs* Moving away from calorie counting* Tools for challenging fear foods (and urges to compensate)* Dialoguing: what it is and when to use it* Creating healthy boundaries* Coaching support and how to connect with Mia[SOCIAL HANDLES]Connect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.comMia FindlayWebsite: [https://www.beyondbodycoach.com](https://www.beyondbodycoach.com)Instagram: [@whatmiadidnext](https://www.instagram.com/whatmiadidnext)YouTube: What Mia Did NextEm (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schone[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

Practical Tips and ToolsThere’s no quick fix for recovery – but there are tools that can help ease those overwhelming moments. Today, we’re exploring practical techniques that can make a difference, drawing on our own experiences as eating disorder recovery coaches. We talk about what coaching is, how it differs from therapy, and how it can complement other forms of support. From metaphors and mantras to transitional objects and time-hopping, we hope you find that some of these strategies bridge the gap between awareness and action – and help you stay grounded in your bigger picture when things feel tough.Topics covered:·      Coaching, therapy, and how they can work together·      On building a toolkit for recovery·      Transitional objects: what they are and how to use them·      Using metaphors and analogies·      Time-hopping – using milestones and memories·      It's okay to be repetitive! The power of reiteration·      “Bucketing” your actions ·      The concept of the shield: protecting your recovery·      Shining the spotlightConnect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.com[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

In today’s episode, we’re exploring the emotional terrain of weight gain in eating disorder recovery. While not everyone experiences weight restoration as part of their healing process, it’s often an unavoidable and important aspect of recovery — and can equally bring up a lot of challenging feelings for many people. We both had very different reactions to regaining weight and letting go of weight suppression — even though, having committed to the process, we found ourselves at the same point in the end: freedom around food and our bodies.It’s raw, real, and hopefully a reminder that you’re not alone in this part of the journey.Topics covered:- The ambivalent feelings we had in letting go of old clothes - The strength (or blind faith!) it takes to keep going week after week- The strategies that helped us stay grounded- Reframing how you look at photos- Releasing rigid targets
Connect with us: Meg 
Instagram: @megsy_recovery
YouTube: Megsy Recovery
TikTok: megsy recovery Safia 
Instagram: @safia_edrecoverycoach
Email: hello@safiaed.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.comEm (copywriter & editor)
Instagram: @em_schone Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

In this episode, Meg and Saf dive into the theme of control – how it shows up in eating disorders, and why it feels so hard to let go. They explore the underlying drive for control, how it impacts day-to-day life, and why loosening its grip is such a crucial part of recovery.They share some of the “rules” they once lived by – from minimum amounts and rigid routines to choosing the most boring versions of food – and how those rules stripped away freedom and connection with others.You’ll hear honest reflections on:Why the need for control feels so powerful in EDsThe hidden costs of staying controlledPractical ways to challenge those rulesThe freedom, flexibility, and joy that come from letting goConnect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: hello@safiaed.comhttps://www.safiaed.com/Em (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schone[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

What if decades of struggle didn’t mean recovery was out of reach? In this episode, we’re joined by fellow coach and passionate recovery advocate, Pamela St. Clair, who found freedom after living with an eating disorder for much of her life. Her story is a powerful reminder that change is possible – no matter your age, situation or lived experience.  Together, we talk about the realities of suffering with an eating disorder for years: the grief and anger, but also the perspective and strength that come with time. From community to values, stereotypes to body changes, Pamela shares what helped her step into recovery, and what life looks like now in full colour.  Topics covered: ·      Pamela’s story – what sparked the change·      Finding (and building) a supportive community·      Diet culture, advocacy, and turning anger into action·      What matters to you? How to live value-aligned ·      Time, grief, and the power of perspective ·      Recovery and ageing: gaining tools for the future·      Finding strength in surrender ·      The “ED shield”: protecting your bigger picture·      How the brain changes through recoveryConnect with us: MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recovery SafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: safia.s.muzaffar@gmail.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.com Pamela St. ClairWebsite: https://www.pamelaevarecovery.com/aboutFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/eatingdisorderecovery/ Em (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schone [DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery. 

Living with an eating disorder means that, more often than not, food and movement are tied to a hidden checklist of rules and conditions. In this episode of Rewired, we take a closer look at these “food formulas" — the countless justifications and restrictions that dictate daily life. From the outside, it can go unnoticed, but on the inside, the mental stress can be unrelenting: Am I meeting the condition? Did I tick the right box? Is this safe enough?We unpack what it's really like to live with these invisible rules, how exhausting it feels to keep up with them, and the illusion of control they seem to offer. Then, we explore why breaking free is so important. Through systematic challenging, repeating without compensating, and dismantling the rules, food and movement no longer require all those metal gymnastics — and full, unconditional recovery becomes possible.Connect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: safia.s.muzaffar@gmail.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.comEm (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schone[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

In this episode, we dive into the tricky area of quasi recovery — that in-between place where you might have taken steps toward healing from an eating disorder, but still find yourself holding onto certain rules, fears, or safety nets that keep them from full freedom. We’ll unpack what quasi recovery looks like, why it can feel so comfortable (yet so limiting), and how to recognise if you’re stuck there yourself. We’ll also explore practical ways to move beyond it, so you can experience the full, vibrant recovery you truly deserve.Topics covered- Our experiences of quasi recovery- What kept us trapped- What helped us to move beyond & fully recover- Eating disorders & identity- Filling the ‘void’ after the ED goes- Weight targets - Wanting to recover ‘perfectly’Resources mentioned:- Blog by Emily Troscianko: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-hunger-artist/201402/recovering-from-anorexia-how-and-why-not-to-stop-halfway/ampConnect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recoverySafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: safia.s.muzaffar@gmail.comWebsite: https://www.safiaed.comEm (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schone[DISCLAIMER]Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.

Skinny Doesn’t Equal HappinessIt’s a story eating disorders love to tell: that thinness guarantees happiness. That smaller equals better. That once your body changes, everything will fall into place. In this episode, we break that illusion. We talk about how meaning gets placed onto bodies, and look at tools to help build distance and start rewiring automatic thoughts. From TikTok trends to ‘bad photos’, we explore how these beliefs are formed, what keeps them going – and how to challenge them in the moment. We also reflect on what happiness actually feels like in recovery, and what’s changed for us now that freedom isn’t hinged on how we look. Topics covered:• When size takes on meaning  • The media’s role in promoting body ideals• Awareness, autopilot, and rewiring beliefs• Body image “then vs now”• ED highs and real happiness – what’s the difference?• Social media and SkinnyTok• Completing the picture• The “tick box” ED life (and what it costs you)• Motivation vs commitment: choosing action• Using the “glass dome” to protect your peaceConnect with us:MegInstagram: @megsy_recoveryYouTube: Megsy RecoveryTikTok: megsy recovery SafiaInstagram: @safia_edrecoverycoachEmail: safia.s.muzaffar@gmail.comBeyond Body Coaching: www.beyondbodyimage.com/ Em (copywriter & editor)Instagram: @em_schone [DISCLAIMER] Please keep in mind we’re not medical professionals, and the podcast content reflects our own experiences and opinions, as well as that of our guests, so it shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating, please reach out to a medical professional to discuss your own situation and get professional help with your own unique recovery.