Are You Going To Eat Your Fat?

Can you recognize the signs of human trafficking? Deena’s special guest is a dedicated nurse practitioner who breaks down trafficking’s profound impact on mental health.  In this episode, discover the multifaceted signs of human trafficking, common misconceptions surrounding trafficking, and the power of making sure others are okay.    In this episode, you also hear: How trafficking overlaps with...

Eating disorders can create a significant financial burden when insurance doesn’t cover treatment, resulting in difficulties in finding specialized providers and high out-of-pocket costs. In this episode, Deena sheds light on the price tag of her treatment, resources for financial support, and the need for better education about eating disorders within the insurance industry.    In this episode, y...

Eating disorders can completely upend your life, resulting in an uphill battle to establish a sense of normalcy and control.    In this episode, Deena walks us through her toughest days of living with depression alongside an eating disorder, and addresses listener questions about her treatment and ongoing healing journey.  In this episode, you also hear:  Managing guilt and multiple eating disorde...

For those struggling with an eating disorder, the idea of changing eating habits can be paralyzing, often hindering the pursuit for help.      In this episode, Deena credits treatment for transforming her perspective on food, body image, and exercise. She emphasizes the importance of small steps and encourages others on their recovery journey to remember support is available.  In this episode, you...

Relationships require hard work and communication, but when one partner is struggling with an eating disorder, it can test the strength of both individuals. Recovery and maintaining a relationship rely on mutual understanding and patience, acknowledging both partners are impacted by the disorder.   In this episode, Deena and Brian explore the dynamics of being in a relationship or marriage while o...

Even without an eating disorder or addiction, implementing a change to your lifestyle can be extremely difficult. Achieving change demands years of dedication, consistent daily choices, and a robust support system.  In this episode, Deena and Brian address barriers to creating lasting change and why long-term care is crucial for sustainable recovery.   In this episode, you also hear:  Emotional st...

Self-harm can take several different forms such as cutting, burning, scratching, restricting food, and these alarming behaviors often mask a deeper emotional pain. Recovery from self-harm and eating disorders is an ongoing process, it’s not something that can be completely resolved with treatment alone.   In this episode, Deena stresses that open communication and education are vital for support a...

Pride is not just a feeling reserved for the end of the recovery journey but a crucial element to embrace throughout the process. Whether someone’s been in recovery for a day, an hour, or even a minute, every step forward is an accomplishment worth celebrating. In this episode, Deena and Brian acknowledge the challenges of maintaining motivation, the role of support systems, and the power of refra...

Rarely do people grasp the entirety of an individual’s struggle with addiction. Those living with and recovering from eating disorders often fight unseen battles marked by burdensome emotions such as shame, guilt, and misplaced blame.   In this episode, Deena debunks the myth that eating disorders are a choice and illustrates them as the creeping shadows that they are, and shares why the path to r...

The path to healing from an eating disorder requires not only nourishment but self-compassion. Self-worth and numbers on the scale often become intertwined, leading to a distorted body image and struggles with weight.  In this episode, Deena and Brian offer insight into the battles with negative self-perception, the need for self-care, and the continuous journey toward holistic healing for those s...

Battles with depression, addiction, and eating disorders are often suffered in secrecy and silence. Surrounding yourself with people who have walked in your shoes can connect you with someone who will both celebrate your progress and hold you accountable when you need it most.   In this episode, Deena and Brian break down stereotypes around addiction and eating disorders and affirm the transformat...

The sudden loss of a loved one creates a vast chasm of grief that can feel insurmountable. When Deena’s brother died of cancer, the pressure to return to normalcy without addressing the grief she was experiencing sparked her battle with a life-altering eating disorder.     In this episode, Deena and Brian uncover the complex relationship and similarities between grief and eating disorders, and hig...

So often the toughest person to forgive is the one you face in the mirror. The path to recovery is never a straight line; it’s filled with both the lowest moments and most rewarding victories you’ll ever experience.    In this episode, Deena explores the tender subject of forgiveness, and confronts the truth that while the past is unchangeable, the present and future offer a blank slate for healin...

Addictions and eating disorders carry a larger impact beyond the individual suffering with these conditions. Family and loved ones often endure the disease silently on the sidelines, struggling with their ability to understand or provide appropriate support.     In this episode, Deena and Brian address the importance of caregivers embracing education and utilizing available resources, emphasizing...

Recovery equates to transforming your lifestyle, so it’s imperative to connect with a committed accountability partner or support group that has the experience and tools needed to guide you.  In this episode, Deena recalls the most impactful support she received during and post-treatment, serving as a reminder that you're never alone on your journey to recovery.    In this episode, you also hear: ...

Living with an eating disorder or addiction often creates a profound sense of isolation. Yet, the reality is that individuals and families grapple with these afflictions daily, with many suffering in silence.  In this episode, Deena and Brian reiterate why they consider addiction as a family disease, shed light on the frustrating truth about treatment costs, and advocate for more people to share t...

Even after taking monumental steps toward long-term recovery, the smallest of triggers can make your mind spiral, convincing you relapse is inevitable. Thankfully, there are tools to manage setbacks and support groups willing to offer help.   In this episode, Deena and Brian discuss common family triggers and why you must allow yourself to feel what you feel, then let yourself focus on the good in...

Most people think grief is for when a loved one passes, but huge life changes can also trigger cycles of anger, sadness, despair. And though it may seem odd, it’s possible to grieve your disorder or addiction, even though you might consider that period the worst time of your life.     In this episode, Deena sheds light on making room for grief so you can continue taking steps on the long road of r...

Rock bottom sounds like the end but there's always a way back to the top. Everyone’s rock bottom is different, and I had to hit rock-bottom a few times. Recovery is attainable if you choose to seek out and accept help and let yourself start over as many times as needed.   In this episode, Deena and Brian emphasize that only you have the power to take your first step towards a new beginning.   In t...

Your identity is priceless and your physical appearance has nothing to do with your value as a human. Unfortunately, it’s easy to lose sight of your worth when you’re in an unsupportive environment or when your self-esteem comes under attack.   In this episode, Deena recalls the hardest parts of growing up a people pleaser, the power of starting over during recovery, and offers a reminder that rec...

Learning more about the reality of day-to-day life with Anorexia and perhaps seemingly odd actions that an addict (or person with an eating disorder) might do simply because of their disease will likely lift the cloud of judgment, shame, and misunderstanding toward someone you love.   While I’ve shared some tid-bits about weighing myself and going on long walks as part of my obsessive way of deali...

Does time really heal all wounds? What about the wounds you never talk about? Without opening up about your experiences and getting the help you need, it’s almost inevitable to fall into a pattern of hitting rock bottom and relapsing.    In this episode, Deena and Brian discuss how unresolved trauma impacts Deena’s family relationships and the support that truly helped her move forward in recovery...

As with any relationship, your relationship with food can experience a varying range of highs and lows, especially for those recovering from an eating disorder. Some days might feel manageable while others feel like you’ve made zero progress.       In this episode, Deena describes the complexities of her relationship with food, the realities of recovery, and why it’s crucial to reach out for help...

Most people are familiar with the depiction of having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, both trying to influence your decisions. But what if you only have a devil, a negative voice, hijacking your thoughts that never ceases to stop?    In this episode, Deena illustrates working through an unsupportive and unrelenting inner voice and the relief of finding support to soften the nois...

Happy New Year! Deena’s story serves as an incredible inspiration to those struggling with addiction or eating disorders, and the friends and family who support them, to never give up hope.  In this episode, Deena walks through her past traumas, challenges with treatment, and what it’s like to let go of perfection and focus on recovery day by day.   In this episode, you’ll also hear:  Acknowledgin...