Understanding Body Matters Podcast BodyMatters Australasia

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to our next special guest Founder of Uncovery and Recovery Coach, Olivia Soha. After, recovering from her own lived experience with an eating disorder, Olivia spent six months in the United States at BALANCE eating disorder treatment centre working as a liaison officer and recovery coach In New York. After returning to Australia, Olivia then opened Uncovery in 2018 and was selected as a Young Social Pioneer with the Foundations for Young Australians where she was awarded a seed funding grant to expand Uncovery in 2019. Olivia has also since then presented at national and international conferences, including at the Australian and New Zeeland Academy for Eating Disorders in 2019 and the International Conference for Eating Disorders in 2020.




More recently, Olivia has consulted on projects such as with the NEDC and the Butterfly Foundation in the development of the Lived Experience Workforce component of the National strategy, and the Peer Workforce Guidelines. Olivia has also facilitated recovery skills and support group programs across Melbourne and in various treatment settings such as in The Melbourne Clinic Eating Disorders Inpatient Program, The Austin Hospital Eating Disorders Inpatient Program and in the Body Image Eating Disorders Treatment and Recovery Service (BETRS).

 

On this week’s episode Olivia will be sharing her lived experience with disordered eating and struggles with body image concerns. Providing the lived experience support of a positive role model, and showing people that recovery is always possible. So please welcome our next special guest, Olivia!

 

Podcast Summary:

1. Eating difficulties as a young child

2.The problems with perfection

3. Finding peace beyond the body

4. Sitting with and processing difficult emotions

5. Finding purpose and meaning beyond the eating disorder

 

Links to Oliva Soha:

Uncovery: www.uncovery.com.au 

 Instagram: @unvovery.ed.coaching

 Podcast: RenourishED

 

Links from the episode and to BodyMatters:

BodyMatters Australasia Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bodymatters.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau

Butterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1800
33 4673⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chat online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to our next special guest Psychologist, Cathy Anderson. Cathy has worked for 20 years in the eating disorder space as a Senior Clinician, Senior Psychologist and Eating Disorder Coordinator predominantly having worked at the Illawarra Eating Disorders Service. Cathy has also been a guest Lecturer at Wollongong University and the University of Sydney and assisted in the development of content for postgraduate studies at the Nan Tien Institute. Most recently, Cathy was involved in the collaborative national project by the NEDC and ANZAED, providing supervision to psychologists involved in the eating disorder credentials process. Cathy now works at her own private practice called ‘Cathy Anderson Psychology’ in Woonona. Cathy’s practice consists of 80% eating disorder work where she is a Credentialled Eating Disorder Clinician and Board Approved Supervisor.

Cathy has a background of working across fields of rehabilitation, pain management, neuropsychological rehab, community women’s health and eating disorder having worked as a psychologist for 25 years. Cathy’s work has encompassed provision of individual and group clinical work, family psychoeducation groups, workforce development, service development, supervision of psychologist and dieticians as well as has contributed to the development and implementation of the state-wide NSW Eating Disorder Plan.

On this week’s episode we will be speaking about the topic of compassion and self- compassion for those who experience eating disorders or disordered eating. Cathy herself was introduced to the idea of self- compassion in eating disorders about a decade ago when she came across Josie Geller, a Canadian Psychologist, present at the Australian Eating Disorders Conference in Sydney. After watching such an inspirational speaker, learning about the power over self-compassion alongside evidence-based approaches, Cathy wanted to further explore compassion. This is when Cathy came across Kristen Neff, whose work she talks about on the podcast as greatly influencing her practice. Here today, Cathy has additionally taken to narrative approaches from Michael White and Anita Johnston who continually impact her practice in the way she uses metaphor, analogy and lived experience. So on that note, please welcome our next special guest, Cathy!



Podcast summary:

1. Understanding compassion

2. Acknowledging eating disorders serve a function

3.  Being able to sooth ourselves

4. Looking at self-compassion in other parts of our lives

5. Comforting yourself like you are comforting a friend

6. The benefits of incorporating self-kindness and self-compassion



Links from the episode and to BodyMatters:

BodyMatters Australasia Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bodymatters.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau

Butterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1800
33 4673⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You
can also ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chat online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to our next special guest, previous group facilitator, Serena Dalton. Serena has run workshops and group facilitation for the company Tomorrow Woman which runs education programs for school students, teachers, for parents, in sports, and more. Serena has a background in studying theatre studies where after working for this organisation found a passion in working in the mental health space and is now completing a Masters in Counselling at University. The company Tomorrow Woman runs workshops across schools in NSW where Serena was lucky enough to be a part of this program for a year a half. The program Serena was involved in was designed for young girls and non- binary girls to speak about topics such as body image, mental health, and gender expectations in a group facilitation setting. While this specific program is not still being run in schools there are still various workshops still being run by this same organisation. Where the company has now been able to run 2,037 workshops with 60,777 participants.



On this week’s episode Serena shares some of the lived experience of school aged girls around body image discussing the impact that it is having on teenage girls in NSW. Where this episode discusses some of the challenges young girls are experiencing with social media, body comparison, and anxiety. Serena discusses the power of this women-based program on addressing some of the current concerns that we are seeing in schools. Bringing a voice to some of the young girls in this generation! So please, welcome out next special guest, Sarena!



A quick update for everyone around the podcast; We will be releasing episodes fortnightly on Wednesdays instead of weekly!

 

Podcast Summary:  

1. Workshops run in schools talking about body image, mental health, and high expectations

2. Body image as a top concern for year 10-11 girls in schools

3. The experiences shared by teenage girls

4. Discussing body image statistics

5.  Social media use and body comparison

6. Starting the conversations around body image in schools

 

Links to Tomorrow Woman:

Website: https://www.tomorrowwoman.com.au/

Instagram: @tomorrowwoman_au

Facebook: Tomorrow Woman

 

Links from the episode and to BodyMatters:

BodyMatters Australasia Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bodymatters.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau

Butterfly Foundation
Helpline: Call their National Helpline on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1800 33 4673⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chat online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email

On this week’s episode we are super excited to be introducing you to our next special guest Host and Social Worker, Jessica Bakon. Jessica is a qualified Social Worker who holds an (Honours) degree from the University of New South Wales. As a new graduate, she worked across both private and public hospitals within the Northern Sydney Local Health District such as at Royal North Shore Hospital. This is where Jessica found passion in utlising evidence- based treatments with patients such as Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. Jessica was also trained at Royal North Shore Hospital as a student and had the opportunity of working for BodyMatters Australasia, on her second University internship. This is where Jessica was offered the incredible opportunity to host and produce the ‘Understanding Body Matters Podcast’ after the podcast was so beautifully started and crafted by Madison Prubela. Where Jessica has been able to be involved in sharing stories of hope, lived experience, education, professional development, advocacy, wellbeing content and awareness for eating disorders. After a year of working within the healthcare system and gaining the experience she was hoping for Jessica has now gone back to University to complete her Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Hoping to support people in the field of eating disorders and within schools with a special interest for working with adolescents.

 

A little background about Jessica, she grew up on the Northern Beaches and spent her young working years enjoying her studies, volunteering for charities, and finding a passion in supporting people. However, during her teen years Jessica found herself impacted by disordered eating as a result of an adverse early childhood, social influences and the impact of diet culture. That is why on this week’s episode our Host Jessica will be sharing her story with disordered eating, her upbringing, and the reason for her passions in hosting the ‘Understanding Body Matters Podcast’. Jessica also shares the details of how receiving required support, addressing the adverse childhood experiences and having positive role models in her life really helped her along her journey.

 

In this week’s episode Jessica will also disclose brief elements of family domestic violence, strength, and success despite significant challenges faced. Where Jessica thanks the many guests on the podcasts who have been so vulnerable in being able to provide awareness for eating disorders, mental health, and overall wellbeing. This is where Jessica shares her value for learning, education, teachers, supervisors, mentors, and positive role models within her life. As the support from these people were all the main components of Jessica being able to be the person she is today. As someone who now loves and values the role that food can have in her life Jessy now shares her story of gratitude for her recovery and the appreciation that she has for her life. So, on that note, please welcome our next special guest host, Jessy!

 

Podcast Summary

 

1.    The impact of adverse childhood experiences

2.    Friendships with people who engaged in disordered eating

3.    Learning to drink alcohol in a binge drinking culture in Australia  

4.    Transitional periods

5.    The power of support, role modelling and positive people

6.    Education, awareness, and advocacy in eating disorders 



BodyMatters Australasia Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bodymatters.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau

Butterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National Helpline on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1800
33 4673⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chat online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to two lovely practitioners from ‘Eat Love Live’ in Melbourne, Director Josephine Money and Dr. Christie Bennett. Eat Love Live is a clinic that offers Dietetics and nutrition, physiotherapy, movement classes, music therapy, dance therapy and education from a range of different health professionals. Jo and Christie are both the co- Founders for Eat Love Live Education and have both really valued the role of lived experience in eating disorder treatment. Where ‘Eat Love Live’ has now developed a Framework called The Radical Centred Framework which utlises lived experience as a tool to understand the development, maintenance, and recovery of an eating disorder. Eat, Love, Love’ also has an amazing blog, and many other programs to support people with a variety of backgrounds.  A little bit about our two lovely guests...

Jo is the Founder and Director of ‘Eat Love Live’ an Accredited Practicing Dietitian, Nutritionist, a Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician, and a co-Founder of Eat Love Live Education. Jo has been working within the eating disorder field for over 20 years working across a range of settings including at the Eating Disorders Foundation Victoria where
is now a board member, at Royal Melbourne Hospital in the Eating Disorder Unit, at the Melbourne clinic in their Eating Disorder Program, at the Royal Women’s hospital and at The Body Image and Eating Disorder Recovery a joint initiative from St Vincent’s and Austin hospital. In her work, Jo appreciates the courage of people who have shared with her their stories and is passionate about promoting weight inclusion, social justice, and trauma informed care. Jo also provides clinical internal supervision and case conferencing for clinicians where she works to strengthen the link between mental health and dietetic support.

Dr. Christie Bennett is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian, Lecturer, Co- founder of ‘Eat Love Live’ education and an Academic Researcher. Christie holds a PhD and a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics with Honours from Monash University. Christie’s expertise is in eating disorders, disordered eating and its intersection with women’s health including in fertility, pregnancy and PCOS. Her PhD investigated the factors that influence glucose tolerance during pregnancy with a particular focus on sleep. She currently works at Monash University as a Lecturer and Research Fellow at Monash University. Where her current research investigates how to best support people experiencing eating disorders and women’s health conditions such as PCOS. Christie is passionate about feminism, social oppression theories, trauma informed care, size inclusive (HAES) and working with lived experience within her clinical practice and research.

On this week’s episode we will be speaking about the topic as to why people may be feeling stuck and unable to recover from an eating disorder. Discussing the idea that every person experiencing disordered eating, or an eating disorder will have a different reason as to why they are feeling stuck. However, Both Jo and Christie draw our attention to the systemic oppressions, the media and trauma as some of the contributing factors to this feeling of stuckness. So please welcome our next special guests, Jo and Christie!



Podcast Summary:

1.    Not recognising if you are experiencing disordered eating

2.    The endless pursuit of weight loss

3.    The belief that weightless will fix all your problems in life

4.    The impact of oppressions and trauma on disordered eating

5.    The high expectations people place on food, body, and recovery

6.    New innovative frameworks to empower clients

 

Links to both Jo and Christie:

‘Eat, Love, Live’ Website: eatlovelive.com.au

Eat Love Live Education Page: https://elleducation.teachable.com/
Instagram: @eatlovelive

Facebook: Eat Love Live | Melbourne VIC

 

Li

On this week’s episode I am super excited to be introducing you to our next special guest to Principal Psychologist of the Mental Care Clinic, Dr Daisy Gemayel. Daisy grew up in Lebanon and then travelled to the U.S where she attended Harvard University at Cambridge in Massachusetts. After studying in the U.S she then travelled to Australia to gain her PhD in Psychology from Charles Sturt University. Alongside her studies Daisy has had many years of experience working in private practice, research, community mental health and hospital settings. Where Daisy has conducted clinical screenings, psychological assessments, and developed comprehensive treatments based on research. For example, during her PhD studies, Daisy developed and validated a psychometric tool to predict fathers at risk of paternal depression, anxiety, and stress which is a massive contribution to the field!

 Daisy also has many passions some of which involve supporting adolescence and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, disordered eating, complex trauma, phobia, and psychosis. Where Daisy uses evidence- based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive processing Trauma, Schema Therapy and, Individual and Group Dialectical behavioural Therapy within her practice.

On this week’s episode we will be speaking about the topic of self- confidence and self-esteem and its links to eating disorders. Really exploring the links between self-confidence and eating pathology. So please welcome our next special guest, Daisy!

 

1. Self- esteem fluctuates based on experiences

2. Low self- esteem can maintain eating disorders

3. Tuning out external pressures and tuning into your own body

4. Surrounding yourself with positive people

5. Self- confidence is a protective factor against eating disorders

6. Working through past experiences around self- worth

 

Links to Dr. Daisy Gemayel

Mental Care Clinic Website: https://www.mentalcareclinic.com.au/

Facebook: Mental Care Clinic



Links from the episode and to BodyMatters:

BodyMatters Australasia Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bodymatters.com.au/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

BodyMatters Instagram: @bodymattersau

Butterfly Foundation Helpline: Call their National
Helpline on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1800 33 4673⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You
can also ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chat online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email