Dear Recovery

csteddy12
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Mental Health

Hello beautiful people, this podcast is a listener supported space for anyone struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, body distress/dysmorphia, or Co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. Each episode is guided by listener emails and DM's, questions stories, fears, and hopes read and responded to with compassion clinical insight and lived recovery and experience hosted by, me Colleen, a marriage and family therapist working in private practice as well as a person in long term recovery from an eating disorder and substance use this podcast is not about perfection or quick fixes. It is about being heard, being understood and knowing you're not alone. This space is inclusive of all genders, bodies, and identities, including members of the LGBTQIA plus community. Whether you're in active struggle, early recovery long term recovery or simply searching for language for what you're experiencing, you are welcome here. This podcast is not a substitute for therapy or medical care, but it is a place to sit, listen and remember that recovery in all the imperfect forms is possible. Just a short disclaimer for this podcast; I do not discuss any numbers or weights or explicit behaviors, and I will always keep your identity anonymous if that is your wish. Most importantly, I always encourage you to seek out higher levels of professional care as appropriate, and I will answer emails or DMS to questions and experiences, etcetera where I feel I can genuinely give advice or share my own personal experience, and perhaps what helped me. A note to remember is that recovery in all its imperfect forms is possible and I truly just want to connect with you, help, hear you, and hopefully answer some of those anxiety provoking questions that I know I was riddled with for so many years. I promise, no question is too stupid, outlandish, bizarre or weird, because I know how isolating this disease is, but I promise you are not alone and any topic/concern is welcome here :)

  1. 4d ago

    Ep 34: “Dear Recovery… Why Does Feeling Full Scare Me?” Feeling full and hungry at the same time?

    What if you're physically full…but your brain is still screaming for food? In this episode of Dear Recovery, we're answering a deeply vulnerable listener question about feeling full, feeling hungry, and the fear that comes with not knowing which signals to trust. We're talking about the confusing experience of feeling full and starving at the same time, how anxiety can show up physically, why safe foods don't always quiet the food thoughts, and why feeling full does not mean you've done something wrong. We'll also talk about exercise, compensation, and why movement should never be the price you pay to earn food. And I'll share some practical ways to ride out the anxiety when the eating disorder gets loud. Most importantly, we'll talk about something I hope you carry with you after listening: You deserve to eat without having to earn it. You deserve to rest without having to earn it. And you deserve a life that's bigger than your eating disorder.  And I'll talk to you soon.  And as always...  "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  2. 6d ago

    Ep: 33 "What if I have an eating disorder?" - You Don't Have to Be "Sick Enough" to Get Help

    What if you think you might have an eating disorder…but you're not sure what to do next? In this episode of Dear Recovery, we're talking about what to do when you suspect you might have an eating disorder—and why you don't have to be “sick enough” to deserve help. I'll walk you through where to start, who you can talk to, resources that may help, and what it can look like to take that very first step. I'm also sharing more of my own recovery story—including the many things I tried before I finally found something that helped quiet the food noise that had controlled my life for years. If you've been wondering whether your struggles are “bad enough” to count, my friend…this episode is for you.  You don't have to know exactly what's wrong before you ask for help. And you never have to figure it out alone Resources:  Eating-disorder-informed therapist  Dietitian (Any Local) Page 4 | Eating Disorder Dietitians - Book Appointments Online and Online Nutrition Counseling Covered By Insurance - Health Loft  Physician: Find Eating Disorders Treatment | NEDA and Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment or your local search  NEDA/resources: Home - National Eating Disorders Association  Psychology Today: Eating disorder - Psychology Today  ANAD: ANAD | Free Eating Disorder Peer Support, Helpline & Recovery Resources  Alliance for Eating Disorders: Get Eating Disorder Help Today | Alliance for Eating Disorders  Support groups (Resource: Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment or your local search  Trusted people (loved ones and trusted friends)  Resources for minors: Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment or your local search  "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  3. Oct 1

    Ep. 32: You’re Safe Right Now A Guided & Progressive Muscle Relaxation Meditation

    Sometimes the anxious mind gets loud. Really loud. This 31-minute guided meditation is a space to slow down, breathe, reconnect with your body, and gently release some of the tension that anxiety can create. Through mindfulness and progressive muscle relaxation, I'll guide you through a practice designed to help calm the anxious mind and create a little more space between you and those overwhelming thoughts. You don't have to solve anything right now. You don't have to figure everything out. For the next 31 minutes, you can simply breathe, relax, and be.   "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  4. Sep 28

    Ep. 31: Dear Recovery - “The Eating Disorder Recovery Wins No One Talks About”

    We talk a lot about what eating disorders take from us—but what about what recovery gives back? In this episode of Dear Recovery, I’m talking about the recovery wins no one really prepares you for: sleeping better, feeling more comfortable in your body, having less food anxiety, being able to change plans, reconnecting with the people you love, and finally having more space for life. I’m also sharing a very personal story about the three tiny things I once put on my recovery list—and how those three things eventually became something much bigger: getting my life back. 🩶  "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  5. Sep 25

    Ep. 30 "The Eating Disorder Fear of Wasting Calories" - When Every Bite Has to Have a Purpose (Part 2)

    What happens when every calorie feels like it has a specific purpose—and eating something “extra” feels like a crisis? In Part 2 of The Fear of Wasting Calories, we’re going deeper into the anxiety around food, exercise, compensating, and the pressure to make every bite “count.” I’m talking about what happens when we moralize food, turn eating into an equation, and let the fear of wasting calories dictate our entire day. We’ll also talk about challenging those fears, learning to sit with uncertainty, and reminding ourselves that a thought is not an instruction—and food doesn’t have to be earned. 🩶 Because recovery isn’t about perfectly controlling food. It’s about getting your life back.   "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  6. Sep 21

    Ep. 29 “The Eating Disorder Fear of Wasting Calories” — When Every Bite Has to Have a Purpose (Part 1)

    What happens when every bite of food feels like it needs to have a purpose? In this episode of Dear Recovery, I’m answering a listener’s question about the fear of “wasting” calories—and the anxiety that can come when eating something outside of your carefully planned meals. We’re talking about control, rigid food rules, and why something as simple as a bag of Cheetos can suddenly feel like a huge decision to an eating-disorder brain. I’m also sharing some very personal stories from my own recovery, including a movie-theater popcorn mishap 😂 and the infamous protein-shake disaster. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode. In Part 2, we’ll talk more about what to do when the fear kicks in and how recovery can help us take our lives back from food rules and restriction. 🩶  "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

  7. Sep 16

    Dear Recovery Episode 28: “Why Do I Feel So Damn Miserable?” — The Other Things That Come with Eating Disorders/Restrictive Eating

    What happens when an eating disorder starts affecting more than just food? In this episode, I’m answering a heartfelt listener question about restrictive eating, bingeing and purging, depression, anxiety, sleep, isolation, and persistent thoughts of not wanting to live. We’re talking about why eating disorders can often exist alongside other mental health struggles, how restriction can affect the brain and body, why everything can start to feel so much harder, and how shame and isolation can keep us from reaching out for help. I also share some of my own experiences with restriction, emotional dysregulation, isolation, and missing out on moments of my life because I was so consumed by my eating disorder. And most importantly, we’re talking about this: Sick enough is sick enough. You don't have to wait until things get worse, look a certain way, or reach some imaginary threshold of suffering before you deserve help. You deserve support, you deserve care, and you don't have to figure this out alone. 🩶 This episode discusses eating disorders, depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance use. Please take care of yourself while listening and see the episode description for crisis and support resources. Suicide Prevention Resources: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health, suicide or substance use crisis, or emotional distress, reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988 or using chat services at Suicidepreventionlifeline.org to connect to a trained crisis counselor. You can also get crisis text support via the Crisis Text Line by texting ALLIANCE to 741-741.  How to Ask Someone About Suicide |    NAMI: National Alliance on Mental    Illness • Risk and Protective Factors | CDC • Zero Suicide • Resources - Speaking of Suicide • Risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs | AFSP • Suicide Prevention • Words Matter: Suicide Language Guide • NIMH » Suicide Prevention Home - National Eating Disorders Association

  8. Sep 14

    Ep 27: “Sober Living (recovery): Scared Out of My Mind” Part 2

    What should you expect when you actually get to sober living? In Part 2 of this two-part episode, we’re talking about some of the things I wish I had known before moving into sober living—from what to bring and how to find your recovery community, to navigating roommates, setting boundaries, helping others without losing yourself, and finding a job in early recovery. I’m sharing some of my own experiences (including a few things I learned the hard way 😂) in hopes of making sober living feel a little less overwhelming and a little more doable. You don’t have to have everything figured out. You just have to take the next step. 🩶   "If something has been weighing on your heart, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your questions, your thoughts, or even just say hello. You can email me at dearrecovery1@gmail.com or send me a DM on Instagram @dear_recovery1. No question is too messy, and you never have to figure it out alone."

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Hello beautiful people, this podcast is a listener supported space for anyone struggling with eating disorders, disordered eating, body distress/dysmorphia, or Co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges. Each episode is guided by listener emails and DM's, questions stories, fears, and hopes read and responded to with compassion clinical insight and lived recovery and experience hosted by, me Colleen, a marriage and family therapist working in private practice as well as a person in long term recovery from an eating disorder and substance use this podcast is not about perfection or quick fixes. It is about being heard, being understood and knowing you're not alone. This space is inclusive of all genders, bodies, and identities, including members of the LGBTQIA plus community. Whether you're in active struggle, early recovery long term recovery or simply searching for language for what you're experiencing, you are welcome here. This podcast is not a substitute for therapy or medical care, but it is a place to sit, listen and remember that recovery in all the imperfect forms is possible. Just a short disclaimer for this podcast; I do not discuss any numbers or weights or explicit behaviors, and I will always keep your identity anonymous if that is your wish. Most importantly, I always encourage you to seek out higher levels of professional care as appropriate, and I will answer emails or DMS to questions and experiences, etcetera where I feel I can genuinely give advice or share my own personal experience, and perhaps what helped me. A note to remember is that recovery in all its imperfect forms is possible and I truly just want to connect with you, help, hear you, and hopefully answer some of those anxiety provoking questions that I know I was riddled with for so many years. I promise, no question is too stupid, outlandish, bizarre or weird, because I know how isolating this disease is, but I promise you are not alone and any topic/concern is welcome here :)

Information

  • Creator
    csteddy12
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Dear Recovery