Mary Woods
Mary Woods
goodbye ed, hello me
goodbye ed, hello me
goodbye ed, hello me
Monday 21st September 2009
Jenni Schaefer discusses overcoming eating disorders, highlighting acceptance and family support on 'One Hour AT A Time'.
56 minutes
Informative
Empowering
Compassionate
Hopeful
Supportive
About this podcast
Author:
Mary Woods
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Family Recovery from Addiction
Recovery from Trauma
Creative Recovery Journeys
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Episodes:
471 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Jenni Schaefer on Embracing Life Beyond Eating Disorders
I feel like those of us who struggle with eating disorders can really completely recover because we're forced to find balance.
Imagine battling an eating disorder so intense it feels like a separate entity controlling your every move. That's exactly how Jenni Schaefer describes her experience with 'Ed', the personification of her eating disorder. In this engaging episode of 'One Hour AT A Time', host Mary Woods welcomes Jenni, an internationally renowned author and speaker, to share her journey from struggle to recovery and beyond.
Jenni's first book, 'Life Without Ed', introduced the concept of treating her eating disorder as an external force. This metaphor allowed her to distance herself from its grip and reclaim her life. She discusses how visualizing 'Ed' as a separate being helped her take control and work towards full recovery. Her therapist's advice to see the disorder as something outside herself was a game-changer, enabling her to find balance and strength.
Throughout the episode, Jenni speaks candidly about the physical and emotional toll of eating disorders, sharing personal stories of battling osteoporosis and other health complications. She emphasizes the importance of acceptance in the recovery process, not just for those struggling but also for their loved ones. Acceptance, she explains, can alleviate some of the panic and help families support their loved ones more effectively.
Support from family and friends plays a crucial role in recovery, and Jenni highlights how her parents' unconditional love was instrumental in her journey. She offers practical advice for parents who might be unsure how to support a child dealing with an eating disorder. The conversation also delves into the history of eating disorders and how societal attitudes have evolved over time, stressing the need for ongoing education and advocacy.
As the episode wraps up, Jenni shares two key concepts that have been vital in her recovery: 'marrying herself'—learning to love and accept herself—and focusing on 'the next right thing', which involves staying present and taking small, manageable steps towards recovery. Her message is clear: recovery is possible, and finding balance and acceptance are essential steps on this path. This episode is a must-listen for anyone affected by eating disorders, whether personally or through a loved one.
Jenni's story offers hope, practical advice, and a reminder that life beyond an eating disorder is not only possible but worth striving for.