Recovery Is Not One Size Fits All
I was deeply honoured to have Michelle Reed join me for this episode. Michelle is a living, breathing example that full recovery is possible—even without 1:1 coaching or professional therapy. Her journey is not only inspiring but refreshingly honest. She didn’t have access to formal recovery support. What she did have? A decision to choose herself and a deep inner knowing that her life could be more than food rules and body obsession.
When You Don’t Think You’re “Sick Enough”
So many women sit in the grey zone—the land of “quasi-recovery” or “I’m fine” because they don’t fit the textbook eating disorder picture. Michelle’s story shatters that illusion. She didn’t look unwell. She wasn’t clinically underweight. But internally, she was constantly thinking about food, her body, and how to manage it all. She was exhausted.
And like so many of us, she was praised for her discipline, her leanness, and her ability to “eat clean.” But underneath it all, Michelle was tired of hating her body. She was tired of shrinking herself to feel worthy. She was tired of living small.
Her Moment of No More
Michelle had listened to my podcast for months, letting each episode drip feed her truth. But it was one line—“What if you just ate?”—that finally broke through. She made a quiet, radical decision to stop waiting to be “sick enough” and start choosing recovery like her life depended on it.
And she didn’t need to know the full path. She just had to say yes to herself—again and again and again.
The Fear of Weight Gain—and Walking Through It Anyway
Michelle speaks so vulnerably about the grief and discomfort of weight gain. She cried. She panicked. She almost turned back. But instead, she reminded herself: “I’ve been small and miserable. Let’s try something new.”
She proved her fears wrong. Again and again. Nothing bad happened. In fact, her world got bigger. Her joy returned. Her body started to trust her. And more importantly—she started to trust herself.
You Don’t Need More Rules. You Need Permission.
One of my favourite parts of this conversation was when Michelle shared that she used to wish for someone to give her “the perfect food system” for healing. But deep down, she knew: what she needed wasn’t more control. It was the courage to let go.
Michelle gave herself permission to not track, not restrict, not micromanage—and in doing so, she found peace. And I want this for you too.
Recovery Is Possible. Even Without Professional Help.
Michelle’s story is a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Yes, support is beautiful. But the most important piece? Your willingness to show up. To tell the truth. To choose love over fear. To say “enough.”
If you’ve ever doubted whether recovery is available to you, I hope this episode brings you hope.
You are not broken. You are not alone. And you are absolutely capable of full food and body freedom.
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