In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, we are joined by Mary Elizabeth Akinaka, a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist-Supervisor (CEDS-S). As the Regional Executive Director at Alsana Treatment Center, Mary Elizabeth shares her own journey of recovering from an eating disorder, embracing body acceptance, and reclaiming her life in a larger body. Her candid reflections on self-compassion, therapy, and rejecting societal standards provide valuable insight for anyone navigating recovery or struggling with body image issues.

Key Themes and Insights from the Episode:

Mary Elizabeth’s Personal Recovery Journey
Mary Elizabeth opens up about her experience with an eating disorder, chronic dieting, and the emotional and physical toll it took on her life. She shares the pivotal moment when she said "f this" to restrictive dieting and decided to fully participate in life. Her journey to recovery is a testament to the power of therapy, community, and making intentional choices for healing

Shifting from Chronic Dieting to Full Participation in Life**
Diet culture is often centered on shrinking our bodies and controlling our food intake. Mary Elizabeth reflects on how she moved away from chronic dieting and embraced a life of fullness and joy—one that’s no longer dictated by food rules. She encourages listeners to step away from the diet mindset and focus on living a meaningful, purposeful life.

Learning to Accept a Larger Body Size in a Thin-Centric World
One of the most powerful parts of the interview is Mary Elizabeth’s discussion about body acceptance in a larger body, especially when the world is often unkind to those who don’t fit the societal ideal of thinness. She talks about the challenges of learning to love and accept her body, even when external validation was lacking, and how therapy, community support, and self-compassion played critical roles in this process.

The Role of Therapy and Community in Recovery
Therapy was a crucial part of Mary Elizabeth's recovery, helping her shift her mindset from self-criticism to self-compassion. She also highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with a supportive community that fosters self-acceptance, rather than perpetuates harmful diet culture.

The Power of Self-Compassion and Intentional Choices
Throughout the episode, Mary Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of self-compassion in the recovery journey. She explains how being kind to herself and practicing self-care allowed her to heal not only her relationship with food but also with her body. By making intentional choices rooted in self-love, she was able to reclaim her sense of worth and identity.


Episode Highlights:
- Personal Eating Disorder Recovery: M

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In this episode of the *Full and Thriving* podcast, we’re joined by Shannon Wynn Dube, therapist and founder of Trauma Dump LLC, to explore the deeply-rooted *Fear of Rejection*. Shannon shares her personal story of how her upbringing led her to self-rejection, becoming a chronic people-pleaser, and ultimately abandoning her true self in an effort to feel safe in the world. Together, we break down how attachment styles influence the fear of rejection and how you can start healing from relational trauma.

Episode Highlights:
- Shannon's Journey to Self-Acceptance: Shannon opens up about her upbringing and how it shaped her fear of rejection. She discusses how the need for approval and acceptance led her to fawn and people-please as a way to avoid rejection and stay safe, while unknowingly abandoning her true self.

- Understanding Attachment Styles: We dive into how attachment styles—whether anxious, avoidant, or secure—play a significant role in shaping the fear of rejection. Learn how your attachment style may influence your interactions with others and fuel the need for external validation.

- Fear of Rejection vs. Rejection Sensitivity: What’s the difference? We break down the distinction between a general fear of rejection and rejection sensitivity, which is a heightened emotional response to perceived or actual rejection.

- The Role of Therapy in Trauma Work: Shannon emphasizes the importance of therapy when doing trauma work, especially when it comes to addressing deep-rooted fears like rejection. We discuss how working with a skilled therapist can help you confront relational trauma and begin the healing process.

- Healing Through Healthy Relationships: Healthy relationships are crucial for overcoming the fear of rejection. We talk about how finding supportive, understanding relationships can aid in healing relational trauma and building a foundation of self-worth.

- Bonus Segment: Passion for Cheesecake Factory: Stick around for a fun bonus segment where Shannon and Meg share their love for The Cheesecake Factory!

Connect with Shannon Wynn Dube:
- Instagram: @TraumaDumpCT
- Website: traumadump.com

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Meg's website:
www.meg-mccabe.com

Meg's Instagram:
www.instagram.com/meg_mccabe/

New Full and Thriving YouTube Channel:
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Sign up for a free 1:1 coaching consultation with Meg
http://bit.ly/3A1Cw5r

Download and Listen to these free 200 eating disorder recovery affirmations: megmccabe.lpages.co/200-recovery-affirmations/

Grab your Full and Thriving Merch!!
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In this compelling episode of the Full and Thriving Podcast, Meg sits down with Mallory Paige, RD, to delve into a deeply personal journey of overcoming wellness obsession. Mallory opens up about how her intense focus on wellness during college was intertwined with her identity and desire for control, and how it ultimately led to a mental breakdown that catalyzed a profound shift in her perspective on health.

Episode Highlights:

Personal Struggles with Wellness Obsession Mallory shares her story of how an obsession with wellness and control became a central part of her identity, and the impact this had on her mental and emotional well-being.

- The Path to Healing: Discover how Mallory's mental breakdown prompted her to re-evaluate her approach to health and wellness. She discusses the crucial role therapy played in her recovery and the importance of learning to be flexible with her wellness practices.

- Listening to Intuition Mallory emphasizes the significance of tuning into your intuition around food and life. She provides practical advice on how to cultivate a healthier, more balanced relationship with food and personal well-being.

- The Role of Therapy: Explore the benefits of therapy in addressing and overcoming wellness obsession, and how it can aid in developing a more holistic approach to health.

This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone grappling with wellness obsession and seeking to break free from restrictive health norms. Mallory’s story is both inspiring and educational, providing listeners with tools to foster a more intuitive and flexible approach to wellness.

Connect with Mallory Paige:
- Instagram: @malloryjpage on Instagram
- Website: https://liveunrestricted.org

Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts and experiences on social media using #FullAndThrivingPodcast. Connect with Meg and Mallory to continue the dialogue on challenging wellness obsessions and embracing a balanced approach to health.

Subscribe and Review: If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the Full and Thriving Podcast and leave a review on [Apple Podcasts/Spotify/Your preferred platform]. Your feedback helps us continue to provide valuable content.

Tune in now to hear Mallory Paige’s transformative journey and learn how to break free from wellness obsession!

Meg's website:
www.meg-mccabe.com

Meg's Instagram:
www.instagram.com/meg_mccabe/

New Full and Thriving YouTube Channel:
https://bit.ly/3V6reYx

Sign up for a free 1:1 coaching consultation with Meg
http://bit.ly/3A1Cw5r

Download and Listen to these free 200 eating disorder recovery affirmations: megmccabe.lpages.co/200-recovery-affirmations/

Grab your Full and Thriving Merch!!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryCollective

The Recovery Collective Instagram:
www.instagram.com/the_recoverycollective/

Watch and Subscribe to The Meg and Anne-Claire Show
https://bit.ly/3cdHfIx