17. Emily McGovern's journey from living with ARFID to finding eating disorder recovery

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), is an eating disorder in which a person significantly limits the amount or variety of food they consume due to sensory sensitivities, fear of aversive consequences, or overall lack of interest.

In this episode, Kait sits down with Emily McGovern who shares her lived experience with an eating disorder that began when she was just four years old. What many brushed off as “just being a picky eater” eventually revealed itself as ARFID. Emily shares her transformative experience in eating disorder recovery and highlights the importance of community and support during said recovery. The conversation highlights the emotional struggles, coping mechanisms, and the journey towards self-acceptance and personal growth that Emily experienced during her recovery journey.

Episode topics:

• Emily’s early struggles with food (2:03)
• Understanding ARFID and its impact (4:34)
• Emily’s transformative experience in eating disorder recovery (14:30)
• The importance of community in Emily’s recovery (16:22)
• How to navigate personal relationships when people aren’t sure how to provide support (21:29)
• Emily shares what she grieved about the eating disorder during recovery (26:08)
• Emily speaks about the non-linear nature of recovery (29:56)
• How Emily challenged stigmas that surround eating disorders (39:49)
• The importance to Emily of finding positivity and creative outlets (42:13)
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Episode guest: Emily McGovern is a blogger and mental health advocate. She runs Embracing Emily, a lifestyle blog with over 3,000 readers, where she shares reflections on wellness and recovery. On Instagram, @embracingemilyslife, she offers a more personal look into her world, sharing glimmers of daily life, mental health advocacy, and moments of inspiration for her community.

Content Warning: This episode contains brief mentions of eating disorder behaviors that Emily has previously engaged in. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you and your recovery.

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