In this deeply personal and unscripted episode of Full and Thriving, I’m opening up about my experiences during maternity leave and reflecting on the highs and lows of becoming a new mom. From the joy of welcoming my son, Jack, to navigating the challenges of postpartum recovery, I’m sharing my honest journey with all of you. I’ll take you through my birth story, the unexpected emotional rollercoaster I faced, and how my eating disorder recovery played a crucial role in my ability to embrace motherhood fully.

I’m also talking about the lessons I’ve learned, from setting boundaries and managing intrusive thoughts to recognizing the impact of anxiety on parenting. This episode is raw, real, and filled with insights I hope will inspire and support anyone on their recovery journey or navigating big life transitions.

What to expect:

• How my eating disorder recovery allowed me to experience the joys of motherhood.
• Why setting boundaries for myself and my family has been so important during this new chapter.
• How I’ve learned to navigate intrusive thoughts and postpartum anxiety with mindfulness and compassion.
• The role of societal pressures and personal expectations in parenting and how I’m letting go of comparison.
• How I’ve balanced the joy of motherhood with the challenges of unexpected life events.
• A reminder that recovery is vital for achieving your long-term dreams, like starting a family.

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!!
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
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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:
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

Samantha Joy is an Identity Coach to aspiring entrepreneurs and influencers. Her coaching approach focuses on the concept of minimalism, enabling others to shift their identity to their most authentic self by clearing out aspects of their life rooted in an old story. The result is enhanced mental clarity, an improved sense of self, and the ability to design an environment that attracts abundance and fulfillment.

Sam's website: https://www.thelesseffect.com/
Sam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samantha_joy__/
Purchase The Less Effect book: https://www.amazon.com/less-effect-Design-Happiness-Purpose-ebook/dp/B07B6VCY8M
The Less Effect Online Course: https://www.thelesseffect.com/tlewaitlist

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

In this week's episode, Meg begins with a life update, sharing her excitement about becoming an aunt to her first niece and the ongoing adventure of finding a new home with her partner Dan. Meg then delves into the crucial subject of healing disordered exercise. She explores the signs of disordered exercise and offers a range of practical insights to guide listeners toward a healthier relationship with movement. Throughout the episode, Meg emphasizes the significance of self-awareness, seeking professional support, exploring alternative activities, and fostering a supportive community. Join her in this episode on the journey towards a more balanced and thriving life through mindful movement and self-care.

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

In today's episode, we are joined by Chelsea Levy, MS, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian and co-facilitator of groups exploring food, body, and pleasure. Together, we unpack the connection between pleasure, embodiment, and safety, highlighting how trauma, diet culture, and disconnection from the body can prevent us from fully experiencing joy and satisfaction in life.

Chelsea explains the seven domains of pleasure and shares practical ways we can reconnect to these experiences. From understanding the role of somatics in pleasure to addressing barriers like body image and stress, this episode provides a compassionate approach to exploring what brings us true pleasure and connection.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from joy, struggled with body image, or believed you didn’t deserve pleasure, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable steps to reclaim pleasure in your life.

Episode Highlights:

• The Seven Domains of Pleasure
  Chelsea introduces the seven domains—physical, mental, emotional, sensory, creative, social, and spiritual—exploring how we can engage with each to cultivate joy and connection.
• The Link Between Safety and Pleasure
  Pleasure begins with feeling safe in your body. Chelsea discusses how exploring nervous system regulation and somatic practices can help open the door to pleasure.
• The Role of Embodiment
  Chelsea explains how embodiment—being present in the body—allows us to notice and savor sensations, helping us move away from cognitive disconnection and into the moment.
• Barriers to Pleasure
  Trauma, stress, diet culture, and negative body image can block our ability to feel joy. Chelsea shares strategies to create a sense of safety and identify preferences for comfort and pleasure.
• Practical Ways to Reconnect to Pleasure
  Tips for exploring pleasure include mindfulness, tuning into sensory experiences, creating a comfortable environment, and setting boundaries to meet your needs.
• Deserving Pleasure
  Chelsea reminds listeners that everyone deserves to experience pleasure, regardless of body size, past experiences, or societal messaging.

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

In this insightful solo episode of Full and Thriving, Meg dives deep into a topic that resonates with anyone seeking alignment and self-fulfillment: authenticity. This episode explores what it means to truly know yourself, trust your inner voice, and live in harmony with your unique personality, spirit, and values. Drawing from personal stories and practical insights, Meg shares tools to help listeners uncover their authentic selves while navigating the challenges of vulnerability, self-expression, and societal pressures.

Episode Highlights:

The Essence of Authenticity
Meg unpacks the true meaning of authenticity, emphasizing how it goes beyond outward appearance to encompass inner alignment and self-trust. She reflects on how her understanding of authenticity evolved over the years.

Why Living Authentically Matters
Meg explores how living out of sync with your true self can lead to dissatisfaction, anxiety, and even depression. She shares a vulnerable personal story about the consequences of inauthentic choices and the clarity that comes from reconnecting with your inner truth.

The Role of Emotions in Authenticity
A significant aspect of authenticity is emotional awareness. Meg discusses how identifying and expressing your emotions truthfully can unlock deeper connections with yourself and others, fostering healthier relationships and a stronger sense of self.

The Power of Vulnerability
Meg highlights how vulnerability—whether in expressing emotions, having difficult conversations, or pursuing long-held dreams—is essential for authentic living. She encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness.

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

In this insightful episode of Full and Thriving, we are joined by Sarah Lee, a Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach with over eight years of professional experience and a passion for helping others find lasting recovery. Sarah opens up about her personal journey navigating perimenopause after fully recovering from an eating disorder (ED) and how she has managed the physical, emotional, and body image challenges that come with aging and transitioning to menopause. As a coach who integrates faith into her practice, Sarah shares her wisdom on embracing life’s transitions and offers practical advice for women facing midlife changes.

Episode Highlights:

Understanding Perimenopause vs. Menopause

Sarah begins by explaining the key differences between perimenopause and menopause itself. She describes how her body began to change in unexpected ways during perimenopause, and how these changes impacted her mindset after years of recovery.

Sarah’s Personal Recovery Journey

Sarah shares her inspiring story of eating disorder recovery, which began over 18 years ago. She talks about how her experience in recovery has shaped her approach to life, self-care, and working as a coach. Her passion for supporting others in finding freedom from ED is evident throughout the episode.

Coping with Body and Appearance Changes in Midlife

Perimenopause brought on significant changes in Sarah’s body and appearance, which challenged her body image in some ways. In the episode, Sarah discusses how she dealt with these changes, including feelings of discomfort, and how she resisted the pressure to conform to societal standards around beauty and aging.

Handling Triggers after Recovery

Even after full recovery, Sarah has experienced moments of being triggered by the changes her body went through during perimenopause. She shares strategies she used to cope with these moments.

The Importance of Self-Care During Midlife Transitions

Sarah’s approach to self-care has evolved as she navigates aging and hormonal changes. She highlights how important it is to listen to your body, honor its needs, and adjust your self-care routines as life changes.
Resources for Women in Perimenopause

Throughout the conversation, Sarah shares valuable resources that have helped her manage perimenopause.. She also talks about the resources she found unhelpful, offering insights into what women in recovery should avoid during this transitional phase.



Connect with Sarah Lee:

Website: https://sarahleerecovery.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahleerecovery/

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

ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode, we re-uploaded Holiday Replay Meg and Sammy discuss intuitive eating, combating holiday diet culture, handling unsolicited body and diet comments, and shares tips for responding gracefully. Learn how to navigate these situations, role-play potential scenarios, and discover when it's okay to walk away.

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Sammy Previte RD, LDN, CPT a Registered Dietitian, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Certified Personal Trainer, owner of Find Food Freedom, co-host of What The Actual Fork Podcast, and host of the Find Food Freedom Podcast! Sammy enjoys working with all different populations. Her favorite part about being a dietitian is helping others create peace with food. Many people believe that dietitians are the food police–this is simply untrue. Sammy believes that food was made to provide our bodies with nourishment and pleasure. Sammy treats each client with individualized care based on their specific needs. Sammy and the entire team at Find Food Freedom are proud to say that they do not support the $72 billion diet industry. Find Food Freedom is rooted in Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size (HAES). Find Food Freedom believes that all humans deserve fair, unbiased health care regardless of the size of their bodies.

Checkout Sammy:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitiansammy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammyprevite

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

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

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