TW: This episode includes conversation around eating disorders and disordered eating.

In honour of Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024, Kelsey Wells and Kayla Jessop - Registered Dietitian, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and an approved supervisor - have joined forces to raise awareness of and provide education on the prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorders in the United States.

This episode is real, raw and honest - covering everything from Kelsey’s very personal experience with disordered eating growing up and into the last few years of her career.

Kayla also helps sheds light on harmful misconceptions around eating disorders, the early signs and symptoms to look out for, and how individuals or loved ones can reach out for help and begin healing.

If you find yourself or a loved one struggling with food or the relationship with their body, just know that you are not alone. Please see a list of resources below that provide a safe space to get help:

US - National Alliance for Eating Disorders Website: www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com
US - National Alliance for Eating Disorders Free Helpline: +1 (866) 662-1235
US - NEDA: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-help
AUS - Butterfly Foundation Website: www.butterfly.org.au
US/Utah - Kayla Jessop Website: www.kaylajessopnutrition.com

1:00 - Introduction to Kayla
3:00 - Kayla's background
5:30 - How Kayla & Kelsey connected
7:12 - Kelsey’s personal experience with disordered eating
10:29 - Kelsey’s personal poem about her experience
22:54 - When life feels out of control
24:10 - Kayla’s thoughts as a Dietician on Kelsey's poem
27:25 - Comments & words can last a lifetime
28:35 - Being mindful of our words
31:00 - Denial
33:58 - How you view yourself
36:28 - Amount of mental space negative thoughts take up
42:21 - Impacts & dangers of restriction
45:00 - Seeking help
45:35 - Difference between eating disorders & distorted eating
48:29 - Dismantling the shame
50:00 - Early intervention is one of the biggest helpers
58:00 - Statistics around eating disorders
52:50 - All thoughts are invalid
57:54 - Key Statistics
1:02 - Never too late to turn it around
1:04 - How to be a good role model for our children