Welcome to another inspiring episode of Fly to Freedom! Today, I am thrilled to be joined by the incredible Dr Anita Johnston, a true pioneer in the field of eating disorder recovery. Dr Johnston is a depth psychologist, international speaker, and the author of the transformative book Eating in the Light of the Moon, now available in seven languages.

For nearly 40 years, Dr Johnston has been helping individuals understand the deeper emotional and psychological layers of their relationship with food. In this episode, we explore her fascinating approach to decoding the hidden messages in food through metaphor, mythology, and storytelling.

Dr Anita Johnston’s Website: dranitajohnston.com

Online Community: Light of the Moon Café

Ai Pono Maui Clinic: aipono.com

Free Food & Metaphor Guide: lightofthemooncafe.com/mygift

Dr Johnston’s insights into the metaphorical language of food will leave you reflecting on your own relationship with eating and inspire you to explore a deeper understanding of yourself.

💌 Let’s Connect: If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Message me on Instagram, leave a comment, or share this episode with someone who might benefit from it.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help others discover these meaningful conversations. See you next week!

Highlights:Resources Mentioned:

What does eating disorder recovery truly mean? In this transformative episode of Fly to Freedom, I uncover the deeper meaning of recovery. It’s not just about overcoming the fear of eating or stopping destructive behaviours—it’s about rediscovering who you are, learning to meet your needs, and creating a life that aligns with your authentic self.

Whether you are struggling with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, orthorexia, or any other eating disorder, FOOD is often a symptom and not the real problem. Recovery is about addressing the deeper layers—emotional, psychological, and physical—that contribute to the eating disorder, helping you build a life of freedom and self-compassion.

In this episode, I’ll explore:

• Why recovery is about more than food and weight gain fears.
• How to reconnect with your emotions and let go of the “shoulds.”
• Building trust with your body and listening to its signals for hunger, rest, and care.
• The power of gratitude and how it can transform your journey.
• Practical tips and reflective questions to help you embrace self-discovery in recovery.

Recovery isn’t a fixed destination—it’s a lifelong journey of growth, learning, and becoming more aligned with your true self. Whether you’re in the early stages of anorexia recovery or further along in your eating disorder recovery, this episode will inspire and empower you to move forward with compassion and curiosity.

Key Takeaways:

• Let go of perfection and focus on reconnecting with your messy, beautiful, real self.
• Embrace the full range of your emotions—they’re signals, not enemies.
• Start trusting your body—it’s your ally, not your enemy.
• Small steps matter: Set boundaries, say no when you mean no, and prioritise your needs.
• Gratitude shifts your mindset from scarcity to abundance, helping you find joy in the present moment.

Reflective Questions to Support Your Recovery:

1. What does recovery mean to you?
2. How often do you prioritise others’ needs over your own?
3. What would it feel like to live a life free of the “shoulds”?
4. What’s one step you can take today to reconnect with your authentic self?

💬 Let’s continue the conversation! Share your reflections or questions with me—send a message or journal your thoughts privately.

What Happens When You Put Two Passionate Therapists in a Room? You get nearly an hour of great conversation, so settle in with a cuppa and listen to this wonderful conversation. Please do remember to rate the episode.

Show Notes:
In this raw, unfiltered, and powerful episode of Fly to Freedom, I sit down with Jennifer Cox, psychotherapist, co-host of the global hit Women Are Mad podcast, and author of the award-winning book Women Are Angry: Why Your Rage is Hiding and How to Let it Out.

Jennifer brings her unrelenting passion to the conversation as we dive into the hidden emotional cages women are placed in, the societal pressures to suppress anger, and the real-life consequences of internalised emotions.

From sharing her experiences as a therapist to unpacking her personal journey, Jennifer holds nothing back as we tackle tough questions about feelings, boundaries, and the untapped power of rage when it’s expressed in healthy, transformative ways.

💡 Why Listen?

• Discover why women are conditioned to suppress anger and how this impacts mental and physical health.
• Explore the link between repressed emotions and eating disorders, autoimmune diseases, and beyond.
• Hear personal stories from Jennifer and me about reclaiming anger and using it as a tool for healing.
• Learn actionable steps to process and release your emotions safely.
• Get a behind-the-scenes look at Jennifer’s movement, her podcast, and how her book is changing lives.

🎙 Gold Nuggets from the Episode:

• “Feelings just want to be felt.”
• “If you’re feeling it, it’s valid. That’s the only criterion.”
• “When we suppress anger, it doesn’t disappear—it waits.”
• “Healthy relationships begin with learning to say no and articulating your needs.”

📚 About Jennifer Cox and Her Book
Jennifer’s book Women Are Angry is a game-changer for anyone navigating repressed emotions. Named Best Self-Help Book of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times, it’s not just a book—it’s a movement. If you’ve ever struggled with expressing your feelings or understanding why they matter, this is a must-read.

➡️ Grab your copy of Women Are Angry [here]

(Please note that I may earn a tiny commission from your purchase but it will cost no more to you.)

Connect with Jennifer

• Instagram: @JenniferCoxPsychotherapist
• WAM Movement Instagram: @womenaremad
• Podcast: Women Are Mad
• Website: womenaremad.org

This episode is packed with insights and tools you can start using today. Share your thoughts, DM me on Instagram, or leave a comment on the Fly to Freedom podcast page. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this with someone who needs to hear it.

In this powerful episode, I explore the deep connection between people-pleasing, the "good girl" mindset, and eating disorder recovery. If you’ve ever felt like your worth is tied to how much you give, how little you need, or how small you can make yourself, this episode is for you.

Topics I cover include:

• How people-pleasing develops – Discover how childhood experiences like parentification and societal expectations create the good girl mindset.
• The role of guilt in eating disorders – Understand how guilt can fuel restrictive behaviours and prevent you from meeting your own needs.
• The link to anorexia recovery – Learn how patterns of self-sacrifice and guilt manifest in disordered eating and keep you stuck in cycles of restriction.
• Steps to break free – Practical tips to set boundaries, say no, and begin prioritising your own needs without guilt.

This episode is a compassionate guide to unravelling the good girl mindset and reconnecting with your authentic self. You’ll gain insights into how these behaviours impact your body, mind, and relationships and find encouragement to take those first steps toward healing and self-acceptance.

Key Takeaways

• The connection between guilt and restrictive eating – How trying to stay "good" perpetuates disordered behaviours.
• Small steps to reclaim your needs – Simple strategies to practise saying no and honour your body’s signals.
• Freedom from people-pleasing in anorexia recovery – Why self-worth isn’t tied to sacrifice and how to embrace a new, joyful way of living.

At the end of the episode, I share a special visualisation exercise to help you imagine your life free from guilt, people-pleasing, and the good girl mindset.

✨ You don’t have to sacrifice yourself to be worthy. Freedom from guilt, restriction, and self-sacrifice is possible, and it starts with choosing yourself.

🎧 Listen now to take the next step in your eating disorder recovery journey. Find it on your favourite podcast platform or search Fly To Freedom.

📌 Let’s connect!
If this episode resonates with you, message me or leave a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts and support you on your recovery journey.

What happens when eating disorder recovery becomes a shared journey—strengthening not just individuals but the relationships that support them?

Supporting someone through anorexia recovery can feel overwhelming, especially when you're unsure how to help without triggering setbacks. This episode dives into the powerful journey of a couple navigating recovery together, offering real-life insights and practical advice for anyone supporting a loved one through anorexia recovery.

• Gain actionable insights into supporting someone with compassion while protecting your own well-being.
• Discover the ripple effect of recovery and how it can strengthen relationships and inspire positive change.
• Learn practical tips for celebrating small wins and fostering meaningful communication in recovery.

Start building your recovery toolkit today—sign up for our email list for exciting upcoming news and weekly support and mantras.

If this episode resonated with you, take the next step toward freedom—I’m here to help you.

For my gold standard 1:1 coaching, reach out to me here: https://juliatrehane.com/begin-your-recovery/

I also offer lots of free resources:
Sign up to receive my free recovery guide when you join my email community. You can do this here.

Follow me on Instagram for lots of helpful tips: @juliatrehane

Don’t forget to follow this podcast and if you enjoyed it, give it a lovely review, as this helps other people benefit from it too!

A Christmas Meditation for Eating Disorder Recovery

This week’s episode is something a little different—a Christmas meditation designed to help you ground yourself during the festive season. The holidays can bring challenges, but taking time to centre yourself and find calm can make all the difference. This guided meditation is here to support you through the tricky moments and help you reconnect with peace.

🎁 Free Resource: Managing Triggers PDF
There is a free PDF on how to manage triggers during the festive season available to you. It’s packed with actionable tips and strategies to help you navigate difficult situations and stay on track with your recovery. Click here to download it.

📅 A Quick Note About Next Week
There won’t be a podcast episode next week on Christmas Eve. I'll be back with a lovely guest episode on New Year's Eve.

I hope you have a safe, enjoyable Christmas filled with moments of kindness and self-compassion. Remember, recovery is a journey, and you’re not alone in it.

✨ If this meditation resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts as I may publish more of them in the future.

Feel free to message me on Instagram or email me—your feedback means the world.

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful recovery this Christmas. 💛

In this episode, we explore one of the most transformative aspects of eating disorder recovery: boundaries.

Setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable, especially when it involves family, but they are essential for protecting your recovery journey and prioritising your well-being.

🎙️ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why boundaries are crucial in eating disorder recovery.

• How guilt, discomfort, and fear are signals of growth.

• Practical ways to set boundaries with kindness and compassion.

• Tips for handling family dynamics and conversations during the holiday season.

• How boundaries strengthen relationships and help you protect your mental space.

Whether you’re just beginning your eating disorder recovery or looking to strengthen your healing, this episode will guide you in embracing boundaries as a powerful tool for self-respect and growth.

Resources and Support:If you’d like to learn more about this topic, listen to the full episode and keep it handy for moments when you need a reminder to prioritise yourself.

Apart from this podcast, you can find much more information from me here:Website: ⁠https://juliatrehane.com/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/juliatrehane/⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090553513117⁠

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a mindful holiday season! 🎄