In this deeply personal reflection, Colleen opens up about her own history with bulimia and the years she spent trying to control her body to manage her emotions. Inspired by Jennette McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died, she explores how disordered eating, drinking, and perfectionism all share the same root: unprocessed emotion and the desperate need to feel safe, seen, and in control.
Through her story — and Jennette's — Colleen reframes recovery as a compassionate, iterative process. True healing isn't about getting it right; it's about breaking the shame cycle that turns a slip into a slide.
She reminds us that slips are part of rewiring the brain, not proof of failure. Shame is what cements the pattern — compassion is what breaks it.
This episode invites listeners to soften around their own humanity, to stop waiting for perfection, and to practice self-acceptance as the foundation for lasting change.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Why perfectionism fuels relapse and self-sabotage
The "slip vs. slide" mindset and why it's essential for sustainable healing
How shame disguises itself as self-control
What emotional sobriety looks like beyond alcohol — in food, body, and identity
Why healing happens one processed emotion, one honest moment at a time
The goal isn't flawless behavior — it's emotional freedom.
If you are ready to get support from a community of women who are co-creating this change with intention and clarity— Click here to BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL.
Do you want help from Colleen with a situation you're struggling with? Click here to submit your question for Colleen's NEW Q&A episodes. Your name will not be mentioned on air!
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X (Twitter) : @NotAboutTheAlc
