Shows
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryI’m a Girl, Not a Woman! A Neurodivergent Conversation About Body, Burnout, and Everything in Between (w/ Kenyan)🌈 JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP! https://www.livlabelfree.com/membership📚 AUTISM & ED RECOVERY BOOKS: https://livlabelfreebooks.com✨ 1-1 COACHING W/ LIVIA: https://www.livlabelfree.com/1-on-1-coaching
Are you afraid of growing up and being healthy in a female body? Livia and Kenyan both resonate with feeling like a girl but CRINGE when they’re called a “woman.” This episode explores the connection between autism, eating disorders, masking, burnout, and feeling like an alien in your own body!
MENTIONED EPISODES:I Feel Trapped in a BodyAutistic Burnout & InjuryWatch my episode on Divergent Conve2025-07-1558 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryHow to Get Out of Quasi Recovery w/ Victoria KleinsmanQuasi recovery is worse than having an eating disorder. In today's episode, Livia and Victoria chat about their experiences with quasi recovery, why the map is a trap, and how to begin trusting your inner wisdom. If you enjoy this episode and want to dive deeper into the topics discussed, you will LOVE Livia's new book How to Get Out of Quasi Recovery!
👉 Grab your copy: https://livlabelfree.com/quasirecoverybook
Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM🌐 WEBSITE📚 BOOKS2025-06-171h 23
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryIt's your f*cking life! w/ Wouter KleinsmanDo you feel like you’re never good enough? Livia Sara and Wouter Kleinsman both know what it’s like to chase illusory fulfillment through external identities. In this confrontational conversation, Livia and Wouter discuss how labels imprison us, why conformity is a trap, and how the story you tell yourself is the story that narrates your life.
Episode highlights:
Why breaking free from the system is the only path to genuine freedom
The connection between autism, black-and-white thinking, and eating disorders
How to shift from victim mentality to consciously writing your own story
Why qualifications are bull...2025-06-091h 20
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryExistential Claustrophobia, When Giftedness Feels Like Pressure, and the Power of Authentic ConnectionHave you ever felt that your "gifts" were more of a burden than a blessing? In this Autistically ED-Free Membership call recording, Livia and the community explore the concept of "existential claustrophobia" – that suffocating feeling of being confined within a finite physical form while having an infinitely expansive inner being. Members share their raw experiences of how giftedness, existential anxiety, and neurodivergence can create unique pressures that often manifest as disordered eating. Through authentic, unscripted conversation, this episode reveals how many of us use food behaviors as protective mechanisms when our souls feel too vast for our bodies.
...2025-06-021h 13
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAre Eating Disorders A Form of Autistic Masking?What if ED behaviors in autistic people were not problems to be fixed, but rather, powerful adaptations to feel safe? More specifically, what if eating disorders themselves are a form of autistic masking? In this episode, Livia Sara explains how eating disorders can manifest through three distinct types of masks, why neurodiversity-affirming approaches form the foundation of freedom, and how to discover your true self – without the masks of fear and limitation.
Highlights of today’s episode:
How autistic masking can be seen as a survival strategy in a neurotypical world
How the eating disorder forms thre...2025-05-2640 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryExistentialism, OCD, “Atypical” Anorexia, and Being an Autistic Alien w/ Dr. Marianne MillerDo you or a loved one ever feel like you were born on the wrong planet? Livia Sara and Dr. Marianne Miller both know what it’s like to experience life as a neurodivergent alien. The existential loneliness that comes with this sense of alienation can be so unbearable that the eating disorder becomes an escape – a way to create a sense of meaning and purpose when you feel lost.
In today’s episode, Livia and Marianne discuss how eating “disorders” are adaptive responses to a threatening world, emphasizing the importance of listening to stories of lived experience...2025-05-1949 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery“Unnecessary calories”What if unnecessary calories were one of the most necessary aspects of living a meaningful life? In today’s episode, Livia Sara explores the concept of “unnecessary calories” through a client’s fear of butter, revealing how this restrictive thinking is actually a manifestation of deeper existential fears. You’ll learn:
The hidden meaning behind labeling foods as having “unnecessary calories” and how it connects to the fear of being “wrong” in the world
Why diet culture’s contradictory messages can be particularly overwhelming for autistic individuals
How the scarcity mindset extends beyond food into every aspect of life, from productiv...2025-05-1222 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery"That's your eating disorder talking"What if we viewed “eating disorder behaviors” as adaptive responses to an unsafe world? In this special episode, Livia Sara is interviewed by Harriet Parsons and Jenny Langley from the BodyWhys Podcast about her view of reframing eating disorders as adaptations, and how this perspective can support individuals moving from quasi recovery to a life of freedom and purpose.
Highlights of the episode:
Livia shares her personal journey with anorexia from age 11-18 and how her autistic traits influenced both her eating disorder development and recovery path
The concept of quasi recovery as the frustrating middle grou...2025-05-0550 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryCalorie Counting, Walking, and Binge Eating: Is it Autism or the Eating Disorder?Traditional eating disorder recovery advice tends to be harmful for autistic people. Many regulation techniques are often labeled as behaviors to be eliminated, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness. But there is another way!
In today’s episode, Livia speaks to Rob about his personal journey with binge eating disorder and how discovering his autism has helped him develop more effective coping strategies. We discuss the limitations of one-size-fits-all approaches to recovery, the concept of the “adaptive eating spectrum,” and the importance of forging your own path when it comes to living a meaningful life.
Key...2025-04-2858 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery[PART 2] Autism and Anorexia Athletica: How to Use Your Autistic Traits to Heal Your Relationship with ExerciseIt’s no secret that people with anorexia often engage in excessive amounts of exercise. When you combine that hallmark restlessness with neurodivergent traits like anxiety, perseverance, masking, and a constant state of fight-or-flight mode, you have the perfect storm for exercise addiction. But what if these same traits could become powerful tools in ED recovery? In the second installment of this 2-part series on Autism and Anorexia Athletica, Livia Sara explains how to transform movement from an escape into an energetic outlet. You’ll discover how three autistic traits can influence our relationship with exercise and how to harn...2025-04-0821 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery[PART 1] Autism and Anorexia Athletica: Understanding Exercise Addiction in Autistic People with Eating DisordersWhen you think of exercise addiction and eating disorders, you might picture someone trying to burn calories or using movement as punishment. But for neurodivergent individuals, the story often looks different. In today’s episode, host Livia Sara shares her journey with exercise addiction through an autistic lens, challenging common misconceptions and offering a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between autism, movement, and eating disorders.
You'll learn:
How the athlete identity can become a mask for undiagnosed autism
Why labels like "compulsive exercise" may oversimplify the complex motivations behind movement in autistic individuals
How exercise restricti...2025-04-0114 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryWhat If I Can't Handle Being Healthy?"What if I can't handle being healthy?"
This question haunted me for years, echoing through my thoughts each time I contemplated recovery. My eating disorder was never about the food, the weight, or even the physical aspects of health – it was about what being "well" would mean. Because being healthy meant being responsible.
In this episode, we explore how eating disorders can function as a shield against adulthood, particularly for neurodivergent individuals navigating a neurotypical world. Through examining the complex relationship between autism and anorexia, you'll discover why recovery isn't just about changing behaviors – it's abou...2025-03-1817 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryThis Too Shall Pass: Crisis Support for Autism & Eating DisordersAre you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or in crisis? You're not alone. As someone who understands the unique challenges at the intersection of autism and eating disorders, I've created this guided audio to be your hand to hold in moments of darkness and despair.
What This Recording Offers:
Immediate anxiety and panic relief through guided breathing
Grounding techniques for autistic people and their caregivers
Supportive affirmations for meltdowns and shutdowns
Compassionate guidance from someone who understands the autism-anorexia connection
A reliable resource to return to during moments of crisis
Having navigated both autism and eating disorder recov...2025-03-1007 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryExercise Addiction, Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, and The Power of Intention w/ Ashleigh Marie HubbardWhen does dedication to fitness become a dangerous obsession? Is it healthy to lose weight after an eating disorder? In today’s episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia Sara chats with Ashleigh Marie Hubbard, a certified nutrition and health coach who’s passionate about helping people build sustainable habits and improve their relationship with food, exercise, and their bodies. We delve into the following topics:
The psychological impact of wrapping your entire identity in being "the athlete" and exercise addiction
How the all-or-nothing mindset can sabotage sustainable progress in health and fitness
A nuanced conversation around inte...2025-03-041h 02
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery[PART 3] Making Peace with Weight Gain in Eating Disorder RecoveryHow can autistic people make peace with weight gain in eating disorder recovery? After exploring the underlying reasons for the fear of weight gain in Part 1 and Part 2 of this weight gain series, Part 3 is all about how to accept a healthy body. Livia challenges the conventional “love your body” narrative and instead, offers an ecological approach that particularly resonates with the autistic mind.
You'll learn:
Why the illusion of control in eating disorders becomes a prison rather than protection
How extreme hunger challenges our perception of recovery, especially when already weight restored
The transformation of view...2025-02-1812 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery[PART 2] Fear of Weight Gain in Autism and AnorexiaFor many autistic people with anorexia, the fear of weight gain has nothing to do with a desire to be thin. In Part 2 of this Fear of Weight Gain Series, Livia unpacks eight reasons why autistic people may fear weight gain – that are unrelated to body image concerns.
You'll learn:
How sensory sensitivities can make weight gain feel like being trapped in an ill-fitting costume
Why the numbing effects of restriction can be particularly appealing for the autistic nervous system
The complex relationship between autism, existential anxiety, and body changes
How identity and predictability needs complicate th...2025-02-1114 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery[PART 1] Fear of Weight Gain in Autism and AnorexiaWhy do autistic people fear weight gain? Contrary to popular belief, autistic folks with anorexia may not deal with body image issues or have a fear of fatness. In Part 1 of this 3-part Fear of Weight Gain Series, Livia explains how eating disorders can serve as survival mechanisms in an overwhelming world. She also shares her personal story of anorexia without body dysmorphia, highlighting how traditional treatment approaches can cause harm when they fail to recognize the intersection between autism and anorexia.
You'll learn:
Why the "fear of fatness" narrative fails to capture many autistic experiences...2025-02-0413 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryBut Restriction Helps Me Focus!Many people assume that eating more and gaining weight in anorexia recovery will automatically lead to improved focus, mood, and energy. But for many, the reality feels different. In this episode, Livia dives into the biological and psychological reasons why restriction can create a sense of sharpness and focus – and why this state, while enticing, comes at a significant cost.
Through a powerful metaphor, Livia explains how the body’s survival systems operate like a city power grid and reveals the hidden trade-offs of running on “emergency power.” You’ll also learn about the addictive nature of the “restr...2025-01-2814 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryCreating Flexible Routines in Autistic ED RecoveryRoutines play an important role in the lives of autistic individuals, offering structure and safety – but they can also lead to challenges, especially when paired with eating disorders. In this episode, Livia and Mike delve into how routines shape autistic experiences, how they intersect with food and movement behaviors, and why flexibility is crucial for recovery. Together, they explore how to navigate change in a way that feels safe and sustainable for the neurodivergent mind.
Key Topics Discussed:
The role of routines in autism and eating disorders
The importance of replacing judgment with curiosity
Why routine disr...2025-01-2152 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryThe Recovery Trap: How “All In” Keeps You StuckThe term "all in recovery" has gained traction in eating disorder spaces, but does it really lead to true freedom? In this episode, Livia Sara unpacks the origins, misconceptions, and limitations of the all in approach. Through the lens of her own recovery journey, she explores how labels like "all in" or "in recovery" can keep us stuck in cycles of black-and-white thinking and perpetuate the eating disorder identity.
You’ll learn:
The origins of the "all in" approach and its focus on hypothalamic amenorrhea
Why "all in recovery" can perpetuate black-and-white thinking
The connection between au...2025-01-1423 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryThe Truth About Black-and-White Thinking in Autism and Eating DisordersBlack-and-white thinking, also known as all-or-nothing or polarized thinking, is often labeled as a barrier to recovery for autistic individuals with eating disorders. But what if this mindset isn't a flaw to fix, but an adaptive response designed to protect and conserve energy in an overwhelming world? In this episode, you’ll learn:
The role of black-and-white thinking in neurodivergent individuals
How rigid thinking develops as an adaptive survival mechanism
How combined autism and anorexia impact cognitive processing
Why traditional treatment approaches can increase trauma
Practical strategies to explore flexibility in recovery
The philosophy of choice and the "di...2025-01-0722 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryQ&A: Overcoming Analysis Paralysis and Building Sustainable RoutinesIn this follow-up Q&A episode, Livia and Mike tackle two insightful listener questions about navigating daily challenges as neurodivergent entrepreneurs. With practical tips and lived experience, they unpack how to overcome analysis paralysis, create flexible routines, and manage the pressure of perfection.
You’ll learn:
How to balance structure with flexibility in daily life
Tips for creating sustainable routines without hyper-focusing on food, exercise, or work
Strategies for managing mealtime stress and maintaining autonomy
Ways to overcome analysis paralysis and make decisions with confidence
How to handle demand avoidance while fostering autonomy
Coping strategies for anxiety...2025-01-0244 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryDemand Avoidance in Autism and Eating Disorder RecoveryDemand avoidance can be one of the most misunderstood aspects of autism, especially when it intersects with eating disorders. What may seem like defiance or resistance is often an attempt to preserve autonomy and regain a sense of safety. In this episode, I’ll be breaking down what Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) really is, how it impacts eating behaviors, and why reframing our approach can make all the difference in supporting recovery.
You'll learn:
What PDA is and why it’s better understood as a Pervasive Drive for Autonomy
How food and eating can feel like dema...2024-12-2319 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryFBT: Helpful or Harmful for Autistic People with Eating Disorders?Family-Based Therapy (FBT), often hailed as the "gold standard" for eating disorder treatment, claims to help families take control of recovery. Unfortunately, this approach can be harmful for autistic people. In this episode, Livia shares her lived experience and insights on why FBT can clash with the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals. From issues of autonomy to the oversimplified prioritization of weight gain, we’ll explore how "evidence-based" treatments often overlook neurodivergence.
You'll learn:
The basics of FBT and its three-phase structure
Why FBT's focus on control and weight gain can fail neurodivergent in...2024-12-1617 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryQ&A: Autistic Burnout and Energy DebtAre you or someone you care for always in fight-or-flight mode? In today’s episode, I’m sharing how a foot injury forced me to stop, rest, and confront the fears I’d been avoiding for years – stillness, emptiness, and a relentless desperation to distract myself. I also answer a listener question about viewing autistic burnout through the lens of energy debt. We’ll explore why this parallel makes so much sense, unpacking some of the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face in eating disorder recovery.
Episode Highlights:
How a foot injury became a wake-up call to confront s...2024-12-1025 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryHow I Recovered from an Eating Disorder as an Autistic PersonTraditional eating disorder treatment tends to overlook the unique needs of autistic individuals. This leads to invalidation, trauma, and harmful labels. In today's episode, I share my personal story of growing up undiagnosed autistic, how this shaped my eating disorder, and the journey I took to find true freedom. Whether you or someone you care about is struggling with food, exercise, or body image, this episode sheds light on the complex interplay between autism and eating disorders – and why recovery is 100% possible.
You'll learn:
The role of autistic masking in eating disorder development
How existential questions and...2024-12-0323 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAnorexia and Autism: Could Interoception Be the Missing Piece?Interoception, the sense that helps us recognize our internal bodily signals like hunger and thirst, is often impaired in individuals with autism and eating disorders. But could this "missing sense" be the key to understanding the overlap between autism and anorexia? In this episode, I explore how interoceptive challenges affect emotional regulation, self-perception, and body image, drawing connections between science and lived experience.
You'll learn:
What interoception is and how it impacts everyday life
The role of the insula in interoceptive awareness
How interoceptive challenges contribute to autistic traits and anorexia behaviors
The link between interoception a...2024-11-2624 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryTrauma-Informed Care for Eating Disorders and Sensory Sensitivities w/ JessEating disorders present unique challenges for people with sensory sensitivities, which is why traditional treatment can do more harm than good. In this episode, Livia and Jess share their lived experience of neurodivergence and eating disorders, delving into the importance of trauma-informed care for neurodiversity-affirming eating disorder recovery.
Key Topics Discussed:
Managing environmental overwhelm
Speech challenges and developmental processing delays
The link between sensory sensitivity and eating disorder development
Iatrogenic harm in eating disorder treatment
The need for trauma-informed care in eating disorder treatment
Polyvagal Theory and our nervous system's response to stress and trauma
Neurodivergent perspecti...2024-11-2242 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAutism and Binge Eating Part 4: Why it's All or Nothing!Welcome to part 4 of my series on autism and binge eating! In this final episode, we explore some of the key psychological and hormonal factors that contribute to binge eating in neurodivergent individuals. From black and white thinking to decision fatigue and hormonal changes, this episode covers the many reasons why autistic people may struggle with binge eating.
You'll learn:
A recap of Parts 1-3, including interoception, extreme hunger, the nervous system, sensory experiences, procrastination, and autistic inertia
How black and white thinking can lead to rigid rules around food, contributing to binge eating behaviors
The...2024-11-1419 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAutism and Binge Eating Part 3: Procrastination, Transitions, and Autistic InertiaWelcome to part 3 of my series on autism and binge eating! In this episode, we dive deeper into the relationship between procrastination, transitions, and binge eating. Autistic people often struggle with transitions and experience something called autistic inertia, both of which can play significant roles in overeating and binge eating behaviors.
You'll learn:
A recap of Part 1 and Part 2, covering interoception, extreme hunger, and the sensory connection to food
How difficulty with transitions can lead to binge eating, especially when hyperfocus delays eating
Why compensatory binge eating may occur after prolonged periods of restriction or delayed...2024-11-1207 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAutism and Binge Eating Part 2: The Sensory Experience of FoodWelcome part 2 of my series on neurodivergence and binge eating! In this episode, we explore the sensory factors that contribute to why autistic and ADHD individuals may struggle with overeating or binge eating. We also discuss how this connects to the nervous system and how neurodivergent people experience sensory input in ways that impact eating behaviors.
You'll learn:
A basic overview of the nervous system and how it affects sensory processing
How nervous system dysregulation in neurodivergent individuals leads to living in a constant state of fight-or-flight mode
How the sensory experience of eating can either...2024-11-0716 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAutism and Binge Eating Part 1: Interoception, Hunger, and FullnessAutism and binge eating – is there a connection? While the relationship between autism and eating disorders is well-acknowledged, most of the conversation revolves around the restrictive side of the eating disorder spectrum, specifically anorexia and ARFID. Overeating and binge eating are much less discussed forms of disordered eating in the context of autism, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence. This is very problematic, considering many autistic people struggle with overeating.
Because every individual is deserving of validation and support, I’ve created this Autism and Binge Eating Series to shed light on the relationship between autism and overeating...2024-11-0516 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryOvercoming 40 YEARS of Eating Disorders w/ Julia TrehaneDo you believe you’re too old to recover from an eating disorder? Have you been struggling for so long that you don’t see a way out? You’re not alone, and today’s episode will show you that recovery is always possible! Livia Sara is joined by Julia Trehane, an eating disorder recovery coach who has herself recovered from over 40 years of anorexia, orthorexia and exercise addiction. She is now on a mission to use her own experience, research and knowledge to help others who are wanting to recover but struggling to do so. Julia is qualified in CBT f...2024-10-2956 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryExistential Suffering After an Eating DisorderAn eating disorder creates suffering – there’s no doubt about that – but can recovery itself cause suffering as well? This episode takes a philosophical and neurodiversity-affirming approach to creating purpose after an eating disorder, exploring how meaningful suffering can lead to a fulfilling life.
💗 Join my newsletter to receive episode updates🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders👉🏻 Join Autistically ED-Free Group Coaching
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS
📝 Read the blog post of this episode
You might also enjoy...Fear of Growing Up and Being HealthyAutism, Eating Diso...2024-10-2517 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryNavigating Orthorexia Recovery as a Gay Man w/ Jason WoodHow does the intersection of orthorexia, masculinity, and sexuality impact the journey to recovery? In today's episode, Livia Sara chats with Jason Wood. Jason turned his battle with orthorexia into a mission to break the stigma around men’s mental health by publishing his memoir Starving for Survival. He is proud to serve on the board for two eating disorder recovery organizations, Running in Silence and SoulPaws Recovery Project. Jason is the Director of Community Engagement at ANAD and facilitates the organization’s new men’s peer support group. Through speaking engagements, his writing, and his advocacy work, Jason strive...2024-10-2251 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryThe Hard Truth About Overshoot Weight in Eating Disorder RecoveryHave you surpassed your target weight in eating disorder recovery? Are you struggling to cope with weight gain and accept your larger body? This podcast episode is for you! Livia Sara explains the science behind body fat overshooting and how to deal with this challenging aspect of ED recovery. You'll learn:
Why it's important to overshoot your weight when recovering from an eating disorder
How long weight overshoot lasts
What you need to know about Set Point Weight Theory, BMI, and goal weights
How to lose your overshoot weight in anorexia recovery
Mindset shifts to cope with weight gain...2024-10-1717 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryBut I'm Already Weight Restored! Extreme Hunger Without Being UnderweightAre you worried that your extreme hunger isn't valid because you're already weight restored? You're not alone! I didn't experience physical extreme hunger until I was at the highest weight I'd ever been in my life. Because I was suddenly so hungry, I feared I would gain weight forever if I gave into my extreme hunger at this point in my eating disorder recovery journey. I feared that I was "swinging to the other side" and developing binge eating disorder. If you resonate, you're not going to want to miss this episode! I explain why you have extreme hunger AF...2024-10-1418 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryExtreme Hunger or Binge Eating Disorder? How To Tell The Difference!Are you afraid that you're "swinging to the other side" and developing binge eating disorder after a restrictive eating disorder such as anorexia or orthorexia? You're not alone, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. One of the most common fears in ED recovery is the fear that honoring extreme hunger will lead you to become addicted to food and thus, become a binge eater. This is definitely a fear I had! In this episode, you'll learn the key difference between extreme hunger and binge eating disorder so you can embark on the recovery path that's right for...2024-10-1020 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryThe Science Behind Extreme Hunger in ED RecoveryExtreme hunger, like many aspects of eating disorder recovery, can be incredibly frightening. As an autistic person that always needs to know the "why" behind concepts so I can take informed action, understanding the science behind extreme hunger was an important part of my ED recovery journey. This episode delves into the role extreme hunger plays in achieving a state of full recovery, including:
What is extreme hunger and when does it happen in eating disorder recovery?
Biological reasons people with a history of restriction, such as anorexia or bulimia, experience extreme hunger
Different types of extreme hunger in ED...2024-10-0731 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryNo Longer Being Able to Restrict in ED RecoveryDo you feel like you've lost the ability to restrict in eating disorder recovery? Are you developing binge eating disorder after anorexia because you can't stop eating? In this episode, Livia shares her lived experience of no longer being able to restrict in anorexia recovery and how she overcame the frustrations around this.
👉🏻 Join Autistically ED-Free Group Coaching📚 Buy my books here💌 Receive Liv Label Free weekly emails
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE🫶 SUBSCRIBE2024-10-0410 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAre Eating Disorders Anxiety Disorders? w/ Chris SandelThe connection between eating disorders and anxiety has been well established, but what about seeing eating disorders as a form of anxiety? In today's episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia Sara chats with Chris Sandel, a nutritionist, coach and eating disorder expert. Chris is the founder and owner of Seven Health, a platform through which he helps people with eating disorders fully recover. Chris is trained in several specialties including Intuitive Eating, Health At Every Size, polyvagal theory, and trauma. He’s originally from Sydney and now lives in the UK with his wife Ali and 6-year-old so...2024-10-0154 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryReflecting on my Eating Disorder Through an Autistic LensEating disorder recovery can be a challenge for autistic folks due to difficulty with change, sensory aspects of weight gain, and the unpredictability around what will "replace" the eating disorder. In this episode, Livia talks about a recent hardship in her life, bringing it into parallel with her past eating disorder. She reflects on how many of her autistic traits manifested as disordered food and movement, and highlights how understanding the underlying neurodivergent traits creates compassion and kindness for neurodiversity-affirming eating disorder recovery.
Key Topics Discussed:
How Mundane Life Events Can Trigger Overstimulation
Autistic Difficulties Living with Othe...2024-09-2747 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryWhat to Expect from The Liv Label Free Podcast 🌈Do you want to increase your understanding of the link between neurodivergence and eating disorders? If so, you are in the right place! On the Liv Label Free Podcast, autism advocate and eating disorder survivor Livia Sara shares insights and strategies on how to make eating disorder recovery neurodiversity-affirming. You’ll learn how to use your autistic and ADHD traits to your advantage in ED recovery through a combination of science and lived experience. Whether you're here for yourself or to support a loved one struggling with disordered eating, everyone is welcome 🌈 Be sure to subscribe to stay up to da...2024-09-2501 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryHow Much Food is TOO Much in ED Recovery? (Autism Edition)Is there such a thing as too much food in eating disorder recovery? Most people would say no. However, for the autistic brain, the concept of "eating without limits" can be so abstract and overwhelming, that setting constraints around food can be a wonderful tool. In this episode, autism and eating disorder recovery coach Livia Sara explains how to use the neurodivergent need for limits to your advantage on your food freedom journey.
📚 Create your own Autism and Eating Disorders Book Bundle👉🏻 Join Autistically ED-Free Group Coaching🎧 Listen to 3 "ED Behaviors" That Are ACTUALLY Autistic Traits Part 1 an...2024-09-2412 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryHow I Eat Intuitively as a Neurodivergent Person Recovered From an Eating DisorderHow do I eat intuitively as an autistic person that’s recovered from an eating disorder? This is a question I’ve received so often, and for good reason! I talk all about food freedom, extreme hunger, and honoring your body’s needs, while at the same time talking about how autistic people may struggle with recognizing bodily cues and how many behaviors that may seem restrictive from an eating disorder lens are actually manifestations of autistic traits. So how does honoring hunger fit together with being autistic? Listen to this episode to find out!
Key Topics Discuss...2024-09-1929 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryOur favorite "weird" autistic food combinations! 🍫🥔🍦Many autistic people enjoy eating food combinations that are considered “weird” by society. Although “disordered” eating can often underlie the creation of odd meals, it’s critical to invite compassion and curiosity before accusing the behaviors of being “the eating disorder talking.”
In today's episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia Sara and her co-host Mike share some of their favorite “weird” food combinations! We also cover past treatment experiences and emphasize how different cultures have different ideas of what’s “normal.”
Get a taste of what we talk about:
Fast Food Memories
A Diabolical History of...2024-09-1649 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryNeurodivergent Meditation to Reduce Feeling OverwhelmedIf you're neurodivergent and feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. Navigating a world that wasn't built for you IS overwhelming! Listen to this guided mediation to reduce overwhelm so you can unleash your powerful neurodivergent energy 🌟
Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS
Listen to more meditations for autism, ADHD, and eating disorders here
Music from #Uppbeat (License code: RISQ0ZTSLKKGK3BD)2024-09-1411 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryInvalidation is Trauma with Dr. Megan Anna NeffWhy are neurodivergent people at an increased risk of experiencing trauma? In this episode, Livia Sara chats with Dr. Neff, a neurodivergent psychologist and founder of Neurodivergent Insights where she creates education and wellness resources for neurodivergent adults. Dr. Neff is the author of the book “Self-Care for Autistic People” and she has published in several peer-reviewed journals. Passionate about distilling complex research into visually accessible formats, she translates research into visual pixels which you can find on her website, Instagram, and digital workbooks. Beyond her visual endeavors, Dr. Neff co-hosts the "Divergent Conversations" podcast and spearheads a vibrant learn...2024-09-091h 03
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryA Neurodivergent Conversation About Addiction, Travel, and Entrepreneurship w/ Patrick CasaleCan being neurodivergent contribute to addiction? How can you make traveling easier as an autistic and ADHD individual? Why do autistic people make excellent entrepreneurs? In today’s episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia Sara chats with Patrick Casale, an AuDHD Licensed Clinical Mental Health and Addictions Therapist. Patrick is a group practice owner, motivational speaker, international retreat planner, and podcast host that empowers individuals to break the mold, work through their fears and insecurities, and embrace their authenticity. Topics discussed:
Patrick's personal journey with addiction
The impact of neurodivergence on addiction
Letting go of the add...2024-09-0251 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAutism, PMDD, and Extreme HungerIs PMDD related to autism and ADHD? How can experiencing extreme hunger in eating disorder recovery lead to PMDD? In today's episode, Livia Sara combines science and lived experience to uncover the intricate connection between extreme hunger, neurodivergence and PMDD. You'll learn:
How I healed hypothalamic amenorrhea and got my period back
The difference between PMS and PMDD
My neurodivergent experience of PMDD
Causes of PMDD including genetics, trauma, and sensitivities
Scientific research on autism, ADHD, and PMDD
📚 Grab your copy of How to Beat Extreme Hunger📝 Read the blog post of this episode (with sources)
C...2024-08-2626 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryThe Neurodivergent Experience of Extreme Hunger in ED RecoveryMy book “How to Beat Extreme Hunger” is here! In today’s episode, Livia and Mike discuss the experience of extreme hunger from a neurodivergent perspective, highlighting a variety of topics from the book. You’ll learn:
The harmful impact of extreme hunger being diagnosed as binge eating disorder
Using food to stim as an autistic ADHD individual
The frustration of not having mental hunger and physical hunger “match”
Gastroparesis and other digestive issues in ED recovery
Understanding restrictive eating disorders through a trauma lens
No longer being able to restrict in anorexia recovery
Developing ARFID due to sensory disc...2024-08-1251 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryUnderstanding Extreme Hunger from an Autistic PerspectiveExtreme hunger is SUCH a terrifying part of the recovery process and can be especially confusing when you're also autistic...but extreme hunger is also such an IMPORTANT part of eating disorder recovery, which is why it's essential you learn to recognize it! In today's episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia Sara connects extreme hunger with the autistic eating experience so you can FINALLY stop obsessing over food and exercise! You'll learn:
Why autistic people struggle with recognizing hunger
The correlation between interoception and hunger cues
Why autistic people are more likely to develop eating disorders
What hap...2024-07-3018 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAutistic Overthinking Meditation | Neurodiversity-Affirming Guided PracticeWelcome to this Liv Label Free Neurodiversity-Affirming Guided Meditation, designed especially for those experiencing overthinking and anxiety related to autism. This practice embraces and affirms your unique neurodivergent mind, providing a safe and supportive space to calm your thoughts and find inner peace.
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS2024-07-2211 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryCommunication secrets for autistic people with eating disorders and demand avoidance (Q&A with my mom Part 2)My mom is back for part 2 of our Q&A on autism and eating disorders! In today’s episode, we delve into the unique challenges faced by families when it comes to communication when dealing with autism and eating disorders. You’ll learn:
Tips to communicate with an autistic person struggling with food
How to build a safe and trusting environment in ED recovery
The guilt that accompanies going against treatment recommendations
How parents can encourage a sense of autonomy in their autistic child
Providing mealtime support during panic attacks
The importance of regulating your own nervous system as a...2024-07-1658 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryQ&A with my mom! Answering your questions about autism, eating disorders, FBT, and more! (Part 1)How do you best support an autistic child with an eating disorder? Is FBT helpful or harmful? Where can you get support as a parent? In today’s episode, Livia Sara and her mom Louise Alexandra answer listener questions about autism and eating disorders. You’ll learn:
Slow and painful realization that your child is developing an eating disorder
How an eating disorder is an attempted solution to existential crisis
Parental confusion around autism and eating disorders
Impact of diet culture on autistic children
Sibling experience of eating disorders
Harms of Family Based Therapy (FBT) aka Maudsley Method
Demand...2024-07-0857 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryProcrastinating MealtimesDo you delay eating until your to-do list is in order? Perhaps, you believe eating is more "enjoyable" when you save most of your calories for the night. Or maybe you just can't get out of the restrict-binge cycle that's controlling your days! If you want to gain practical strategies for cultivating a peaceful relationship with food, this episode is for you. You'll learn:
Biology behind why autistic people with eating disorders delay mealtimes
How habits impact your eating routines
How the state of your nervous system impacts your ability to eat
Creating an Ideal Eating Schedule in aut...2024-07-0122 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryWhy Unrestricted Eating Is For Life (Part 2 of my chat w/ Victoria Kleinsman)My dear friend Victoria Kleinsman is back! In part 2 of our chat on all things body image, bingeing, and creating the life you love, we discuss:
Fear of “letting yourself go” and losing control around food
Intuitive eating VS. intuition eating
How to find your happy weight without restricting
The importance of eating “junk food” in eating disorder recovery
No longer being able to restrict after anorexia
How to trust your body after trauma
Fear of becoming a sugar addict and developing diabetes in ED recovery
Needing recovery VS. wanting recovery
The experience of gaining weight while being recovered...2024-06-1758 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryBingeing on Body Love w/ Victoria KleinsmanWhat does it REALLY mean to love your body? Today, Livia chats with her bestie Victoria Kleinsman, a Food Freedom & Body Love Coach. After spending over 20 years battling eating disorders and being petrified of weight gain, Victoria empathizes with the challenges of anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Now living in food freedom and self-love, she coaches women on their journey to complete recovery from eating disorders through her signature REAL Recovery Roadmap approach. Victoria is on a mission to lead millions back home to self-love and to a positive relationship with food and their bodies through coaching and her...2024-06-0358 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryI Moved to Boston! + More Life UpdatesIt’s time for another update episode! Today, Livia is joined by her co-host Mike to share what’s been going on behind the scenes of Liv Label Free. We discuss:
Why I left the Netherlands
My upcoming extreme hunger book
The Dutch translation of Rainbow Girl
Experiences visiting Los Angeles
Why neurodivergers are more likely to be followed by security guards
The fragile truth about letting go of the eating disorder identity
Chasing an ADHD diagnosis as adults
Different types of neurodivergent hyperfocus
👉🏻 Join Group Coaching for Parents
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disord...2024-05-2050 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryFrom Picky Eating to Passionate Advocacy w/ George Muniz GundWhen it comes to understanding autism, picky eating, and the infinite array of neurodivergent traits, nothing is more powerful than stories of lived experience. In this episode, Livia Sara speaks with George Muniz Gund, a Brazilian American autistic and ADHD actor, neurodiversity acceptance and disability justice advocate, podcast host, and blogger.
Topics covered:
Autism and texture-based food aversions
Society's lack of patience for autistic food preferences
Realizing social differences at a young age
Struggles with traditional education as a neurodivergent person
How acting classes assisted with autistic unmasking
The journey of stepping into the role of...2024-05-0750 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryThe Truth About Atypical AnorexiaWhat is atypical anorexia and how does it differ from anorexia nervosa? This episode of the podcast uncovers the TRUTH about this eating disorder and validates the experience of individuals struggling with atypical anorexia. You'll learn:
How atypical anorexia is diagnosed
The role of BMI in eating disorders
Atypical anorexia prevalence
An alternative view of eating disorders as a spectrum of adaptive eating behaviors
📚 Get on the waitlist for How to Beat Extreme Hunger😱 Learn The Shocking Truth About BMI👉🏻 Join Group Coaching for Parents
Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS
📝 Check out...2024-04-0213 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryThe Difference Between Anorexia and ARFIDWhat’s the difference between anorexia and ARFID? Unfortunately, there is incredible confusion when distinguishing between these two eating disorders. In today’s episode, you’ll learn:
What is anorexia?
What is ARFID?
Anorexia vs ARFID: key differences
Overlapping symptoms of anorexia and ARFID
Why eating disorders are adaptive behaviors
Why autistic people may develop anorexia and/or ARFID
How to support someone with anorexia and/or ARFID
👉🏻 Join Group Coaching for Parents🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM2024-03-1919 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAutism, Anorexia, and MetabolismIs metabolism a possible connector of autism and anorexia? To date, there is meager scientific evidence of the role that metabolism plays in neurodiversity and eating disorders separately, much less the role it plays when the conditions co-occur. In this episode, you will learn two reasons why metabolism may be altered in autistic individuals and how this understanding can help us connect the seemingly invisible scientific dots to anorexia.
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM🌐 WEBSITE📚 BOOKS
2024-02-2720 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryNo Food Rules? Popular ED Recovery Advice That Does NOT Work For Autistic PeopleYou see the message everywhere: if you want to recover from an eating disorder, you have to let go of all the rules around food! While this may sound like the ultimate form of food freedom, it can hinder neurodivergent people from reaching their unique version of food freedom. In this episode, Livia share 3 reasons why food rules may be helpful for neurodivergent individuals.
👉🏻 Join Group Coaching for Parents
Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM🌐 WEBSITE📚 BOOKS
📝 Check out the blog post of this episode2024-02-2023 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryMindful Eating? Popular ED Recovery Advice That Does NOT Work For Autistic PeopleToday's episode explores why the popular eating disorder recovery advice to "eat mindfully" is not always accessible to neurodivergent individuals in recovery from disordered eating. You'll learn about a more neurodiversity-affirming approach to eating so you can reduce your anxiety around mealtimes!
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders🍩 Enroll in my course, Extremely Hungry to Completely Satisfied
Connect with Livia:🍩 INSTAGRAM🌐 WEBSITE📚 BOOKS
📝 Check out the blog post of this episode2024-02-1319 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryCreating Relationships Built on Trust and Safety in Eating Disorder Treatment w/ Harriet FrewWhat’s the BEST treatment for eating disorders? In this episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia chats with Harriet Frew about the importance of creating relationships built on trust and safety. Harriet Frew is a licensed therapist and host of The Eating Disorder Therapist Podcast. She is an experienced expert in the ED recovery space and has turned her MESS into her MESSage as she now helps others find freedom as well. Harriet shares:
The power and importance of lived experience in treating any mental health issue
Deeper problems with identity leading to anorexia and then buli...2024-02-0639 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryFinding Your Purpose After An Eating Disorder w/ Jemma Richards @lovethisfoodthingWhat does life look like after an eating disorder? Today, Livia chats with Jemma Richards, the creator and host of the Love This Food Thing Podcast. Her podcast pivots on the premise Is food friend or foe? and delves into how this relationship affects people’s behavior. Jemma believes that eating disorder behaviors are physical symptoms of internal distress, that is to say, symptomatic of an imbalanced relationship with the self. However, when properly understood and recovered from, these behaviors can be powerful healing tools. Topics discussed:
The eating disorder as a tangible manifestation of intangible fears
The realiz...2024-01-2352 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAutism or OCD? How to tell the difference!How can you tell whether a behavior is stemming from OCD or autism? In this episode, autism and eating disorder recovery coach Livia Sara explains the difference between OCD behaviors and autistic traits.
🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia👉🏻 Join Autistically ED-Free Group Coaching
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM🌐 WEBSITE📚 BOOKS
📝 Check out the blog post of this episode2024-01-0912 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryWhen food has to “make sense” (a common cause of eating disorders in autistic people)Do you or an autistic person you care for require that food “make sense”? In today’s episode, Livia breaks down the meaning of this popular phrase among autistic people with eating disorders and how this understanding can support recovery.
🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM🌐 WEBSITE📚 BOOKS
📝 Check out the blog post of this episode2023-12-2713 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryDoes extreme hunger lead to sugar addiction and diabetes?Are you craving and eating LOTS of sugar during anorexia recovery? You're not alone! When I was overtaken by the wave of extreme hunger, all I wanted to eat was junk food – cookies, cakes, ice cream, peanut butter, nutella, biscoff, granola, cereal – you name it! While part of me feared the bodily changes that accompanied weight gain, a greater part of me feared that I was becoming a sugar addict and was developing diabetes after my eating disorder. In this episode, you'll learn:
Livia's story with extreme hunger and sugar addiction
Why the body prefers junk food in rec...2023-11-2716 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryOvercoming Autistic Burnout in an Age of Hustle Culture w/ Louise @neurodivergent_louWhat impact does hustle culture have on autistic people? In this episode, Livia chats with Louise AKA @neurodivergent_lou on how to navigate autistic burnout, the importance of slowing down, and how to lead a meaningful life in a society that is obsessed with productivity. Lou answers the following questions:
What does day-to-day life feel like for you when it comes to time?
We live in a society of “hustle culture.” What do you believe are some additional pressures us autistics face when it comes to work and productivity?
How do the societal expectations around productivity contribute to autistic...2023-11-1449 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryNeurodiversity and Eating Disorders w/ the Chair of EDNA (Part 2)Join Livia and Laurence for part 2 of their chat on the relationship between neurodivergence and eating disorders. You'll learn about:
Executive functioning difficulties and how they effect memory and motivation
Co-occurring ADHD and the correlation of higher risk of eating disorders
Alexithymia and how it can relate to eating disorders and eating habits
Demand avoidance and how it is overlooked or not worked with in eating disorder treatment
Providing compassion for underlying autistic traits, from providers to patients and from a patient to themselves
Ensuring neurodivergents are allowed sensory coping mechanisms
Invaluable advice for treatment providers; whether working w...2023-11-0751 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryNeurodiversity and Eating Disorders w/ the Chair of EDNA (Part 1)How are eating disorders and neurodivergence linked? One of the best ways to understand this common connection is through stories of lived experience. On the podcast today, Livia interviews Laurence, the Chair and Research Lead of Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia (EDNA). You’ll learn:
Laurence’s experience of eating disorders as a neurodivergent individual
Why “evidence based” treatment protocols aren’t always helpful for neurodivergent folx
The difference between loneliness and aloneness and why autistic people tend to need lots of alone time
How an autism diagnosis can help understand the roots of disordered eating behaviors
The impact of interoc...2023-10-241h 06
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryMajor Life Update! Autistic Burnout, Food Poisoning, a Legal Case, and More...It’s time for another update on all things Liv Label Free! In this episode, I talk about:
How slowing down has helped me navigate autistic burnout
My experience of food poisoning in Bali
The chaos that comes with uncertain living situations
How I’m approaching my four different book projects
Progress on the Rainbow Girl audiobook as well as the Dutch version
Progress on my book about beating extreme hunger
Why I’m on social media less
How Ciandra Birnbaum (Flourish with Ciandra) infringed on my copyright
🌐 View the screenshots of Ciandra’s copying my work
Connect...2023-10-1752 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryNervous System Regulation in Eating Disorder Recovery w/ Stefanie MicheleWhat role does the nervous system play in eating disorders and disordered eating? In today’s episode, Livia speaks to Stefanie Michele, a binge eating and body image coach that specializes in somatic experiencing.
You’ll learn:
How binge eating disorder formed the core of her difficulties with bulimia and orthorexia
A desire to fill the gap in treatment for body image and hope to reverse the cultural damage self-image has brought with it
Somatic experiencing and nervous system trauma responses in relation to eating disorders
How there's more than emotional work necessary for healing anxiety and...2023-10-0952 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryWhy Do Autistic People Fear Weight Gain?The underlying reasons behind the fear of weight gain are often very different for autistic people struggling with eating disorders. In this episode, you'll learn about the following five factors that may contribute to the fear of gaining weight in autistic individuals.
Difficulty with change
Desire for predictability
Sensory perception
Gender dysphoria
Fear of responsibility
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS2023-10-0308 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryWhen an autistic special interest turns into an eating disorder w/ Annamarie CiccarelloHow can an autistic special interest spiral into an eating disorder? In today's episode, I chat with Annamarie, a fellow autistic female and ED warrior. We discuss:
Early health and nutrition education snowballing into an obsessive autistic special interest
Disordered thoughts turning to secretive behavior, foregoing social activities due to fear of food exposure
The transformation of the disordered special interest into a hyper-focus on recovery and ED recovery resources and science
Learning to give herself time and space to recover in the way that works best for her. How Gradual vs All-In might be the preferred method fo...2023-09-2656 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAutistic Types of Binge EatingWhat’s the relationship between autism and binge eating? In today’s episode, you’ll learn how autistic traits can lead to the following 9 types of binge eating:
The Sensory Binge
The Hyperactive Binge
The Black & White Binge
The “Make Sense” Binge
The Analysis Paralysis Binge
The Procrastination Binge
The Interoceptive Binge
The Hormonal Binge
The Extreme Hunger Binge
🍩 Enroll in my course, Extremely Hungry to Completely Satisfied🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here📝 Check out the blog post of this episode
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS2023-09-2020 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryBEATing Extreme Hunger as an Autistic PersonIt’s time for another chat with an Extremely Hungry to Completely Satisfied alumni! In today’s episode, I'm speaking to Valerie, an autistic female who shares her experience with overcoming extreme hunger. You'll learn:
Survivor's guilt manifesting into perfectionism and eventually into an eating disorder
Energy debt being like living paycheck to paycheck
Daily activities consumed by mental hunger and planning for or compensating for meals
The chaotic nature of extreme hunger as an autistic
The experience of stealing and hoarding food from friends and family
How a false belief in "lack of willpower" contributes to disordered habit...2023-09-1658 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryOvercoming Extreme Hunger as an Autistic Trans Individual w/ Lex @greenhouselexEating disorder recovery often looks very different for autistic people, so what additional challenges might a trans/non-binary individual face? Today I am joined by Lex, a former coaching client and extreme hunger course student turned best friend.
They share:
Seeking solace in food and exercise related behaviors when coming from a marginalized community
Discovering sensory preferences and growing up masking food preferences
"Unmasking" food preferences and learning to advocate for likes and dislikes instead of fearing being difficult
Transitioning and being influenced by stereotypical societal expectations of gender-related eating behaviors
Making the choice not to c...2023-09-0558 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAn Autistic Male’s Eating Disorder Recovery Story w/ Mike NapierCan men develop eating disorders? Why is there so much stigma around men and anorexia? Today I am joined by Mike Napier, a late-diagnosed autistic male who shares his story with disordered eating, depression, and suicidal ideation. In this episode of The Liv Label Free Podcast, Mike and I discuss:
Growing up undiagnosed autistic, earliest memories painted by depression, and history of suicidal thoughts
The masking of autistic traits, depression, and mental illness from family
Development of anorexia by way of autistic special interest and as a coping mechanism for depression
Eating as a little known autistic stim...2023-08-2258 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAutistic Burnout Meditation (Heal from Burnout While Unmasking Autism)A guided meditation to heal from autistic burnout while embracing your neurodivergent brain!
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS2023-08-0809 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryWhat I Eat in a Day as an Autistic Person Recovered From an Eating DisorderHow do I eat intuitively as an autistic person that’s recovered from an eating disorder? This is a question I’ve received so often, and for good reason! I talk all about food freedom, extreme hunger, and honoring your body’s needs, while at the same time talking about how autistic people may struggle with recognizing their body’s cues and how many behaviors that may seem restrictive from an eating disorder lens are actually manifestations of autistic traits. So how does honoring hunger fit together with being autistic? Listen to this podcast episode to find out!
🌈 Buy ...2023-08-0129 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoverySMASH THE SCALE? Popular ED recovery advice that does NOT work for autistic peopleI'm sure you've heard the popular advice to "smash the scale" in eating disorder recovery...but does this advice work for autistic people? In today's episode of The Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia shares how smashing her scale was harmful and how keeping the scale may actually help autistic people live a recovered life!
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here📝 Read the blog post of this episode
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS2023-07-1914 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAsk yourself this ONE question to instantly reduce anxiety! (including a guided exercise)If you struggle with anxiety, you won't want to miss this episode of The Liv Label Free Podcast! I unpack the root cause of anxiety and guide you through a powerful exercise to gain trust in yourself and your life.
🌈 Get on the waitlist for Rainbow Girl🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here📝 Read the blog post of this episode
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS2023-07-1112 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryFear of Growing Up (as an autistic person in eating disorder recovery)Are you afraid that you're unable to handle the responsibilities of being healthy? If so, you're not alone! One of the reasons I put off recovery from my eating disorder for so long was because of that very fear. In this episode, Livia unpacks the fear of growing up as an autistic person and explains how to achieve a life of freedom after an eating disorder.
🌈 Get on the waitlist for Rainbow Girl🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here🍩 Enroll in my course, Extremely Hungry to Completely Satisfied
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM2023-07-0413 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryReading My Old Medical Records (PART 1)There's a lot of taboo around sharing personal medical information and that's EXACTLY why I'm reading one of my old medical records word-for-word on the podcast today. Not only do the words of the "professionals" highlight the dangers of traditional eating disorder treatment for autistic individuals, but they show just how difficult it can be to receive recognition for autism.
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here▶️ Is self diagnosis valid? Listen here📝 Read the blog post of this episode
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGR...2023-06-2712 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryQ&A: Do I deserve extreme hunger?Do you feel like your restriction wasn’t “severe” enough to deserve extreme hunger? In this Q&A episode of the podcast, Livia answers a listener question about the validity of extreme hunger.
▶️ Watch my free training How to Win the Mental Hunger Games🍩 Enroll in my course, Extremely Hungry to Completely Satisfied🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here📝 Check out the blog post of this episode
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS2023-06-2018 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryAre eating disorders an autistic adaptation?In our society, autism is often associated with rigidity and inflexibility. However, autistic behaviors – including those that may manifest as an eating disorder – are adaptive mechanisms that provide safety in a neurotypical world. In today's episode of the podcast, you'll learn why autistic behaviors can be perceived as adaptations and how you can use your autistic traits to fully recover from disordered eating!
💗 Join the Liv Label Free family🌈 Get on the waitlist for Rainbow Girl🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders
Connect with Livia:...2023-06-1225 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryI'm in BALI! 🏝 Life + Health UpdateI’m in BALI! In today’s episode of the Liv Label Free podcast, I share another health + life update 😃 I talk about when you can read my books, where my extreme hunger is at, how I’m dealing with weight gain, the return of my period, and much more!
🧑🍳 Grab your copy of Nourishing Neurodiversity▶️ Watch my FREE TRAINING How to Win the Mental Hunger Games🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here🍩 Enroll in my course, Extremely Hungry to Completely Satisfied
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS2023-04-1632 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryNeurodiversity, Eating Disorders, and the LGBTQ+ Community w/ Quinn HaisleyToday I am joined by Quinn Haisley (they/she), a non-binary, queer, and neurodivergent eating disorder dietitian. Quinn started working in the eating disorder field 3 years ago as a registered dietitian in BALANCE eating disorder treatment center, where she has worked at the PHP, IOP, and outpatient level. They started their own private practice, Practice Eros Nutrition, in April 2022 to primarily focus on working with LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent folx after seeing a need for more affirming treatment spaces run by clinicians with lived experience. Quinn is passionate about breaking out of the cookie cutter ED treatment model and bringing...2023-04-1136 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryHow Treatment Made My Eating Disorder WORSE (as an autistic person with anorexia)I was only 15 when I was tossed out of the Dutch eating disorder treatment system with the labels “too complex,” “manipulative,” and a “hopeless case.” It wasn’t until I discovered I am autistic that I understood why eating disorder treatment never worked…and in fact, had only made the anorexia worse. In today’s episode of the Liv Label Free podcast, I share my journey growing up undiagnosed autistic, how this led to the development of my eating disorder, and I discuss the dangers of traditional eating disorder treatment for neurodivergent individuals. Of course, I also share what DID work for me to...2023-04-0450 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryQ&A: What If My Autistic Traits Weren’t There Before My Eating Disorder?It's time for a Q&A! After listening to my episodes on "ED behaviors that are ACTUALLY autistic traits," a fan of the podcast asked me if it's possible to develop "new" autistic traits during an eating disorder. In today's episode, I explain what it means if your autistic traits take on new manifestations and how this knowledge can help you fully recover from disordered eating!
🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INSTAGRAM 🌐 WEBSITE 📚 BOOKS
📝 Check out the blog post of2023-03-2811 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryWhy Mental Hunger IS Physical HungerDo you feel guilty for honoring mental hunger? If so, this powerful reframe will totally blow your mind! I explain why mental hunger is a form of physical hunger and why all forms of extreme hunger are valid.
🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here🍩 Enroll in my course, Extremely Hungry to Completely Satisfied
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📝 Read the blog post of this episode2023-03-1409 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryWhy You Can't Stop Eating w/ Sarah Dosanjh @The_Binge_Eating_TherapistDo you wonder why you can't stop bingeing even though you WANT to? In today's episode of the Liv Label Free podcast, I speak with Sarah Dosanjh, a psychotherapist and author of the book I Can’t Stop Eating. After her own recovery from binge eating disorder, Sarah has gone on to help others do the same. She runs therapy groups and communities for binge eating recovery, co-hosts the Life After Diets podcast, and creates videos about how to recover from binge eating on her YouTube channel The Binge Eating Therapist. Sarah answers the following questions:
What inspired you to...2023-03-0747 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder Recovery3 MORE "ED Behaviors" that are ACTUALLY Autistic Traits!A while back, I shared an episode titled 3 "ED Behaviors" that are ACTUALLY Autistic Traits. That episode is by far the MOST DOWNLOADED episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast! Today, I am sharing 3 MORE "ED Behaviors" that are ACTUALLY Autistic Traits so you can learn to embrace your autism rather than fight it.
👉 Part 1 of the "ED Behaviors" That Are Actually Autistic Traits Series🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism and Eating Disorders🫶 Schedule a consultation call for 1-1 coaching here
Connect with Livia: 🍩 INS...2023-02-2830 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryNourishing Neurodiversity is HERE! Reading the introduction of my cookbook :)My cookbook is HERE! Nourishing Neurodiversity connects holistic nutrition with personal preferences to yield recipes that are allergen-free, sensory-friendly, support your gut, and improve executive functioning! Although I do not follow a specific diet, all of the recipes in Nourishing Neurodiversity are vegan, gluten-free, soy free, AND nut free. The needs of neurodivergent individuals are often ignored in the neurotypical world we live in, which is why Nourishing Neurodiversity strives to accommodate all lifestyles and preferences. In today's episode of the podcast, I explain why I wrote my cookbook and do a LIVE reading of the introduction :)
🧑🍳 Grab your...2023-02-2116 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryThe Truth About ARFID w/ Lauren Sharifi @arfid.dietitianWhat is ARFID and how is it different from other eating disorders? In today's episode of the Liv Label Free Podcast, Livia chats with Lauren Sharifi, a registered dietitian-nutritionist based in Massachusetts. Lauren owns a virtual private practice where she specializes in ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and works one-on-one with parents, teens, and adults. She also runs a monthly support group for adults with ARFID. Lauren takes a neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed, and responsive-feeding approach to make eating and nourishment more accessible for individuals with ARFID and ARFID-like traits. In this episode, Lauren answers the following questions:
What i...2023-02-1449 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryInsomnia in Autism and AnorexiaIs insomnia making you go INSANE? You're not alone! As an autistic person that has struggled with an eating disorder, I know first-hand how frustrating it can be to not only lay awake for hours on end, but to feel trapped in the anxious thoughts that continuously flood your mind. In this episode, I share scientific research behind why autistic people as well as those with co-morbid eating disorders struggle with sleep, and what you can do to get a good night's rest!
🌈 Buy Rainbow Girl: A Memoir of Autism and Anorexia🎙️ Get FREE Audio Training on Autism an...2023-01-3124 min
Liv Label Free | Neurodivergent Eating Disorder RecoveryBlack and White Thinking in Autism and AnorexiaBlack and white thinking, also known as polarized thinking or all-or-nothing thinking, is a very common mindset among individuals with autism and eating disorders. Although I’ve worked on my mindset so much over the past couple years that I’ve really improved when it comes to thinking in extremes, it wasn’t all too long ago that this polarized thinking held me back from living a full life. I was perfectionistic to the point of frequently deeming myself a failure, a people-pleaser to the point of believing one argument would cause someone to “hate me,” and only committed to anything...2022-12-1224 min