#132: The Connection Between Perfectionism, Health Anxiety, and Orthorexia with Natalie Rose, Therapist & Coach

Natalie Rose (@wakeupandsmelltherosay), therapist and wonderful human, joins us to share her journey with disordered eating, which began during her high school years due to social pressures and a desire for acceptance. We talk about her struggles with body image that led to a cycle of restriction and binge eating, exacerbated by a heart condition that limited her ability to exercise. Natalie also shares how her mother’s cancer diagnosis reignited her obsession with "healthy eating", pushing her into orthorexia. We explore perfectionism, health anxiety, relationships, and what it actually means to lean into self-kindness over self-hatred (plus how that line can be so thin). Eventually, exposure to anti-diet culture on social media helped Natalie challenge her disordered relationship with food and begin her true recovery. She reflects on how her obsession with health distanced her from others and how realigning with her values was crucial to healing. This is such a beautifully honest, vulnerable conversation, and you'll walk away with hope and tangible ideas for navigating your own experience with food and body image. Natalie Rose is a therapist and coach who helps women improve their relationship with food and their body. She runs an online membership platform and teaches psychological skills to help her members overcome chronic dieting, disordered eating, and body image issues. Follow her @wakeupandsmelltherosay and learn more at wakeupandsmelltherosay.com This show is supported by YOU on Patreon: If you're enjoying the pod, please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate Group membership: If you've been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community, continued learning, and ongoing support, you can now apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Group program: If you're looking for a higher level of support alongside concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body, apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe