The Many Faces Of Eating Disorders

The Laura Sanzo Podcast

In both Canada and in the USA, Eating Disorders have the highest overall mortality rate of any mental illness and in this season’s premier, we get a glimpse of seeing the world through the eyes of three women living with Eating Disorders, listen to hear their stories, as we debunk the ideology that eating disorders only affect a certain age range, but also affect anyone regardless of gender, age, racial and ethnic identity, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

Kathy Leff is a retired dental hygienist, mother of two adult children, and was diagnosed with bulimia when she was 60 years old. Kathy can’t remember a time when she wasn’t self conscious, embarrassed by her body and insecurity. Kathy suffered with all that came along with that too. Finally, Kathy was so sick that she had to be honest with herself and others and look for help. Kathy is in recovery, finished a treatment program at Credit Valley Hospital in March 2020.

Sandra Edmondson is 50 years old and has suffered from an eating disorder since she was 8 years old. Suffering at the hands of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, Sandy’s only escape was her eating disorder. At age 28, Sandra had 21 years of recovery, until a series of tragedies triggered her illness at age 48. Sandra suffered heart failure and fought for her life with a BMI of 11.9. Sandra ended up in an amazing treatment program and is still working hard towards recovery. Sandra sends special thanks to her family, friends, doctors, nurses and therapists for believing in her.

Melissa Potocnik is a 26 years young, Spiritual Energy Healer and Mindset Coach. She recently launched her business “Heal with Mel'' after a spiritual awakening that led her to her own healing work with counsellors, psychiatrists, nutritionists, dieticians, Reiki practitioners, Rubimed practitioners and even a sex coach. She has since earned her Reiki certification and her deepest desire is to help as many women as possible with past trauma and pain through energy and mindset work. Melissa is a ray of sunshine, always positive, often singing, and currently preparing for her first born baby girl to arrive this summer!
To follow her journey or connect further here is how to do so:
Instagram: @healwithmel_
Facebook: Heal with Mel
Website: www.healwithmel.com

Listen to the episode to hear:

-The stories of these incredible three women and how their Eating Disorder has affected their lives

-& The lives of their loved ones

-When they knew they had a problem

-What recovery has looked like for them

-How control has affected their disease

-The effect the pandemic has had on their journey

-How the pressure of social media has affected their journey

-Their message for anyone that may think they have an issue with their eating

-What they want the world to know about Eating Disorders & more

To learn more about our guests please visit http://www.instagram.com/thelaurasanzopodcast

If you think you may have a problem with your eating, please talk to your GP; as well as, here are two sources to get more information on available support.

Canada-National Eating Disorder Information Centre(NEDIC)

http://www.nedic.ca

1-866-633-4220

USA-National Eating Disorders Association(US)

http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

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