Beyond The Disorder: Finding Yourself Again

Send us Fan MailA diagnosis can explain what you’re going through, but it should never get to decide who you are. We’re joined by Brianna Mainprize, a registered psychotherapist from Ontario, Canada, whose work in eating disorder recovery is grounded in both clinical experience and her own healing journey. Together, we dig into the moment many people quietly hit: when “I have anxiety” turns into “I am anxiety,” or when “I struggle with an eating disorder” starts to feel like the only identity that fits.We talk about the signs your mental health label is swallowing your sense of self, including language shifts, life decisions that get filtered through the diagnosis, and social reinforcement from diet culture, social media, sports, and perfectionism. We also unpack why letting go can feel terrifying even when the struggle is painful, because the brain often chooses familiar chaos over unfamiliar peace.You’ll hear practical tools you can use right away, like Brianna’s Identity Pie Chart exercise to map the parts of you that exist now, the parts you’ve lost, and the parts you want to build. We also explore how to support a child, partner, or friend without reinforcing the illness, why curiosity beats judgment, and how shame blocks connection and recovery. For long-term eating disorder patterns, Brianna shares a powerful strategy: separating yourself from the eating disorder voice by naming it, so you can notice thoughts without automatically obeying them.If you’re working on body image, eating disorder treatment, anxiety, OCD tendencies, or perfectionism, this conversation brings you back to the bigger goal: building an identity rooted in values, interests, and relationships. Subscribe to Nourish And Empower, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review telling us what part of your identity you want to reclaim.Show notes:Trigger warning: this show is not medical, nutrition, or mental health treatment and is not a replacement for meeting with a Registered Dietitian, Licensed Mental Health Provider, or any other medical provider. You can find resources for how to find a provider, as well as crisis resources, in the show notes. Listener discretion is advised.Resource links:Alliance for Eating Disorders: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/ ANAD: https://anad.org/NEDA: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/NAMI: https://nami.org/homeAction Alliance: https://theactionalliance.org/NIH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/How to find a provider: https://map.nationaleatingdisorders.org/https://www.psychologytoday.com/ushttps://www.healthprofs.com/us/nutritionists-dietitians?tr=Hdr_BrandSuicide & crisis awareness hotline: call 988 (available 24/7)Eating Disorder hotline: call or text 800-931-2237 (Phone line is available Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm ET and Friday 11 am-5 pm ET; text line is available Monday-Thursday 3-6 pm ET and Friday 1-5 pm ET)If you are experiencing a psychiatric or medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.Support the show