Caitlyn Boardman | From Alcoholism, BPD & Eating Disorder to Sobriety, Meditation & Therapy

Trigger Warning:In this episode, we talk about experiences of abuse and self-harm. These topics can be difficult to hear, so please take care of yourself and listen at your own pace. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline anytime.Caitlyn Boardman shares a mental health & addiction recovery story of early alcohol use, adoption trauma from South Korea, BPD symptoms, an eating disorder, and self-harm—and how she got sober in 2021 after cops were called, then rebuilt through fitness, meditation, and self-compassion. A candid look at relapse, motherhood, and staying sober with boundaries and breathwork.Explore addiction and mental health treatment options: https://recovery.comConnect with Caitlyn: https://www.instagram.com/caitlynbayybee/, https://www.tiktok.com/@madeinkoreaxoKey talking points:1. Caitlyn began drinking alone in middle school, hiding alcohol in her closet.2. As a South Korean adoptee with early foster care, she later recognized adoption trauma and cultural isolation.3. Home life lacked emotional safety; her father died when she was six and grief went largely unprocessed.4. She developed alcohol addiction alongside BPD symptoms, self-harm, and an eating disorder with body dysmorphia.5. Drinking escalated after her third child (2016), leading to job loss risks and blackout episodes.6. A CPS scare after police calls pushed her to get sober in 2021 without rehab, leaning on her kids as motivation.7. She rebuilt through meditation, breathwork, fitness (from “skinny” to strong), and strict social boundaries.8. In early 2024 she relapsed in Seattle after being served real beer as “NA,” then drank for three days and stopped.9. Sharing the relapse online brought empathy and community, reinforcing a no-shame, start-again recovery mindset.10. Her message: persistence over perfection—relapse is a detour, not a dead end, and sobriety makes presence possible.00:00 Early Memories of Alcohol00:26 Introduction to Recovery Cast00:39 Caitlyn's Background and Struggles02:07 Childhood and Adoption05:29 Early Alcohol Use06:59 Battling Eating Disorders09:36 Struggles with Borderline Personality Disorder12:54 Path to Sobriety16:04 Maintaining Sobriety and Fitness19:54 Sharing the Sobriety Journey20:24 Opening Up on Social Media21:05 A Relapse Story23:00 Support and Recovery24:17 Coping with Loss and Staying Sober25:30 The Aftermath of Relapse32:39 Struggles with Body Image35:17 Living with Borderline Personality Disorder37:48 Encouragement for Those Struggling39:10 Final Thoughts and Social Media Handles#addictionrecovery #bpd #eatingdisorders