Life After Beating Bulimia, Escaping an Abusive Alcoholic Marriage, and Repeated Exposure to Black Mold

After Cynthia was molested in childhood, she used food as a coping mechanism, developing bulimia and extreme body dysmorphia. As a teenager, vaccinations triggered hormonal and immune imbalances, causing mood changes and hives. When she became pregnant as a young adult, it motivated her to stop smoking and make healthier choices. She later married someone struggling with alcohol addiction, leading to domestic violence and emotional turmoil. Because of her faith as a Jehovah’s Witness, she stayed in the marriage for years before eventually divorcing.When her son was diagnosed with autism and severe developmental delays, she discovered mold exposure and metal toxicity were key factors. Through years of targeted interventions, he went from being severely delayed to earning A’s and B’s in high school.That journey toward sobriety from unhealthy patterns inspired Cynthia to study functional nutrition and lifestyle medicine. She founded Biomentals to help others in addiction recovery uncover the biological roots of mental illness and continues to educate through her podcast, Crazy Gutsy, where she explores how gut health, environment, and mindset shape long-term wellness.GUESTCynthia Pereira, CFNC, FNLPFounder and Director of Biomentals, IncCynthia is a functional nutrition and lifestyle practitioner who helps people uncover the root causes of their physical and emotional health challenges. She specializes in gut health, hormone balance, and detoxification from environmental toxins like mold and heavy metals. Through her practice and podcast “Crazy Gutsy,” she educates others on restoring the body’s natural ability to heal and thrive.Listen to Cynthia’s podcast, Crazy Gutsy by subscribing to her SubstackConnect with Cynthia on LinkedInLearn more about BiomentalsMatt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.comFind us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.Host: Matthew HandyProducer: Eva SheieAssistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah BurkhartEngineering: Voltage FM, Spencer ClarksonTheme music: Survive The Tide, Machina AeonCover Art:  DMARKMy Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.comQuestions this episode answers:How does aluminum, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors silently destroy recovery outcomes?What is the gut microbiome actually doing — and why does it matter more than any supplement?Why does mold exposure in your home show up as mental health symptoms?What tests does a functional nutritionist run that your regular doctor never will?How do the medications prescribed in treatment create the very symptoms they're supposed to treat?Can cleaning up your diet and environment physically change your brain chemistry in recovery?What are endocrine disruptors — and how are they making men's hormones shift without them knowing?