The Role of Intention in Recovery with Eric Pothen

In this week's episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Eric Pothen. Eric is a Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach and an eating disorder advocate who serves on the Peer Council for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and the Community Engagement Committee for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). After struggling with an eating disorder for several years, Eric now uses his lived experience to raise awareness and support others on their recovery journeys, particularly around eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image, with a special focus on men.Eric is currently pursuing a degree in Counselling at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, to become an eating disorder therapist, specialising in working with men and the LGBTQ+ community.In this week's episode, we discuss:Navigating shame, identity, and the onset of an eating disorderWhy recovery can feel messyReframing exercise and “food is fuel” in recoveryRecovery perfectionism vs. authentic recoverySupporting individuals as people first, not by gender stereotypesThe hidden and under-discussed behaviour of chewing and spittingThe importance of intention and reframing in long-term recoveryUnderstanding the intersectionality of identity in ED supportTimestamps:03:00 – Eating disorder onset: identity, stress & sadness08:00 – Shame & internalised stigma for men12:00 – People pleasing and external validation18:00 – Compulsive exercise & social reinforcement22:00 – Recovery as rewiring: food, movement & intention27:00 – The messiness of recovery & doing it solo30:00 – Alcohol, chewing/spitting & hidden behaviours34:00 – Marathon training: helpful or harmful?40:00 – Intersectionality and seeing the person, not the gender⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of eating disorder behaviours including anorexia, compulsive exercise, chewing and spitting, and alcohol use. Please take care whlist listening. Resources & Links:Instagram: @ericpothanNEDA Peer Council: nationaleatingdisorders.orgConnect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website hereIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast to help us spread awareness.Sending positive beans your way, Han 💛