Veganism, Pregnancy and the Pursuit of “Health”: The Reality Behind Orthorexia with Zoë Harwood

In this week's episode of Full of Beans, Han is joined by Zoë Harwood. Zoë is the founder of Light Minds Collective, a compassionate and soul-centred coaching space dedicated to helping individuals heal from low self-confidence, eating disorders, and poor body image.With over 20 years of experience in mindset coaching within the dance industry and beyond, Zoë combines holistic and creative approaches to guide clients towards living with confidence, integrity, and purpose.Drawing on her own lived experience of orthorexia, which complicated her pregnancy and led to hyperemesis and a difficult delivery, Zoë now uses her journey to raise awareness of eating disorders in pregnancy and beyond, and to empower others to find food freedom and authentic self-worth.This week, we discuss:How the pursuit of “health” can mask deep fear and anxietyThe overlap between orthorexia and OCD behavioursThe role of veganism and “clean eating” in fuelling obsessive food rulesZoë's experience of hyperemesis and pregnancy while living with orthorexiaHow shame, guilt, and self-blame show up in motherhood and recoveryThe importance of curiosity and compassion when “healthy habits” become harmfulTimestamps:00:00 – Zoë's background in dance and early relationship with food04:00 – The fear of illness that fuelled her obsession with “health”08:00 – When veganism and clean eating became orthorexia12:00 – Understanding orthorexia as a form of OCD17:00 – Pregnancy, hyperemesis, and refusing medical treatment24:00 – Shame, guilt and the impact on motherhood31:00 – Finding recovery and redefining “healthy”38:00 – Advice for those struggling during pregnancy or with orthorexiaResources & LinksConnect with Zoë on Instagram @lightmindcollectiveVisit Zoë's website Connect with Us:Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast hereFollow Full of Beans on Instagram hereCheck out our website here⚠️ Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorders, orthorexia, pregnancy complications, and medical trauma. Please take care when listening.If 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 💛