School of Rock Bottom

Anorexia isn't just about body image, social media and even control. Today, I welcome anorexia survivor Sophie Anderson who was hospitalised for months aged 12 for anorexia and is now 15 years in recovery! Today we uncover the hidden truths, damaging myths & misconceptions about anorexia and find recovery in the connections to addiction, trauma, family dynamics, genetics, emotional pain and finding the joy in food and who you really are. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, with 5-20% of those affected dying from medical complications or suicide. On average, individuals may be unwell for 8 years before recovery, with 20% remaining chronically unwell. But this certainly isn’t solely a story of struggle-it’s a journey of finding strength, purpose and a wonderful life. Nearly half of those who battle anorexia make a full recovery, and this episode proves that healing is possible. Please share with anyone struggling. More on Sophie - Sophie is a social and political activist working in international development and youth mental health, whose rock bottom came at just 12 years old when she was hospitalised for Anorexia. Eventually achieving a full recovery, Sophie went on to study Politics and International Relations at the University of Bristol where she earned the Politics’ Prize for best academic performance in the year and cemented her dedication to affecting wide-scale social change. She is proud to have recently provided opening remarks for a parliamentary roundtable on youth mental health/services with the Minister for Mental Health. Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://bit.ly/3kSucAs Topics - 0:00 Intro 3:55 Sophie's rock bottom 8:05 When did Sophie realise it was anorexia? 10:05 Was Sophie aware of it escalating as a child? 13:35 Anorexia felt safe and it numbed emotions 16:35 Sophie's view of anorexia 22:05 Myths and misconceptions 29:35 Why anorexia is like addiction 33:20 Do people with anorexia like food? 36:55 Sophie's recovery journey & healing 45:15 ADHD 48:05 Sophie's relationship with food now Sophie received support from: Eating Matters (Norwich), Cruise Bereavement (National) & The Bridge (Bristol). Follow Sophie Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sophiee.anderson Follow Oliver Instagram - https://bit.ly/3IemHLY Facebook - http://bit.ly/3w8S1Gx TikTok - https://bit.ly/3YGLsYm LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/3kp4ymC Threads - https://bit.ly/3svw7yL X - http://bit.ly/3GQYj2l Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://bit.ly/4jbvZdo Spotify - https://bit.ly/4air4TL Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ Lastly, if you are interested in performing arts and incredible stories and journeys you must check out Matthew Jones' excellent podcast 'Life After Jazz Hands' here - https://bit.ly/4iQ7Nxa #AnorexiaRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #EatingDisordersHelp

Thinking about doing Dry January or even a dry 2025? Maybe you're sober curious or your drinking has become problematic? Either way, this episode is for you! Sober Dave needs little introduction... Sober Dave, a trauma-informed alcohol recovery specialist, speaker, and host of the Top 10 podcast One for the Road & has amassed a following of over 140k on Instagram alone. Dave shares his incredible journey from 40 years of alcohol addiction to nearly 6 years of sobriety. He reveals the moment that changed everything, how a simple text became his turning point, and the habits and community support that helped him rebuild his life. Dave shares what is really means to be sober, what to say when someone asks why you don't drink, we talk zero alcohol beers and we even compare Drunk Dave to Sober Dave! Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://bit.ly/3kSucAs Topics - 0:00 Intro 3:15 Dave's rock bottom 5:15 Why Dave had had enough and decided to stop drinking 9:15 Early sobriety inspires hope that it will keep getting better 10:05 How Dave stayed stopped 13:15 Using Dry January as a platform 16:15 Dave's progression from weekend drinker to 1LTR of vodka a day 20:15 What does is mean to be SOBER? 23:10 Dry drunk & cross addiction 27:30 Step 1 & 12? 29:15 Staying grounded whilst being so well known 33:30 Zero beer?! 37:45 What to say when people say why aren't you drinking? 41:40 Is SOBER DAVE allowed to relapse?! 43:15 Drunk Dave VS Sober Dave 49:15 Romanatising death and what Dave really wants on his gravestone Follow Sober Dave Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/soberdave Website - https://www.soberdave.co.uk Podcast - Search "One For The Road" on all platforms Follow Oliver Instagram - https://bit.ly/3IemHLY Facebook - http://bit.ly/3w8S1Gx TikTok - https://bit.ly/3YGLsYm LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/3kp4ymC Threads - https://bit.ly/3svw7yL X - http://bit.ly/3GQYj2l Please subscribe, follow, like, leave a review and comment! YouTube - https://bit.ly/3VSPOw9 Spotify - https://bit.ly/402S5Hs Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ Do Dry Jan with @alcoholchangeuk here - https://alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/managing-your-drinking/dry-january Lastly, if you are interested in performing arts and incredible stories and journeys you must check out Matthew Jones' excellent podcast 'Life After Jazz Hands' here - https://bit.ly/4iQ7Nxa #SoberLiving #DryJanuary #AlcoholRecovery

Thought 5: Andy Jeffery on Healing Childhood Trauma & PTSD. Author Andy Jeffery shares his extraordinary journey of overcoming childhood abuse, severe PTSD, and alcoholism. In this powerful thought, he reveals how equine therapy, acceptance, and even forgiveness became the foundation of his healing. Despite enduring unimaginable pain, Andy's story is a remarkable testament to the human capacity for transformation and growth. Today, he is one of the most peaceful and loving individuals I’ve ever met. This is a story of hope for anyone struggling—proof that healing is possible, no matter how difficult the past. About the “THOUGHT” series - Every other Monday at 5 PM, I’ll bring you a quick ‘thought’—a powerful moment from previous episodes designed to kickstart your week with insight, motivation, and connection. These shorter clips help us stay connected as a community, while every other Tuesday delivers a full, brand-new episode with fresh stories and lessons. Follow Andy and get his book - Website - https://bit.ly/3oIl4jK Watch or listen to the FULL episode here: (School of Rock Bottom Ep5) Spotify - http://bit.ly/40FMSDw Apple - https://apple.co/3PajZvQ YouTube - https://bit.ly/3ZDreyl Podcasting is an expensive passion. To help me keep going, I'd really appreciate it if you could buy me a coffee, thank you! https://buymeacoffee.com/olivermason1 Or via PayPal - https://bit.ly/3kSucAs #PTSDRecovery #HealingFromTrauma #OvercomingAbuse