Food Freedom, Taking Actions in recovery, and Mindset (InConversation with Eating DisorderTherapist RachelEvans)

A life where you’re no longer controlled by the anxiety about food or disconnected from your body’s wisdom. Instead, you can trust yourself to make decisions that align with the life you truly want, free from guilt and fear.

Rachel Evans, an Eating Disorder Therapist (Bulimia Specialist), is a powerful example that recovery is within reach. Having struggled herself, she now helps others break free from the cycle of disordered eating. Rachel’s journey from pain to healing shows that if she can do it, so can you.

Getting to know Rachel has left me in awe. The wisdom and practical tools she shares are changing lives and might be just what you need to move forward in your food and weight struggles.

With Rachel’s support and professional advice, this could be just the missing piece in your path to a healthier, freer relationship with food and your body—one where guilt and fear no longer have control.

“Being thin isn’t the thing that’s going to make you happier, and pursuing it is probably making you more unhappy.”

— Rachel Evans

Rachel’s Journey Through Food Struggles and Finding Recovery

Rachel has been through a long journey with eating disorders and recovery, and her experience is nothing short of inspiring—offering an honest look into how these challenges can take over your life. Her story shows the physical toll (missed periods, hair loss, constant exhaustion) and emotional impact (anxiety, isolation, and guilt) of disordered eating, revealing how overwhelming these patterns can become.

The problems Rachel faced in her eating disorder journey were common to many, and they go beyond food and weight.

Obsession with Healthy Eating and Exercise

Constant anxiety around food choices, feelings of control, and isolation from social life can lead to long-term physical health issues like hormonal imbalances, digestive problems, and malnutrition.

“Food was what I thought about most of the day, and I’d stopped doing a lot of the things that I enjoyed before.”

A strained social life, deteriorating physical health, and worsening mental health, where anxiety and depression often set in.

Binge Eating and Purging

Compulsive overeating followed by purging leads to physical harm (e.g., electrolyte imbalances, tooth decay, gastrointestinal issues) and severe mental distress (guilt, shame, depression).

“I would wake up in the night and consume thousands of calories of foods that I wouldn’t touch during the day. I felt so guilty and started making myself throw up…”

An ongoing cycle of shame and self-destructive behavior, increasing the risk of serious health issues like dehydration, digestive problems, and even death in extreme cases.

Difficulty Breaking Free from Food Rules

The obsession with controlling food intake often leads to restricting eating and physical exercise to the point of exhaustion and depletion.

“The hardest part was when I started challenging all of the food rules that I set for myself. They literally ruled my life…”

Chronic fatigue, hair loss, hormonal disruptions, and the continuation of unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Emotional and Psychological Toll

The emotional burden of eating disorders—guilt, shame, and self-loathing—only deepens when behaviors go unaddressed. Mental health deteriorates, and feelings of hopelessness take over.

“I felt helpless and hopeless. When I started waking up feeling like a zombie because of making myself throw up, I knew I couldn’t carry on like that.”

Persistent depression, anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness, along with a deteriorating sense of self-worth.

When eating disorders go untreated or unaddressed, they create a ripple effect, touching every part of someone’s life

Rachel’s Journey to Impact: Practical Steps for Recovery and Lasting Change

1. Identifying Your Motivations and Understanding Your Eating Disorder: The First Step Toward Change

Rachel suggests that the first step in recovery is to understand why you want to change and how your eating disorder affects your life. Write down all the reasons you want to recover, reasons you’re afraid to change, and how the disorder has impacted you.

Visualizing what life could look like after recovery can help you stay motivated. Rachel even created a free ebook to guide you through this process.

She also explains that by identifying the triggers for your eating disorder—like guilt after eating or feeling too full—you can find the right, specific resources to help. For example, if guilt is a trigger, look for ways to manage it. If fullness is the issue, try eating smaller portions and comfort yourself with simple practices like wearing loose clothing or drinking peppermint tea.

Rachel’s biggest advice: Take action! It’s not just about learning more; it’s about making a commitment to change and starting now.

2. Overcoming the Belief of “Just Try Harder”

A major barrier to recovery is the belief that you just need more willpower to change. Eating disorders don’t work that way—there are multiple factors, like physical, emotional, and environmental, that contribute to the problem.

Rachel points out that asking for help can feel tough, especially when you believe you’re “not sick enough” or don’t want to be a burden. But early intervention is key! Don’t wait until things get unbearable. Seeking support early can greatly improve your chances of recovery, whether that’s reaching out to a professional or talking to a loved one.

3. Navigating Family Pressures During Recovery

Dealing with family pressures like body-shaming or food judgment can be challenging, especially since every family dynamic is different. Rachel suggests that clear communication is essential, though she recognizes it may not always be possible for everyone.

One key step is to set boundaries. For example, if comments about your body or food habits are triggering, calmly set a limit: “If you comment on my weight, I will walk away from the conversation.”

Rachel also advises that you don’t need to take others’ opinions personally. Their beliefs are shaped by their own experiences and may not align with what’s best for you.

If family continues to make comments, Rachel recommends ignoring them. Trust your own judgment and beliefs about your body and eating habits.

4. The Truth About Happiness and Body Image

Rachel’s key lesson from her recovery is that being thin isn’t the key to happiness. In fact, the pursuit of weight loss can lead to more unhappiness. While you might initially receive compliments after losing weight, the reality of dieting often brings a host of struggles: constant thoughts about food, hunger, guilt, bingeing, purging, low energy, and digestive issues.

If your body isn’t naturally the weight you want it to be, constantly trying to change it can be exhausting. Rachel focuses on helping her clients feel enough just as they are, accepting their bodies as they are now, rather than waiting for a number on the scale to define their worth.

5. A Message of Hope for Those Who Feel Stuck

Rachel’s most powerful message for those who feel like they’ve “tried everything” and are still struggling is: Don’t give up on recovery.

Rachel reflects on how people in their 60s and 70s have made incredible transformations, proving recovery is possible at any stage of life. Despite decades of struggle, they embraced change and broke free from years of restriction, seeking something more meaningful than obsessing over food and body image.

It’s never too late to start your recovery. If people can find peace later in life, so can you. Don’t give up, no matter how long you’ve struggled.

6. Shifting the Focus: Rachel’s Vision for a Healthier Relationship with Body Image

As an eating disorder expert, It’s incredible how Rachel encourages people to focus on what their bodies can do, rather than obsessing over flaws. When we appreciate how our bodies support us and nourish them with care, instead of striving for some ever-changing idea of “perfection,” it leads to a healthier mindset. Rachel’s vision is that everyone should embrace their unique body, understanding that each one has different needs. This shift in perspective is key to true healing and self-acceptance. It’s a powerful message that we all can benefit from.

You can leave your food struggles behind and free yourself from all the negative feelings about your body. The lack of resources and the conditions I once faced shouldn’t get in the way of you living the life you deserve. People like Rachel helped me overcome my struggles, and now, I have my health and life back.

Know that I get it—I’ve been there, and I understand the struggle. Whether it’s through advice, support, or simply creating a space where you feel heard and understood, I’m committed to helping you live the life you truly deserve.

Thank you for reading!

I hope it helped.

-Vaishi