Episode 89: Finding Direction in Recovery with Taylor Humphrey

Episode description: Taylor Humphrey joins us in this episode of Peace Meal to recount her eating disorder experience and unpack the lessons she learned in recovery. Taylor’s story begins over a decade ago, when her concerns about maintaining her high level of athleticism drove her to form an obsession with “perfect” eating. Connecting with effective, age-appropriate treatment proved a struggle for Taylor and her family. The program she attended in early adolescence lacked proper eating disorder education, which led Taylor to feel disconnected, unsupported, and reluctant in her recovery. Taylor turned a corner between the ages of 16 and 18 upon connecting with new clinicians who expanded her perspective and made her feel seen and accepted. Today, confidently equipped with her toolbox of recovery skills, Taylor leverages the “gifts” of her struggles to provide direction to young people and their parents going through the treatment journey. Taylor Humphrey has been in eating disorder recovery for about ten years and has a passion for helping others who are struggling. She strives to spread eating disorder awareness—currently as a personal trainer and nutritionist, and previously as a coach for moms of daughters with eating disorders. She hopes someday to be an even bigger voice and advocate for recovery, as she feels blessed to be in her position and wants to show others the beauty of life in recovery and the strength they have within themselves. We cover: How adolescence can intensify treatment resistance The healing power of relationships between the client and their treatment team The challenges of maintaining recovery in a triggering home environment How leaning on your support system can improve your self-agency The need for firsthand guidance for families going through eating disorder treatment In Taylor's words: On how raising a young daughter helps sustain her recovery: “Having a young daughter is the biggest blessing and the most scary thing ever for me, going through this. My intention for her is for her to see her mom love herself…and I can’t do that if I’m not healthy. And I can’t do that if I’m slipping back into my eating disorder. I don’t want her to know that life. I want her to love herself and appreciate herself and everything that her body can do for her.” On the perspective shifts of recovery: “Society isn’t correct. Diets don’t work because that’s not what our bodies are meant to do… If you respect your body and love your body and accept it for who it is and why it was created, you’re going to have a much more fulfilling life… my eyes are open to another world of love and acceptance.” On what Taylor’s eating disorder experience gave her: “I [now] trust myself enough to be smart enough and good enough, to be an example to others, and to be a leader not a follower. I really do look at my eating disorder as a gift… I’ve learned so much from it—I’ve learned what I want and what I don’t want, who I am and who I’m not, what I like and what I don’t. And I’m okay with that, because of what I went through.” Learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977.  – About the podcast: Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking. You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends! Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email podcast@emilyprogram.com for more information.