#145: The Path from Fitness Influencer to Eating Disorder, and Finding Self-Worth Beyond the Body with Mary Jelkovsky (of @maryscupoftea)

Author and podcaster Mary Jelkovsky (@maryscupofteaa) joins us to share her journey about the harms and toxicity of becoming a fitness influencer, how fitness culture pushed her further into an eating disorder, and how she's healed from the damage to her sense of self. We also get into self-love versus self-compassion, confidence versus self-worth, healing from comparison, and why it's so stressful to worry about what other people think of your body. "I prided myself on being this person who didn't give a shit what anybody thought of her. I was doing this food and body stuff for me and my own health and fitness and whatever. Then I was called out in a compassionate way, and saw that I was obsessed with how others viewed me." - Mary Jelkovsy, Full Plate episode #145 Listen to hear more about: What’s been on Mary's plate (food, travel, movement) Her early experiences as a body builder How being a teenage fitness influencer effected her relationship with her body Developing an eating disorder, hidden in plain sight The dangers of too much protein How fitness culture praises disordered eating behaviors Why changing environments can help us find room to heal Letting our love for others guide our way to loving ourselves  Fighting the patriarchy without fighting our husbands  Self-love as self-compassion, self-worth, and self-esteem   Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at Patreon.com/fullplate Group program: Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching Group membership: Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group Social media: Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness About Mary: After recovering from a lifelong battle with food and body obsession, Mary Jelkovsky started her Instagram @maryscupofteaa to inspire people to accept their bodies and learn to love themselves unconditionally. Now Mary is the author of the bestselling book The Gift of Self-Love as well as the journal 100 Days of Self-Love. Over the past five years, she's been leading worldwide self-love retreats and her message has been highlighted in TEDx, Teen Vogue, Shape, and Health Magazine. She is also the host of the Mary’s Cup of Tea Podcast: the Self-Love Podcast for Women, which has more than 1 million downloads. By openly sharing her personal journey to self-acceptance, Mary has helped inspire millions to accept their bodies and love themselves unconditionally. When Mary's not writing, podcasting, or hosting retreats, she is spending time with her little sister Ilana, who is her biggest inspiration. Transcripts: If you’re looking for transcripts, you can find those on Abbie's website, www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/podcast Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy Podcast Editing by Brian Walters Administrative Support by Alexis Eades This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate