“Our relationship with food and eating is symbolic of how we approach everything else in our lives.” ~ Marc David.

As a schoolgirl, when I thought of myself at 40, I imagined I would be working in a big tall corporate building in the city, be happily married, and have 3 or 4 kids. Having just turned 41, I realize that my life is radically different to that… I work for myself at home, I’ve never been married, and am a single mum to one beautiful son.

Maybe I could have had the life I imagined… but going on a “simple diet” in my last year of high school led me down a very different path. It led me to 20+ years of angst, compulsively dominated by chronic anorexia, bulimia, and everything in between.

My “full spectrum healing” began when I very unexpectedly found myself pregnant. Suddenly, my life wasn’t just my own anymore – another body was growing inside mine. I was 100% responsible for the health, well-being, and unconditional love of my child!

That realisation was the moment of divine “agreeing to be here”, and deciding to really live here on planet earth. Before that I just existed. I was copiously caught up in numbing myself by binging on or starving myself of food, thereby depriving myself of becoming the true person I was meant to become.

I was living a life without integrity, of not fulfilling my soul’s purpose, and of hiding behind a wounded body of skin, instead of a full heart of love.

So why do we not allow ourselves to live our life’s purpose? What are we afraid of? As Marianne Williamson famously said “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”

Once I “agreed to be here”, I naturally found my light, together with self-acceptance, self-love and self-compassion. This is not an easy feat! But by using a combination of tools such as embodiment practices, listening to your body wisdom, mindfulness, by slowing down and relaxing into life, and taking pleasure in the small things (for they are the big things), it is possible.

If you struggle with food, weight and body image anxieties, start with taking a deep breath and become aware that you deserve more than just existing in life. You deserve happiness and fulfilment, to live your true purpose, and peace from the constant banter in your head.
You deserve freedom, nourishment and self-love.

It is possible to completely heal and live free of your compulsions, toxic beliefs, and fear of food… If I can do it, you sure can do it too!

With love and light,
Susannah xo

Susannah McAlwey

Sensitive. Spiritual. Sincere.

Susannah is a Nourishment Coach, specialising in the psychology of eating, body image concerns, mindful eating, fatigue, digestive problems, naturopathic nutrition, and essentially inspires others to let their true colours shine. Susannah’s own dynamic journey and “full spectrum healing” now enables her to help others fully recover from their disordered eating concerns. She lives her life purpose; helping others find theirs and helping them find their own self-love, nourishment and compassion. Susannah is a qualified Eating Psychology Coach, a Mindful Eating Facilitator, a Chakradance Facilitator, and a Natropathic Nutritionist. She runs workshops and does private coaching in person in Perth, Western Australia, or via Skype. Full details at www.fullspectrumhealing.com.au.