“I found I wanted to stop time. If I could stay the same size as when my Mum was alive I could be closer to her. So I ended up restricting my food intake not because I wanted to be skinny but because I wanted to feel small and safe.”Mallary developed anorexia after the loss of her Mum. Some misguided nutritional education at school helped fuel her symptoms and OCD; a time consuming jumping habit. Young Mallary was determined to be perfect.Many years later when Mallary was teaching journalists how to write restorative narratives and include  the forgotten “messy middle/ middle place” she had a lightbulb moment. What if she explored her own “middle place?” Would this put the brakes on her quest for perfection and open the space up with her ongoing recovery? The answer can be found in Mallary’s book: SLIP: Life In The Middle Of Eating Disorder Recovery.I recorded this podcast with Mallary the morning after the launch of her debut book SLIP: Life In The Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery.What a pro!I really enjoyed our chat. It was full of insightful and lived experience wisdom. Mallary made me think about my own stuff, which is always a plus. Enjoy.EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:00:27 - Mallary's Book and Its Themes01:42 - Mallary's Relationship with Food02:22 - Struggles with Anorexia02:50 - Impact of Mother's Death04:02 - Complications of Eating Disorders08:56 - Mallary's Teenage Years11:07 - College Challenges and Binge Eating18:47 - The Concept of the Middle Place26:44 - Struggles and Progress in Recovery32:29 - Mallory's Book, Slip33:06 - Motherhood and Recovery Challenges35:11 - Obsessive Behaviours Postpartum36:38 - Research and Awareness on Eating DisordersCONNECT WITH MALLARY TENORE TARPLEY:Connect with Mallary on InstagramPick Up a Copy of SlipMallary’s WebsiteTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU: 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download] The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma