Food, Faith, and Freedom: Rewriting Recovery with Stephanie Mattrey

In this conversation, licensed acupuncturist and women’s health practitioner Stephanie Mattrey shares her lived experience with anorexia and bulimia and how it informs her work helping women recover from food addiction and disordered eating. We explore the brain-based nature of addiction, why some 12-step frameworks help (and where rigidity can harm), and how faith became an anchoring part of Stephanie’s recovery. Stephanie explains cycle-aware patterns—why cravings and coping often intensify in the luteal phase, what perimenopause can feel like when cycles stretch or sleep shifts, and how to support yourself with steady protein, simple meals, and data-gathering without obsession. We also touch on postpartum nourishment, practical ideas for meal trains, talking with teens about bodies in a matter-of-fact way, and the daily rituals that keep her grounded (a short morning prayer sit and planning food the night before). If you’re feeling shame or fear around food, Stephanie’s message is clear: it’s not your fault—and recovery is possible, compassionate, and worth it.

Stephanie Mattrey’s practice & The Pulse Project: https://www.shinerising.com/membership

The Pulse Project Podcast 

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