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

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

Author: Emmamma November 20, 2025 Duration: 45:54

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

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The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Cyclical Doula Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Emma Goff or Emmamma LLC. This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice.


Hosted by Emma, a certified SymptoPro instructor, fertility awareness educator, miscarriage doula, and mother, The Cyclical Doula Podcast: Fertility Awareness, Charting Cycles, and Reproductive Health Education moves beyond theory into the practical, often unspoken realities of living in sync with your body. This podcast serves as a guide for anyone seeking to move past confusion and fear surrounding their reproductive health, offering grounded education on charting biological signs and understanding the language of your cycle. Emma’s approach is rooted in both professional certification and personal experience, creating a blend of reliable information and compassionate insight. Conversations here delve into body literacy, the transitions of motherhood, and the tangible process of rebuilding a trusting relationship with oneself. You’ll find episodes that tackle specific fertility awareness methods, explore the emotional layers of reproductive journeys, and answer the nuanced questions that often go unaddressed. It’s a resource for learning to observe, interpret, and honor your cyclical nature, whether your goals involve family planning, simply understanding your health better, or finding more rhythm in your daily life. Tune in for a straightforward, educational, and deeply personal exploration of what it means to truly know your body, all through the supportive lens of a doula’s expertise. The discussions in this podcast are designed to equip you with knowledge and perspective, making complex topics accessible and directly applicable to your own experience.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 40

The Cyclical Doula Podcast: Fertility Awareness, Charting Cycles, and Reproductive Health Education
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