About this episode
What Eating Disorders Don’t Tell You with Karina Chandler | The Hopeaholics PodcastIn this powerful episode of The Hopeaholics Podcast, guest Karina Chandler shares an extraordinary journey of resilience, vulnerability, and transformation. Opening up about her long battle with an eating disorder, complex PTSD, childhood trauma, substance use, and a harrowing medical crisis involving encephalitis and toxic mold exposure, Karina reflects on the years she spent suffering in silence while maintaining the appearance of a functioning professional and mother. She speaks candidly about how addiction, shame, and secrecy intertwined with her past, the collapse of her marriage, and her eventual rebuilding from the ground up as a single parent. Today, Karina finds strength in recovery, fitness-based community support, spirituality, and service, and she discusses how these practices not only helped her heal but also reignited her passion for helping others. This episode offers a raw, deeply human look at survival, self-discovery, and the courage to reclaim one’s life.#TheHopeaholics #redemption #recovery #AlcoholAddiction #AddictionRecovery #wedorecover #SobrietyJourney #MyStory #Hope #wedorecover #treatmentcenter #natalieevamarieJoin our patreon to get access to an EXTRA EPISODE every week of ‘Off the Record’, exclusive content, a thriving recovery community, and opportunities to be featured on the podcast. https://patreon.com/TheHopeaholics Go to www.Wolfpak.com today and support our sponsors. Don't forget to use code: HOPEAHOLICSPODCAST for 10% off!Follow the Hopeaholics on our Socials:https://www.instagram.com/thehopeaholics https://linktr.ee/thehopeaholicsBuy Merch: https://thehopeaholics.myshopify.comVisit our Treatment Centers: https://www.hopebythesea.comIf you or a loved one needs help, please call or text 949-615-8588. We have the resources to treat mental health and addiction. Sponsored by the Infiniti Group LLC:https://www.infinitigroupllc.com Timestamps:00:13:39 – First Purge and Feeling “Powerful”00:13:52 – Realizing the Eating Disorder Took Over Her Life00:14:09 – Considering Surrendering to the Disorder While Driving00:16:30 – Drinking at 17 and Being Introduced to Alcohol at Age 800:17:12 – Meeting Her Addicted Father for the First Time00:17:29 – Her Father Showing Her Off Without Ever Making Amends00:20:17 – Losing Her Developmentally Delayed Sister00:24:20 – Working in a Prison Facility While Her Eating Disorder Spiraled00:25:02 – Drinking, Binging, Purging, and Drunk Driving as a Daily Cycle00:30:53 – Becoming a Clinical Director While Secretly Drinking Nightly00:31:26 – Losing Her Career and Driving Uber Just to Survive00:50:39 – Getting Her Second DUI After Months of Isolation00:51:52 – Board Told Her She Must Get
