In this episode, Tara Kemp and I talk about her journey from disordered eating to health coaching.  She dives into how it all began with identity loss and disordered eating as a coping mechanism.  We discuss how she changed her relationship with food through veganism and a deep healing journey into her relationship with herself.  We also talk about Tara’s research on veganism and disordered eating and how her own journey inspired her to create Reconnect Collective.

Tara Kemp is a mental health coach, PhD researcher, writer, self-love advocate and the creator of Reconnect Collective, a collection of programs focused on reconnecting with food, with our bodies, and with ourselves through the inner work.

What we discuss:

0:00 Intro

1:00 Tara’s Story – identity loss as a gymnast, disordered eating as a coping mechanism

12:56 Finding harmony with a plant-based diet

19:08 Relationship to past version of self

22:35 Having help on your journey

33:35 Curiosity and compassion vs. judgment towards yourself

36:12 Deciding to get a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary health

42:35 Research on veganism and disordered eating

50:20 Reconnect Collective deeper dive

53:56 Building community

58:20 Societal influence on our eating behaviors

1:02:30 Final questions

1:04:38 Nervous system awareness – polyvagal theory

Follow Jessica on instagram: @jessicahwangcoaching

Follow Tara on instagram: @tarakemp_

Tara’s Website: www.reconnectcollective.com

Music co-written by Steven Murillo (@someoneinatreeband) & Jessica Hwang (@jessicahwangcoaching)