Judged for your choices? Terrorized by teenagers on wheels? This one’s for you. This week, I’m talking about why I “walked” the vegan life for a while, what pulled me in, and—more importantly—what pushed me right back out. (Spoiler: it wasn’t the tofu.) Then there’s the comment section hero who informed me we should “leave the fish alone” and stop eating anything with a pulse.

From there, we slide straight into the gym—where the all‑or‑nothing crowd loves to mock beginners like it’s a sport. And because the universe loves a theme, I wrap it all up with a real‑time suburban fever dream involving feral middle‑schoolers on e‑bikes who apparently believe they run the streets after dark.

It’s chaotic, honest, and a little unhinged… in the best way. If you’ve ever felt judged for your choices—or just mildly terrorized by teenagers on wheels—tune in, you'll get it. Trust me 🖤

In this deeply personal episode, I share my journey from normal childhood eating habits to a toxic obsession with calories and weight. I recount specific moments—like my secret food hiding tactics, dangerous purging attempts, and the intense drive that fueled my athletic success—all rooted in a complex mix of societal pressure and internal frustration. Eventually, my desire to control food evolved into an all-consuming battle, impacting my health, mind, and relationships.

I never thought I'd talk about my eating disorder so openly ... sometimes, the hardest step is just asking for help. Learn more about my story on my YouTube channel @ShaunaGabriel and blog, Finally Thriving and Seriously Irritated. Stay tuned for more unfiltered talk.

I’ll skip the “my childhood was perfectly fine, thanks for asking” preamble. You’re not here for the scrapbook. You’re here for the part where the ground starts to shift. The spirals, the second‑guessing, the endless what‑ifs that kept me frozen in place. I knew I wanted more, but I couldn’t make myself choose a direction. I stalled, I circled, I hesitated. I convinced myself that staying stuck was safer than making the wrong move.

This episode is the first chapter. The background to how I finally started thriving. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your own “before,” this one’s for you. Learn more and watch the outtakes on YouTube.