In this episode of Recover Outloud, Sean sits down with Julie May, founder and host of The Ridiculously You Podcast, for a deeply human conversation about addiction, mental health, identity, and learning how to love yourself without conditions.

Julie shares her journey through perfectionism, food addiction, suicidal ideation, toxic relationships, and the hidden pressure of appearing “put together” while silently falling apart. Together, they explore how addiction isn’t limited to drugs or alcohol, how trauma and stress live in the body, and why healing often starts with radical self-acceptance rather than shame.

This episode dives into:

Addiction beyond substances, including food, habits, and control

The danger of wearing masks while suffering internally

How stress, trauma, and perfectionism fuel mental health struggles

The connection between nutrition, inflammation, and brain health

Boundaries, nervous system regulation, and conscious behavior change

Why connection—not perfection—is the antidote to addiction

This is a conversation about choosing life in moments when everything feels unbearable, honoring the body as part of recovery, and finding joy by embracing even the “ridiculous” parts of who you are.

Listener discretion advised. If you’re struggling, you are not alone—and healing doesn’t require you to become someone else.

To connect with Julie:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.may.524

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridiculouslyyou

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@RidiculouslyYou⁩  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MNsP8bWZdZsWtrOpEaEJh?si=3f0f6e8c14744b09