Connect is all about bringing like-minded people together, belonging to a community, exploring ways to improve your health and wellbeing, and helping you feel empowered to make the changes you want to.
S3 E7 Navigating an Eating Disorder in Midlife: Kate's Story
"...the relationship we have with ourselves is the most important relationship we have in our lives, and it should be a good relationship...it's hard, but it's doable."
Hearing the stories of others can be a powerful tool for those with similar life experiences wanting to make a change. In our second lived-experience episode for this series we sit down with Kate Purcell as she shares her journey.
Kate speaks about her experiences of an eating disorder during her younger years, and more recently. She shares what her recovery journeys have looked like, the impact of midlife on her experiences and how putting herself first has been one of the most powerful tools.
Join us for this episode and the rest of the season as we explore eating disorders during perimenopause, menopause and the midlife and continue the conversation with Butterfly Foundation, Eating Disorders Victoria, those with lived experience and more.
Hosts and Guests
Connect - https://www.moira.org.au/connect/ (https://www.moira.org.au/connect/)
Kate Purcell - https://www.instagram.com/purcellkate/ (https://www.instagram.com/purcellkate/)
Kate’s book - https://hemburybooks.com.au/author-kate-purcell/ (https://hemburybooks.com.au/author-kate-purcell/)
Helplines
Butterfly Helpline - https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/ (https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/)
Eating Disorders Victoria Hub - https://eatingdisorders.org.au/find-support/eating-disorder-helpline/ (https://eatingdisorders.org.au/find-support/eating-disorder-helpline/)
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Lifeline website - https://www.lifeline.org.au/ (https://https//www.lifeline.org.au/%E2%81%A0)
Key services and supports
Butterfly Foundation - https://butterfly.org.au/ (https://butterfly.org.au/)
Eating Disorders Victoria - https://eatingdisorders.org.au/ (https://eatingdisorders.org.au/)
EDV Learn Hub - https://learn.eatingdisorders.org.au/courses/menopause-and-eating-disorders (https://learn.eatingdisorders.org.au/courses/menopause-and-eating-disorders)
Eating Disorders Families Australia - https://edfa.org.au/ (https://edfa.org.au/)
Australasian Menopause Society - https://www.menopause.org.au/ (https://www.menopause.org.au/)
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health - https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/ (https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/)
Menopause and perimenopause virtual women’s health clinic (Victorian Government Funded Clinic) - https://www.each.com.au/services/virtual-womens-health-clinic (https://www.each.com.au/services/virtual-womens-health-clinic)
Gender-affirming services and supports
Thorne Habour Health - https://thorneharbour.org/services/ (https://thorneharbour.org/services/)
Trans Hub - https://www.transhub.org.au/our-health/menopause-oestrogen-cessation/ (https://www.transhub.org.au/our-health/menopause-oestrogen-cessation/)
20 Oct 2026
S3 E6 Normalising Ageing: Social Media & Diet Culture in Midlife with Kate McGill from Butterfly Foundation
“...my body is changing, but I don't have to make changing my body my mental health project."
In the world of social media, diet culture and body image are constantly in our feeds, being pushed at us and influencing the way we think and feel about our own bodies. Some may think this only impacts younger generations, but it’s just as harmful for women in the midlife.
Our bodies naturally change during perimenopause and menopause, but social media can make these changes seem abnormal. Kate McGill, Accredited Practicing Dietitian and Body Image Coach, from the Butterfly Foundation joins us in this episode to bust myths and help us push back against unrealistic standards.
Join us for this episode and the rest of the season as we explore eating disorders during perimenopause, menopause and the midlife and continue the conversation with Butterfly Foundation, Eating Disorders Victoria, those with lived experience and more.
Hosts and Guests
Connect - https://www.moira.org.au/connect/ (https://www.moira.org.au/connect/)
Butterfly Foundation - https://butterfly.org.au/ (https://butterfly.org.au/)
Kate McGill - https://fireflynutrition.com.au/meet-kate (https://fireflynutrition.com.au/meet-kate)
Helplines
Butterfly Helpline - https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/ (https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/)
Eating Disorders Victoria Hub - https://eatingdisorders.org.au/find-support/eating-disorder-helpline/ (https://eatingdisorders.org.au/find-support/eating-disorder-helpline/)
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Lifeline website - https://www.lifeline.org.au/ (https://https//www.lifeline.org.au/%E2%81%A0)
Key services and supports
Butterfly Foundation - https://butterfly.org.au/ (https://butterfly.org.au/)
Eating Disorders Victoria - https://eatingdisorders.org.au/ (https://eatingdisorders.org.au/)
EDV Learn Hub - https://learn.eatingdisorders.org.au/courses/menopause-and-eating-disorders (https://learn.eatingdisorders.org.au/courses/menopause-and-eating-disorders)
Eating Disorders Families Australia - https://edfa.org.au/ (https://edfa.org.au/)
Australasian Menopause Society - https://www.menopause.org.au/ (https://www.menopause.org.au/)
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health - https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/ (https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/)
Menopause and perimenopause virtual women’s health clinic (Victorian Government Funded Clinic) - https://www.each.com.au/services/virtual-womens-health-clinic (https://www.each.com.au/services/virtual-womens-health-clinic)
Gender-affirming services and supports
Thorne Habour Health - https://thorneharbour.org/services/ (https://thorneharbour.org/services/)
Trans Hub - https://www.transhub.org.au/our-health/menopause-oestrogen-cessation/ (https://www.transhub.org.au/our-health/menopause-oestrogen-cessation/)
13 Oct 2026
S3 E5 Navigating an Eating Disorder in Midlife: Sue's Story
"It may be a part of my story, but I don't want it to be the whole story anymore."
Our conversation with Sue is a real and powerful example of the challenges and barriers midlife women who experience an eating disorder face during their treatment, relationships and recovery.
Sue takes us through her experience of a severe and enduring eating disorder, as she navigated pregnancy, perimenopause, empty-nesting, and breast-cancer treatment. Sue speaks about the challenges that come along with living rurally while trying to access care, and how she navigated these obstacles.
Join us for this episode and the rest of the season as we explore eating disorders during perimenopause, menopause and the midlife and continue the conversation with Butterfly Foundation, Eating Disorders Victoria, those with lived experience and more.
Hosts and Guests
Connect - https://www.moira.org.au/connect/ (https://www.moira.org.au/connect/)
Rebecca Lister - https://www.rebeccalister.com.au/ (https://www.rebeccalister.com.au/)
Helplines
Butterfly Helpline - https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/ (https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/)
Eating Disorders Victoria Hub - https://eatingdisorders.org.au/find-support/eating-disorder-helpline/ (https://eatingdisorders.org.au/find-support/eating-disorder-helpline/)
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Lifeline website - https://www.lifeline.org.au/ (https://https//www.lifeline.org.au/%E2%81%A0)
Key services and supports
Butterfly Foundation - https://butterfly.org.au/ (https://butterfly.org.au/)
Eating Disorders Victoria - https://eatingdisorders.org.au/ (https://eatingdisorders.org.au/)
EDV Learn Hub - https://learn.eatingdisorders.org.au/courses/menopause-and-eating-disorders (https://learn.eatingdisorders.org.au/courses/menopause-and-eating-disorders)
Eating Disorders Families Australia - https://edfa.org.au/ (https://edfa.org.au/)
Australasian Menopause Society - https://www.menopause.org.au/ (https://www.menopause.org.au/)
Jean Hailes for Women’s Health - https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/ (https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/)
Menopause and perimenopause virtual women’s health clinic (Victorian Government Funded Clinic) - https://www.each.com.au/services/virtual-womens-health-clinic (https://www.each.com.au/services/virtual-womens-health-clinic)
Gender-affirming services and supports
Thorne Habour Health - https://thorneharbour.org/services/ (https://thorneharbour.org/services/)
Trans Hub - https://www.transhub.org.au/our-health/menopause-oestrogen-cessation/ (https://www.transhub.org.au/our-health/menopause-oestrogen-cessation/)
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