I'm joined by Dr. Regina Lazarovich, a clinical psychologist, Health at Every Size (HAES)–aligned provider, and someone with lived experience of binge eating and perfectionism. Together, we unpack the lesser-discussed connection between high achievement, perfectionism, and binge eating, and how shame and restriction can keep us stuck in painful cycles with food.
Tune in as a paid subscriber for more on:
*The connection between perfectionism and binge eating — and why it’s rarely talked about.
*Why restriction (mental, emotional, and physical) often drives binge eating, not “lack of willpower.”
*Regina’s story of developing binge eating disorder amid academic and cultural pressures.
*The shame cycle: how guilt after binge eating fuels renewed restriction and perfectionistic resolve.
*Why binge eating is a protective response from the body — not a personal failure.
*The impact of immigrant identity, family expectations, and internalized achievement pressure on self-worth and body image.
*The moral hierarchy of eating disorders — and how fatphobia shapes which struggles get compassion.
*Tangible ways to interrupt the binge–restrict cycle and begin to bring compassion to our relationship with food.
*Approaching binge eating through a body-trusting, HAES-aligned lens.
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*Extra full-length conversations like this one
*Bonus in-depth essays on body image, food, and movement
*Access to the entire archive of paywalled episodes and newsletters
*Deeper, more personal reflections and behind-the-scenes insights
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Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
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About Regina: Dr. Regina Lazarovich, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, trained teacher of Mindful Self-Compassion, and the founder of the private practice Compass CBT, serving clients across California, New York, and Florida. Dr. Lazarovich has dedicated her fifteen-year career to helping individuals break free from anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, disordered eating, binge eating disorder, body image struggles, people-pleasing, and perfectionism.With a wealth of expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Dr. Lazarovich approaches each client's mental health journey with kindness and understanding. As a Health at Every Size (HAES®) aligned therapist, she wholeheartedly believes that every body deserves care, compassion, and respect.