We were lucky to catch up with Summer Matthews recently and have shared our conversation below.

Summer, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The biggest risk I ever took was finally choosing myself. After spending most of my teen and adult life chasing success, productivity and thinness, I have chosen to take another path and recover from my eating disorder. In this process I found a softer existence, taking the time to get to know myself and my body again after years of speeding through life. In this softness, I found the strength to be my happiest and most authentic self. After studying under the RLC curriculum I became a certified Body Image Coach. I now work one on one with folks that are looking to put themselves first and heal their relationship with food and body.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As someone that has struggled with body image myself, I stumbled upon the body image coaching community and fell in love. After learning under the RLC curriculum created by PHD Jayne Mattingly, I became certified as a recovery coach. I now work one on with folks who are looking to heal their relationship with themselves and grow their confidence. In addition to one on one coaching I also facilitate workshops from the lens of body image where we collectively ground with mindfulness, journaling and discussion.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

As a recovery coach it is extremely important to take care of your own mental health. I have discovered the only way for me to hold space for others is to practice what I preach and center self care. I found slowing down, making time for myself and paying attention to signs of burn out makes me a better coach and business owner.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During the height of the pandemic I was working from home in television production. My work life balance was all out of wack and I could feel myself going numb. It was in these months that I realized that I needed to begin exploring what other options were out there for me. I knew I was passionate about body image and diet culture, but I didn’t know I could build a career from this passion. It was not until I found RLC university that I realized I could feel passionate and abundant and inspired at work. The pivot I made professionally has allowed me to see my entire life in whole new way. I feel more curious and open to what the universe has to offer me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://recoverywithsummermatthews.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoverywithsummer/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/summer-matthews-2b946a95/