Exercise & Mental Health - with Sonja Kotaridis

After receiving my PTSD diagnosis in 2023, exercise has become an essential tool in the overall management of my mental health and well-being. I briefly touch on how nearly three years of post-separation litigation has impacted me, and now being stuck in a state of 'functional' freeze - my body's response to chronic stress. 

I invited Sonja Kotaridis (PT, nutrition coach & professional dancer) to join me on this episode for a number of reasons. Son is equipped with the education and experience from both a professional and personal perspective, to discuss the benefits and importance of exercise with regards to our mental health overall well-being. She also opens up about her own battles with disordered eating and at times an unhealthy focus on her weight. 

We also discuss: the importance of structure and consistency of routine, the prevalence of body dissatisfaction, body image trends, our relationship as women with food, the habitual reliance on our phones and distractions during our workouts, the positive and negative effects of social media & the dangers of online clickbait, the advantages of group fitness, understanding our personal limitations when it comes to comparisons, motivation with realistic goals, shifting our mindset to measuring weight objectively as data only - without an emotional connection, establishing functional self-awareness, and so much more. 

For more support, you can contact The Butterfly Foundation - 1800 33 4673 or visit their website (www.butterfly.org.au) for free & confidential support.

https://www.sjay.com.au & @agirllikeyou_podcast