In times of stress, we seek to self-sooth our nervous systems… But it isn’t always beneficial in the long run. When we think about eating, it’s easy to forget how deeply connected food is to our nervous system, early attachment experiences, and even the ways we relate to ourselves. Eating is not just about nutrients. It’s about safety, grounding, and the body’s attempt to protect itself.

In this episode, Jay sits down for an insightful conversation with Stephanie Mara Fox, founder of Somatic Eating and somatic psychotherapist, to explore how we can begin to understand our relationship with food from a place of curiosity and compassion. Stephanie shares how hyper-palatable foods can become stand-ins for secure attachment, the impact of diet culture on our nervous system, and practical ways to start building trust with our bodies and our meals.

In this episode, Stephanie talks about:

• How food behaviors can reflect survival strategies and unmet attachment needs
• The role of somatic awareness in understanding impulses around food
• Practical ways to reconnect with your body through somatic pauses and neutral body check-ins
• Food fawning and the ways people-pleasing can show up in eating behaviors

To learn more about Stephanie’s work and programs, visit StephanieMara.com for one-on-one support and her podcast Satiated, or SomaticEating.com for her live three-month Somatic Eating program, community meals, and upcoming Somatic Eating Coach Certification Training.

And to stay connected with Jay, head over to jaymoonfields.com and follow along on Instagram. If you have a question for the podcast, send it in. You might just hear it on a future episode.

Connect with Stephanie Mara Fox:

• Personal Website: https://www.stephaniemara.com/
• Somatic Eating Website: https://www.somaticeating.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_stephaniemara/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmara/

Connect with Jay:

• Official Website: https://jaymoonfields.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heywaitwithjay/
• “Yours Truly” Coaching Program: https://jaymoonfields.com/coaching
• Jay Moon Fields’ Book “Teaching People Not Poses”: https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-People-Not-Poses-Principles/dp/1478326913/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymoonfields