Reckless Optimist

A raw, deeply personal comeback story about addiction, eating disorders, grief, and the moment everything changed. Megan Mentzer opens up about the long path from childhood perfectionism and body-image struggles to alcohol dependence, rock-bottom shame, and the decision that finally ended it all. She traces the hidden cracks that formed early - growing up in a high-achieving family, moving constantly, battling disordered eating as a child, and using alcohol to numb the pressure, pain, and perfectionism that followed her into adulthood. Along the way, she shares the toll of a devastating marriage, postpartum anxiety, the loss of her father, and the terrifying spiral that eventually led to a life-or-death turning point. You’ll hear how Megan rebuilt from the inside out, with therapy, sobriety, faith, and a complete rewiring of how she sees food, health, and herself. We break down the difference between weight loss and true wellness, why “being thinner” is not the same as being stronger, and how she learned to treat food as fuel instead of a coping mechanism. She also shares what changed when she returned to running as a competitive masters athlete, and why this season of life feels freer, healthier, and more meaningful than her college years ever did. Megan also gets candid about motherhood, how she talks to her daughters about body image in the age of social media, and why asking for help is not weakness. Her story is a reminder that rock bottom is not the end - it can be the beginning of everything. Essential listening if you need proof that you can reinvent yourself at any age, recover from what felt unfixable, and build a life that actually fits who you are now.Featuring:Megan Mentzer- Nurse Practitioner, masters runner, Ironman, wife, and sober mom sharing her recovery from alcohol use disorder, eating disorder recovery, and the rebuilding of her identity through faith, therapy, and endurance sport.Hans Mentzer- Host and husband, guiding the conversation with personal insight into Megan’s transformation and their shared athletic journey.

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