Leah shares her deeply personal battle with anorexia, revealing how the need for control during a chaotic first year of teaching spiraled into dangerous eating habits and a 40-pound weight loss. Michael and Leah explore the striking parallels between eating disorders and addiction, highlighting how both serve as coping mechanisms when life feels out of control.

• Leah's experience moving to Nashville after college and developing anorexia during her first year teaching
• The psychological aspects of eating disorders—seeking control rather than just body image
• Dangerous habits including extreme calorie restriction and excessive exercise
• Feeling like "a prisoner in my own brain" while wanting to participate in normal social activities
• How fertility concerns became the turning point for Leo's recovery journey
• Michael's perspective on addiction and control through his bodybuilding experience
• The challenge of gaining weight during recovery and confronting triggers
• Advice for supporting loved ones struggling with eating disorders or addiction
• The importance of accepting help even when you feel others "have it worse"
• Recovery as an ongoing process with daily challenges

We explore the challenges and solutions for maintaining adult friendships through major life transitions, while balancing professional relationships and personal growth.

• Making a commitment to intentional relationship time through regular "Bay Days"
• The importance of honest, immediate feedback rather than letting issues build up
• Finding the balance between setting boundaries and maintaining friendships with coworkers
• Different friendship maintenance styles - some need daily contact, others can reconnect after months
• Navigating friendships when transitioning into serious relationships
• Using a non-accusatory approach when addressing relationship concerns
• How career ambitions and life stages impact friendship dynamics
• Setting clear expectations in both personal and professional relationships

We'd love to hear how you navigate your adult friendships through major life changes! Share your experiences with us on social media or email us directly.

What happens when life abruptly forces you to slow down? Leah's torn ACL becomes the unexpected catalyst for profound self-reflection in this intimate conversation about finding purpose during life's unwanted pauses. After being dismissed as "dramatic" for months, Leah finally received validation through an MRI—but now faces the mental challenge of feeling unproductive during recovery.

The pair delves into "analysis by paralysis," that paralyzing overthinking that keeps us from pursuing new ventures. Michael and Leah explore how their contrasting personalities—his quick-start approach versus her fact-finding nature—create balance in both their relationship and individual growth. This natural tension becomes a strength as they push each other beyond comfort zones while providing the security needed to take risks.

Leadership emerges as a central theme, with Michael sharing his evolution as a business owner and the parallel lessons for relationships: "Business is simple, people are complicated." Both require understanding individual motivations and communication styles. The conversation reveals how intentionality transforms connections, from relationship repair after conflicts to the small gestures that demonstrate love more powerfully than grand displays.

Perhaps most powerfully, they discuss the foundation of strong partnerships—not just what you give to another person, but who you become alongside them. "Behind every great man is a great woman," Michael notes, but emphasizes the reciprocal nature of this truth. Security comes from knowing your partner is committed to becoming their best self while supporting your growth too. This episode offers both practical wisdom and emotional intelligence for anyone navigating relationships, personal development, or life's unexpected detours.