How Fitness Can Heal and Empower with the Body Building Psychologist Dr. Efi Ep. 171

A walk on the beach turned into a journey to the stage, as Dr. Efi's encounter with fitness blossomed into a passion for competitive bodybuilding. Her story during the COVID-19 lockdown is nothing short of remarkable, highlighting her transition from casual gym-goer to a dedicated bodybuilding competitor. Dr. Efi shares her mission to help other women achieve their fitness goals and offers a mental prep checklist for aspiring competitors. Listen as she reflects on the mind-body connection, the importance of overcoming fear, and the empowerment she found in embracing her new identity. This episode is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of finding strength in adversity.

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Chapters

• 0:42 Finding Courage to Leave Toxic Relationship
• 12:40 Rediscovering Self Through Healing and Joy
• 18:19 Journey Through Bodybuilding and Mental Health
• 29:17 Healing Journey Through Bodybuilding

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:42

Welcome to Ella Go. My name is Lisa. Join me on the journey in having real raw and uncomfortable discussions about fitness, health and everything in between, because, let's be honest, this journey would suck if we don't get our shit together. Welcome back to the Elegoo podcast. My name is Lisa, I am your host and all the way from Australia we have Dr Effie. Dr Effie, welcome to the Elegoo podcast. Hello, thanks for having me. I'm happy to have you here. As people could see, she's wearing a sweater and a turtleneck and here on the East Coast we are just getting into summer and she's freezing. So, dr Effie, why don't you introduce yourself to the listeners?

Speaker 2: 1:44

Okay, well, hi everyone. So I'm a clinical psychologist. I've been a psychologist for about 20 years now and I'm also a single mom to three girls, who I have full time, and I'm also a bodybuilding competitor in the bikini division. So my life's pretty full.

Speaker 1: 2:07

Yes, yes, and I reached out to you because you were a single mother and then, when you told me your story, I was like, okay, fitness is also involved in the story, so tell us a little bit about your background. The was like, okay, fitness is also involved in the story, so tell us a little bit about your background.

Speaker 2: 2:20

The story Okay, so I left my marriage six years ago. It was an emotionally abusive marriage and really was weighing me down and I was quite weak emotionally and physically. Towards the end I was getting quite stressed by the whole thing, um, tolerating a lot that I shouldn't be, um, but too scared to leave. Um, you know how would I cope on my own, financially and practically and all of that. And you know, in the end I found the courage to do that and ended the marriage. As things have unfolded, it ended up that I'm raising the girls on my own. He's no longer in the picture of his own. That was a voluntary thing on his behalf, so I've been raising these beautiful three girls alone.

Speaker 2: 3:21

And, um, it took me some time to really get stronger mentally, um, you know, to really recover, to really figure out how do I navigate this, uh, this life. Um, I was, you know, towards the end of my marriage in particular, I was dedicating all my effort and energy towards my work, my clients, helping other people and my girls. There was like not much left for me, so it really drained me and also, from the stress, I lost a lot of weight. I actually couldn't eat. I lost about 10 kilograms, so I wasn't a big person, so, yeah, so there wasn't much left.

Speaker 2: 4:05

So about a year later I felt that I was much stronger mentally. You know, I actually got rid of a big stress from my life. So, you know, things actually felt more calm in many ways. So, yes, there were other stresses to navigate, but gradually, I figured, I figured out my way and, yeah, so a year later I decided, you know, time to put something towards myself. And it didn't happen sort of dramatically, it was just that gradually I started catching up more with friends and, you know, just doing different things, finding ways to even do that by getting a babysitter to come, so I could put that time for myself. And gradually, with that, I realised I need to be stronger physically, not just mentally. It's sort of something that hit me at one point and I can get into how that all kind of evolved as well. But yeah, that's basically the story.

Speaker 1: 5:12

I know a lot of women could probably resonate with your story. And you said something you weren't you know, you weren't ready to leave. You're scared to leave, and what was it that needed to happen for you to end your relationship?

Speaker 2: 5:29

Yeah, it's a very good question. I honestly there were times where I thought I don't know how I'm going to do this. I actually don't know how to do it and you know, I almost waited for my then husband to make the call, but that wasn't happening. It was very comfortable, so it really was up to me. The way it actually ended up happening is quite um interesting. Remember I said I lost a lot of weight. That was visible, right, you can't hide that. So what's happening was people around me noticed that I'm not myself right, I didn't speak about anything that was happening.

Speaker 2: 6:12

I've always been a very private person. I was also ashamed. You know what going on? I didn't want to reveal that this was going on in my marriage. So I pretended like everything's fine. But I can't pretend losing weight. So you know, you see it in my face my clothes were getting looser. I couldn't really hide that. So my family noticed, you know, in particular because they were the people I saw the most often, outside of everything else in my life, and kind of pointed it out to me and then actually asked me you know what's going on? I still didn't reveal anything. But the pivotal moment was when my parents contacted me and said if we think something's going on at home, we don't know what it is, but whatever it is, we'll support you, we'll help you. And I still didn't say anything. There were like tears rolling down my face. It was like on the phone, so they didn't see. But I remember then thinking, okay, I will have help if I do this. And that's what in the end pushed me to do it.

Speaker 1: 7:30

Wow. So people didn't know the toxic relationship? Nobody knew, nobody knew, nobody knew. Oh my goodness, why do you think women do that? Is it because the judging? I know you mentioned shame, do you think the judging?

Speaker 2: 7:49

Look I think it's shame. It's a mixture of things. It's shame. It's, unfortunately, denial. You keep thinking is that really happening or is it not? You know, maybe that's just how things are. You know, you get used to it, you really get used to it. Um, and you know it wasn't until I actually spoke about it out loud and you hear yourself giving examples of situations and you're like, oh my God, that does not sound normal, that does not sound. And people are hearing and they're like that is not right. You know. And so then you know, the more you reveal, it's almost like it hits you all over again. You sort of traumatise all over again, just trying to process. I actually went through that, you know, I allowed myself to go through that. So I think, yeah, it's, it's a denial, it's um fear, um, also perhaps of the partner. You know what might happen if you end it Right.

Speaker 1: 8:48

Um and yeah, and the shame, you know, possibly, uh, it was for me at the time Um and and shame, not shame of separating so much, shame of revealing what, what the partner that I had chosen was like right, I, you know, I can, only I, I, I want you to say the, the tell your story, because I know so many women have gone through things and then you didn't know until after the fact that they were going through these horrific, traumatizing relationships. And it is that shame. And the other thing that you said it's so amazing when you are in your little bubble world right in your head, but you're not saying it, you're not writing it, but the minute you say it, you know, as you're telling the story, and in your mind you're like, wow, that's terrible.

Speaker 2: 9:55

Exactly. I'm like that's not normal, that's not right, right, yeah, totally.

Speaker 1: 10:02

Yes. So it's amazing how, when you finally say it, then it becomes your truth because it's out there and you're hearing it. So let me ask you this. I know that after you took initiative and you took action, how long did it take for you to feel like, okay, I'm okay, I can do this?

Speaker 2: 10:28

Yeah, I'd say properly a year, right, um, because initially it was, you know, really dealing with the practicality of the whole thing. You know, um dividing assets and you know dealing with lawyers and, um, you know kids in a new routine and you know now there's not another parent there, so if I'm going with one child what I do with the other child, you know all of that. It it was very laser focused on that, on the practicality of all the different things, that you're almost not processing it fully. So I think I don't even think I've caught up with any friends or anything for the first six months. I was just in my own bubble and just let me just deal with this. So, yeah, probably after about six months I started actually seeing some more people, but really fully, just like coming down to earth, was probably a year.

Speaker 1: 11:32

So I asked you this question because think about women who are in toxic relationships for years.

Speaker 2: 11:41

Yeah, exactly Years.

Speaker 1: 11:43

And to think that when they do that, do make that decision to leave or the relationship ends one year. One year versus years yes. Of trauma, being traumatized. Yes, yes.

Speaker 2: 11:59

Yes, that's exactly right.

Speaker 1: 12:01

Yeah. So the other question I had is you know, you being a clinical psychologist and you going through this, how did you mentally and emotionally heal, like what are some of the things that you mentally?

Speaker 2: 12:19

and emotionally heal. Like what are some of the things that you did to heal? Yeah, it's funny, isn't it? I was saying to you in the off chat that being a psychologist doesn't make you immune from going through difficulties, and certainly doesn't straight away. Make me know, okay, now we do these five strategies and we'll be just fine. Doesn't straight away make me know okay, now we do these five strategies and we'll be just fine. You know, so it's it's. It totally is not like that. I had to. I'm like what do I do with people, like to help them, because, like, right now I'm totally lost. But yeah, it's just, there's this cloud over you. You know it's very difficult. So you know it was a series of steps. You know it was really at first.

Speaker 2: 12:59

The very first step was just let's just do the practical stuff so it doesn't feel so overwhelming, right? So it was just step by step, like how do we? Let's create a different routine, let's just figure out all the little tiny day-to-day stuff, because, yeah, if you can at least problem solve and deal with that, then that takes one huge stress away. So that was the first step. The next step was really starting to get rid of things that just drained me, things that whether that's people or things, right. So you gradually start to see, you know, just like in my marriage I was on autopilot all the time. There were lots of other things in my life that were on autopilot that didn't really serve me really, you know. So even with the kids' activities I was trying to send them to so many extracurricular activities, did they really enjoy them? Did they want them? You know, I had a theory in my head this would be good for you and this would be good.

Speaker 2: 14:05

So then I realised my time is very precious and limited. Let's really put the energy towards things that actually are important and really matter. So, you know, I started kind of decluttering my life, so to speak. You know, a bit like doing a bit of a life audit. You know, I started kind of decluttering my life, so to speak. You know, a bit like doing a bit of a life audit. You know, you kind of what do I really need to keep and what do I not? Um, so it was. It was a little bit of that, right, um, you know, and and the same like, yeah, with people around me, I'm catching up with all you know, trying to catch up with people and it's like who do I really enjoy spending time with? Like let's really allocate the time and energy to that, so it doesn't feel like a chore and like I have an obligation to now catch up with everybody or that sort of thing, right, um, and and then the next step was, you know, really starting to rediscover what I enjoy.

Speaker 2: 14:56

So now that you're sort of, you got rid of all the kind of things that don't belong there or don't serve any purpose to, yeah, really start to discover those things that I enjoy.

Speaker 2: 15:07

And it was. You know, yes, there were some times where I did journal some things to try and understand myself better, and, you know, I did some mindfulness as well. So, just, you know, being in the moment, not thinking too many steps ahead and that sort of thing, but really in the end, it was the practical steps that helped me discover things. You know, I discovered I enjoy things I never even knew I enjoyed, but I hadn't had the time or energy to be able to do it.

Speaker 2: 15:38

In my marriage I was fully, to be honest, a bit like a single mum in my marriage it was all me doing, you know, the caring for the kids and taking them everywhere and things like that. There was just not really any time for me. So, yeah, so I gradually, yes, started discovering those things. So, you know, know, that felt amazing and so that was, that was the most healing, you know, I would say, just putting that time for myself and discovering what I enjoy, also things I used to enjoy in the past. I hadn't done a long time, for example, dancing. Um, you know, when I was younger, you know I used to love going out dancing with girlfriends, you know. So, being able to kind of do that again, I just felt alive. I was like, oh my gosh, I forgot how much I enjoy this. I love music, you know things like that.

Speaker 1: 16:27

Yeah, yeah, so it almost. I I will say this I, I went through the same thing, you know you. You then say well, who am I?

Speaker 2: 16:36

What do I?

Speaker 1: 16:37

like what do I like you know, and then it gets me thinking that you know, when we get into these relationships, I think a lot of women forget who they are. You could still be in a relationship with somebody and still have your wholeness, have who you are, what you like to do. You know what I mean and I think that some of us we get involved in relationships and it's all about them and we forget the me part and you don't realize it until you are no longer in that relationship and it's rediscovering yourself, which is probably it is healing and joy.

Speaker 1: 17:20

It brings joy to you, that oh my goodness, the things that I used to like to do, things I used to like to do now, things I like to do now. So there's almost like a rebirth every time.

Speaker 2: 17:33

Totally rebirth.

Speaker 1: 17:34

Yeah, I think about that. So the other side of this is, you said I not only had to work on my mental and emotional healing, but then the physical part. So how did that transition to the physical part?

Speaker 2: 17:52

Yeah. So this too was, you know, not something that happened dramatically, like I got up one day and said now I've got to focus on my physical body. The way that that actually happened was in the process of gradually catching up with the friends that I do enjoy spending time with. I met one of my friends and what we did as we caught up was go for a walk along the beach and you know, just walking and talking.

Speaker 2: 18:20

And then the walk finished and, you know, I drove back home and had the babysitter in there and I didn't want to go in the house. I just sort of thought, gosh, that walk was so good, I feel like I'm not done. Even though I've left the beach and I've parked outside my house, I thought the babysitter is still in there, I don't have to go in, I'm going to continue my walk, I'll just do it in my neighborhood. So I, you know, parked the car and I got out and I started going for a walk and I just loved being in the fresh air. As you know, you can relate with a ruddy.

Speaker 2: 18:59

I just loved being in the fresh air and just the clarity that was coming to my mind, just different thoughts, and I couldn't stop walking. I felt like Forrest Gump. I just couldn't stop walking. I walked and walked and I'm like, oh my gosh, it's been an hour, I'm still walking. I'm so far from home, I've got another hour to get back. It didn't bother me, it was evening, it was dark, but it was quite safe you know where I am and I just kept walking, didn't even have music, nothing, just the surroundings, you know. And by the time I got back home, I felt so good, you know, like the endorphins kicked in. I just felt refreshed, I had clarity, I just felt alive. And it's really, you know, when we're talking about rebirth, it literally is like that. I just felt alive again and I thought this is a genius idea. I need to get the babysitter just so I can go for a walk, right? So I started doing that. So when I came back, I booked her in. I thought I've got a budget for this, this is totally worth it for me to feel this alive, this, this is where the money needs to go. So, um, I booked her in and I would just go for walks and gradually I started making myself a little playlist and I'd put music and go for the walk.

Speaker 2: 20:18

The walks became jogs. I started jogging to a local park. I would go for like laps. I've never jogged in my life. I would do that.

Speaker 2: 20:29

Then what happened was the weather started getting cold. You know, it got to winter and that was not going to be possible. So I thought, okay, well, I'll just join a gym so I can go for a run on a treadmill. I'll continue this. So looked for a gym, joined a gym and when I entered the gym I thought am I crazy? Why would I go on a treadmill? Look at all these machines. Look at all these machines and you know, you see all these people pumping iron and things like that, and men, women.

Speaker 2: 21:06

And I thought, oh my God, I actually, I really want to be strong now. This is what I want. I want to be like the. I need muscles. I was weak, you know, because I lost all that weight and even though my appetite had come back and I was feeling healthier and so on, I thought I want to be strong. Now. I'm the sole parent to these girls. I'm the man and woman of the house, so to speak. I need to protect them and I want to look strong, not just feel strong you know, on our muscle, you know.

Speaker 2: 21:35

So I thought that's what I'm going to do.

Speaker 2: 21:38

So when I joined that gym, I got like these three free sessions with the trainer, and you know, and he asked me oh, what's the goal? And I said I want muscles and I want a six-pack. That's what I want. And he just laughed at me he should see me now. And he just laughed at me. He should see me now. But so he showed me some basic sort of exercises and then I just went and I just, you know, looked at different machines. I would like Google them and look on YouTube how you use them, but the point was I felt so much better. I felt stronger. There were parts of my body that were kind of activated than never were before and gradually, even without knowing much about what I was doing, you know, little baby biceps were showing and you know there was a bit more muscle and I just felt so much better.

Speaker 2: 22:31

What happened then was that everything closed because COVID hit and I had to be creative at home and I used some apps that showed me how to do some things with dumbbells and body weight exercises. But then the next thing that happened was I dabbled in some online dating during that COVID time and I met a wonderful man who's now my partner and he did a bodybuilding competition when he was in his early 20s. And you know, as you do in covert times, you send pictures and get to know each other and do video calls and he's like you look like you put on muscle quickly. So I don't know what you're talking about. Okay, fine, and he thought, have you ever thought about competing? And I said what are you talking about? I'm just like I'm just starting out. I'm just I'm not going and I'm not going on stage in a bikini in front of an audience and, you know, flaunting my stuff, I'm not going to do that.

Speaker 2: 23:34

So, um, but he planted a seed and that seed began to grow and, as you know, it was a long time, this kind of situation, this lockdown and, uh, you know, gradually I started looking up what this is, what competing is, looking up competitors, and I thought, god, these women are strong warrior women and you know I can see they've got a goal and they're working towards something to get to the stage. And I thought you know what I think I want to do, that I want to go completely out of my comfort zone, do something I'd never. I never would have done and do that and I thought I've already challenged myself in so many ways. I've done so many new things since my marriage ended. You know this. This could be good for me and it was the best thing I've ever done. And so I did. I looked for a coach, a bodybuilding coach during COVID, and as soon as the gyms opened again here in Melbourne, I met with her, and I've been with her ever since and have done a few competitions.

Speaker 1: 24:40

Yeah. So I'm looking at your Instagram and you say I mean, you're not kidding, you're definitely a competitor, you're definitely a competitor. So with that I mean how many competitions have you done?

Speaker 2: 24:59

So I've done four yeah, okay, so the gyms here reopened in November 2020. I did the first competition in May 2021, then another one in May 2022. Then I took a break and then I came back and we had two competitions in the season here April and May. So I did those two, oh my God, unbelievable.

Speaker 1: 25:25

Wow, I'm looking at your May 11th picture Unbelievable. So with that you're. Now you're involved in competitions, but you're doing something with it. I mean, you're I'm looking at it right now you're helping other uh bodybuilders yes, yes.

Speaker 2: 25:42

So so I've now gotten into that as well. So, as I've gotten into this, into this world, um, and met some amazing other competitors, and it's really a beautiful community of hardworking individuals what I've realised is that, you know, like any other sport, there's a lot of mental involvement as well as physical. Right, there's the discipline, there's the grit, there's sometimes self-doubt. You know, about competing With bodybuilding as well, you've got a whole other dimension because it's a physique competition. You're training as a sport, but then when you get to the stage it's very much a physique competition. There's no, it's not a running race. You know it's not kind of, you're competing that way, but you're still an athlete. So you know it's not kind of, you're competing that way, but you're still an athlete. So you know, because of physique competition, you've got things like body image issues that can come into play and doubting yourself. That way, there's also other things to navigate. So in bodybuilding you never stay looking the same. You're always looking to improve. So that means that you have what's called an off-season, where you're eating more and training harder to build the muscle and then before a competition, you cut so that you get leaner. So you've got those different. So you know, throughout the year you're looking different in different phases and that can mess with a lot of people's heads. You know, first it's all glamorized when you're in state and then you know your body changes and so that can be quite confronting.

Speaker 2: 27:17

So and I noticed that there's such a gap. There's actually not really any mental health assistance for that. You know there's some, there's a little bit, but there's not many sort of experts with psychology. You know there's um, there's some, there's a little bit um, but there's not many sort of experts with psychology. You know a lot of experts, psychology background to really help you with that. So I think a lot of bodybuilding coaches do their best, of course with their competitors to hype them up and give them pep talks and positive affirmations and things like that and obviously speak from their own experience. But there's such a gap, you know, to help them deal with mental health issues that can come up and maybe if you've had a mental health issue in the past because you're really challenging yourself and putting yourself under extreme conditions, that can also come to the surface if you haven't dealt with it before.

Speaker 2: 28:14

Yes, that's the other thing, it's not just specific to that you know if you've never been good at handling stress, or handling worries or negative thoughts, and they start to create, you know, creep in there then. Then you wouldn't have the skills right. So, um, you know, because I'm so passionate about the sport and I'm very passionate about being a psychologist as well, um, it's been so fun to actually gradually transition to working with this population that I love um, and because I'm in it myself, I know exactly what it feels like um, and so now that's that's what I do. So there's different, different issues that we've dealt with. You know, for some it is very much a body image thing. For some it's relationship with food. You know, for others, it's just how do you maintain the discipline and the focus when it's something that you really want to do, right?

Speaker 1: 29:07

um, yeah, all different issues I'm looking at your, so I'm back on your Instagram and you have a free mental prep checklist.

Speaker 2: 29:17

Yes.

Speaker 1: 29:18

Wow, yeah, that is pretty cool. So it's a free mental prep checklist for female bodybuilding competitors. Yes, so that's a freebie on her website. And we'll talk more about how to get a hold of her. I'm looking again. I'm looking at your photos. How tall are you?

Speaker 2: 29:39

I'm. Do you want it in centimeters or feet? I don't know. Feet we're in feet. Different country. 5'8".

Speaker 1: 29:50

Oh, okay, my God, I mean I'm looking at some of these pictures and those people must be really small, because you look like you're towering over some of these people. Wow, dr Effie, that is so amazing that you're now giving back to the community that you're in involved in. But the transition and I love that you said you know you, you are healing you. You did your healing emotionally and mentally and then transitioning into your physical and there is that mind body connection. I mean, obviously you know you're, you're helping other women who want to be bodybuilders, not only work on their bodies, but you also want to be able to work on your mind, because it is connected, correct journey. Just looking back at all the things that you've done, what is one thing that you would tell your old self back then? That the woman that didn't want to leave, what would you tell her of what's to come?

Speaker 2: 31:05

What I would tell her is that what she has to gain is a lot greater than what she's going to lose.

Speaker 1: 31:10

Oh yeah, I just got chills. That is good to lose. Ooh yeah, yeah, I just got chills. That is good. That is so good yeah.

Speaker 2: 31:17

It's actually something I've thought about over and over. I just thought look at how much I've gained. I put that stress as being the most horrible, catastrophic thing that's ever happened to me, and maybe it was, but you know, the heaviness of that is actually quite, really light compared to everything that I've gained as a result. Wow, and it scares me to think that I never would have discovered that if I had stayed.

Speaker 1: 31:46

Ah, yeah, yeah. Look at all what you've done and what you're doing. Yeah, yeah, that's amazing. You've done and what you're doing. Yeah, that's amazing. So let me ask you one more question. I know you mentioned that you had this weight loss while you were in the relationship. Did you think that the weight loss was directly impacted from you being in that type of relationship?

Speaker 2: 32:11

Oh, I knew it was. I knew it was Because it's an obviously weight loss. You know, it didn't just happen. While I ate, whatever I ate, I couldn't eat. I actually physically couldn't eat. I felt like every time I ate it would be stuck in my throat.

Speaker 2: 32:25

It was like a choking feeling, you know, I remember like it was awful. It really is an awful feeling actually, you know, because obviously if you're not eating, you're also not getting any energy. And so I was, I was, I was really weak, you know, in many ways, and you're trying to think and you're trying to work, but I just couldn't literally stomach it. So, but it's incredible how once, once, like once he left, I remember my you know, my parents coming over and bringing a pizza, and I'm looking at that pizza and I'm thinking I reckon I could eat this and so, and so, yeah, so I started eating it and it was such a good feeling.

Speaker 1: 33:13

The mind-body connection is a real thing, you know if you oh totally. It definitely is the real thing. I wanted to ask you about that because you know I can only imagine what other how stress like that manifests in so many ways. Right, it could be from weight loss. It can be from other things. And you know if that's not the sign you know the sign to say hey, you got to go.

Speaker 1: 33:41

And let me ask you this Before you started losing that weight, did you already, deep down inside, knew that this was not the relationship for you? Oh yeah.

Speaker 2: 33:54

I look at my lowest points and you know this doesn't quite depressing, but obviously everything's fine and I'm here. But, like at my lowest points, you know I'll be lying in bed. You know crying and say just somebody save me, just somebody give me. I, I, I, something is wrong. I don't know how to fix it. I can see it's not getting better. Um, I don't know how to get out. Please somebody save me. And you know, um, sometimes you need to go through those low points to to get back up, right, you know, yeah, um, yeah, yeah. And in the end, as I said, the weight loss in the most ironic, freaky way is what saved me, because it was visible. So it meant that you know I got that support.

Speaker 1: 34:45

Yeah, that was the way that people knew something was wrong.

Speaker 2: 34:49

Yeah, and it reached out to me.

Speaker 2: 34:50

People knew something was wrong, yeah, and it reached out to me. So, yeah, you know, but it's crazy how fear can hold you back so much, yeah, and how now it's totally reframed. You know, in my mind, you know completely, and you know I was, was ashamed, you know, pre, before that, thinking not just of the person, um, that I was, that I was married to, and all of that, but thinking, oh, my god, I'm gonna be a divorced woman. That's like so embarrassing. I thought, right, uh, right, um. And you know, in the end I've said this to you before, but in the end I've said this to you before but in the end, when I came out, I thought this is like the proudest thing I've ever done. You know I'm I, I announce it proudly that I'm a divorced woman, because I know what, what steps he took to to get to that. Yeah, yeah, you know, so it's. It's not not something to be ashamed of at all.

Speaker 1: 35:53

Yes, oh, my goodness. Well, Dr Effie, I love your story. I love it. I love the fact that you know you took something and not only did you do your own healing, but now you're giving back to the community, community of women. I love that you're doing that. So where can we find you on social media?

Speaker 2: 36:12

Okay, well, thank you for asking. So I've got a page called the bodybuilding psychologist. I also have a website that's the bodybuildingpsychologistcom, so you can find out more details there. So yeah, if you look me up, you'll, you'll find me there. I do have another page that's called Dr Effie. It's got some less content on there, but lots of content about the single mom life and navigating that and some tips. So you've got a bit of both worlds that you can navigate.

Speaker 1: 36:44

I love it. I love it, yes, so we will put all of those links to get a hold of Dr Effie and contact her on the show notes. Dr Effie, thank you so much all the way from Australia. Thank you so much for coming on here and talking to me.

Speaker 2: 37:03

Oh, thanks, lisa. It was so much fun to talk and share.

Speaker 1: 37:06

Okay, everyone, until next time. Bye.