In this episode of the Heal with Kat podcast, Kat discusses the unexpected connection between struggling to lose weight and abuse. She shares her personal experiences with body image issues and emotional abuse in a past relationship. Kat also highlights the importance of addressing ancestral trauma and how it can manifest in weight issues. She references a study that suggests a link between childhood sexual abuse and obesity in females. Through family constellation therapy, Kat helps clients uncover the underlying patterns and emotions that contribute to weight struggles. In this conversation, Kat Daou shares her personal experience with weight loss and emotional abuse, highlighting the parallels between the two. She explains how the body holds onto weight as a protective mechanism in abusive relationships. Kat also discusses the importance of addressing ancestral trauma and the role it plays in weight issues. She recommends somatic therapy and EMDR as effective approaches to healing trauma in the body. Kat emphasizes the need for a holistic healing journey that includes addressing both the mind and body. Takeaways: Weight issues can be connected to past trauma, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Ancestral trauma can show up in detailed ways, and family constellation therapy helps uncover these connections. Society needs more education on the wisdom of the body and the energy it holds. Grief and unprocessed emotions can contribute to weight struggles. Support and validation are crucial for healing from body image issues and abuse. Weight loss can be influenced by emotional abuse and the need for protection in abusive relationships. Ancestral trauma may contribute to weight issues and can be addressed through family constellation therapy. Somatic therapy and EMDR are effective approaches to healing trauma in the body. A holistic healing journey that includes addressing both the mind and body is essential for long-term healing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 04:18 Why Look At This Connection? + Trigger Warning 07:21 Scientific Evidence [PubMed] 11:37 Client Case Study: The Connection Between Abuse and Weight 15:49 My Personal Story 32:24 The Impact of Trauma on the Nervous System 33:54 Boundaries and Enmeshment in Family Systems 35:34 Abuse and Responsibility 36:50 Fear of Attractiveness and Attention 37:30 Weight as a Form of Protection 37:44 The Family Constellation Perspective 39:23 Tragic Deaths and Weight Issues 41:06 Why Getting To The Root Cause Is Important 42:37 The Pathway to Freedom in Family Constellation Therapy 45:07 Addressing Trauma in the Body with Somatic Therapy 47:53 Healing Traumatic Memories with EMDR 50:27 The Importance of Full Circle Holistic Healing 54:25 Courageously Facing and Healing Trauma ___ PubMed Article The Body Keeps Score - Bessel Van Der Kolk ___ Connect with Kat INSTAGRAM WEBSITE