My Mission is to Help Souls Fly
From Food Addiction, the Problem and the Solution by Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir
May 14, 2025 · 58 min
About this episode
Barney Reason shares his journey of overcoming multiple addictions and how he now helps others through food addiction recovery.
Barney Reason is a recovering food addict who has also overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs, and compulsive behaviors. His journey began early—he had his first drink at age 7 and got sober from alcohol by 25 years old. But as the alcohol stopped, his food addiction escalated, leading him to a peak weight of 365 pounds. Barney grew up in a deeply unstable environment, marked by abuse, neglect, and chaos—he lived in 16 different homes in 16 years. As a child, his emotions, especially anger, were not welcomed or validated. In response, he turned to food, substances, and compulsive behaviors to soothe his anxiety and numb his pain. For years, Barney sought relief from overwhelming feelings, not realizing that the intensity of his emotions was part of being human. Today, he embraces those feelings, knowing they pass, and feels more alive than ever. Barney’s recovery has been long and difficult, but he now uses his experience to help others find hope and healing through 12-step recovery. Barney became a Certified Food Addiction Professional (https://infactschool.com/treatment-certification-program/) through the the INFACT School (https://infactschool.com/) He is on staff at SHiFT…
People in this episode
Host: Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir
Guest: Barney Reason
Topics covered
- food addiction
- recovery
- personal journey
- emotional health
- 12-step program
Keywords
- food addiction
- recovery
- emotional health
- 12-step program
- personal journey
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: INFACT School, SHiFT, Recovery by Acorn, food addiction treatment program
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- Why 30–50% Don’t Respond: What We’re Missing in Eating Disorder Treatment · February 17, 2026 · 1h 2m
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