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Jamila Rizvi - Awoken by a Broken Brain
Season 7 · Episode 50

Jamila Rizvi - Awoken by a Broken Brain

The Imperfects · Hugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg

November 23, 20251h 13m

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Show Notes

Jamila Rizvi has not been the perfect sick person.

When Jamila was last in our studio, she was deep in the grief stage.

Jamila’s life had been irrevocably changed by the imposition of a brain tumour, and the myriad of health complications due to surgery. To put it simply, Jamila didn’t know who Jamila was anymore, and that terrified her.

This week, in the Vulnerabilitea House, Jamila answers the questions “what aspects of your identity have you held onto for too long?”

The drip-fed loss of cognitive functions and a new hormone condition which made her constantly starving, Jamila felt like her body and mind were no longer her own. Speaking to Hugh, Josh, and Ryan really honestly, Jamila opens up about her eating disorder during this time; how it impacted her sense of self, her relationships, and ability to connect.

Jamila, it was a joy to have you back. We’re so proud of you.

Chapters:
0:00 – Where are they now?
7:31 – What aspects of your identity have you held onto for too long?
20:06 – Phases of identity
25:24 – Impact of a brain tumour on a relationship
29:52 – Constantly starving, craving thinness
36:51 – Intense, urgent desperation
48:38 – Train your brain to love your body
54:12 – Would you take it back?
59:39 – Adrenal Crisis and Crisis of Self

To watch this full episode on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/A_lE3nSA2Mc

🫖Other episodes of The Imperfects mentioned on this episode

📖Things to read:

💻Things to look up:

📱Games to download:

🦋 If this conversation has raised some uncomfortable feelings for you around eating and food, the Butterfly Foundation 1800 33 4673 is a great place check out - https://butterfly.org.au

🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, (with the new cards!) purchase here - http://bit.ly/4lyuuWz

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The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Topics

Identitycompassionbody image Pridebrain tumourhealthsicknessquestionsgriefdeathauthorkeynote speakerhappinesssunrise2048resistancemental healthunwellbrain functionsadjustment processradiationpituitary glandhormonescortisoleyesighthypothalamusambitioushigh standardsKevin RuddWilliam DeanBob HawkeScott Morrisonlonelinessdiseaseexhaustionweight gaindefeatangerADHDhyperfocusresearchlawyerrelationshipeating disorderunderstandingbody imagehypothalamic obesitysteroidsmemorybody dysmorphiafat freezingpainfrozenpanicjudgementOzempicjoyfulfoodtherapyGrace Tamehearing lossgratefulnessClare Bowditchsupporthelpfulhopememory lossfuture womenchronicadrenal crisismum guiltThe ImperfectsHugh van CuylenburgJosh van CuylenburgRyan SheltonJamila RizviBroken BrainsVulnerabilitea House