Fireside Chats, Episode 93: The Anorexia Gambit (Patreon)

It's incredibly uncommon for people to hurt themselves out of the clear blue sky and for no reason whatsoever. Even if we can't comprehend why, or understand someone's motives, or make sense of any of it whatsoever, people inflict pain on themselves because they're already hurting. It's one of life's harshest paradoxes. Our guest this week -- John Rossi -- seeks to explore that paradox by telling the story of his years-long struggle with anorexia (a severe eating disorder that sees its victims literally wither away), and how, by employing pain, he hoped to erase all else that ailed him. Not surprisingly, his approach didn't work, but thankfully, he's here with us today to tell his cautionary tale. It's almost always better to work through your pain than avoid it all costs. Here's one story that succinctly explains why.