As a woman with lived experiences of chronic illness, my goals go beyond raising awareness. I'm here to translate the latest research and provide actionable items to help people make informed choices that enhance their physical and mental health.
Michelle Pugle for Verywell Health
ABOUT
Michelle Pugle is a mental health writer, feminist researcher, and news reporter featured on Healthline News, Psych Central, Everyday Health, Verywell Health, Goalcast, and the National Eating Disorder Information Centre.
She is the author of Ana, Mia & Me: An Eating Disorder Recovery Memoir and Space to Grow, Poems.
Formal education and training
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Master's degree in Feminist Research*
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Double Bachelor's in Sociology and English
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Diploma in Holistic Herbal Therapy
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Mental Health First Aid Certification (Mental Health Commission of Canada)
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Suicide Prevention Certification
* What is feminist research?
Feminist research is interdisciplinary research. It asks the researcher to bring forward an assembly of past, current, and new leading ideas, explain their reasoning for choosing and utilizing those resources, all while also addressing upfront any personal bias that may be influencing the objective lense of the work as a whole (design, data collection, reporting).
"A word after a word after a word is power."
-Margaret Atwood
Michelle Pugle writes and speaks about diagnoses including anxiety, depression, complex or chronic PTSD (CPTSD), and fibromyalgia (chronic pain syndrome), alcohol use disorder, and anorexia nervosa (orthorexia, binge, exercise subtype).
Outside of writing
When she's not writing, Michelle is currently creating and offering nature-inspired products under the name @petalspineholistichealing, practicing yoga, kayaking, nature walking, and exploring new avenues of self-development.
Current learning endeavors for future services include:
Reiki levels 1 + 2 (July 2022)
Reiki Master Certification (October 2022)
Contemplative End of Life Care (CEOLC) training begins March 2022
Forget The Sugar, Drink The Creamer: Healthy Eating Advice From An Anorexia Survivor, personal essay by Michelle Pugle for the National Eating Disorder Information Centre.
MENTAL HEALTH CONTENT
Written for Psych Central
Sometimes, others’ good intentions and attempts to support you can be harmful. Denying the impact of trauma doesn’t make it go away — and could actually make it worse. Find out how to cope in a healthy way.
Written for Everyday Health
Actually, it’s a buzzword to describe a real clinical diagnosis, persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia. Here’s what that really means.
Myths and Facts about Anorexia Nervosa
Written for Everyday Health
Interviews with Philip Mehler, MD, who is the founder of the ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders and Severe Malnutrition in Denver, Jacquelyn Ekern, licensed professional counselor and founder and president of Eating Disorder Hope, and Chelsea Kronengold, who has a master of arts in clinical psychology and serves as the associate director of communications at the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).
Coping with a narcissistic parent
Written for Verywell Health
This article discusses what narcissism is and isn’t, what it means to have narcissistic parents, how to deal with them, and what treatments may be of interest.
How to Overcome Substance Use Disorder
Written for Verywell Health
Recovering from SUD is possible, but it takes time, patience, and empathy. A person may need to try quitting more than once before maintaining any length of sobriety. Find out more in this article.
How to Help Someone With an Alcohol Use Disorder
Written for Everyday Health
The support of family and friends can make a big difference in someone’s recovery from alcohol use disorder, especially in the early stages
Is Alcoholism a Disease?
Written for Verywell Health
"People with alcoholism often experience a worsening of symptoms over time, causing greater distress in their lives."
What are Success Strategies?
Written for Goalcast
Success is defined by what you want out of life. Someone else’s goals do not need to be your goals. Whatever you want and whatever looks like success to you, go for it with everything you’ve got.
How to talk to a loved one about your drinking
Written for The National Drug Helpline
Interviews with Abe Malkin, MD, MBA, founder and medical director of Concierge MD LA, a home-based concierge medical practice, and Elite Home Detox, an in-home substance-use detox service, and Patrick Cooke, a conscious-sobriety coach who works with artists and creatives to change their relationship with alcohol, and Mike Diamond, a former reality TV star, motivational speaker/author, and certified interventionist who is also certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
why experts say suicide prevention should start in elementary school
Written for Healthline Media
Suicide prevention works, even as early as elementary school.
That’s the conclusion from a new study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio. Find out what suicide prevention at this age looks like (and how it helps).
In crisis and need to talk to someone?
Text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor.