In this episode of A Mind of Her Own, host Dr. Jennifer Reid explores guilt, perfectionism, and recovery with Dr. Caitlin Massone, author of Running from Perfection. This conversation is part of the Guilt-Free series, leading up to the release of Dr. Reid’s book Guilt Free on January 27, 2026.
Dr. Massone is a neurologist, ultramarathon runner, and mountaineer who battled eating disorders for 14 years. She shares how family trauma triggered her anorexia at 16, the guilt she carried through medical school while struggling with bulimia, and how nature and endurance sports became her path to healing.
Key Quotes
On losing control:
“I was really just trying to regain control amidst all of that chaos and turmoil. When my dad left, we went from having a fully stocked fridge and pantry to all of a sudden having this kind of feast and famine cycle.”
On teenage guilt:
“At the time, I was feeling guilty as if I wasn’t a good enough daughter. Every kid has these questions that go through their head that they never voice. Like, is this in some way my fault?”
On being a doctor with an eating disorder:
“I felt like I was in some way being hypocritical or not being an example for my patients. That was probably some of the worst guilt that I felt.”
On finding empowerment through running:
“When I run, I feel powerful and I feel like my body’s so capable and it doesn’t matter what it looks like in the mirror. It really has been just a remarkable transformation.”
On nature as medicine:
“Exercise and nature have been so integral in helping me heal and just keeping me happy.”
More Resources:
National Alliance for Eating Disorders
National Eating Disorder Association
Find Dr. Massone: @drcait23 on Instagram | CaitlinMassone.com
Find Dr. Reid on Instagram: @jenreidmd, LinkedIn, and YouTube
You can also preorder Dr. Reid’s book, Guilt Free! (If you are in the UK, you can order here and here.)
Also check out Dr. Reid’s regular contributions to Psychology Today: Think Like a Shrink
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
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SAMHSA’s National Helpline - 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
-a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
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