As an Eating Disorder Psychiatrist, Dr Romi Goldschlager is recognised for her incredibly important work in the field of eating disorders that includes clinical trials into anorexia nervosa. But we think, after reading this, she may become known for her words of wisdom. Living with her partner, beautiful daughter and furry friend Charlotte, get to know all the ways in which Romi chooses to eat, love and live below!
Let's dive right in - what's your favourite meal?
The best ingredient to a good meal is good company, so I love any meal when I share it with my friends and family.
What is your favourite cuisine?
Japanese food will always be my favourite.
What's your favourite memory involving food?
As a child, my mum always put so much effort into making me a wonderful birthday cake. One year, my mum had made me a Winnie the Pooh birthday cake ... I will never forget how it exciting it was when she brought it out with candles at my party.
If you could share a meal with three guests, dead or alive, who would they be?
I would share a meal with the women in my family who have come before me, that I never had a chance to meet. So my grandmother's mother, her mother, and her mother. It would be so beautiful to share stories with and learn about the strong women in my lineage.
How do you quieten or remove the sting of toxic diet culture messages?
When I look in the mirror, I try to focus on the parts of my reflection that I like and give myself positive messages about my appearance.
What's something in your life you're loving at the moment?
I am loving reading for enjoyment at the moment. Throughout my studies I have had to do so much reading of textbooks and journal articles that I forgot how much I love reading for the sake of reading ... how much I love a fiction novel at the end of a long day, tucked up in my bed, with a mug of peppermint tea and with my dog curled up next to me.
What is something you're passionate about?
I am really passionate about improving treatments for people with eating disorders. So much of the current treatments available are psychological based, and very little biological options are available. Part of the work I am doing now with HER Centre Australia is running clinical trials to explore a range of novel biological treatments for people with eating disorders such as estrogen, medications, dietary supplements, and brain stimulation. I'm really excited to see how these treatments may be effective for people with eating disorders.
What part of your body do you love the most, and why?
I love my brain and my optimism, my family and I joke that I'm a pathological optimist!
When do you feel the most positive or in love with your body?
I feel most in love with and appreciative of my body when I am walking in nature. I love how my body moves me through the trees and along the river in a gentle repetitive movement, it can be so relaxing and meditative.
How do you practice self-care or self-love?
I extend forgiveness and gentleness towards myself. We are our own biggest critic, and we can be so mean to ourselves. It can be easy to forget that your best isn't necessarily your best possible performance, but it is the best that you can do at that time whilst still taking care of yourself.
What role does movement play in your life?
Movement helps me get out of my head, and into my body. I can get stuck in my head and live up there, and movement can bring me back to myself and the world around me.
What song can you rely on to instantly lift your mood?
I'm obsessed with Tay Tay, I love her song 'Shake It Off" and watching videos of her at the Eras tour!
What values do you find important to live by?
Compassion and inclusivity. So much of my work is inspired by my drive to help people, particularly people with eating disorders and complex trauma, and I hope to provide a space through my work where people feel safe and welcome to be themselves, and to validate their experience so they feel inspired to seek the help they deserve.
What do you do in life that makes you feel the most alive?
Doing something out of the ordinary. Although routine for me is so important and allows me to juggle so many different things in my life like being a clinician, a PhD student, and a mother, trying something new or visiting a new place really excites me.
If you could offer any advice to your ten year old self, what would it be
I would tell her that other people's opinions of her don't matter - that she should feel free to be her loud, bright, and colourful self and her energy will attract the right people.
Dr Romi Goldschlager is currently recruiting participants for clinical trials into eating disorders at the HER Centre. If you're interested in participating or learning more, please contact her team via email: thred@monash.edu, or by filling out the expression of interest form at: https://redcap.link/THRED