FEDUP Collective - Eating Disorders in Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex People

In this weeks episode, Han is joined by Sam Sharpe and Syd Friedman who both work at the FEDUP collective. The FEDUP collective is an organisation fighting eating disorders in underrepresented populations.

Sam is a transgender, intersex person who is passionate about science communication, queering up the STEM field, and biology and social justice. Syd identifies as transgender, non-binary and bisexual, and is passionate about social and environmental justice, specifically advocating for LGBTQ communities and demonstrating the injustices in the US food and mental health systems.

We begin this episode by discussing Sam and Syd's personal experience, and how that led them to seek support from the FEDUP collective. We speak about the work of FEDUP, including their support groups, and the work they are doing to build awareness of eating disorders in trans, non-binary and intersex people.

Next we speak about the treatment available in the US for individuals with eating disorders, and touch on the injustices present in the health system for trans, non-binary and intersex people.

We then speak about the role of clinicians and peer support work, and discuss the importance of educating medical professionals on the unique support trans, non-binary and intersex people will require.

We discuss the limited research that is present regarding eating disorders in trans, non-binary and intersex people, and chat about the stigmas and preconceptions that may exist in society regarding eating disorders in trans, non-binary and intersex people. We also discuss the presence of ARFID and neurodiversity in the community.

To find out more about FEDUP, you can find them on Twitter and Instagram @fedupcollective or visit fedupcollective.org for more information.

Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorders in trans, non-binary and intersex people that some individuals may find difficult. Please tread lightly and check in with yourself along the way.

Recent Posts

Branded thumbnail with speaker
By Katherine Mc Ivor • November 2, 2026
Emma Fairweather shares her journey from anorexia to binge eating disorder, the hidden similarities between them, and how she rebuilt self-trust.
Branded Image with Female Smiling and Title
By Katherine Mc Ivor • October 19, 2026
Veronica shares what it was like supporting two daughters through different eating disorders, how codependency took hold, and what she'd do differently as a carer.
By Hannah Hickinbotham • October 19, 2026
Eating disorder advocate and expert by experience, Tiffany Luxford, shares her anorexia experience to show full eating disorder recovery is possible.
Branded image with male smiling
By Katherine Mc Ivor • October 12, 2026
Researcher Sam Chawner explains what ARFID is, its overlap with autism and ADHD, and what new genetic research reveals about these eating disorder subtypes.
By Hannah Hickinbotham • October 4, 2026
"I live with ARFID... it's part of me, but it isn't the whole me."
By Hannah Hickinbotham • September 27, 2026
Shannon Travers-Spencer on Neurodivergent-Affirming Eating Disorder Care with Shannon
Show More