Nefrit El-Or
Speaking
I speak from lived experience about late-identified autism, eating disorders and recovery, self-love, healing and the journey toward living authentically. My talks bring together personal story and the insights I discovered along the way- offering a perspective for those who are struggling, the people who love them, and the professionals who support them.
Speaking Topics
Late-Identified Autism: Rewriting the Story of a Life
Autism & Eating Disorders: Understanding the Connections from the Inside
From Self-Hate to Self-Love: A Different Path to Recovery
Coming Home to Yourself: Acceptance, Authenticity & Joy
Spirituality & Healing: Finding Wholeness, Meaning & Connection
Podcasts
The Phil Young Broadcast
I recently had the pleasure of sharing my story on the Phil Young Broadcast. ❤️
We spoke about eating-disorder recovery, autism, self-love, healing, joy, and finding our way back to ourselves.
In Phil’s words:
"When we think about healing and growth, the biggest breakthrough often comes from facing our deepest struggles head-on-and understanding that the path to self-love is paved with challenges, fears, and sometimes, pain. In this heartfelt conversation, Nefrit El-Or shares her raw journey through anorexia, Crohn’s disease, autism, and the healing power of love, vulnerability, and inner joy. Discover how embracing your shadow and finding joy in everyday moments can transform suffering into strength and create a life of true freedom.
This episode unpacks profound insights on how trauma, societal judgment, and self-hate fuel mental and physical health struggles-and what it takes to break free. Nefrit vulnerably explores the dangerous link between autism and eating disorders, revealing the obsessive need for control that often drives these challenges. You’ll learn about the importance of setting boundaries, the role of self-compassion, and how spiritual practices-like understanding that love is the core of our existence-can guide us toward healing.
You’ll discover:
How trauma and medical diagnoses can feed disordered eating and mental health challenges.
The surprising connection between autism, rules, routines, and anorexia.
Why true joy is an internal compass rooted in self-love, and how to activate it even amidst adversity.
Practical strategies for recognizing shame, setting boundaries, and reframing pain as an opportunity for growth.
The power of tiny moments-like watching sunlight or savoring a hug-to restore inner peace and resilience.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone battling invisible scars, caregivers seeking understanding, or those yearning for tools to reclaim their joy. Nefrit’s story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, we carry the seed of love, healing, and true freedom. Whether you’re on your own healing journey or looking to deepen your understanding of mental health, this conversation will inspire you to embrace compassion-for yourself and others-and to find light in the midst of life’s chaos.
Join us for a candid, compassionate exploration of how love, acceptance, and awareness can heal the deepest wounds-and unlock an inner joy that nothing can take away."
He later shared this reflection on Facebook, which I also wanted to share here:
"The quiet power of self-love and the ongoing journey to heal:
I used to believe that my struggles with mental health, eating disorders, and chronic illness meant I was broken. But what I’ve learned is that these challenges are opportunities for growth-and the real remedy is self-love.
My friend Nefrit and I talked about how pain, trauma, and societal judgment often make us hide our true selves. We’re conditioned to think we’re not worthy of love unless we’re perfect. But the truth? Our internal joy, that divine spark of love and connection, is always accessible-if we choose to find it.
Healing isn’t about erasing pain; it’s about embracing it, understanding it, and letting it teach us. We don’t need to be static or perfect-life’s a continuous cycle of challenges and resilience.
The key is to listen to that inner compass-your joy, your love, your truth-and let it guide you toward freedom and peace. You’re not alone in this.
Maybe that’s the point."
"In this powerful and deeply moving episode of Pathways with Chris Anne Coviello, we sit down with multi-talented musician, writer, and healing guide Nefrit El-Or to explore the often overlooked intersections of adult autism diagnosis, eating disorders, creativity, and spiritual healing.
Nefrit shares her courageous journey through undiagnosed autism, her struggle with anorexia nervosa, and the profound impact of finally receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult—a revelation that transformed her path to recovery. Through the lens of her lived experience, she opens up about how music, meditation, and deep self-awareness became essential tools for reconnecting with her authentic self and reclaiming her inner voice.
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating neurodivergence, mental health, disordered eating, or a late-in-life diagnosis. We discuss the cultural invisibility of women and girls on the autism spectrum, the role of somatic practices, and how creativity can be both a mask and a medicine on the healing journey."
