Cristina Castagnini, PhD, CEDS

Cristina Castagnini, PhD, CEDS Dr.Castagnini is a licensed psychologist in CA. Specializing in the treatment of eating disorders as well as general mental health issues.

She hosts tge weekly podcast, Behind the Bite, which is part of the The Los Angeles Tribune podcast network. As I licensed psychologist, I specialize in giving you the tools to navigate life's bumpy roads. We all struggle with roadblocks and I'm completely focused on you finding a solution. My style is focused, practical and results-driven. I have particular success with clients struggling with eating disorders and insomnia. If you're ready for help, I'm available. My office is centrally located in San Ramon, Ca.

12/15/2025

NEW PODCAST!⁠ 🎤 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

Strong Isn’t Starving: Rethinking What It Means To Be A ‘Dedicated’ Athlete With Greta Jarvis

In this eye-opening and critically important episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes Greta Jarvis, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Personal Trainer, Intuitive Eating Counselor, and Integrative Health Coach, who shares her powerful journey from being a competitive lacrosse athlete whose missing period was dismissed as "normal" to becoming a leading advocate for proper athlete nutrition and education.

For nearly a decade, Greta was told by doctors, coaches, and the sports culture around her that losing her period as an athlete was just part of the game—a sign of dedication and discipline. It wasn't until after college, when she discovered research on relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), that she realized her body had been screaming for help all along.

Through her personal recovery and professional training, Greta learned that underfueling is one of the most overlooked issues in athletics, and that what looks like peak performance on the outside can mask serious health consequences on the inside.

Together, Dr. Castagnini and Greta explore the dangerous normalization of disordered eating in sports, the signs coaches and athletes need to watch for, and how to create a culture that prioritizes long-term health over short-term performance.

To listen click: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/strong-isnt-starving-rethinking-what-it-means-to-be-a-dedicated-athlete-with-greta-jarvis-ep-264/

12/14/2025

This week's podcast guest Greta Jarvis holds her Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Nutrition, as well as certifications as an Intuitive Eating Counselor and Integrative Health Coach.

As the founder of the Center for Active Women, she sees individual clients and facilitates customized group events to support women and girls in building peaceful and confident relationships with food, body, and movement.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Greta played competitive lacrosse through college and experienced firsthand the normalization of underfueling in athletics.

Her personal journey of discovering that her missing period was not "normal" led her to dedicate her career to educating coaches, athletes, and parents about proper nutrition, RED-S, and creating healthier sports culture.

When she's not working, you can find Greta practicing yoga, reading, listening to a podcast, or hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Listen to the podcast here: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/strong-isnt-starving-rethinking-what-it-means-to-be-a-dedicated-athlete-with-greta-jarvis-ep-264/

This week's podcast guest Nikki DuBose is a model, author, advocate, and PsyD student who owns an eating disorder coachi...
12/10/2025

This week's podcast guest Nikki DuBose is a model, author, advocate, and PsyD student who owns an eating disorder coaching service called Live BD Free.

She primarily works with people in the performance arts who are looking to regain freedom from the obsession of food and body image.

Nikki's memoir, Washed Away: From Darkness to Light, discusses her recovery from mental health issues in the fashion industry.

She has appeared on The Doctors, The TD Jakes Show, and CBS LA to discuss her recovery and the importance of spirituality.

Drawing from both her personal recovery journey and professional training, Nikki helps clients move toward self-compassion, intuitive eating, and sustainable healing.

Listen to the podcast here: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/from-runway-to-recovery-model-nikki-dubose-on-trauma-body-image-and-healing-ep-263/

NEW PODCAST!⁠ 🎤 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠From Runway To Recovery: Model Nikki DuBose On Trauma, Body Image, And Healing ⁠In this powerful a...
12/09/2025

NEW PODCAST!⁠ 🎤 ⁠ ⁠ ⁠

From Runway To Recovery: Model Nikki DuBose On Trauma, Body Image, And Healing

In this powerful and deeply vulnerable episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes Nikki DuBose, a model, author, advocate, and PsyD student, who shares her courageous journey from childhood trauma and eating disorders to a thriving modeling career that masked deep internal struggles, and ultimately to full recovery and healing.

For years, Nikki lived the life everyone envied, gracing magazine covers, walking runways, and embodying what society calls "perfection."

But behind the flawless images was a young woman falling apart inside, battling an eating disorder that began at age eight and a relentless pursuit of external validation that could never fill the void within.

Through therapy, spirituality, and profound self-discovery, Nikki learned that the most beautiful transformation doesn't happen on the outside, it happens when you finally come home to yourself.

Together, Dr. Castagnini and Nikki explore the reality behind the glamorous facade, the pressures of the modeling industry, and what it truly means to find peace from the inside out.

To listen click: https://behindthebitepodcast.com/from-runway-to-recovery-model-nikki-dubose-on-trauma-body-image-and-healing-ep-263/

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2010 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 100
San Ramon, CA
94583

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As I licensed psychologist, I specialize in giving you the tools to navigate life's bumpy roads. We all struggle with roadblocks and I'm completely focused on you finding a solution.

My style is focused, practical and results-driven. I have particular success with clients struggling with eating disorders and insomnia.

If you're ready for help, I'm available. My office is centrally located in San Ramon, Ca. Please visit my website: https://www.freedomtowellness.com