E152: Clutter-Free Living, Inside and Out: Guest Melanie Cohen

Adult Child of Dysfunction · Feb 21, 2025 · 38m

In this episode, we sit down with Melanie, a purple-haired, tattooed, punk-rock-loving Jewish mama from Brooklyn, whose journey is as bold and inspiring as her personality. Growing up as the daughter of a chemical engineer—both an applied physicist and an addict who sold drugs—Melanie lived in a world shaped by duality. Competitive gymnastics became her escape, providing the structure and discipline missing at home.

But after leaving the sport, food became her coping mechanism, leading to a 70-pound weight gain. It wasn’t until her 30s that Melanie began her healing journey, shedding not just…