“I Thought I’d Go Out First”: Shona McGarty Opens Up About Anxiety, EastEnders Fame & Jungle Truths

About this episode

<p>On today’s episode of <strong>The Therapy Crouch</strong>, Abbey and Peter are joined by the beautiful EastEnders icon and talented singer <strong>Shona McGarty</strong> - and nothing is off limits.</p><br><p>Shona opens up about life after EastEnders, what it’s really like being known as ‘Whitney’ for over 20 years, and why stepping into the jungle was both terrifying and transformational.</p><p>She talks candidly about anxiety, imposter syndrome and learning how to cope when fear shows up — as well as losing her dignity, surviving on rice and beans, and why she never wants to see a pretzel again.</p><br><p>There’s also plenty of laughter as the gang dive into bonk beats, phone-call rage, and the chaos of modern life.</p><p>Plus, Shona helps tackle an Agony Ab about being <em>too</em> reliable, sharing why saying no is sometimes the most powerful thing you can do.</p><br><p>Honest, hilarious and surprisingly emotional — this is one you don’t want to miss.</p><br><p>00:00 – Kicking off</p><p>01:02 – Introducing the pod &amp; today’s guest</p><p>02:05 – Compliments, affirmations &amp; relationship banter</p><p>04:10 – New Year reflections &amp; turning 40</p><p>06:00 – Slowing down, being present &amp; personal goals</p><p>07:10 – Weekly whines: technology, logins &amp; QR code rage</p><p>09:05 – Paper menus &amp; feeling “too old”</p><p>11:15 – Phone call anxiety &amp; unannounced callers</p><p>13:20 – Oversharing on speakerphone disasters</p><p>14:25 – Bringing Shona McGarty into the studio</p><p>15:00 – First impressions &amp; life after I’m A Celeb</p><p>16:40 – No makeup TV moments &amp; singing confidence</p><p>18:20 – Jungle food, hunger &amp; rice trauma</p><p>19:50 – Camp friendships &amp; WhatsApp groups</p><p>21:10 – Being known as “Whitney” forever</p><p>23:00 – Growing up on EastEnders</p><p>25:00 – Long days, waiting around &amp; strict schedules</p><p>27:00 – Iconic EastEnders cast moments</p><p>29:10 – Singing ambitions &amp; future goals</p><p>31:00 – Anxiety, medication &amp; coping mechanisms</p><p>33:00 – Caffeine withdrawal &amp; jungle headaches</p><p>34:40 – Trials, bugs, cockroaches &amp; survival fears</p><p>36:20 – Bonk baits, music choices &amp; bedroom pressure</p><p>38:50 – Quotes to live by &amp; winning arguments</p><p>41:00 – Jungle toilets, dignity loss &amp; weight loss</p><p>43:00 – Highlights of the jungle experience</p><p>45:00 – What Shona missed most from home</p><p>46:40 – Imposter syndrome &amp; fitting in</p><p>48:30 – Watching the show back</p><p>50:20 – Agony Ab: being “too reliable” at work</p><p>53:10 – Learning to say no &amp; setting boundaries</p><p>55:20 – Final thoughts, gratitude &amp; wrap-up</p><p>57:10 – End of episode &amp; sign-off</p><br><p>Email: thetherapycrouch@gmail.com&nbsp;</p><br><p>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetherapycrouchpodcast</p><br><p>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetherapycrouch&nbsp;</p><br><p>Website: https://thetherapycrouch.com/&nbsp;</p><br><p>For more from Peter</p><p>https://twitter.com/petercrouch</p><br><p>For more from Abbey</p><p>https://www.instagram.com/abbeyclancy</p><br><p>Our clips channel</p><p>https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZntcv96YhN8IvMAKsz4Dbg</p><br><p>#TheTherapyCrouch #AbbeyAndPete #RelationshipAdvice #Podcast</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>