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

On today’s episode of The Therapy Crouch, Abbey and Peter are joined by the beautiful EastEnders icon and talented singer Shona McGarty - and nothing is off limits.

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.

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.

There’s also plenty of laughter as the gang dive into bonk beats, phone-call rage, and the chaos of modern life.

Plus, Shona helps tackle an Agony Ab about being too reliable, sharing why saying no is sometimes the most powerful thing you can do.

Honest, hilarious and surprisingly emotional — this is one you don’t want to miss.

00:00 – Kicking off

01:02 – Introducing the pod & today’s guest

02:05 – Compliments, affirmations & relationship banter

04:10 – New Year reflections & turning 40

06:00 – Slowing down, being present & personal goals

07:10 – Weekly whines: technology, logins & QR code rage

09:05 – Paper menus & feeling “too old”

11:15 – Phone call anxiety & unannounced callers

13:20 – Oversharing on speakerphone disasters

14:25 – Bringing Shona McGarty into the studio

15:00 – First impressions & life after I’m A Celeb

16:40 – No makeup TV moments & singing confidence

18:20 – Jungle food, hunger & rice trauma

19:50 – Camp friendships & WhatsApp groups

21:10 – Being known as “Whitney” forever

23:00 – Growing up on EastEnders

25:00 – Long days, waiting around & strict schedules

27:00 – Iconic EastEnders cast moments

29:10 – Singing ambitions & future goals

31:00 – Anxiety, medication & coping mechanisms

33:00 – Caffeine withdrawal & jungle headaches

34:40 – Trials, bugs, cockroaches & survival fears

36:20 – Bonk baits, music choices & bedroom pressure

38:50 – Quotes to live by & winning arguments

41:00 – Jungle toilets, dignity loss & weight loss

43:00 – Highlights of the jungle experience

45:00 – What Shona missed most from home

46:40 – Imposter syndrome & fitting in

48:30 – Watching the show back

50:20 – Agony Ab: being “too reliable” at work

53:10 – Learning to say no & setting boundaries

55:20 – Final thoughts, gratitude & wrap-up

57:10 – End of episode & sign-off

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