Eating Disorder Recovery Speakers Kristen Brunello

“Not only do I want to like myself but I’m not letting someone else make money off of me hating myself. That’s just a bunch of bull shit” - Sam

In our conversation, Sam and I talk more about how kids internalize the ways in which older figures in their lives discuss food and body image. We discuss what “looks like health” in the media vs. what is actual health, finances and treatment, discrimination and accessibility, and what it looks like for others to step in to help someone with an eating disorder. Follow Sam on IG @countkissesnotcalories

“The ED community will exclude people because they don’t have this preset label, because they don’t have this diagnosis written on a paper somewhere. There is this whole other group of people that, because they never received treatment, they’re not even allowed to have a conversation with people who have” - Sam

Growing up watching her mom struggle with food and body issues, Sam started overeating at a young age; she dealt with bullying as a child because of it. From middle school through grad school, her symptoms bounced from purging to overexercising to restricting to drinking too much. In her story, Sam tells of what recovery looked like as someone who never received formal treatment, likely due to her family’s financial insecurities. Sam believes that if you can get treatment, get it, but wants people to know that she recovered by learning about eating disorders in her college classes and becoming involved with NEDA and the body positive community on social media. Follow Sam on IG: @countkissesnotcalories

Resources:

- NEDA

Instagram Accounts to check out:

@danasuchow

@iamdaniadriana 

@bodyposipanda 

@neda 

@lizzobeeating

@scarrednotscared

@simonemariposa

@glitterandlazers

@curvesbecomeher

@iskra

@mynameisjessamyn

@iamivyfelicia

@realryansheldon

@tessholliday

@rybnyc

@lexiemanion

@aerie (don't retouch their models ever)

@beatingeatingdisorders

@unlikelyhikers

A poem on ED Recovery by Kristen Brunello

In this bonus episode/teaser for the start of a new season, Kristen Brunello, host of EDRS, discusses where she has been for the past year and a half and what she has learned during 12 weeks of quarantine.

Topics Include:
- Yoga
- Depression/Anxiety
- Creativity
- Listening
- Doing the work
- Asking for help

Non Wels & Kristen Brunello explore the importance of community in recovery, giving ourselves permission to take moments of peace, and how Kristen became an eating disorder recovery coach.

Kristen Brunello is the Founder of Always a Being, which provides affordable eating disorder recovery coaching, and the creator and host of the Eating Disorder Recovery Speakers podcast. Kristen struggled with an eating disorder from the ages of 12 –24 and hopes to make the philosophy, tools and inspiration that helped her recover accessible to those still suffering. Her passions include yoga, cats, friendships, tacos, New Jersey, and equality.

We were so excited to dive in and learn from Kristen! We end up discussing…

• Kristen’s story and her 12 year battle with an eating disorder
• Her work as a Recovery Coach and what she is up to now
• Opening up about mental health, addiction and eating disorders
• Is it possible to fully recover?
• Addiction vs. eating disorders
• Finding meaning and purpose
• Ayurveda, balance & recovery
• The underlying struggle with control and stuffing down feelings
• How to help loved ones with eating disorders
• Resources & recommendations

How to find Kristen:
• Kristen’s Website: www.alwaysabeing.com
• Kristen’s Podcast: Eating Disorder Recovery Speakers Podcast
• Kristen’s Instagram: @always_a_being
• Kristen’s 8 day recovery course: Accept Recovery

Eating Disorder Resources & Recommendations from Kristen:
• https://www.meetup.com/
• Coby Kozlowski: www.cobyk.com
• Carolyn Costin: www.carolyn-costin.com
• Recovered Living: www.recoveredliving.com
• “Your Dieting Daughter” by Carolyn Costin
• “The 8 Keys to Recovery with Eating Disorders” by Carolyn Costin
• “Eating in the Light of the Moon” by Dr. Anita Johnston
• “Solemate” by Lauren Mackler
• “Women Who Run With The Wolves” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
• Food Psych Podcast