We’re so grateful to have you as our Mentor Spotlight of the Month! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
“Hi! My name is Emma. I’m from Colorado, and I’m an Actor, and Spiritual Eating Disorders Coach. My favorite food is pasta. Always pasta.
You can find more about my coaching services here: www.sonderselfrecovery.com”
How long have you been a mentor at EDF?
“I have been a mentor at EDF for about 2 years now, and it has been an incredible experience so far.”
What is your favorite part of mentoring?
“My favorite part of mentoring is helping to create space to support people who are facing a battle with body image and eating disorders. Getting to connect with people of different ages, genders, backgrounds and life stories is such a humbling and powerful thing. Getting to know each mentee I work with allows me to step into their world, and serve as a guide and support for anything they may be struggling with. When mentees begin to see their strength, vulnerability, and soul in the same way I do; that is a true gift. Watching them grow and empower themselves, and move through all the challenges and triumphs is a total honor. It means so much that I get to take what I have learned through my own recovery to support others in their healing.”
What is one thing you wish people knew about the important mentor/mentee relationship in eating disorder recovery?
“I wish people knew just how valuable the mentor/mentee relationship is in eating disorder recovery. I have had mentees tell me about how being able to know that someone they’re talking to has faced similar battles and can empathize with and understand them- is a huge factor in their level of trust and connection when seeking help. As a mentor, I can take my own skills and knowledge and adapt it to whatever my mentee may need to learn from their eating disorder and begin honoring their authentic self. It is a powerful, meaningful relationship.”
What would you tell someone who was thinking about becoming a mentor or mentee?
“DO IT. GO FOR IT. You are needed. The insight and gifts you have may change someone’s life.”
What is the best recovery advice you feel like you’ve ever received?
“To have compassion and understanding for your eating disorder, and the role it plays in your life. It sounds counterintuitive, but if you can gently acknowledge why it is present, accept what you need to learn from it, and begin making healthier and more healing choices, recovery will be for life. You deserve peace. You deserve freedom.”