Eating Disorder Hope is a leader in the online Pro-Recovery Movement. We are passionate about helping those in eating disorder recovery find hope, health, and healing. With the understanding that recovery allows you to fully participate in life and contribute to the world around you in meaningful ways, we are honored to support your journey and give you a platform to share your voice.
Eating Disorders and Southern Smash
McCall Dempsey
Hosted by McCall Dempsey of www.southernsmash.org
June 9, 2016
EDH: Welcome to today’s #EDHchat! Today we will be learning more about the Organization Southern Smash!
EDH: We would like to start by welcoming our special guest McCall Dempsey, who is tweeting as @mccalldempsey
EDH: @mccalldempsey is the founder of Southern Smash.
EDH: Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your current role?
McCall: Born and raised in Louisiana, I currently reside in Georgia with my husband, two precious children (Manning-4 and Marjorie-20months) and two fur babies.
McCall: I began Southern Smash in 2012 as a way to pay it forward.
McCall: It has taken off beyond my wildest dreams!
McCall: I am the Executive Director of Southern Smash.
McCall: From fundraising to scale smashing, I wear a lot of hats!
McCall: In addition to SMASH, I also write the blog Loving Imperfection and share my story of eating disorder recovery.
EDH: Can you please tell us about Southern Smash?
McCall: Southern Smash is a non-profit aimed at raising eating disorder awareness and promoting positive body image through our unique and empowering scale smash!
McCall: Our mission is to challenge men and women to redefine their worth and beauty by letting go of those perfect numbers that weigh them down.
McCall: From “Let It Go Balloons” to our SMASH Graveyard, Southern Smash is an event like none other!
McCall: We also hold SmashTALK panel discussion and also provide support in connecting people with treatment professionals.
EDH: What inspired you to start Southern Smash?
McCall: I struggled with an eating disorder for nearly 15-years.
McCall: I suffered in silence, never thinking I was ‘sick’ enough to have an eating disorder.
McCall: Shame kept me from reaching out for support.
McCall: When I left treatment in March 2011, I vowed to pay it forward as a way to say thank you to my therapists and team who guided me to recovery.
McCall: Southern Smash is my way of paying it forward.
EDH: What types of events does Southern Smash participate in?
McCall: Other than our events across the country, we love joining in on NEDA Walks and supporting our other non-profit friends
McCall: like The Alliance of ED, Project Heal, etc
McCall: We also LOVE working with the Eating Disorder Coalition in doing everything we can to support the Anna Westin Act!
EDH: How can someone become involved with Southern Smash or attend one of these events?
McCall: They can go on our website and apply to be a SMASH Ambassadors.
McCall: SMASH Ambassadors are those who help promote our mission, as well as plan and execute our events.
McCall: If they want to bring a SMASH event to their school they can email us at [email protected]
EDH: What encouragement do you have to offer to the individual struggling with an eating disorder today?
McCall: It gets better! Don’t give up!!!
McCall: It often feels like we were ‘better off’ in our eating disorder because recovery can be SO painful and difficult.
McCall: But trust me – recovery is worth every bump and bruise.
McCall: Learn to forgive yourself and give yourself some grace.
McCall: Recovery is not perfect – you will fall and guess what?
McCall: You can get back up! It is SO SO important to remember that! Recovery IS NOT PERFECT!
McCall: Neither is life and neither are you.
McCall: None of us are perfect and thank goodness we are not!
McCall: Perfect is boring. Be you!
McCall: Be brave and know that falling in recovery doesn’t mean failure.
McCall: It is up to YOU to get back up and KEEP GOING!
EDH: Thank you to everyone who participated in our Twitter Chat today! And thank you for the great insight and info about Southern Smash @mccalldempsey
EDH: If you are struggling with an eating disorder, we hope this might be a helpful resource for you.
EDH: Please stay tuned for future Twitter Chats from EDH, and visit us at: www.eatingdisorderhope.com
EDH: If you are interested in learning more about Southern Smash, please visit their website at: www.southernsmash.org
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
