Posts Tagged “Guest Bloggers”

Morgan Eagan (she/her) is an Admissions Coordinator for The Emily Program and a longtime advocate for destigmatizing mental health. She has a history of working with both adults and children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and, in recent years, has discovered a passion for helping individuals seek eating disorder care. Morgan is committed to making the process of seeking treatment as accessible as possible. With this blog, she hopes to alleviate the confusion she often sees when individuals are first diagnosed with an eating disorder. She aspires to continue aiding The Emily Program clients in their steps to recovery and deconstructing the negative connotations associated with mental health treatment. 

When you or your child is first referred to eating disorder treatment, it can feel scary and overwhelming. On top of that, it can be confusing if the type of care recommended by your primary care provider differs from what the admissions specialist at the treatment center suggests. Treatment centers conduct more specialized assessments, which often reveal a fuller picture of an eating disorder. 

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

Dayna Altman is an energetic and dynamic author, speaker, and entrepreneur. A nationally recognized mental health advocate by the Biden Harris administration, Aerie, Yahoo, and MTV, Dayna is the full force and sole operator of Bake it Till You Make it LLC (BITYMI). BITYMI is a community-based organization that uses food and baking to cultivate authentic mental health conversations. Dayna channels her passion for mental health advocacy into baking, creating authentic recipes that foster vulnerable storytelling. An active Boston community member, Dayna is a dual graduate of Northeastern University, where she earned both a BS in Human Services and a Master’s in Public Health. Additionally, Dayna has many years of experience working with youth-based mental health organizations across Massachusetts.

Currently, Dayna travels the world to share her mental health story, feature-length documentary, and mental health cookbook on behalf of Active Minds and the Contemporary Issues Agency. Follow Dayna on Instagram at @daynaaltman. To learn more about Bake it Till You Make it LLC, check out our previous Recovery Conversation with Dayna on the blog.

This blog was written by a Behavioral Health Specialist at our St. Louis Park, MN treatment center for adults and adolescents. 

I want to take a moment to say happy Pride month. I hope you feel recognized and celebrated, and may this June set the precedent for how you are acknowledged year-round.  

1. PRIDE month is a celebration of all queer-identifying people! 

The LGBTQIA+ community has grown tremendously in recent years, both in terms of representation and visibility. Alongside the growth in numbers, the community has also continuously diversified. While gender and sexual identities have become more represented, it is crucial that mental and physical health care also account for this diversity. Pride month is not only a time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, but also a time for those who don’t identify within the community to expand their understanding of Pride. Your peers, family, co-workers, healthcare providers, and others you encounter all play a role in combatting stigma and marginalization of the queer community. Further, they can play a vital role in supporting one’s recovery journey. My intention here is to generate greater awareness of eating disorder development and validate the importance of recovery for LGBTQIA+ identifying readers. 

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

Nicole Byars’s (she/her) multi-years of experience as an accomplished trauma-informed yoga specialist and best-selling author has given her the unique tools to help others step into transformative thinking, creating optimum outcomes both professionally and personally. With 500 hours of training as a registered yoga teacher, she is also the visionary behind the well-respected Honest Yoga Studio in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Through overcoming her eating disorder and physical and emotional setbacks, Nicole has discovered the power of recognizing and reframing limiting beliefs and the importance of beginning each day with a grounded and empowering mindset. From tragedy to triumph, Nicole has become a motivational and inspirational guide–helping others align to elevate, taking them to a whole new level in their relationships and business. She is a respected thought leader in her field and educator for those searching for answers to improve their ability to live mindfully, productively, and joyfully. Nicole currently uses mindful movement to help addiction and recovery centers, domestic abuse shelters, and veterans.

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

Jason* is passionate about supporting other males in eating disorder recovery. If you are interested in connecting with Jason, you can send him an email at Jasgooday@gmail.com.

*Last name omitted at the author’s request.

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

By Brooklynn Raacke

My name is Brooklynn Raacke. I’ve overcome anorexia and am now a survivor. Through living with an eating disorder, I have been able to foster empathy and understanding for human struggles. While I would never wish disordered eating upon anybody, I am grateful for what my journey has taught me.

I entered my first dance class at age seven. Right off the bat, my heart fell in love. Little Me enjoyed performing with all she had for anyone and everyone. When I began sixth grade, dancing in front of the mirror started to affect how I felt about myself. Compared to my friends around me, my body had matured faster. At dance now, I would never take off my shirt. In middle school, I never liked my body, but I did not try to change it. My family bonds over food, and it was always a happy thing for me because it meant love and joy.

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

My name is Poppy Barnes-Browne. I’m 21 years old and a third-year veterinary medicine student who has struggled with disordered eating and exercise for my entire teenage life. My symptoms worsened in 2023, and I was diagnosed with atypical anorexia nervosa.

What is Atypical Anorexia Nervosa? 

Atypical anorexia is categorized as an Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OFSED) in the DSM-V. With this diagnosis, all the criteria for anorexia nervosa are met, except the person is not considered clinically “underweight.” 

**Content warning: This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences in recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms. Please use your discretion when reading and speak with your support system as needed.

Catherine* (she/her) is a board-certified nurse, real-world data expert, and lifelong learner. She spent over a decade living in New York City before opting for a simpler life surrounded by the mountains in Jackson, Wyoming. For the past five years, Catherine has worked remotely for a healthcare technology company focused on improving and extending the lives of every person with cancer. In her free time, Catherine enjoys practicing yoga, spending time in nature, and hanging out with her niece and nephews.

*Last name omitted at the author’s request.