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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 info@southernsmash.org
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.
