The Contributors
ABOUT OUR STORYTELLERS
Angelica. ("I Misused These Words, and I'm Sorry"). Female. World traveler. Flawed human. Working on compassion for self and others daily.
Anonymous (“My Body Wasn’t the Enemy”). After a 15-year struggle with food/weight, this mid-30’s city girl, wife, mother, sister, and friend received life-changing treatment. She has never looked back.
Anonymous (“Never Going to be Perfect”). Her various incarnations in this life have been as a Broadway dancer, singer, business owner, and mother. She started dancing at the age of five and hasn’t stopped. Her interpersonal superpowers have been used to represent directors and composers for commercials. Her son continues to be her greatest teacher.
Anonymous (“Take the Body I’m Giving You”). Anonymous is a spiritual warrior for sisterhood. She loves her husband, her family, and the Divine. She values compassion, courage, and wit. Her message to others is, “Be kind, but be kind to yourself FIRST.”
Anonymous (“What a Trip!”) was born and raised in Colorado and now lives with her wife and dog in California. She is an acupuncturist and herbalist who loves to travel, read, hike, practice tai chi, and play dodgeball.
Anonymous (“What I Took for Granted”). She enjoys telling stories to music. She loves her husband, family, animals, and career. Message to readers: don’t worry if you don’t nail the right career on the first try. You’ll be amazed how things come together in time.
Billy Blanks Jr. ("Fitness Through Joy") is a fitness expert known for creating feel-good fitness programs that make movement and exercise fun. Though he has starred on stage, appeared on television, choreographed for celebrities, and directed high profile shows, he is most proud of being Elijah’s father.
Elisheva Dorfman ("Through My 6-Year-Old Daughter's Eyes") is a mom to two children. She has her master’s degree in psychology and works as a psychotherapist. She loves to hike and bake. Without dieting, she lives a happier and healthier life. Her goal is to raise children who love themselves, others, all foods, and their bodies.
Aaron Flores ("Let Me Pull You Aside") is a registered dietitian living in Los Angeles, CA. He is married and is a father to boy and girl twins. When he’s not at work, he enjoys golfing, writing, and spending time with his friends arguing which is really the best Star Wars film ever.
Celisa Flores ("Finding Wellness--You're Not Alone") is a lifelong student in the realms of yoga, meditation, motherhood, breathwork, and psychology with experiential and formal training. Dr. Flores's message to others is, “Your growth is never too delicate to withstand pruning.”
Veronica Garcia. ("I Am That Girl") Woman proud of her Mexican heritage, 45 years lived so far. Mother of two. Grandmother of four. One of five siblings. College educated. Put herself through grad school. Independent. Strong. Loving.
Jaynie M. Goldberg ("My Inner World was a Thunderstorm") is a wife, mother, businesswoman, boss, and friend. She enjoys serving through volunteer work that feels meaningful. She adores her husband and their three children, two boys and a girl. She strives to be present in her kids’ lives and cherishes being there for all their “firsts.”
Beau-Haim Harang ("Awakening") is a 40-year-old, happily married man with many accomplishments professionally. His personal life was sometimes beautiful and other times devastating. He enjoys art, music, creating, and helping people. “To my Joao, Jack, Mum, Georgia, family, and God, I love you. Michel, thank you for saving my life.”
Hailey Hershkowitz. ("To My Mom")Daughter. Sister. Airman. Friend.
Shannon Hershkowitz. ("The Journey") World traveler who shares her greatest adventure to self-acceptance.
Laura James ("Live Fully") is a sorcerer of social services, an adventurer, an aspiring on-key singer, a first-time-golfer, a one-time paddleboarder, a repeat aerobics class taker, and a try-just-about-anything-once person. She values integrity, and being the wife and beloved of Jake, as well as the proud mom of Violet.
Staci Lawrence ("Unexpected Obstacles"), an actress, dancer, and comedienne, was born and raised outside Detroit. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, she studied Theatre at Western Michigan University and toured Greece performing. Staci co-founded Flash Mob America, the world’s first flash mob production company. Her husband and two children are her greatest joys in life.
Laura Collins Lyster-Mensh ("She Saved Those") M.S. is a writer who became an activist for improved eating-disorder treatment after the recovery of her teen daughter from anorexia. She has written two books on eating disorders, Eating With Your Anorexic and Throwing Starfish Across the Sea. She is the Executive Director of F.E.A.S.T., a nonprofit serving families around the world who support a loved one with an eating disorder.
Aurora Miceli ("TSA Confiscated My Fake Butter Spray") never quite felt like she fit in growing up. She was quirky, different—even asked by a school to not return because it wasn’t a good fit. She shares, “After recently turning my age, I’m telling my truths. I’m comfortable in my own skin and loving every minute of it.”
Aria Northrop ("Sweet Ones") is currently a preschool teacher with a helper’s heart. She’s passionate, supportive, enthusiastic, loving, and inspired by learning about psychology. Her future is unknown—she’s in her early 20’s. What is for sure is this: she is working on freedom from eating disorders, which have been the opposite of freedom.
JD Ouellette ("A Matter of Life and Death") is a professional educator, activist, wife, mother, and grandmother. She writes, speaks, and presents on eating disorders; provides peer support; and is passionate about using a social justice filter in her work. At 55, she is comfortable in her own skin and wants the same for all.
Patricia R. Spotts. ("To Get Through All of It") Wife, mother, retired schoolteacher, and participant in Church activities.