BREAKING THE CHAINS FOUNDATION

Changing the conversation and face of eating disorders

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OUR MISSION : Actress/BTCF Celebrity Spokesperson, Jillian Rose Reed

“We can live without alcohol. We can live without drugs (we should), but we can’t live without food and that’s why this is possibly one of the most difficult things to overcome”

Emmy Winning Actress/NY Times Best Selling Author/Celebrity Ambassador – Carolyn Hennesy

“Breaking the Chains Foundation’s goal is to continue to work with artists and art based communities to encourage them and bring forth awareness about eating disorders. We stand as an artistic motivator to ignite a fire in a whole new light. In order to change the face and conversation of eating disorders, we will inspire an entire new matrix.”

Founder, Debra Hopkins

IMPACT AND COMMUNITY

We believe that positive body image, health and self-love are all possible. We believe in full recovery.

RESOURCES/FAQs

BTCF produces all forms of art, campaigns, outreach and events that supports changing the face of eating disorders.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Meet the amazing celebrities who support BTCF and how they encourage and inspire others to bring forth healing, self-love & recovery.

CELEBRITIES

Meet our featured artist and how their artform aides to the healing of an eating disorder, inspiring others to express themselves.

FEATURED ART

Welcome to our BTCF Community and join our mailing list and stay connected with us!

CONNECT

“Art speaks to our need to reveal, heal, and transform”

JOIN US

Finding Alice

Change the Conversation

7 Chairs

Community and Support

We are a proud member of the NEDA Network, a partnership between NEDA and other mission-aligned organizations dedicated to advancing the field of eating disorders and building a community of support and hope. Together, we provide a unified voice in the fight against eating disorders.

INSTAGRAM INSPIRATION

breakingthechainsfdn

Today on #NEDAConnections, Debra Hopkins & Daniell

Today on #NEDAConnections, Debra Hopkins & Danielle Kelmar, LCSW from #BTCF & #NEDANetwork org chat encouragement of self-efficacy within our choices of health and wellness on NEDA’s FB Live at 10am PST / 1 pm ET! facebook..com/NationalEatingDisorderAssociation .

#health #wellness #engaged #life

Thank you @julia._katharina for sending this to us

Thank you @julia._katharina for sending this to us! Can really relate to this one today! #juggling 🍊😉🍊 .

#selcare #expression #mentalhealth #positivity #eatingdisorder #warrior #create #health #happy #momentsofmine #healing #btcf #dubailife #cirquedusoleilatsea #cirquedusoleil

💜Excited to share our next virtual support expe

💜Excited to share our next virtual support experience! ✨ “Bodies of Knowledge” - A movement & dance experience with SISTERS Devon Little and Alex Little ✨ FREE: Thurs, May 21st @ 10 am - 11am PST ✨ please email iambreakingthechains@gmail.com or DM us for ZOOM LINK!✨
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Dance and movement have been proven to calm the nervous system and cultivate resilience. Moving can also help us tap into a deeper, wise part of ourselves. Join artists and sisters Devon and Alex on a facilitated experience (accompanied by music) during which you will give yourself permission to move freely, listen to your body and have fun. Every Body is welcome, and no prior experience is needed. ✨
✨ For this workshop, you will need: comfortable clothing and little bit of space. ✨
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#movement #bodies #knowledge #music #dance #create #art #healing #artists #sisters #support #calm #mindfulness #btcf

A Big Thank You to #BTCF Celebrity Ambassador @bro

A Big Thank You to #BTCF Celebrity Ambassador @brookelewisla for her continued advocacy, sharing our mission in numerous publications, her time, energy, talent, and being such a positive role model🙏💛 .
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“I have now been a part of this for many years now. Breaking the Chains Foundation deals with eating disorders, body shaming, body image issues and healing most importantly through art. Whether that be painting, dance (they have a dance trip involved), acting, writing, musicians, you name it. It teaches especially young women, which I am a big proponent of helping young women and a supporter of helping young women cultivate and heal their inner strength. It’s not all about what we look like on the outside. From an actress who is ethnic, short, curvy, who has battled weight issues since childhood, it’s something that I feel so strongly about. We need to know that you can be beautiful inside and out in any way and that you don’t need to suffer.” Brooke Lewis-Bellas .
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#positive #bodyimage #innerpeace #growth #healing #journey #art #actress #producer #writer #author #philanthropist #philadelphia #newyork #losangeles #staytuned

MAY 6th is the NEDA Network’s second national #N

MAY 6th is the NEDA Network’s second national #NoDietDay social media campaign to encourage the rejection of the diet culture. For ways to participate and create awareness, please visit link in bio✨✨✨Let’s promote respect for all body shapes, sizes, and ages! Let’s promote healthy relationships with food, movement, and body image💛 You are uniquely beautiful, uniquely gifted, uniquely insightful, and uniquely loveable RIGHT NOW! .
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. #nodietday #dietsarecanceled #edawareness #disorderedeatingawareness #edsupport #edrecovery #recovery #HAES #intuitiveeating #positivebodyimage #bodylove #bodyacceptance #hope #yourarenotalone #warrior #unique #btcf #everyjouneyisdifferent #NEDANetwork

An inspiring message from our Clinical Board Membe

An inspiring message from our Clinical Board Member @dr.kellirugless 💜 “In times of uncertainty it’s normal to start focusing on the things we can control. Diet, exercise, and stepping on the scale are usually the first places we start. Some people are engaging in exercise for the first time in years while others are dealing with the shock of being thrown off of their routine. I get it, you want confirmation of your worst fears or your greatest hopes. But either way you look at it, what can the scale tell you that your body hasn’t already communicated? If you’re feeling energized and positive about new behaviors isn’t that enough? If you’re feeling restless or stagnant isn’t that enough? Try taking this time to build up trust in the information your body is already communicating to you rather than relying on a scale that’s doesn’t communicate anything more than a number.” Dr. Kelli Rugless, PsyD .
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#selfcare #mentalhealth #emotionalhealth #bodypositivity

💜 Sharing in our next virtual support is #BTCF

💜 Sharing in our next virtual support is #BTCF Celebrity Ambassador @thecourtneyhope 💜 “Redefining Our Relationship with Change” ✨
FREE: Monday, May 4th 11:00 am PST ✨ email iambreakingthechains@gmail.com for ZOOM LINK ✨

Speaking candidly on her experience and knowledge of change and conversing with others on ways to help heal the heart in the face of it. ✨
Courtney Hope, a Mental Health advocate, Wellness Coach, dancer and actress, speaks on our societies relationship with change and her personal tactics to cope and overcome the stress and anxiety that comes along with it. ✨ ✨
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Courtney is an artist at heart with a love for storytelling, true human experience and a desire to strengthen herself and others with deep self-love and a deepening awareness. She travels through and beyond her own life experience, study and the communication with others to help enlighten the human experience to be a lighter, less stressful one. She is very open speaking about her struggle with anxiety and past eating disorder as well as body image relationships. Born perfectionist and OCD, she navigates her life one day at a time, leaving behind all things that try to shackle her down.
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#btcf #celebrity #ambassador #actress #mentalhealth #advocate #wellness #coach #artist #dance #courtneyhope #personalstory #conversation #ocd #anxiety #eatingdisorder #healing #recovery #health #community #communication #awareness #selflove #selfacceptance #change

🌼Positive vibes sent from @julia._katharina 🌸🙏 Full video clip in highlights #selfcare #selflove #selfacceptance #dubai #dubailife #warrior

Diets can feel isolating, harmful & driven. You ca

Diets can feel isolating, harmful & driven. You can have a balanced relationship with your body. It is possible to feed our bodies to satisfaction and move them in ways that bring us joy. It’s not always easy but it is possible to feel nourished and healthy. ✨ #NEDANetwork is teaming up for #NoDietDay and invite you to join us in promoting healthy relationships with food, movement, and body image! This movement, promoting the elimination of the shame associated with society’s standards of beauty and respect for all body shapes and sizes, takes place on MAY 6th, 2020. ✨ .
. A way to begin is to take, post or share the pledge. http://myneda.org/nodietdaypledge
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. For more information about #NEDANetwork : https://nationaleatingdisorders.org/about-us/neda-network .
#edawareness #disorderedeatingawareness #edsupport #dietsarecanceled #balance #health #wellness

“Isolation Movement On a Cruise Ship” ✨ In c

“Isolation Movement On a Cruise Ship” ✨ In collaboration with the ever so remarkable @julia._katharina who is being quarantined on a Dubai Cruise ship during a time where she and her Cirque cast were performing. She is constantly doing the best she can, taking care of herself, and finding ways to maintain her wellness and stay healthy. After 5 days of isolation in a small space, this is her beginning. ✨ “I will be learning new ways to keep myself healthy and sane over the next days/ weeks until I am able to go home... and further on. I will be sharing them in collaboration with @breakingthechainsfdn 💜” Julia Katharina 💛 From #dubai to #losangeles and then some💛🙏 #art #transcends #heals #embraces #inspirational #engagement #enrichment #enjoyment #listening #expression #dance #movement #cirque #personal #story #create #breakingthechains #onelinkatatime #btcf #breakingthechainsfoundation #eatingdisorder #recovery #warrior #prevention #everydayliving #mentalhealthsupport #youarenotalone @julia._katharina

In continued support, our next virtual-experience

In continued support, our next virtual-experience is taught by Amy Waddle : "Healing the Artist Within" - What Artists Need to Know About Trauma Recovery". FREE ✨ APRIL 21st @ 11AM PST ✨ If you would like to join, please EMAIL iambreakingthechains@gmail.com for ZOOM LINK😊 ✨Amy K Waddle is an eating disorder survivor, Mental Health Advocate/Trainer/Speaker and Founder of Dancing with ED Inc. She shares the role trauma recovery plays in reconnecting with your inner artist. Learn ways to heal, coping strategies, and gain a new perspective on your mental health✨

#btcf #mentalhealth #support #wellness #healing #hope #artist #community #communication #personal #story #eatingdisorder #trauma #recovery #dance

We introduced @brimckee77 as our January Featured

We introduced @brimckee77 as our January Featured #Artist. Since then, #BTCF board members Debra Hopkins & @alex_little connected with her to share in her journey as she is learning, building & growing her own garden🍋🥬 literally from beneath the ground up. We chatted about how gardens have such beautiful imagery, meaning, and nourishing elements to them so we thought it would be a wonderful experience to share along with Bri as she takes on this new journey of inner & outer growth🙏 Welcome to “Bri’s Garden” as we continue to check in with her & share her journey💛 #swipeleft ✨✨ #growth #healing #wellness #journey #garden #plants #nature #mentalhealth #spring

As we all continue to respond in support of one an

As we all continue to respond in support of one another. #BTCF is thrilled to share our first virtual art-making experience taught by art therapist & art teacher @amberlcromwell 💛 APRIL 14th @ 3PM PST✨FREE✨EMAIL iambreakingthechains@gmail.com for ZOOM MEETING INFO✨✨✨ “Using simple materials to “rethink” images and explore textures to create something new. The process is curious and playful and can be enjoyed by anyone of all ages. You can work on a piece individually or you can collaborate with your housemate/family.” ✨✨✨Materials: Magazines or newspapers (Travel magazines with lots of color and texture work great), Paper of all shapes and colors (tissue paper works), scissors, glue/tape, & anything you have. *Recommended: dry materials such as markers, colored pencils, highlighters, crayons...etc ✨✨✨Amber L. Cromwell, LMFT, ATR-BC, is a board-certified art therapist and arts educator. She is a Supervisor in the Helen B. Landgarten clinic and Co-Director of The Summer Arts Workshop for Loyola Marymount University's Department of Martial and Family Therapy with Specialization in Art Therapy. She also has a private practice in Playa Vista and provides art therapy group services in the Los Angeles Unified School District through the Cedars-Sinai Share & Care program✨

#btcf #art #create #healing #expression #community #personal #story #selfcare #selfawareness #selflove #selfesteem #communication #family #youth #journey #creativity #exploration #therapy #wellness #support

#love thank you for sharing Jillian💜✨#Repost

#love thank you for sharing Jillian💜✨#Repost @jillianrosereed ・・・
Dealing with anxiety is hard enough, dealing with anxiety during a pandemic is harder 🧡 on the blog today I’m talking about my real, honest feelings right now. As much as I’m having fun with my dog and my fiancé during this, it’s important to also talk about the negative. I hope it helps you feel less alone 💛 love you all ✌🏼😷🌞link in bio

#collaboration with this beautiful soul coming soo

#collaboration with this beautiful soul coming soon💛 From #losangeles to #dubai and then some💛🙏 #art #transcends #heals #embraces #inspirational #engagement #enrichment #enjoyment #listening #expression #dance #movement #cirque #personal #story #create #breakingthechains #onelinkatatime #btcf #breakingthechainsfoundation #eatingdisorder #recovery #warrior #prevention #everydayliving #mentalhealthsupport #youarenotalone @julia._katharina 💜

Our friends @neurosculpting.institute are offering

Our friends @neurosculpting.institute are offering FREE 7-day meditation download series
& a FREE eBook: “MINDSET 3 Keys For Managing Your Mindset” . . . . . . ✨✨✨”Neurosculpting has been incredibly transformative for me. The blend of mindfulness and Neuroscience have given me knowledge around the innate healing power that I hold. I have experienced anxiety for most of my life and struggled not to feel a victim to my involuntary stress responses. As I learned more about Neurosculpting, I started to understand the value behind these responses and how to use them in order to become informed on what my body truly needs in the moment. Through my daily meditation practice, I am slowly learning to have a more loving and grace-full relationship with myself- mind, body, and spirit. Thank you Lisa Wimberger for creating this life changing process, it has been healing for me every step of the way and I am honored to get to share it with others."
Kathryn McCormick, Professional Dancer & Educator, Certified Neurosculpting Facilitator💛💜@kathrynrmccormick

✨MEET OUR APRIL FEATURED ARTIST @agentletouchofa

✨MEET OUR APRIL FEATURED ARTIST @agentletouchofart 💛 Link in bio✨

Jenna Rose Simon is a professional artist and author, eating disorder advocate, & teacher. When one of her drawings went viral, she found herself quickly being featured on numerous media outlets and programs including ABC news and Good Morning America. Before she knew it, her work had created deep thought-provoking world impact.

Jenna is not only a truly gifted artist, but a warrior whom has transformed her tremendous suffering she endured in her life into pillars of hope, awareness, dedication, care, devotion, and love to global communities that suffer from eating disorders, abuse, trauma, and mental illness. Her art speaks on its own, yet she continues to share deep narratives because she will no longer be silent. She is super intelligent and well-spoken too! Much love Jenna xo
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#eatingdisorder #abuse #recovery #healing #hope #advocacy #artist #author #teacher #art #create #creativity #support #therapy #dedication #warrior #inspirational

💜 #BTCF Clinical Board/Co-Cinical Director @dan

💜 #BTCF Clinical Board/Co-Cinical Director @danikelmar💜 “I am currently seeing patients via a HIPPA Compliant platform in CA & NJ. Also working on the frontlines with first responders. I work with those who struggle with depression, anxiety and eating disorders . My practice focuses on adolescents & young adults, but during this crisis my practice has expanded to see those of any age who are struggling. Know that during this time of COVID-19 to find ways to increase self-Care, connect with others by phone or facetime! You can also find me on Facebook: Danielle Auerbach Kelmar, www.daniellekelmar.com, insta: danikelmar, twitter: DKelmar” Danielle Kelmar, LCSW

So grateful to our community & beyond💜Thank you

So grateful to our community & beyond💜Thank you @zoelionas for this & sharing❤️✨In Reflection & Appreciation: Wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to______________. But here we are______________. Thank you ________________ 💕💕 . . #Repost @zoelionas “wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to 1600, 1610, hallway lunches, homework on the bathroom floor, exhausting but rewarding late nights, the pac lobby, family bathroom and most of all being surrounded by such an amazing, artistic, talented and inspiring community...but here we are...thank you for everything @gvsudance “

We are thrilled to welcome our #BTCF Artist Ambass

We are thrilled to welcome our #BTCF Artist Ambassador Arielle Bodenhaussen! @arie_b ✨✨ #Repost @_arie_b Life’s change. Pattern’s change. Dream’s change. Love’s change. The best thing I get to realize in each and every day is all I have to be grounded in. Making the move from the Valley to DTLA (2 different worlds lol) has been full of love and importance!! Still though, being in a season of new, different, traffic and “I don’t knows”... it’s taking a second to figure out what feels normal. In that pursuit, it’s shocking to me that the last thing I focus on is the one thing that is constant... my body. I’ll rush a workout, I’ll neglect water, I’ll skip stretching... the list goes on and on. But why? Why is it when we feel out of place we feel like an outside addition will ground us, when really... The best way to feel at home is to be at home with yourself. Anyway, this is a long winded post to say, I saw this photo and remembered the feeling of this morning. Waves crashing, the best smell in the entire world, the flow of breathe and simply moving as free as I felt. Inspired by a past experience today 🥰
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#malibu #pilates #yoga #fabletics #beach #mornings .
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Photos by @theeternalchild

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