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

A nonprofit working towards changing the face of Eating Disorders through art + community ✨
#BreakingTheChains 💜

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5TH TIP of #loveyourselfie tip from #BTCF Celebrity Spokesperson & Board Member @jillianrosereed : #HELPyourselfie 💜! Get ready for SUNDAY, OCT. 20th #LIVESTREAM 12 PM PST w/Jillian & #BTCF Celebrity Ambassadors @thecourtneyhope @serenalaurel #chatting #howtoloveyourselfie 💜We look forward to hearing from you!
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.How do you Love Yourselfie? 💜
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. #breakingthechainsfoundation #BTCF #howtoloveyourselfiewithjillianrosereed #selflove #seminar #socialmedia #positivity #inspirations

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The 3rd #loveyourselfie tip from #BTCF Celebrity Spokesperson & Board Member @jillianrosereed : #Exploringyourselfie 💜! Get ready for SUNDAY, OCT. 20th #LIVESTREAM 12 PM PST w/Jillian & #BTCF Celebrity Ambassadors @thecourtneyhope @serenalaurel #chatting #howtoloveyourselfie 💜We look forward to hearing from you!
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.How do you Love Yourselfie? 💜
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. #breakingthechainsfoundation #BTCF #howtoloveyourselfiewithjillianrosereed #selflove #seminar #socialmedia #positivity #inspirations

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We thank you 🙏 #GivingTuesday www.breakingthechainsfoundation.org to donate 💜#howtoloveyourselfie #jillianrosereed #btcf #seminar #art #diy #workbook

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7 Days of #7Chairs 🙏DAY 1: #7Chairs is created by the ever so talented, gifted, loving & inspirational @alex_little 💜 Her work is mesmerizing, honest, open & healing. We are blessed to have her on our #BTCF Board sharing her creativity with so many around the world. Today we celebrate you Alex!💐 “I. You. We. Are Not Alone.” . . . #7chairs #alexlittle #dance #movement #healing #recovery #hope #addiction #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth #bodyimage #relationships #process #journey #personal #story #connection #community #transformative #selflove #selfacceptance

Photo credit @jameswirthphoto

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7 Days of #7Chairs 🙏DAY 2: Thank you @_arie_b for sharing your grace, beauty, talent, insight, & personal story 💜 Today we celebrate you Arie!💐 “I. You. We. Are Not Alone.” . . . .
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#7chairs #alexlittle #creator #dance #movement #healing #recovery #hope #addiction #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth #bodyimage #relationships #process #journey #personal #story #connection #community #transformative #selflove #selfacceptance

Photo credit @jameswirthphoto

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#BTCF Board Member @12minuteathlete sharing her “WHY”💥! #Repost @12minuteathlete What’s your why?⁣
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Why do you sweat even when no one is watching?⁣
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Why do you put in the work, day after day?⁣
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Why do you keep going even when progress is slow?⁣
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I work hard because I like the way I feel afterwards. I like to feel strong and independent and like I can do anything I put my mind to.⁣
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I also love to learn. The more I learn, the more curious I become… and the more I want to keep learning. ⁣
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I could go on and on. It helps me be less depressed and anxious. It gives me something to put my stressful energy into. It makes me more confident in all areas of my life. ⁣
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I didn’t always know my why. But these days, my reasons are nearly endless. And I’m beyond grateful.⁣
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If you haven’t found your why just yet - don’t worry. Keep experimenting. Keep trying new things. It’ll come with time.⁣
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Once you find it - use your #grit and stick with it. You’ve got this 🔥 #nevergiveup ⁣
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What’s your why? 👇
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📷: @tmuthking .
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#motivation #training #trainhard #fitnessmotivation #12minuteathlete

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Thank you for your service & the many lives you continue to touch, inspire & change 💜 #Repost @alex_little ・・・
#GivingTuesday... check out @breakingthechainsfdn, & if you feel moved to give, we’d appreciate it so much.✨

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Thank you all for building amazing & inspiring communities in so many ways💛

Grateful for a beautiful year of growth, change, rediscovery, grit, continued passion & opportunities to share with one another!

Happy Thanksgiving! May it be a day of joy, conversation and cherished memories! Love, BTCF 💛

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We are super excited and honored to present as the first eating disorder platform at the 4th Annual World Wide Women’s Girls Festival at The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on November 9th! 💜 LINK IN THE BIO💜 @girls.festival has an amazing day of programming, resources & more!
#Howtoloveyourselfie #7Chairs #7ChairsExperience #DevelopingaHealthyGrowthMindset #artsandentertainmentcareermentoringpanel #btcf #board #team #ambassadors #breakingthechainsfoundation #art #healing #eatingdisorder #recovery #intervention #prevention #community #girls #teens #youth #families #workshop #dance #movement #performance #story #health #wellness #mentalhealth

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Thank you #BTCF Clinical Board Member @dr.kellirugless 💜🙏
The first week of October has been Mental Illness Awareness Week since 1990. So all week I'll share some information about the importance of mental health and seeking treatment. This is the most recent data on who is struggling and who's getting treated...and the numbers are honestly staggering! 48 million struggling, with less than half actually getting help. Now I know there are a number of reasons why people don't get treatment (i.e. access, lack of awareness) but a big culprit, especially in communities of color, is stigma: feeling embarrassed by acknowledging or admitting that mental health is a thing...let alone seeking treatment. Now think about the people closest to you...are you going to encourage their silence or their restoration? This should be a focus everyday but for this week, let's see what we can do to change the culture in our friend groups, families, and work spaces. Tag, you’re it! 👋🏾❤️

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Each day this week, #BTCF Celebrity Spokesperson & Board Member @jillianrosereed is chatting her 5 #howtoloveyourselfie tips 💜 On SUNDAY, OCT 20th at 12pm PST we will have a HOW TO LOVE YOURSELFIE LIVE STREAM w/Jillian & #BTCF Celebrity Ambassadors @thecourtneyhope @serenalaurel chatting #howtoloveyouselfie 💜 We would love to hear from you!

How Do You Love Yourselfie?💜 .
. #breakingthechainsoundation #btcf #howtoloveyourselfiewithjillianrosereed

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7 Days of #7Chairs 🙏DAY 6: Thank you @haley_leffin for sharing your depth, honesty, talent, courage & personal story 💜 Today we celebrate you Haley!💐 “I. You. We. Are Not Alone.” . . . .
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#7chairs #alexlittle #creator #dance #movement #healing #recovery #hope #addiction #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth #bodyimage #relationships #process #journey #personal #story #connection #community #transformative #selflove #selfacceptance

Photo credit @jameswirthphoto

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7 Days of #7Chairs 🙏DAY 3: Thank you @kafren208 for sharing your strength, talent, fierceness, heart & personal story 💜 Today we celebrate you Kat! 💐 “I. You. We. Are Not Alone.” . . . .
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#7chairs #alexlittle #creator #dance #movement #healing #recovery #hope #addiction #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth #bodyimage #relationships #process #journey #personal #story #connection #community #transformative #selflove #selfacceptance

Photo credit @jameswirthphoto

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We appreciate your support #givingtuesday2019 Please visit www.breakingthechainsfoundation.org and click on our donate button💜With your help we can #breakthechains #onelinkatatime #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth #bodyimage #relationships #recovery #hope #healing #art THANK YOU!!! .
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. photo cred: @6ixteen89photography design: Tammy Baghdassarian @alex_little #7Chairs #7chairsexperience

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Mark your calendars! Weight Stigma Awareness Week 2019 ( #WSAW2019 ) starts tomorrow! Join the conversation on September 23-27th & learn about #weightstigma within & outside of the #eatingdisorder community. #ComeAsYouAre www.myneda.org/wsaw .
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Proud #nedanetwork member 💚💙

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GET READY for @12minuteathlete #BTCF #boardmember #KRISTASTRYKER • #developingahealthygrowthmindset #workshop • 1:30 pm • #WorldwideWomen @girls.festival • Palace of Fine Arts • 11-9-19 • San Francisco ❤️ .
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Tickets: https://worldwidewomen-co.s3.amazonaws.com/media/festival/Complimentary_Tickets_2019_Participants.pdf

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The 4th #loveyourselfie tip from #BTCF Celebrity Spokesperson & Board Member @jillianrosereed : #BEyourselfie 💜! Get ready for SUNDAY, OCT. 20th #LIVESTREAM 12 PM PST w/Jillian & #BTCF Celebrity Ambassadors @thecourtneyhope @serenalaurel #chatting #howtoloveyourselfie 💜We look forward to hearing from you!
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.How do you Love Yourselfie? 💜
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. #breakingthechainsfoundation #BTCF #howtoloveyourselfiewithjillianrosereed #selflove #seminar #socialmedia #positivity #inspirations

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7 Days of #7Chairs 🙏DAY 4: Thank you @kellallen_ for sharing your joy, spirit, talent, glow & personal story 💜 Today we celebrate you Kelly!💐 “I. You. We. Are Not Alone.” . . . .
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#7chairs #alexlittle #creator #dance #movement #healing #recovery #hope #addiction #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth #bodyimage #relationships #process #journey #personal #story #connection #community #transformative #selflove #selfacceptance

Photo credit @jameswirthphoto

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Thank you BTCF Celebrity Ambassador @brookelewisla for sharing your truth, insight, passion & support. We love you💜
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#Repost @brookelewisla
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JEJUNE MAGAZINE: BROOKE LEWIS IS THE SCREAM QUEEN AND SO MUCH MORE!
It was #halloween #horror fabulous to wake up to this #glamorous honoring & thorough #magazine article & #interview @jejunemag Jejune 💚 I am #grateful for all of your acknowledgements & sharing my life & career as an #actress #producer #philanthropist #humanitarian #dating #expert & #screamqueens from #newyork to #hollywood in #tv & #film 🎥 #shoutout #msvampy @halfnewyearmovie “iMurders” & “Kinky Killers” @showtime & my passion for #charity as a #celebrity ambassador @breakingthechainsfdn my supporting several #breastcancerawareness charities & the #homeless problem in #losangeles & how important it is to support @thelamission 🙏 Thank you @katzpublicrelations & my #editorial #photos @birds_eye_photo #mua @allisonnoellemakeup 💚 And, I’m rockin’ my @philadelphiaeagles shirt in support of #philadelphia #eagles 🏈 I’m one grateful woman 🙏💚

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Get ready October for “How To Love Yourselfie” w/ @jillianrosereed 💜 #staytuned #ontheground #changingroomselfie ~ “the truth about self-love - how to live your best life on and offline” #jillianrosereed #howtoloveyourselfiejillianrosereed #college #students #friends #selflove #selfacceptance #selfielove #ichooseme #btcf #breakingthechains #onelinkatatime #btcfcelebrityspokesperson #btcfboardmember . . Email us iambreakingthechains@gmail.com for more info 💜 .
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📸: @jillianrosereed 📸: @breakingthechainsfdn

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Super excited to announce our NEW BTCF T-SHIRT 💜 Designed by #BTCF Board Member/Celebrity Ambassador @carolynhennesy & Art by Advisory Board Member @ellenspencer1 . . Available for purchase www.breakingthechainsfoundation.org . “Eating disorders are, to be blunt, like fingerprints: each one is unique because each individual who suffers is a one-of-a-kind. There are millions afflicted and no two alike. This category of disease spans the globe, hence the need to show the entire planet encircled by the chains of this monster. But women (yes, men suffer as well, but let's be honest...societal pressures on women are far more effective in creating and aiding these disorders) are taking more and more control everyday and pulling the links of that chain apart. Dancing (as they're doing here) singing, writing...art in all of its forms plays an enormous role in the healing process but perhaps nothing will be more effective at destroying these disorders than the simple act of talking with one another and to the world at large. If we truly desire to remove the shame and stigma we have to start the conversation and keep it going. It's the duty of everyone who suffers and the duty of those who care about them. So basically... everyone. Grab a link and break it. “ Carolyn Hennesy .
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#healing #recovery #hope #eatingdisorder #intervention #prevention #mentalhealth #wellness #community #journey #conversation #art

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💜🙏 #Repost @nikdeloach In one year, my whole life changed. I was five months pregnant when we found out that Benny had life-threatening heart defects. Soon after, I found out my dad was diagnosed with frontal temporal dementia. Talk about a mountain. I had two choices. I could isolate, shut down, get angry, play the blame game. I could become consumed by the darkness. Or, I could choose the light. I could accept that my pain and situation was real and it was meant to be there. I could trust. I could pry myself open to all that this journey has to offer and allow it to shift me, change me forever. •
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We are all battling something, some monstrous mountain that we have to somehow get over. Trust me when I say that these mountains are filled with great purpose. They can also be paralyzingly terrifying. And that’s ok too. But if you can open yourself up, even if it’s inches at a time, and choose wildly fierce faith, just think of the person you’ll be on the other side of that mountain? It can feel risky, of course. But think of all the magic and miracles that your openness will give birth to. That is a risk I am so grateful I was willing to take, for my mountain - and I am most certainly still on it - has changed me forever. For the better. Because even in its darkest, most painful moments, I have felt the grace of God. And it is pure magic. ⭐️

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7 Days of #7Chairs 🙏DAY 7: Our first male dancer in “7 Chairs” and we couldn’t be more blessed then have it be @nicholaserick ! Thank you @nicholaserick for sharing your vulnerability, strength, comfort, understanding, talent & personal story💜 Today we celebrate you Nick! 💐 “I. You. We. Are Not Alone.” . . . .
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#7chairs #alexlittle #creator #dance #movement #healing #recovery #hope #addiction #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth #bodyimage #relationships #process #journey #personal #story #connection #community #transformative #selflove #selfacceptance

Photo credit @jameswirthphoto

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🙏💜 #Repost #btcf Celebrity Ambassador @thecourtneyhope We must remember we are enough, even when we feel we aren’t. It is okay to not always be okay. It’s okay to not always know the answer. Our power, voice and light is stronger than we believe. We’re all worth it. We all have a place. Our health is worth more than anything else. Challenge is a part of life, how we chose to face it is what differentiates us all. Our perspective creates the world we live in, and sometimes it’s hard to find the light. Sometimes we can all feel helpless. We must remember: We deserve to be heard. We deserve rest. We deserve to be curious. We deserve to fight for our wellness. We deserve to love ourselves. We deserve to be honest. Brutally honest.. in the pursuit of happiness, wellness and love. Mental health is a priority: it IS HEALTH. ✨ I have dealt with anxiety, panic and depression since I was a kid. Ive been on both ends of the spectrum.. I’ve hit rock bottom with no relief in sight. I’ve been at an all time high where I believed nothing could knock me down. At 12, I had one of the closest people to me, my idol, decide being here wasn’t worth it anymore and spent my whole life trying to figure out why... If there is anything I’ve learned, is that is IS WORTH IT. We’re ALL worth it. There is strength to be found in every experience. There is always a light, there is always someone who cares, there is always another chapter in our story. It does get easier if we just keep breathing. Speak up; speak out. You’re not alone. You are loved. #NationalMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthAwareness

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7 Days of #7Chairs 🙏DAY 5: Thank you @alexis_gilbert for sharing your energy, compassion, talent, power & personal story 💜 Today we celebrate you Alexis!💐 “I. You. We. Are Not Alone.” . . . .
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#7chairs #alexlittle #creator #dance #movement #healing #recovery #hope #addiction #eatingdisorder #mentalhealth #bodyimage #relationships #process #journey #personal #story #connection #community #transformative #selflove #selfacceptance

Photo credit @jameswirthphoto

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Great day at USC SAGE's signature event, “Body Love Fair” w/ #BTCF Celebrity Ambassador @brookelewisla & President Debra Hopkins celebrating the beauty and worth of ALL bodies & fostering a healthy relationship within oneself💜Thank you @sageusc & leader Gwen Howard for inviting us! Thank you #BTCF Celebrity Spokesperson/Board Member @jillianrosereed for all your help, messaging & #howtoloveyourselfie tips!! We missed you, but you were there in love & spirit🙌🏻 #moretocome Thank you Celebrity Ambassador @brookelewisla for your amazing support & positivity💜Thank you photographer @edward_the_photographer for all the wonderful photos!
Loved meeting so many #changemakers & sharing our programming, resources and favorite seminar #HowToLoveYoirselfieWithJillianRoseReed 💜
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. #bodypositivity #bodylove #eatingdisorderrecovery #hope #healing #arts #socialmedia #inspiration #nedadnetworkmember

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#Repost @6ixteen89photography 🙏
Eating disorders can have a profoundly negative impact on an individuals quality of life. Self image, interpersonal relationships, financial status, and job performance are often negatively affected. Eating disorders are also associated with high rates of other coexisting psychiatric disorders, particularly mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Eating disorders are NOT choices, passing fads or phases. They are treatable, and the sooner someone gets the treatment he or she needs, the better chance they have of choosing recovery - one day at a time! • Creating around this topic was an honor and only possible thanks to the vision of @alex_little (creative director) and @julia._katharina (dancer). In Alex’s capacity as a board member for Breaking The Chains Foundation @breakingthechainsfdn the 7 Chairs Experience was born from her personal experience that communal gatherings often activate or assist in individual healing • 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. They stand as an artistic motivator to ignite a fire in a whole new light • If you’ve read this far, thank you. If you, or someone you know has been affected by eating disorders please support @breakingthechainsfdn however you can. Through art, they are changing the conversation around this disease. This takes money! So open your wallet. Give what you can and be part of an artistic program that is changing the lives of people • #eatingdisorderrecovery #eatingdisorder #eatingdisorderawareness

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2nd #loveyourselfie tip from #BTCF Celebrity Spokesperson & Board Member @jillianrosereed : #Cherishyourselfie 💜! Get ready for SUNDAY, OCT. 20th #LIVESTREAM 12 PM PST w/Jillian & #BTCF Celebrity Ambassadors @thecourtneyhope @serenalaurel #chatting #howtoloveyourselfie 💜We look forward to hearing from you!
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.How do you Love Yourselfie? 💜
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. #breakingthechainsfoundation #BTCF #howtoloveyourselfiewithjillianrosereed #selflove #seminar #socialmedia #positivity #inspirations

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Thank you ABC7 💜
More highlights from @girls.festival @worldwidewomenco tonight at 6:30 pm #abc7sanfrancisco 😊

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