My name is Mercedes, I’m 27 years old and from Northern New Jersey. I struggled with an eating disorder from a very young age up until my early adulthood when I went through intensive treatment and entered recovery. I have learned a great deal such as health at every size, intuitive eating and set point theory that has helped me heal my relationship with food and my body. I also have co-occurring mental health diagnoses such as OCD and PTSD.

I also have lived experience with chronic illness as I have hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome, gastroparesis, POTS and more. I truly believe figuring out the balance between physical and mental health is the key to reaching and maintaining recovery.

Some fun facts about me are that I’m currently in college for healthcare administration leadership and plan to pursue a graduate degree in bioethics or philosophy. I live with my girlfriend, Jay, and our two cats, Goose and Jiji. I enjoy singing, reading and organizing pretty much anything I can.