“Food was my best friend and yet my worst enemy.”

Can you relate?

When life feels out of control, like it did for Christie when she moved at young age, food can feel like a comforting anchor in life.

But when food becomes the main source of security, what we need is true supportive relationships.

This is where Christie’s story turns around for the better, where God confronted her in ways that only He can, and brought her to the place she is today, which is to help others in their own recovery stories.

Our hope in this episode is that you would know that you aren’t alone in your own healthy journey, and there are so many people and programs out there waiting to connect with you.

Christie has served for almost a decade as the Executive Director for Rock Recovery, a nonprofit that helps clients and communities overcome disordered eating by combining clinical, community and spiritual care. Having gone through recovery herself, she understands the depth of support needed to recover and how painful yet beautiful the journey to healing can be. Few things make her angrier than diet culture, and she is passionate about spreading the message that complete freedom from disordered eating is possible. She is an active speaker and shares her story with organizations and media outlets across the country. While a true city girl at heart, Christie now resides in the suburbs of Washington, DC with her husband, Ryan and her daughter, Viviana.

Overcoming Disordered Eating with Community, Clinical, and Spiritual Care

In this episode of the Joyful Health Show, we talk with Christie Dondero Bettwy, Executive Director for Rock Recovery, a nonprofit that helps clients and communities overcome disordered eating by combining clinical, community and spiritual care. Having gone through recovery herself, she understands the depth of support needed to recover and how painful yet beautiful the journey to healing can be. In our conversation we discuss:

1. Losing her support system at home, hitting rock bottom with disordered eating, and the moment her shame rolled away.

2. The three expert archetypes that were critical to her recovery and how she helps others in these areas:

   • God: the expert of your body

   • Professionals: the expert of the way your body was created. 

   • Community: the expert of love and support

3. Understanding spiritual discernment for yourself and how being a part of a community improves your clarity as a healthy Christian.

🎧 Listen Here!

How Free Are You? Find Out with This Scripture:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

From this verse as it relates to your relationship with food and body, Christie invites us to think about:

• Is there more freedom for you?

• Is this freedom or is this captivity?

• Are there ways that you feel controlled by the ways that you feel around your body?

• Add up the percentage of time you spend thinking about food, showering, working, etc. and then compare it with where you feel God wants you to be. 

• Are you living in alignment with what you truly value and who God has created you to be?

Rock Recovery Resources

Discover how Rock Recovery's services are helping bridge gaps in the journey to healing and thriving.

Rock Recovery offers a variety of eating disorder therapy services for teens and adults (ages 14+) across DC, MD and VA. With unique offerings like meal support and body image groups, as well as traditional individual therapy, their team of experts is here to support you and your loved ones. All of their programs are offered at sliding scale rates - just ask!

If you live outside of DC, MD or VA or are looking to integrate faith into your recovery, they are still here to support you. See our nationwide faith-based support groups and community education programs for individuals seeking recovery support and their loved ones. Check out their website for more details!