Sarah used to wear smaller jeans and fake a smile. She liked having as many friends as possible. She would never consider herself a leader. Her camera roll was filled with ‘progress pictures’ of her body. She was fighting a losing battle with herself. She was in denial and was exhausted - but she would’ve never admitted it. Around 2 years ago, Sarah decided she didn’t want to be that girl anymore. She was exhausted from trying to be the girl that ‘does it all.’ Rather than trying to be a superwoman for everyone else, she wanted to be her own hero. She has been actively working on her own recovery while encouraging others to do the same. Sarah is a proud sister of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, and a former Chapter President at the University of Rhode Island.

5 reasons to work with Sarah:

1. Heart - Sarah’s “why” has always been her innate drive to never have someone else struggle the way she did. She is an empath to her core and feels the energy of every single person in her audience. She speaks with every ounce of her heart. She take the time to really connect with her audience and offer continued support even after the presentation is over. Sarah has experience connecting individuals to the necessary resources and is willing to do that for every student who needs it.
2. Relatability - Sarah is a leader, mentor and student athlete from The University of Rhode Island. Having only graduated two years ago, she relates to students in an unparalleled way because she was just in their shoes not too long ago. She understands the societal pressures, triggers and hardships that come with being a college student. Sarah reiterates the thought that they don’t need to be “superwoman” but that they are more than enough just as they are.
3. Worldwide perspective - Sarah has traveled the globe on retreats and volunteer opportunities to experience different cultures. She speaks through a unique lens that reminds others that there is a world beyond their eating disorder.
4. Insight - Sarah has worked through her own recovery and, because of that, is able to share the good, the bad and everything in between. She is not afraid to have uncomfortable conversations about the “taboo” topic of eating disorders. She shares her story and inspires others to do the same.
5. Background - Sarah uses the art of story telling to connect with her audience. This is beneficial because students that are struggling will be a part of the conversation, rather than feeling they are in a nutrition lecture hall. Sarah organizes her presentations in a way that allows students to reflect differently than they have before.

Sarah is dedicating all of her talks to her dear friend, Dominique Franco, who passed away in 2019. Dominique was sorority president and the reason Sarah became a leader. Sarah looks to spread the light that Dominique did.

Everyone fights battles “unknown” to those around them. Even though individuals may be hurting behind closed doors, they are nothing less than “warriors.” Eating disorders are extremely prevalent amongst the Greek community and, yet, conversations about their struggles are often suppressed and misunderstood. Eating disorders look different on everyone. There is a large spectrum of severity that the media only portrays a small piece of. The idea that students are not “sick enough” to deserve help is a detrimental mindset that so many are susceptible to fall into. Far too much pressure is placed on our physical appearances, when it is in fact the least interesting thing about us.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand what eating disorders are, at large, as well as the many specific types that are present on college campuses.
2. Learn statistics, warning signs and symptoms among college students.
3. Assemble a healthy and appropriate list of ways to support someone who is struggling with an eating disorder.
4. Analyze the tough questions of why it's so hard to accept our bodies just as they are and why are we so afraid of gaining weight.
5. Determine what you want people to say when they are asked what they love about you most.