About Sarah Rzemieniak Recovery Coaching

Why Recovery Coaching:

Working as an eating disorder recovery coach feels like such a gift after years of struggle and at last recovery from my own eating disorder. I feel extremely grateful to be able to do this work today.

I made the career transition from working as a dietitian to working as an eating disorder recovery coach after realizing that it was the coaching aspect of the dietetics work that I loved the most and wanted to focus all my attention on. I find it so rewarding to be able to support individuals in the day-to-day aspects of their recovery journeys like I would have wanted, and to help them bring about the awakening and strengthening of their vibrant, healthy selves from a coaching perspective.

My dark years:

I remember the exhaustion, disconnection and overall darkness of my eating disorder like it was yesterday. I remember feeling like joy, aliveness and peace had been missing from my life for so long, and how at best all of my efforts led to a brief feeling of relief, only to be replaced with dread and despair when I realized it had to start all over again the next day.

I felt trapped though, with fear of disobeying the eating disorder on one side and overwhelm and hopelessness on the other. However, with much support and treatment, tentative willingness and faltering courage and many ups, downs, plateaus and relapses, I slowly started making small but lasting changes which very gradually turned into an evolving recovery journey and finally a lasting, recovered life.

The other side:

After reaching this place of solid recovery at last, my first career was as a dietitian working with individuals struggling with eating disorders as well as other conditions at hospitals in BC, Canada. This was a wonderful experience, and it was extremely rewarding being able to help others make peace with food after everything I had been through. However, after some time I realized that it was the coaching aspect of the work that I loved the most and felt the most passionate about pursuing.

I received my certification as an Eating Disorder Recovery Coach from The Carolyn Costin Institute, where I was supervised and trained directly under Carolyn Costin, world-renowned eating disorder therapist, author, and founder of Monte Nido residential treatment centres, over the course of one year and many supervised sessions. I also volunteered as a Recovery Mentor, and this experience also helped plant the seed for wanting to become a recovery coach. I found it deeply rewarding to be a part of someone else's transformative journey towards a deeper, more peaceful relationship with food, themselves and the world.

Today:

I live in beautiful Vancouver, BC Canada with my husband John and our toddler son Eli. Motherhood feels like such a blessing, and is something I wasn't sure would ever be possible for me due to possible effects from the eating disorder. I feel a bit in awe every morning.

In my free time now, at last, I enjoy doing what I truly feel like doing. Lately, this has been a lot of new motherhood things and enjoying being present with Eli. I also continue to value and love doing the things that helped me to recover and which continue to deepen my sense of spirituality and connection with the world - meditating, journaling, walking in nature, and reading a mix of spiritual and self-help books (I've listed some of my favourites here).

For more information about my recovery journey, as well as about recovery coaching, I've shared more on these wonderful podcasts:

• Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach through The Carolyn Costin Institute
• Volunteer Eating Disorder Recovery Mentor through MentorConnect
• Body Image Training for Clinicians: The Missing Piece of Whole Body Healing with Marci Evans, CEDRD-S & Fiona Sutherland, APD
• BS in Dietetics from the University of British Columbia with previous work experience as an eating disorder dietitian

I am grateful for all that recovery has brought me, especially the opportunity to work as a coach. It is such an honor to guide clients along their journey of healing and discovery and to witness their strength, resilience, and transformation.

For three decades I struggled with anorexia, bulimia, and various disordered behaviors. I spent years filled with shame and self-loathing. Recovery changed all that in ways I never could have imagined. The insights and tools you acquire in recovery profoundly change how you show up for yourself and the world around you.

An essential part of my own recovery included sharing my story and the knowledge and insights I was learning along the way. As my passion for helping others grew, I set my sights on becoming a coach once I was secure in my own recovery. I went on to receive my coaching training and certification through the Carolyn Costin Institute. It is a rigorous, in-depth program of study and examinations culminating in direct supervision hours under Carolyn Costin.

As a coach, I am here for you with compassion and without judgment to encourage and support you with the day-to-day aspects of recovery. Our work together is collaborative and honors your unique journey. I aim to meet you wherever you are at in the moment and help you take the steps necessary to push through fear and doubt and find a way toward envisioning and creating a meaningful life outside of your eating disorder.

In my free time, I love to read. If I’m not curled up with a book and my two rescue cats, Philo and Sappho, I can be found writing, dreaming up travel plans and excursions to art galleries or the theater, walking in nature, rolling out the mat for a gentle yoga class, or catching up with friends.

Pamela's Certifications & Trainings:

Every day I am immensely grateful to be able to support others in their own unique recovery process and witness their resilience and strength.

Recovering from a decade long eating disorder was one of the hardest but most rewarding processes I ever went through. Knowing firsthand how painful it is to live with an eating disorder and the challenges of recovering from one inspired me to train as a Carolyn Costin Eating Disorder Recovery Coach. There is an inherent loneliness to living with an eating disorder and recovering can feel lonely as well. But it doesn’t have to be. I’d be honored to support you on the journey to becoming whole again and help you feel less alone during the process. Oftentimes taking action can be the hardest part of recovering yet change cannot happen without it. It is especially hard in our culture where disordered behaviors have become so normalized. I aim to provide a safe place for you as you navigate this journey.

My approach is non-judgmental and compassionate. I take a strengths-based perspective developed through my education in social work. I am willing to meet you wherever you are in your recovery process. We will work together on taking actionable steps so you can work towards living the life you want to live. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. My aim is always to support you in achieving your goals, whatever they may be at this point in time.

Outside of recovery coaching, I enjoy photography, reading, watching Formula 1, traveling, and spending time with my dog and husband!

Kate's Certifications & Trainings:

I am a New Jersey transplant who moved to LA to start a career in comedic acting and singing. While performing is something I am still passionate about, I discovered the world of recovery coaching and have found immense fulfillment in supporting and empowering people from all walks of life. As a coach, I combine my love for comedy, my compassion for others and my desire to make a difference.

During the years I struggled with my own eating disorder, I was convinced that it would be a lifelong battle. However, with the support and guidance of some amazing professionals and a lot of hard work of my own, I can say with confidence that recovery IS possible. The journey is not linear and the struggles can seem to be overwhelming at times, but with your personal commitment and the right support, you, too, can experience the joy and freedom that recovery offers.

I’m here to meet you where you are, wherever that is, whether that be welcoming ambivalence into the room or taking action and making change. I believe strong connections are key to coaching success. That's why I focus on building a collaborative partnership with my clients, rather than a formal coach-client barrier. I aim to create a safe, fun and judgement-free environment so that you look forward to our sessions instead of it feeling like a chore.

My coaching style is flexible, and I tailor my approach to your unique needs. I am also committed to continuing my education and training and am currently pursuing my Inclusive Eating Disorder Specialist Certification. This has further fuelled my commitment to learning how to best serve people who are often marginalized in the eating disorder community.

Let’s talk to see how I may best help you find the joy and freedom you so deserve.

Laura's Certifications & Trainings:

It's still sometimes so surreal to me that my vocation in life is to help others heal from the very illnesses that once consumed me. I spent nearly 15 years silently suffering from a combination of anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphia, and compulsive exercise. I evenually came to terms with not being able to recover on my own and underwent outpatient treatment and, later, was fortunate to also work with an eating disorder recovery coach.

A combination of hard work, patience, and perseverance led me to the complete, lasting freedom from my eating disorder that I have today. I wholeheartedly believe that if someone as deep in the trenches of their eating disorder as I was can fully recover, you can, too.

My life-changing experience with recovery coaching inspired me to pursue a coaching certification from the Carolyn Costin Institute (CCI), which is the first program to offer a sophisticated coaching certification track in the field of eating disorder recovery.

I left my job in Media to commit to recovery coaching full-time and put my whole heart into helping others find a life where food, their bodies, and movement are points of peace and joy—not misery or fear. Even if you don’t feel ready to be free of your eating disorder or are lacking motivation, you (without question) can heal, and I'd be honored to walk that journey alongside you.

Mikaela's Certifications & Trainings: