Cait Taylor of 828 Women Ministry On How To Support A Loved One Who Is Struggling With An Eating Disorder
Avoid labelling them as the “sick friend” or “the family member with the eating disorder”. If someone has received an eating disorder diagnosis, that does not define their identity. It can be a struggle for sufferers to remember this when in the midst of their battle. Personally, I had a hard time separating the illness from myself because it felt so much a part of me; I didn’t know who I was without it. However, being labelled as “the sick girl” at school only made it harder to believe a different, healed version of me was possible.
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect millions worldwide, transcending age, gender, and cultural boundaries. They are not simply about food but involve a range of psychological, physical, and social issues. Supporting a loved one through this struggle can be challenging, requiring understanding, patience, and knowledge of the right approaches to truly make a difference.
In this series, we aim to shed light on the most effective ways to offer support, understanding, and hope to those battling an eating disorder. We are talking to psychologists, nutritionists, doctors, therapists, and survivors, who can provide valuable perspectives on nurturing recovery, fostering resilience, and promoting healthy relationships with food and body image. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Cait Taylor.
Cait Taylor is a Christian leader and social media influencer, dedicated to empowering and educating people with Biblical wisdom, through her ministry ‘828 Women.’ Committed to assisting others in overcoming life’s obstacles, she has become a trusted voice known for her genuine openness and vulnerability. With a substantial online following of over 400,000 people, her content has touched millions worldwide, emphasizing the significant impact she has had on a global scale.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Thank you for having me! My passion for mentoring young women stems from the challenges I faced in my childhood. I grew up in an abusive home which led to several mental health struggles, including an eating disorder and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) diagnosis. However, at age 17, when I felt I was hitting rock bottom, I found solace through attending church and discovering a relationship with Jesus Christ. My life has never been the same since. Now, my mission is to come alongside others who are still in the trenches and help them to find hope, purpose and healing too. This year I will celebrate ten years fully recovered from my eating disorder!
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
It would definitely be Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” This is my “life verse” and one I have come to lean on throughout life’s trials. It reminds me that not just some things, but all things can work together for good, no matter how painful and no matter how messy. I have seen evidence of this in my life and the lives of countless other women I have worked with, so much so that it became the inspiration for the name of my ministry.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
Yes, earlier this year I launched my latest project, the ‘828 with Cait’ podcast, as an extension of my ministry. In this show I delve into topics such as resilience, self-discovery, and finding meaning in the midst of adversity. Through sharing my real, unfiltered experiences and big-sister style advice, I hope to inspire and help others to discover a life that feels truly worth living. From love and purpose to mental health and mindset, we tackle it all together.
According to this study cited by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, at least 30 million people in the U.S. of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder. Can you suggest 3–5 reasons why this has become such a critical issue recently?
Personally, my struggle originated from childhood trauma and a sense of powerlessness over my environment. As an adolescent, bullying and low self-esteem only exacerbated the problem. I attribute the escalation of this critical issue to factors such as the increase of broken family units, the confusion surrounding identity in our world today, and the exposure to unrealistic beauty standards portrayed in the media.
Based on your insight, what can concrete steps can a) individuals, b) corporations, c) communities and d) leaders do to address the core issues that are leading to this problem?
A) Individuals can work to challenge harmful societal norms B) Corporations can implement comprehensive wellness programs that prioritise mental health support C) Communities can increase mental health resources and awareness D) Leaders can work to allocate funding to eating disorder treatment programs and mental health initiatives
As you know, one of the challenges of an eating disorder is the harmful, and dismissive sentiment of “why can’t you just control yourself”. What do you think needs to be done to make it apparent that an eating disorder is an illness just like heart disease or schizophrenia?
During my years in an abusive home, my eating disorder was the only sense of control I had. Even after escaping that situation physically, the coping mechanism of regulating my food intake and weight stayed with me. Ironically, the thing I thought gave me control was actually controlling me; I felt incapable to “just stop”. To destigmatize eating disorders and recognize them as legitimate illnesses, we must promote greater awareness of their multifaceted nature. We must make it known that eating disorders are not solely body or food issues, in fact many of them do not even begin that way, stemming instead from complex psychological and emotional factors. The recovery of those struggling with these illnesses hinges on this understanding, alongside holistic treatments that address the mind, body and soul.
Here is the main question of our interview. Can you please share with our readers 5 ways to support a loved one who is struggling with an eating disorder? If you can, can you share an example from your own experience?
1 . Avoid labelling them as the “sick friend” or “the family member with the eating disorder”. If someone has received an eating disorder diagnosis, that does not define their identity. It can be a struggle for sufferers to remember this when in the midst of their battle. Personally, I had a hard time separating the illness from myself because it felt so much a part of me; I didn’t know who I was without it. However, being labelled as “the sick girl” at school only made it harder to believe a different, healed version of me was possible.
2 . Avoid making eating a significant event. When I was recovering from my eating disorder I had only one friend who I felt comfortable eating around and it was because he would act the same way with me as he did anyone else. Regardless of what I ate, he did not comment on the quantity or scrutinise my choices. He kept everything relaxed, making eating feel like the most normal thing in the world. People with eating disorders are already overwhelmed by excessive thoughts around food, it’s helpful not to add to that burden.
3 . Educate yourself — reading the articles in this series is a great start! Providing uninformed advice can cause significant setbacks and harm to someone with an eating disorder.
4 . Refrain from commenting on appearance, whether positive or negative. To an eating disordered mind, hearing something like “you’re looking healthier,” even if well-intentioned, can easily be perceived as “I am looking bigger.” Instead, help alleviate fixation on physical appearance by steering the conversation toward other topics.
5 . Practice patience. Recovery from an eating disorder isn’t linear and it doesn’t happen overnight. Be understanding of the inevitable ups and downs, and remain open to listening without passing judgement. Remember each individual’s journey with an eating disorder is unique, and your loved one needs compassion as they navigate their healing journey. By providing a non-judgmental environment, you create the best space for them to feel safe in sharing their struggles and seeking the help they need.
How do you navigate the balance between offering support and respecting the autonomy of a loved one with an eating disorder?
Understand as hard as it may be, that you cannot control anyone or anything but yourself. In my experience, I couldn’t be helped until I decided I wanted help and I sought support from those who were not overbearing. Much of their support was silent. Think about a very personal struggle in your own life and how you’d like your loved ones to show up for you in that.
Is there a message you would like to tell someone who may be reading this, who is currently struggling with an eating disorder?
There was a time when I would go out with friends and only order a drink, claiming I “wasn’t hungry,” even though I longed to join in. Now, sharing meals with my loved ones is one of my greatest joys in life. I cherish it even more after years of being unable to do so. It was possible for me, and it’s possible for you too.
In your experience, what are the most effective strategies for building resilience and a positive self-image in individuals recovering from an eating disorder?
In my experience the most effective strategy was to discover my worth and value in the eyes of my Creator.
What are your favorite books, podcasts, or resources that have helped people with this struggle? Can you explain why you like them?
There is no book or resource that has helped me more with this struggle than the Bible. Within its pages I uncovered the truth about my value, my identity, my purpose and above all, I found hope to hold onto.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the largest amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
As the founder of a women’s ministry, I am passionate about encouraging women to improve their mental health with the help of God. Therefore, if I could inspire a movement, it would be one deeply rooted in faith. It’s a dream of mine to one day host transformative women’s retreats, offering both community and tools for healing. I envision women from all over the world stepping into the fullness of God’s plan for their lives, where He intricately weaves every aspect of their story together for good.
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
You can find me on Instagram @caittaylor_
My ministry website is 828women.com
And my podcast ‘828 with Cait’ is on YouTube, Spotify & all other platforms
Thank you so much for these insights! This was so inspiring!
Cait Taylor of 828 Women Ministry On How To Support A Loved One Who Is Struggling With An Eating… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.