Hope Starts With Us Self-Acceptance, Shedding Shame, and Recovery Featuring McCall Dempsey and Alexandra Miles
Feb 25, 2026
Alexandra Miles, Founder and CEO of Project Blackbird who leads storytelling programs to destigmatize mental health. McCall Dempsey, founder of Southern Smash and eating disorder survivor who drives campus recovery events. They discuss shedding shame, engaging students amid social media pressures, smashing scales to start conversations, storytelling-led outreach, and practical tips for supporting young people.
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Hidden Eating Disorder Behind A 'Perfect' Life
- McCall described a 15-year eating disorder hidden behind success, sorority leadership, and a 'perfect' appearance.
- She entered treatment at 29, quit her dream job, and turned recovery into her life’s work by sharing her story and creating Southern Smash.
Recovery Is A Messy Ongoing Process
- McCall reframes recovery as an ongoing messy process rather than a finish line or single cure.
- She emphasizes speaking shame aloud because secrecy lets shame grow, while sharing reduces the eating disorder's hold.
Shame Made Treatment Feel Undeserved
- Alexandra recalled feeling profound shame before and during treatment and thinking she didn't deserve care.
- That experience shaped Project Blackbird's Shed Shame campaign to normalize disclosure and make it safer to say 'me too.'