First-ever Eagle County eating disorder awareness walk set for March 1 in Avon
Event open to all scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in Harry A. Nottingham Park
BodyKind Vail/Courtesy photo
Eagle County’s first-ever eating disorder walk is taking place Sunday in Avon.
The walk is hosted by BodyKind Vail, Eagle County’s first eating disorder recovery-focused nonprofit.
“It’s a big celebration on recovery,” said Alex Kandalaft, BodyKind Vail’s founder and executive director. “It’s an opportunity, too, to reduce that stigma.”
Kandalaft decided to start the nonprofit after her own experience battling an eating disorder made her realize the resources she and others facing through similar challenges needed were not available in Eagle County.
“The main goal that I have is to continue growing conversation in our community about eating disorders and disordered eating,” Kandalaft said. “I want more people to be talking about it, so that the people who are currently living with an eating disorder and are struggling silently know that their community cares and there is a safe space that they can access to get the support that they need.”
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Since launching in the fall, the organization has only grown. “Things have been going really, really well,” Kandalaft said.
BodyKind Vail hosts a weekly eating disorder recovery peer support group and shares eating disorder recovery-related information on its social media. “We’re seeing new faces pop in and out, which is incredibly exciting. Our social media platforms have been gaining a lot of traction,” Kandalaft said.
Sunday’s eating disorder awareness walk marks the end of National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) Week.
“Traditionally, for NEDA week, there are walks that take place all over the country,” Kandalaft said. “It’s a very well-known event within the eating disorder community, so it really means a lot to me to be able to bring our own take on a NEDA walk here to Eagle County.”
“I remember when I was early in recovery searching for a NEDA walk in Colorado, because I really wanted to participate, and I didn’t find any,” Kandalaft said.
Sunday’s event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon, with the actual walk being only one of several activities. There will be speeches in English and Spanish, a sign making station for people to write inspirational phrases, activities specifically for kids and an opportunity to meet others in the eating disorder recovery community, including BodyKind Vail’s board members.
The event is family friendly and open to all. Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided, along with t-shirts and stickers.
“Anyone in the community can come to this walk. You don’t have to have lived experience with an eating disorder or disordered eating,” Kandalaft said. “It truly is a general community awareness event. Anyone is welcome to come.”
“Joining our walk is going to be a really awesome, fun first step into the work that we offer,” Kandalaft said. “One thing that makes eating disorder recovery so successful is connection.”
BodyKind Vail’s weekly eating disorder recovery peer support groups are completely confidential and meet in-person in Avon on Wednesday evenings, with the option to attend virtually.
“There is no pressure for anyone to turn their camera on or have their name,” Kandalaft said. “Everything that happens in group stays in group.”
Kandalaft plans to expand the peer support group offerings going forward, adding a Spanish-language group, LGBTQ+ group and a binge eating group. “Those are on the horizon,” Kandalaft said.
BodyKind Vail’s eating disorder awareness walk event is scheduled for Sunday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to noon at Harry A. Nottingham Park in Avon.
The best way to connect with BodyKind Vail is through Instagram and Facebook, along with its website, BodyKindVail.org.
