Listen to their story, the lived experience. Let everyone you come in contact with have the space to share their story. – Lori Short-Zamudio, RD

Lori Short-Zamudio loves the challenge of helping people live more comfortably in their own skin and she does this both via teaching future professionals about eating disorders at Humber College in Toronto and in her one-on-one client work as an eating disorder dietitian. In this short spotlight, Lori shares more with us about why she’s passionate about Health at Every Size and a little more about her and what drives her enthusiasm to help others recover. Make sure you check out the Nourished Circle podcast – that Lori co-produces.

You can connect with Lori on Instagram, and Twitter and more about her services at UnapologeticallyMeRD.

If you didn’t do what you do professionally, what other job or field would you have pursued, and why?

The 2 other professions that I was interested in were: 1) a therapist – I guess that is not too far from where I am, and 2) a writer – I wanted to be a journalist for a news magazine and travel the world writing

Just for fun, tell us something most people don’t know about you! I have 11 tattoos and will likely get a couple more.  My most precious ones are those of my children’s actual foot prints when they were each 9 months old.

Where do you work? I work at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario.  I also work in private practice where I see clients in real life or virtually waiting to get into programs for eating disorders, or after they have been discharged from an outpatient program.

What do you enjoy most about what you do? I really love the diversity of what I do.  I teach about eating disorders and work one on one with clients, which gives me a unique perspective on both sides.  I love when see clients become empowered in their own lives and the effects that has on food.

Why eating disorders treatment? What drives you? To be honest, I am not really sure what first drew me to eating disorders.  However, my overall drive comes from wanting to help humans be comfortable in their own skin and nourish their bodies in the way that feels best for them.  As a feminist, I believe that dismantling diet culture is part of dismantling patriarchy, and being able to work with clients while they are on their path to recovery (whatever that looks like) is rewarding.

Who are your favorite social media influencers in the non-diet, recovery, body liberation space?

Wow…sooooo many.  Instagram: In no particular order: @haes_sizediversity, @themindfuldietitian, @dietitiananna @benourishedpdx @nalgonapositivitypride @tastingabundance @cozibae @wholehearteddietitian @juliemsweeney @mindfuleatingwithkorik @jennifer_rollin @thebodyisnotanapology @themilitantbaker  @fionawiller

What is/are your favorite book/s or resource that have made a difference in the way you work?

This list is likely longer than my social media list… but here goes.

1. Wellness, Not weight: Health at Every Size and Motivational Interviewing by Ellen Glovsky
2. Shrill by Lindy West
3. Sick Enough by Jennifer Gaudiani
4. Landwhale by Jes Baker
5. Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch – all of them! The Workbook,Teen Workbook and the original Intuitive Eating book

What is one non-diet, Intuitive Eating, or Health at Every Size® pearl of wisdom you’d like to share?

“Listen to their story, the lived experience.  Let everyone you come in contact with have the space to share their story.”