It's Never Too Late to be a Work in Progress with Betsy Brenner

 
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Episode 75 - It's Never Too Late to be a Work in Progress with Betsy Brenner

by Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS

In this episode, I am joined by Betsy Brenner, high school tennis coach, bereavement group facilitator, and retired hospital attorney. Betsy has been an eating disorder recovery speaker, peer support mentor, and support group co-leader. Her recovery story has been shared widely on many eating disorders blogs and websites. Betsy recently published her memoir, “The Longest Match: Rallying to Defeat an Eating Disorder in Mid-Life”

SOME OF THE TOPICS DISCUSSED:

  • How the “perfect storm,” created from anxiety, a need for control, and receiving a diagnosis can manifest into an eating disorder.

  • Coping with buried, internalized experiences that can enter back into life at any time.

  • Self-care as a necessary tool for everyone, at all stages of life.

  • Vulnerability as an acceptable and necessary practice.

  • Meeting one’s needs without intrusive thoughts of harming other relationships.

  • Changing the role of tennis and other movement as a healing mechanism as opposed to an obsessive behavior.

  • The deeper level of healing that comes with sharing one’s story and using one’s voice.

  • The evolution of Betsy’s recovery story and the process of publishing her memoir, “The Longest Match: Rallying to Defeat an Eating Disorder in Mid-Life.”

ABOUT BETSY BRENNER:

Betsy Brenner is a high school tennis coach, bereavement group facilitator and a retired hospital attorney. For many years, she worked as a hospice volunteer and speaker on grief and loss.  

More recently, Betsy has been an eating disorder recovery speaker, peer support mentor, and support group co-leader. Her recovery story has been shared widely on many eating disorders blogs and websites. In May 2021, Betsy published her memoir, “The Longest Match: Rallying to Defeat an Eating Disorder in Mid-Life” (Stillwater River Publications).

Betsy received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Brown University in 1985 and her Juris Doctorate from American University Law School in 1990. She was a hospital attorney for over a decade before leaving the practice of law to focus on raising her children and meaningful volunteer activities. 

Betsy was a nationally ranked junior tennis player, played division one college tennis, and still plays competitively. In her free time, Betsy collects sea glass and inspirational quotes. Originally from Rochester, New York, she and her husband Jeff have resided in Barrington, Rhode Island for 30 years and are the proud parents of three grown children.

ABOUT KARIN LEWIS:

Karin Lewis, MA, LMFT, CEDS has been recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over 20 years and has been specializing in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders since 2005. Karin is the founder of the Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center located in Boston, MA. You can visit Karin Lewis Eating Disorder Center online to learn more about Karin and her center’s services. You can also connect with Karin on social media by following her on Facebook and Instagram.