Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Parker.

Hi Sophia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

I think my story begins as a somewhat ordinary tale. I was born into a loving family, and was privileged enough to always have what I wanted and needed. I had access to education, healthcare, extra curricular activities, and was surrounded by. a strong social network of friends and family.

On the outside, everything was perfect. On the inside, I was plagued by severe anxiety and a fear of failure; a dread of not being perfect and doing everything “right.” On top of that, I had a core belief that I was a bad person.

So I went through my life, navigating my personal and secret challenges as I went. I did all the “right” things. I went to elementary school, and aced the standardized testing. I got into one of the best middle school and then high school in the city. I went to college, then went on to get my Master’s degree, and quickly found a job that I excelled at.

There were some bumps along the road, but it all came to a head in 2019, when I had to leave work to pursue a journey of healing for both my physical and mental health. I spent most of that year in treatment for my eating disorder, which also addressed my mood and anxiety disorders. I was in treatment for longer than expected, and by the time I graduated to outpatient treatment, I didn’t quite have a direction.

Then COVID came along, complicating the situation further. I didn’t formally do that much during quarantine, but it was in this time that I found the Project HEAL Ambassador program. Project HEAL is an organization dedicated to fighting barriers to treatment and healing for people with eating disorders. As someone who faced very few barriers to treatment, I felt compelled to work with Project HEAL. It’s hard for me to sit back in my privilege while others are struggling so much.

After I became an Ambassador, I started fundraising, and tried to really immerse myself in the mission of Project HEAL, as well as trying to learn as much as possible about their work, and how I could become a stronger advocate. In doing this, I made connections with more and more people at Project HEAL, and was able to work my way to Ambassador Program Co-Manager. I help to onboard and connect Ambassadors, as well as participating the operation of the Ambassador Instagram account, and planning/assisting with events and fundraisers. I feel so fortunate to be in this position, and surrounded with some of the strongest people I know.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

I’m not sure if anyone goes through a smooth road – Mazel Tov to those who have!

My road was not easy. It was full of challenges – many due to mental illness. I pushed myself extremely hard, and one could maybe say even to the breaking point.

When I hit that point, I was at a physical and mental low, yet somehow found the strength to get through it. In some ways my downfall, so to speak, turned into my uprising.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I have my BS in psychology and my MA in forensic psychology. I worked for years as a case manager in mental health housing, as well as community re-entry for adults with mental illness coming out of the NY State prison system.

Now I work with Project HEAL as an Ambassador Program Co-Manager and advocate for equity in eating disorder treatment access and dismantling diet culture. I think something that sets me apart from others is my willingness to say “yes,” and dive into a new project. It took a long time for me to hone this skill, and I’m glad that I was able to develop it.

The thing I am most proud of is my ability to use my voice, and advocate for things that are important to me. This skill is very new to me, and took a long time to learn. I spent many years silencing myself, and hiding from conflict. Now I am able to speak my truth, and I am no longer afraid to, even if it ruffles some feathers.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?

I’ve learned that it’s going to be okay. 99.9% of the time I’m going to be able to move forward from challenges. When I left my career, it felt so uncertain, and like my life was over. How could I ever recover from it? But I was able to re-build my life in a very different and fulfilling way that I never would have imagined.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: suppasoph_parker