A Nonprofit Organization Bringing Hope, Healing, and Connection to Those Impacted by Eating Disorders in Vail Valley.

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The Why Behind BodyKind Vail

At BodyKind Vail, we know that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Especially in rural areas, where resources for eating disorders are limited and stigma runs deep, connection can be the difference between struggle and recovery.

Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses, often intertwined with trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use—and yet they are widely misunderstood.

Rooted in lived experience, BodyKind Vail provides nonclinical, community-based support through peer mentorship, education, and early intervention. Our programs help individuals connect with others who share their experiences, navigate available resources, and find the care that best supports their healing. Every program is shaped by local voices and grounded in trust, respect, and belonging. We center trauma-informed practices, equity, and body liberation—ensuring everyone has access to nourishment, understanding, and hope, no matter their background or body type.

In our community, where athletic performance and body ideals are deeply woven into the culture, disordered eating is ubiquitous—making accessible, compassionate support absolutely essential.

We don’t just see the struggle—we see the courage it takes to reach out, the strength it takes to heal, and the hope that grows when people connect. At BodyKind Vail, recovery is a shared journey, and no one has to walk it alone.

This body is worthy of kindness.

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This body is worthy of kindness. ·

Our Programs

  • Our weekly peer support groups offer a safe, welcoming space for open conversation, connection, and shared healing for anyone impacted by eating disorders.

  • Our peer support specialist provides one-on-one support for individuals facing eating disorders, disordered eating, or body image challenges. Whether just starting or further along in recovery, participants connect with someone who’s been there. Sessions offer a safe, understanding space—and when additional care is needed, we help guide next steps and referrals.

  • BodyKind Vail’s Meal Support Program meets once a week to prepare and share a meal, followed by supportive time to help participants through the vulnerable moments after eating. The program also includes restaurant outing practice, giving participants a guided, real-world dining experience. This safe space fosters connection and confidence in recovery.

  • Individuals in Vail Valley affected by eating disorders want greater community understanding of this complex illness. BodyKind Vail uses education—through quarterly public events and tailored presentations—to foster compassion, reduce stigma, and create safer, more supportive environments for all.

  • Our monthly workshops provide a supportive space for creative activities that promote positive body image and empower healing. Participants reconnect with their bodies, build self-trust, explore underlying issues, and learn healthy coping strategies.

  • BodyKind Vail helps connect individuals to trusted programs, treatment centers, and support services, ensuring they receive the right care for their recovery journey.

At BodyKind Vail, our programs are built in direct response to the voices of our community. We believe those closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions. That’s why we actively listen, invite feedback, and create space for ongoing dialogue. Our offerings are designed to evolve—with flexibility and intention—so they remain relevant, inclusive, and responsive to the real needs of those we serve. Community-informed, always.

What Community Members Want You to Know 

“Talking about it helps.”

“Eating disorders are serious! Second deadliest mental illness after opioid addiction.”

“Recovery is not linear.”

“We wished our brains didn’t work like this it’s totally exhausting trying to mask these issues. As much as we wish we could stop at the same time, it’s extremely scary to see life without it.”

“Since I myself have not personally dealt with an eating disorder, I feel I have limited knowledge and space to speak on it but I will say there are more people out there suffering the same thing when you are battling an eating disorder and trying to find community can really help with the battle. Also, the people who care about you don't want you to suffer in silence and want to help you in the way you need.”

“I would love for the Hispanic community to learn about what eating disorders are and how we should change the way we speak to our future generations so we don’t create traumas. Make it not taboo anymore.”

“It’s okay to ask for help and it’s really important if you aren’t educated about ways of supporting others to find resources to help learn and listen.”

“How much energy they take from your life. How detrimental it is to talk about children's bodies, how that affects them later in life. How constantly casually talking about dieting and food is triggering for a lot of people.”

“I’ve seen my friend's younger sister struggle with bulimia (mostly untreated) since she was 14. She's now in her mid-30's, has a ton of serious health problems, and she barely has any relationships with her family members. I hope people learn that it's psychological and unfortunately many aspects of disordered eating are glorified and praised in our culture.”

“They are not about food at all - It's about the overwhelm of life and stress and the inability to cope or know the tools to direct that stress or regulate emotions so unhealthy behaviors with food develop.”

“It doesn’t all look the same.”

“I know people who have suffered with eating disorders and just like substance abuse I think being able to speak about it publicly reduces the stigma and allows people to recover.”