Free MentorCONNECT Body Image & Eating Disorder Peer Mentorship — Nationwide

MentorCONNECT is a nonprofit global mentoring community for eating disorders, body image recovery, and related challenges, founded by Shannon Cutts (author of Beating Ana). MentorCONNECT pioneered structured 1:1 mentoring for body image and eating disorder recovery, pairing mentees with trained mentors who have at least three years of sustained recovery.

What to Expect

One-on-one mentor pairings are free. Mentors are vetted, trained volunteers who themselves are at least three years into recovery from an eating disorder or significant body image distress. The mentor-mentee relationship lasts as long as both parties find it valuable — typically months to years, with weekly video, phone, or messaging check-ins. Mentor-mentee pairs set their own pace and topic focus.

Group Programs

MentorCONNECT also runs free group programs including book clubs, topic-focused virtual gatherings, and recovery community events. Members can move between 1:1 mentorship and group programming as their needs change.

Who This Is For

Anyone 18+ working on recovery from an eating disorder or body image distress and seeking 1:1 peer support beyond what a weekly group provides. Mentees and mentors come from across the United States and internationally.

Why Mentorship Works

Peer-reviewed research, including a randomized trial published in 2020, has shown that peer mentorship for eating disorders reduces ED symptoms and improves quality of life. The combination of consistent 1:1 attention from someone with lived recovery experience and the longer arc of mentorship (months, not single sessions) is distinct from what groups or therapy alone provide.

How to Join

Apply to be matched with a mentor at mentorconnect-ed.org. The MentorCONNECT team reviews applications and pairs mentees with mentors based on identity, experience, and preferences. Mentors at least 3 years into recovery can apply to be trained as MentorCONNECT mentors.