In this important conversation, I talk with Kristina Saffran, a young woman who took the passion she used in her own recovery and turned it into helping others, when she founded and became CEO of Project HEAL.
Kristina left Project HEAL and is now co-founder and CEO of Equip, a virtual eating disorder treatment company, bringing specialized eating disorder treatment into the home.
We discuss her own recovery journey and how the traits that once fueled her eating disorder; determination, drive, persistence, and attention to detail, she now channels into assets that help her run her company and her life.
Kristina shares how Family-Based Treatment (FBT) played an important role in her recovery and why she believes people can be fully recovered with the right support. We also discuss issues around the word “recovered.” We agree about something I have long believed is incredibly important in eating disorder treatment: the unique value of having someone who is recovered as a part of the team. In fact, Kristina describes people who have recovered from eating disorders as the “secret sauce” in the recipe for recovery, people who can offer something deeply powerful because they have actually walked the road themselves.
We explore what happens when the energy that once kept someone trapped in an eating disorder is redirected toward healing, leadership, advocacy, and helping others. Kristina’s story is a beautiful reminder that recovery isn’t about erasing who you are, it is about discovering how your strengths can serve you rather than your eating disorder self.
This is a conversation about recovery, resilience, family, hope and turning your story into something that can help change the lives of others.
ABOUT KRISTINA
Since recovering from anorexia as a teenager, Kristina has been on a mission to ensure that all families have access to eating disorder treatment that works. Kristina Saffran is the co-founder and CEO of Equip, a virtual program that delivers modern eating disorder treatment through evidence-based care that promises lasting recovery at home. Prior to Equip, Kristina founded Project HEAL, a leading grassroots eating disorder non-profit dedicated to treatment access. Kristina is an Ashoka Fellow, a 2026 CNBC Changemaker, a Forbes 30 under 30 social entrepreneur, and an honoree on Inc.’s Female Founders 100, Fortune’s 40 under 40, and INSIDER’s 30 under 40 in Healthcare recognition lists. Kristina graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
www.equip.health
Follow: @kristinasaffran @equiphealth
CAROLYN COSTIN is a world-renowned eating disorder clinician, author, and speaker. Recovered from anorexia, she pioneered the belief that full recovery is possible. Founder of Monte Nido, she transformed treatment with a holistic, home-based model. She later founded the Carolyn Costin Institute, training coaches and clinicians worldwide. She has authored six books, including 8 Keys to Recovery From an Eating Disorder.
RELEVANT LINKS:
🎁 A gift for listeners: Take Carolyn's free "How vs. Why" mini-course — the teaching video plus two readings from the 8 Keys to Recovery workbook. No account, no cost.
https://carolyn-costin.com/free-course
Receive 20% off the 8 Keys to Recovering from an Eating Disorder book: https://wwnorton.com/promo/costin
Become a Carolyn Costin Certified Recovery Coach: https://www.carolyn-costin.com/
Follow the Carolyn Costin Institute on Instagram: / ccicoaching
RESOURCES:
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Project Heal: https://www.theprojectheal.org/
ANAD: https://anad.org/
Thank you for listening. Please take a minute to review our helpful links and resources below.
🎁 A gift for listeners: Take Carolyn's free "How vs. Why" mini-course — the teaching video plus two readings from the 8 Keys to Recovery workbook. No account, no cost. Take the free course here.
Important Links:
Learn about the Carolyn Costin Institute
Apply to become a CCI Certified Recovery Coach
Follow the CCI Institute on Instagram
Subscribe to Carolyn's YouTube Channel
RECEIVE 20% OFF your purchase of the 8 Keys to Recovering from an Eating Disorder (book).
Recovery Resources and Support:
The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA)
Project Heal
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
Carolyn's Bio:
Carolyn Costin is a world-renowned eating disorder clinician, author, and speaker. Recovered from anorexia, she pi...
