Welcome!
For every person who has--even for a second--lost hope that recovery really is possible...this site is for you.
My name is Shannon Cutts. I am the founder and director of Key to Life: unlocking the door to hope and MentorCONNECT, the first global eating disorders mentoring community.
I am also the author of Beating Ana: How to Outsmart Your Eating Disorder and Take Your Life Back, the first book about the power of mentoring in eating disorders recovery.
Here, you will find that Relationships Replace Eating Disorders.
Here, we live as though recovery is not optional....because it isn't.
Here, we fight for our right to live - whole, healthy, fully ALIVE.
Come join us! If I could overcome my eating disorder and take my life back, you can too!
Shannon & YOU at Renfrew 2009!
Shannon & YOU at NEDA 2009!
You Share: Key to Life Programs
She is definitely someone (that the 100 females in treatment at Remuda) can relate to. It is encouraging to see somebody who has battled the same things and then has the skills and talents to be able to sing about it. What's important is the way she conveys in her music and her speaking that she needed to make a decision to really allow a change to take place and to have the courage that it takes to make some of those changes. -Henry Rojas, Remuda Ranch
You Share: Beating Ana
In Beating Ana, Shannon Cutts offers a wealth of guidance that will do nothing less than save lives. Shannon has taken her vast experience and condensed it into an intelligent, captivating, and motivating work. This is a book that needs to be in the hands of every person in the eating disorder world: those who suffer, those who love them, and every professional who treats them. I would not stop there...the truly amazing beauty of this literary treasure is that it is a book every adult needs to read. When it comes to problematic behaviors as Shannon wisely points out, "Everybody has something!" This book can teach us all. -Doris Smeltzer, MA, author of "Andrea's Voice: Silenced by Bulimia", the Gurze Book's "Advice for Parents" Blog
Unlike any other book about eating disorders, Beating Ana uniquely illustrates the importance of people connecting with one another for support and encouragement along the recovery road. I would never have recovered from my own eating disorder without the help of recovered women who held my hand along the way. Shannon’s depth of passion and honesty will provide much-needed hope to all those touched by this insidious illness. -Jenni Schaefer, Author of "Goodbye Ed, Hello Me" and "Life Without Ed"
I have been reading Shannon’s book, and am a member of her online support group. My struggle with bulimia has been long and arduous, beginning at age 11 till now (26) and though I have had times of “recovery” the last couple years of relapse have been especially difficult. Reading Beating Ana has been inspiring, motivational, and uplifting. Recovery happens when one chooses to stop isolating. Connecting to others in crisis has been so monumental in my recent ongoing recovery. I recommend this book to anyone, whether in crisis, or just curious about what it is like to live with an eating disorder. This book is well worth investing in. Luv Ev
You Share: MentorCONNECT
There is nothing more isolating than a battle with an eating disorder. During my recovery from anorexia, I found the most healing of course through therapy, but also through connecting again with people. Friends. Family. Individuals whom I could trust and talk to at any time, whether I was feeling blissfully happy or woefully inadequate. Letting my guard down and opening up to people; having mentors to guide me and encourage me through the HARD journey of recovery was my saving grace. One cannot weather the storms of this life alone, especially the darkness of an eating disorder. MentorCONNECT is a positive and powerful way for individuals and professionals to lift up and support each other when they feel no one else in the world could possibly care. I congratulate Shannon for all of her hard work in bringing the eating disorders community together and helping people not only to hear the words "You are not alone," but to experience that truth for themselves. I will be forever grateful to my mentors, and know that thousands will find the love and compassion at MC that they need to recover to health and happiness. -Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008
One of the biggest pitfalls to a patient relapsing in their recovery is that they discontinue with their treatment. Many of these individuals lack the support to maintain the gains that they have made while being in treatment. MentorCONNECT provides excellent supplemental support to one’s recovery and treatment team. By providing consistent support, encouragement, and hope, MentorCONNECT is a unique resource that can truly benefit a person on their recovery journey!-Jennifer Nardozzi, PsyD, The Renfrew Center
I can say that so far being a MentorCONNECT mentor is an insurance policy in the fact that I wouldn’t even think about relapsing...reason being.......hearing their pain and suffering as they deal with ED. It reminds me what I left behind and saddens me because I want to make it better quick but I can’t; it’s a process. It’s a lot of work but I love it so far. It’s a great addition to my recovery. -Cheryl
I really feel like I'm starting to grow. I think that the biggest role in my growth has been sharing so openly with my mentor and through the MentorCONNECT blogs. I'm finally able to get thoughts out of my head and not feel so overwhelmed and bogged down by them. I am starting to be able to recognize my needs. I'm also starting to recognize/ distinguish between the Ed voice and my voice, what Ed wants and what I want. This stuff has been so important for me. I know that I wouldn't be where I'm at without all the support on this site! Thank you so much for being here!!! It's saving my life!-Leslie Ann