hi! i'm McCall!

I'm a proud and imperfect mom of two tiny humans and founder of Southern Smash. I smash scales for a living and help others smash the mental health stigma by sharing my eating disorder story. I believe resiliency is cultivated through the practice of gratitude and that there is always light, even in the darkest of times.

About

Southern Smash

Speaking

On the blog...

When You Don’t Fit the PTSD Mold

The Best News We Never Expected

Eleven Years Later and Still Recovering

Finding ME Again.

I am HERE.

The House Don’t Fall When My Bones are Good

mccalldempsey

👫proud & (very) imperfect mom
🔨scale smasher @southernsmash founder
🧠eating disorder recovery
📝writer
🎤 speaker
⚜️louisiana born ➡️🏖 florida living

Trauma + anxiety are complex and weird things. One

Trauma + anxiety are complex and weird things. One day you are fine and then BAM. Narrator: she is NOT fine. That was me yesterday and throughout the past week. Today, I am Arizona bound for our annual Green Cove Girls Weekend. I plan my year around this weekend of belly laughs, wine, yoga pants and dance parties with some of my favorite ladies on the planet. But my anxiety and PTSD had another plan this year. Yesterday, I had a full on panic attack, sobbing that I could not go. I just kept saying, "I can't go." Why? Because my trauma brain says if I leave, Marjorie or Manning will get very sick or need me and I won't be there. This is something I work on ALL THE TIME in therapy. I *KNOW* that they will most likely be just fine and I will return home to two happy and healthy kiddos. But my trauma brain gets the best of me. And let's be honest - Marjorie does not have the best track record. Last time I left town for four nights, Marjorie spiked a 104 fever and got pneumonia. Let’s take a look at this week’s anxiety scorecard: Sunday: felt like I was having a heart attack all day, just knowing Marjorie was about to get sick - because she was stuffy. Yes, just stuffy, but my brain told me we were hospital bound with pneumonia. Monday: had a great day. Started to get excited for my girls weekend. Yesterday: spent the day having a full on heart attack, knowing 100% I could not go. I sat at my desk bawling, muttering “I can’t go”. I knew I would go because I knew deep down that it was the anxiety and trauma talking. Not to mention I have a kick ass husband who after I told him my fears, looked at me and said, “If something goes wrong, I’m here.” Touché Jordan. Well played. There’s something frustratingly healing about saying the anxiety out loud. By giving words to my trauma/anxiety brain, I give the power back to myself. So here I am. Buckled up. Ready for take off and ready to squeeze 16 of my most favorite people in the world. Deep breaths. Exhale. Anxiety can often warp the best things into hard things. But we can do hard things. And this weekend will be nothing but doing the easiest of things. Onward to girls weekend 2022. 💕💕

I recently received an email from Marjorie’s tea

I recently received an email from Marjorie’s teacher, letting me know of a “situation” at school. “Some students let us know that Marjorie was selling little toys/trinkets like squishies in exchange for behavior tickets that we use in the classroom. We spoke with Marjorie and let her know that we do not trade items for behavior tickets.” I laughed out loud and was instantly filled with pride. No, not proud she is hustling for behavior tickets 🤦‍♀️, but look at my budding entrepreneur 🏆 Marjorie had no clue there was anything wrong with her squishy business. She was devastated and worried she was in trouble. I gave her a high five and told her how proud I was. We also had a talk on earning things versus a side hustle. Since the email, she has relocated her business to her bedroom. Her store hours might differ than her school store hours, but you can bet your bottom dollar her store comes with the same drive and enthusiasm. 💵👩‍💼🛍️ Marjorie’s Squishy Store is now taking holiday orders. She sells gift cards too and probably will give you a Cyber Monday deal 😆 Also, shout out to her teachers. Thank you for doing the LORD’s work with my girl and all the students. We are so thankful for the best teachers at the best little school. 💕🫶

I’ve got plenty to be thankful for…..thankful

I’ve got plenty to be thankful for…..thankful I didn’t marry into a Turkey Trot family 🦃💙

🔟 years ago today, I took an outrageous idea an

🔟 years ago today, I took an outrageous idea and a promise and passion to pay it forward and started Southern Smash. I remember ordering this sign, koozies and tshirts thinking “Here goes nothing!” I had ABSOLUTELY no idea what I was doing, but I was never so sure of anything in my life. In the past 🔟 years, I’ve smashed 🔨 a lot of scales, traveled all over the country and crossed paths with the most extraordinary humans. It’s the people and their stories that have been the greatest gift. What started and lasted many years as a party of 1️⃣ has now multiplied tenfold - and I have my amazing @alliancefored family and hundreds of SMASH Ambassadors to thank for that. Cheers to 🔟 SMASHING years 🎉🎉🎉🎉 #payitforward #southernsmash #alliance #eatingdisorderrecovery #scalesmash #smashthestigma #mentalhealth #bodyimage #theogscalesmash #edrecovery

🚨 Yearly PSA 🚨 From a hospital kid’s momm

🚨 Yearly PSA 🚨 From a hospital kid’s momma, please get your flu vaccine/Covid booster and stay home (keep kids home) if you are sick 🤒🦠 We had our pulmonary check up today and while Marjorie’s lungs are stronger than ever, flu/RSV season looms ahead. My girl has been on a vent and in the hospital more times than we can count. Her little lungs just can’t shake colds like other people can. I do everything I can to keep both Marjorie and Manning safe and healthy…but it takes a village. If you can, get your 💉 and keep us all safe. Keep my Marjorie healthy. Thanks for listening to my PSA. Back to your pumpkin spice lattes. 🎃 🍁 #miraculousmarjorie #getboosted #flushot #takesavillage #pulmonology #nemours #stayhealthy #lovemygirl #cancersurvivor #micropreemie #27weeker #wecandohardthings #vaccinesareeasy #believeinscience

I only have one picture from the day Marjorie was

I only have one picture from the day Marjorie was born and I didn’t take it. There’s no doubt I’ve made up for photos taken since then. Happy GOLDEN birthday to our golden dancing girl. You came kicking and dancing into this world (literally) and I’ve been trying to keep up ever since. Marjorie, you are the doer of hard things and never hide your feeling. You remind me daily to feel the feels and that we can do hard things. Im so glad you’re mine baby girl. Love you. Always. 💕💕💕

Marjorie decided it was time to pass on all of her

Marjorie decided it was time to pass on all of her beloved princess dresses. My momma heart had a twinge of bittersweet sadness as I fondly remembered how she LIVED in the gowns from the time she could walk. Marjorie (being the incredibly intuitive child that she is) quickly asked, "Momma, does it make you sad that I don't want these anymore?" Her big (and sassy) heart never ceases to amaze me. "No, baby. It does not make me sad. I feel so grateful that I get to watch you grow up." Eight years ago today, I was rushed to @wolfsonchildren after rupturing at 25-weeks pregnant. I spent every minute praying Marjorie would not come early. Seven months later, I stared at the clock on Wolfson's oncology floor. Time was literally frozen as we waited for what would be the news no parent ever wants to hear: "Your child has cancer." Time has painfully stood still more times than I care to recount in the past eight years. Between Marjorie's early birth, cancer and scary bouts of pneumonia, we’ve faced mortality's clock over & over. Watching Marjorie and Manning grow is a gift that I never take for granted. Today is the last day of childhood cancer awareness month. Some years I am all about sharing and other years I’m hit with grief and deep sadness. Childhood cancer changes you forever. It initiates you into a club that you never wanted to be a part of - a club where you meet the most incredible people, sharing the same painful bond. This year I’m gutted knowing two of our tiny warriors' heroic fights are coming to an end. They are literally on my heart & mind every day. While I totally get wanting to freeze our babies in time and space, preserving their squishy sweetness, embrace the privilege of watching them grow. Never forget about those families impacted by childhood cancer - Donate to research & help these kids get the medicine and science they need and deserve. Today we pass along these princess dresses. I am so grateful for all the pictures & videos I have of my twinkle toes twirling in them AND I know how lucky we are to watch our Miraculous Marjorie grow up. Squeezing my babies tight and sending love to two very special fighters and their families. 💛🎗

Happy happy heavenly birthday to my best friend, m

Happy happy heavenly birthday to my best friend, matron of honor and GaGa. You would’ve turned 9️⃣9️⃣ today, which Marjorie quickly recognized as three years older than the queen 😂 Your namesake continues to keep us on our toes and no doubt you are beaming at your precious Manning watching him flourish in academics with his sweet and kind heart. As for me, I’ll never get used to not having you on the other end of the phone, but I’ve learned to talk to you through the heavens and on my daily beach walks. I find you in the shells and waves as you continue to help me navigate this impossible road of motherhood and life. Grief never goes away. I still miss you with a deep ache, but I see and feel you daily. I hope you’ve got a cold glass of Chardonnay (and your favorite 🚬). We toasted to you tonight…your legacy and love that we still feel every day. Love you always GaGa. Talk to you tomorrow. 💕🌈

Math 🟰 Marjorie’s Way. Drama, scandal and abs

Math 🟰 Marjorie’s Way. Drama, scandal and absolutely no calculating. 🧮 🤦‍♀️ Bet let’s be honest…I can get behind her math method easier than common core.

If you need me, I’ll be under Elsa. New York,

If you need me, I’ll be under Elsa. New York, @southernsmash NYC ✅ Dare to Love Yourself Summit ✅ Ready to put our feet (and paws) up tonight. Thanks to everyone who made these events a success! Onto the next… @alliancefored NOT ONE MORE Rally! See you in Tampa THIS Saturday 🔨💙🔨

Homebound. Exhale. There aren’t many words. Just

Homebound. Exhale. There aren’t many words. Just gratitude. Just hope. Twenty years ago I lived in NYC in the grips of an eating disorder. To the outside world, I was living THE dream, but inside, I was slowly dying. This week I returned to my favorite city and met a rainbow of extraordinary humans who filled me with hope and healed that 21 year old girl who was terrified to not be perfect and did not know how to ask for help. Thursday evening I sat amongst champions, listening to how we can continue to advocate to fight and demand representation and inclusion in ever facet of our lives. Today, I watched the next generation take the bats to scales to SMASH the stigma, eating disorders and create a future where we can show up as we are. Dear 21 year old me, you are loved as you are. You are going to be okay. You’re going to fight like hell for your life, but you’re going to come out on the other side. Your 21 year old dreams might not come true. And that’s okay because you are going to create a new dream. A better dream. One day your story will create a ripple and it will grow with the courage and strength as others join, turning the tiny ripple into a wave that cannot be ignored. @alliancefored @dearmeprogram & @southernsmash watch out world…together we are smashing barriers and creating a better tomorrow. 💕🔨🌈💙 Massive gratitude to my newest heroes in change @aiyanaish @armielchandler @madebyalexnyc thank you all for lending your voices and creating new tables!! And special thanks to @veronicabeard @weareyearround for an incredible event. Thanks to our @southernsmash NYC sponsors: @veritascollaborative @equiphealth @eatingrecovery @monte.nido @emilyprogram @galen.hope @alsana_recovery @centerfordiscovery @waldenbehavioralcare @twelvenyc @peace.love.food.nutrition 📸 @lindsayfondo

Jesus. Take. The. Damn. Wheel. Y’all. Nightly PS

Jesus. Take. The. Damn. Wheel. Y’all. Nightly PSA: clothing sizes are the actual devil 👿 I hate shopping, unless it is online while sitting on my couch in my athleisure ordering more athleisure and flowy dresses. I realized yesterday I have ZERO work(ish) clothing. Pandemic and only working on college campuses have left me in the land of jeans and yoga pants. I made the harrowing journey to the Town Center to shop for my upcoming NYC trip and other work events. It’s too much…too many clothes…too many options and the most effed up sizing system. In one pant I was one size and in another it was two sizes too small, leaving me with a killer camel toe 🐪 . I was sweating taking clothes on and off and fire texting my mom to fly over and just shop for me because this shit is for the birds. Another nail in my shopping coffin ⚰️ is that my body has changed since the pandemic and from all of my surgeries. I’ll be totally honest - it is hard. Do I let it change how I honor, nourish and rest my body? Absolutely not. Does the effed up sizing system help this process? Effff no 🙅‍♀️ Sigh. It’s hard y’all. There isn’t a right answer or golden rainbow I can shit out to make getting dressed and body acceptance easier. It’s forever an on going journey. All I know is some days are easier than others and I’ll keep showing up…some days in my yoga pants and other days in new fancy pants 👖 AND I acknowledge that I stand in immense privilege. I live in an able, straight sized body that isn’t judged. I am able to walk in a store and find my size (well at least try). This should NOT be a privilege. All bodies should be able to shop judgement free and with ease. We march on (in yoga pants) fighting for representation for all bodies and for ourselves. I show up on the hard days by acknowledging the damn patriarchy of sizing, giving myself grace when it’s hard to sit in my body AND knowing that I must get up and keep fighting so that ALL bodies are seen and valued. Onward.

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