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...

Eleven Years Later and Still Recovering

Finding ME Again.

I am HERE.

The House Don’t Fall When My Bones are Good

The Weight of Recovery

Finding Strength in My One Boob Reflection

mccalldempsey

👫proud & imperfect mom
🔨scale smasher @southernsmash founder
🧠eating disorder recovery advocate
✏️writer
⚜️louisiana born ➡️🏖 florida living

Four years ago today I lost my best friend. The wo

Four years ago today I lost my best friend. The worst part of losing her was the “AT LEAST” … At least she was 94…at least you had those years with her…at least she lived a long life… Nothing about “at least” makes you feel better. But for the first time since Gaga passed, today no one told me at least. Today was all about being present and having fun. It was exactly what GaGa would want. You’re with me every day, GaGa. I love you always. Your namesake is giving us a run for our money. Just like you. You’re with me always. I love you.

Raise your hand if you started your week with a pa

Raise your hand if you started your week with a panic attack post COVID test! 🙋‍♀️🤦‍♀️ It’s no secret I’m still running from the surgical ghosts of 2021. I just did not expect a COVID test for vacation to knock the wind out of me, but such is trauma. It sneaks up and bites us in the ass when we least expect it. I made Jordan take his test first. As I watched the nurse shove the swab so far up his nose, I began to physically shake. While my body was in a room with Jordan, my mind suddenly catapulted back in the hospital getting tested before another surgery. I felt helpless all over again. Then it was time. My turn. My body continued to shake and tears started to fall. I tried so hard to stop them, feeling so silly, but no luck. I dropped Jordan at work and my first thought was “go to the grocery store” aka RUN from all the feels. Then I heard my therapist’s voice gently nudging me. “You can’t keep running. You have to be still.” Damn. It. Home I went. To cry some more. Journal. No tv. No music. No drowning out the fear that lurks behind me. As I closed my journal, I received a text… COVID NEGATIVE 🦠🥰 Yes. Yes. Yes. After one shitty as year, it’s time for this momma and her scar-filled, lopsided boobies to head to paradise. Get ready TURKS!!! Here we come!!! ☀️👙🏝⛱🏖

How is my sweet baby boy going to be 🔟 next mon

How is my sweet baby boy going to be 🔟 next month!? Manning does not slow down often, but when he does I am in awe of his gorgeous eyes and his extraordinary brain that never turns off. Literally. After a rocky start to 4th grade, Manning is finding his stride once again. He is learning to code and loves chess…and of course video games and computers are his real love language. He gives hugs just because and asks questions that we have to Google the answers. Today I found myself basking in his sweet spirit and soaking up the last month before double digits!! 💙💙💙 #myheart #firstborn #hurricanemanning #blueeyedbaby #neverstopsthinking #ortalking #oraskingquestions #almostten #futurecoder #momlife

Anyone else hiding from their two legged kids on t

Anyone else hiding from their two legged kids on the kitchen floor? No? Just us? 🥴🐶🐱 #jesustakethewheel #siblingfights #isitbedtime #gotheefftosleep #momisoff #ignorethescreams #momlife #hidingwiththepets #elsathebullie #outdoorcat #sevendaystovacation

Yep. We match. I’m here for it. Merry. Merry. ♥️♥️♥️ This is what happens when your cousin owns an amazing monogram store @juststitchinandmore ... Sorry. Not sorry. At all. 🎅🏻 #merrychristmas #matchingpajamas #floridachristmas #beyondblessed

Today marks 1️⃣1️⃣ years in recovery from

Today marks 1️⃣1️⃣ years in recovery from my eating disorder. Last night in our @alliancefored virtual group we discussed “Is full recovery possible?” When I was in my ED, I did not believe recovery was possible. The life I live today was simply unimaginable to that scared, hopeless 29-year old woman who walked into treatment eleven years ago today. The road to recovery is not skipping in a meadow, shitting rainbows of joy. It’s messy. So is FULL recovery possible? Continue reading…link in bio. New blog 📝 “Eleven Years Later and Still Recovering” 💙💙💙

Most days parenting feels like a never ending race

Most days parenting feels like a never ending race of laundry, homework and breaking up fights. Today was what @glennondoyle calls kairos time… “Kairos is God's time. It's time outside of time. It's metaphysical time. Kairos is those magical moments in which time stands still.” Time stood still and Marjorie and I carved out memories we will never forget. Her first Nutcracker ballet 🩰 She was mesmerized and did not make a peep the entire show…something I thought was impossible. Love this sassy, dancing miracle of mine. Thank you Jacksonville Community Theater for a beautiful performance that neither of us will forget. 💕🩰💕🩰💕 #nutcracker #nutcrackerballet #motherdaughter #miraculousmarjorie #kairostime #momlife #bestday #floridatheater #jacksonville #florida

4️⃣0️⃣ and loving it. Thank you for the

4️⃣0️⃣ and loving it. Thank you for the massive outpouring of love. This year has been one of the most challenging of my life, but I’ve leaned hard into grace and the amazing people around me. This year has been about doing all the hard things. Some days it was about putting one foot in front of the other and other days it was pulling the covers over my head and just breathing. Today changes nothing. I am still me. Just another day older and excited for a new decade. Truly. I’m excited. And I’m excited because of the badass people I have in my life lifting me up and carrying me through this brutiful thing called life. Cheers to 40. Cheers to TODAY. And everyone should wear sequin pants on a Tuesday. Highly recommend. And I would love for you to help me celebrate by donating to the @alliancefored 💕💕💕

This. Is. 4️⃣0️⃣. Almost. My last night

This. Is. 4️⃣0️⃣. Almost. My last night in my 30s and I’m feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. So often we hear people complain and fear milestone birthdays. I say “Bring it on!” Birthdays mean I am here and ready to tackle another year/day in the beautiful life. This year more than ever I’m thankful for health and my incredible support people around me. I rest my head on my pillow knowing my birthday changes nothing. I used to think my happiness was anchored in when I reached a milestone… “when I graduate…when I get the job…when I move” that’s not how life works. Happiness and peace is not a line in the sand that we cross…it’s the choices we make to empower and create our own contentment in life. Tomorrow is the start of a new decade, but it is truly just another day to show up, be my imperfect self and feel the immense love that surrounds me. 💕💕💕💕

📣 Not so humble wife brag 📣 My amazing hubb

📣 Not so humble wife brag 📣 My amazing hubby, best friend, baby daddy was just named one of @golfdigest Top Golf Instructors in Florida ⛳️ @jordandempseygolf works six days a week (sometimes seven). When he comes home he is fully present and the best dad. He tucks the tiny humans in and then is on the phone analyzing his student’s swings who live and play around the globe. You show our kiddos every day how to follow your passion with dedication and persistence. Proud is an understatement. We love you and are so proud to call you ours. 💙⛳️💙⛳️ #golfpro #allthegolf #pgatour #tpcsawgrass #tourperformancecenter #topinstructor #golf #pontevedrabeach #florida

People think eating disorder recovery is finding p

People think eating disorder recovery is finding peace with food and body. 🚨 SPOILER ALERT 🚨 it is not. Recovery is small moments and decisions that release you from being a prisoner in your own mind. Exhibit A. My insanely messy and full laundry room. No this dirty laundry mess is not the example. The fact that I am unpacking, doing laundry and working today is the example. When I was in my eating disorder, going on trips were massive triggers. I would spend weeks before “preparing” for the trip…aka restricting to get to the “perfect” weight or size then spending the trip home on the other end of the pendulum. After returning from a vacation and having engaged in many eating disorder behaviors, I would be sick for days. My body crippled in the aftermath. Unpacking and laundry were out of the question. Work was non-existent. I would isolate and drown in shame for not “being better”. So today, recovery is the ability to continue with life after a trip because my body is no longer sick from my eating disorder. 💕 Recovery is about these seemingly small, insignificant moments. This mountain of laundry is my reminder that recovery is worth it…and that tiny humans make a shit ton of dirty clothes. 🧺🤦‍♀️🥴 Also, how much is Fluff n Fold service? #askingforafriend

This year has been hard. But we did the hard thing

This year has been hard. But we did the hard things and found gratitude along the way. Thankful for the countless prayers, love and people who have carried us through this year. Today was all about the simple things - not the hard things. Whether today was filled with thanks or maybe it was a day of hard things, know that I see you and send you love. Keep taking care of yourself and doing the hard things and lean into the gratitude every day. 🧡💛🧡

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