REVIEWS
Mother, Men & Me
ZIPPORA KARZ
Dawn Smith-Theodore shares her amazing-heart wrenching story of disordered eating, romantic relationships, familial dysfunctions and secrets, specifically mother daughter, that color her path to finding her calling as dancer-teacher, flight attendant, and therapist. From the first page I was riveted as she shares this extraordinary life with tenderness and perspective. It is unconventional, complicated, nuanced and full of devotion and love. This book weaves the complexities of mother-daughter and family dynamics that affect the child deeply with an eating disorder being an outcome. I laughed, I cried, I was left speechless. I love this woman and I loved this book!
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ZIPPORA KARZ, FORMER SOLOIST NYC BALLET, REPETITEUR GEORGE BALANCHINE TRUST, AUTHOR THE SUGARLESS PLUM, BALLERINA DREAMS
CAROLYN COSTIN
Dawn is a therapist, a dancer, and dance teacher who takes readers into the life journey of a kid growing up in the world of dance with a mother, a dance teacher herself, who both doted on Dawn and yet also controlled her and kept crucial things from her until she was forced to tell the shocking truth. Dawn's story is about dealing with one's circumstances and the pain of life while also grabbing the joys that living offers. Dawn is a dedicated, passionate, humble, generous human who sees the good in the world despite the sad, painful or uncomfortable lessons that it brings. This is what she brings to her story and to you the reader who will surely find not only something to relate to but some take home messages from Dawn's journey.
CAROLYN COSTIN MA, MED, MFT, DIRECTOR OF THE CAROLYN COSTIN INSTITUTE, FOUNDER OF MONTE NIDO TREATMENT CENTER, THERAPIST, RENOWNED EATING DISORDER EXPERT, ACTIVIST, AND AUTHOR OF "8 KEYS TO RECOVERY”, "THE EATING DISORDER SOURCEBOOK", AND "YOUR DIETING DAUGHTER"
DR. JOHANNA O'FLAHERTY
I found myself completely immersed in the author's story, fecling every triumph and setback as if they were my own. "Mother, Men, and Me" is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the resilience of the human heart. It is a book that will make you reflect on your own journey, appreciate the complexities of relationships, and inspire you to embrace your true self. I highly recommend this captivating memoir to anyone seeking an emotional, thought-provoking, and ultimately uplifting read.
DR. JOHANNA O'FLAHERTY, PHD, LADAC, CEAP, AUTHOR, PSYCHOLOGIST, CRISIS RESPONSE MANAGER