Monday, May 12, 2014

The Spokesperson

A few weeks ago, a few friends and I were discussing people who are chosen to represent companies. Typically, those who pick individuals to promote their products make sure the spokesperson looks the part. For example, you generally wouldn't see someone who weighs 500 pounds and smokes representing a running apparel company. Instead, the higher ups will probably look for a true athlete, someone who may already use their products. Most businesses usually take it one step further by seeking out individuals who appear to be healthy, no matter what the product.

What's worrisome is that, just like with modeling, some companies don't have standards when it comes to weight. Oh, they do when it comes to being TOO heavy. You definitely can't be heavy in this world and expect to have products and opportunities showered on you, but being too thin seems to scare people into keeping quiet. Companies will often turn a blind eye when it comes to spokespeople being too thin. I'm not talking about people who might be too thin; I'm talking about people who have clearly hurled themselves over a wide line. I'm not sure it's anyone's place to say something to the person or the company in these cases, but there seems to be a double standard. Besides, what could anyone say? "Hey, I noticed you have a malnourished gal representing your company. I hope she eats something soon!"

I admit that when I went to the facebook page of an organic food company, I was horrified to see one person in quite a few photos sporting their logo, a lady who seemed to be some sort of company representative and was listed as a sponsored athlete, looking not just anorexic but very unwell. I know some people can be naturally thin, but when the person looks like she somehow managed to stagger out of Dachau, it's usually not because of a high metabolism.

I don't know about you, but seeing something like that did not make me want to buy whatever they were selling. In fact, I quickly changed my mind about even looking into their packaged foods.

I understand that weight doesn't define a person. At the same time, would you take advice from an active alcoholic on how to get sober? It's not a great analogy, but there's a reason why companies often select healthy looking people to represent them. If I'm buying a product that makes claims about health, I don't expect to see someone in a state of starvation promoting it. She can (and should) eat all the raw bars and vegan shakes she wants, and I don't have a problem with the company sending her whatever they want. You have to admit, though, it's off putting to customers and potential customers to see someone so clearly in the throes of an illness in a position of promoting food.

I don't know what the solution is, but it's upsetting to me that this company in particular is OK with publicizing someone who appears to have such a severe addiction. This lady does't seem to be any kind of cancer survivor or someone aiming to be in good health; it's someone who looks sick. I find it sad. I'm not saying she shouldn't be given a chance to promote products; it's more that I don't think people will respond well to seeing someone pushing food when she looks like she does't come close to eating enough to sustain her activity level.

This reminds me of another odd occurrence I have witnessed more than a few times in the psychology world. I know of at least two counselors who are and admit to having obvious eating disorders that are getting worse who counsel others. A third is clearly in denial, which is probably worse. She seems to think everyone else is too fat while she is fine looking like a skeleton. I'm not sure how she gets clients, but she does. I guess it's a do as I say, not as I do phenomenon, but there's no way I would have done well getting advice from someone who was spiraling down while I was trying to recover.

I remember my mom telling me when I first had the idea to write my book that I had to first recover if I wanted to promote it in any way. She's right. I'm definitely not saying anyone has to be 100 percent healthy to be of service to others or hold a job as a spokesperson, far from it, but people will respond more appropriately if the person offering counsel or sporting a certain logo for a company is at least beginning to climb out of the hole instead of in the process of diving deeply into the abyss.

I'm curious to know what other people think about this.

8 comments:

  1. C'mon, you raised intrigue too high - give up the company's name.

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    1. I don't feel right about naming the company, but there aren't too many organic raw protein bars out there. You might be able to figure it out. The co. actually seems pretty cool, but I'm probably not going to buy anything from them.

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  2. So how do you feel about coaches promoting their ability/services on the image and performance of athletes with clear cases of EDs? I have seen it myself.

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    1. It seems to happen a lot, whether the coach is posting images on facebook or on his or her own website, and it causes the same uneasy response in me. Why post images of someone who is clearly heading down a dangerous path when there are other successful athletes who are healthier?

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  3. Hi LIze,

    I really enjoy your blog. I definitely agree with you, and I think this kind of thing is most egregious with those who counsel others. In my own recovery I've had several encounters with practitioners who were not walking the walk. The thinnest dieticians seem to be the ones who get the most excited about elaborate meal planning. I did have one RD who, as a senior team leader at the treatment center, insisted that everyone eat with the patients, and eat what patients were eating-every shift, no exceptions. She found out a junior RD had been bringing in outside salads to eat during her shifts and flipped her lid. I cannot tell you how damaging this kind of thing was to the patients. But its hard for me to get perspective about how this type of thing might affect a 'normal' person....

    anyway the primary reason for my comment was just to say I appreciate your blog. And I would love an update from you about how you are doing in general with recovery, with running-where you are in your journey. We have a lot in common. I know my own recovery is so up and down (mostly down ATM). So I'm just wondering how are you doing?

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment. I hear you on that. The whole do as I say, not as I do doesn't seem to work when it comes to recovery.

      Wow. I can't imagine how that must have been for the patients.

      I'm doing well. I think what works for me is to aim to be as aware as I can be. I know that when I'm feeling uncomfortable around food, I need to look for the deeper issue. When I face an injury, for example, I've noticed I can get more focused on feeling uncomfortable. That sometimes translates in a desire to control or try to control or get out of control with food, but when I acknowledge that, it seems to help. I don't have to act on those unhealthy impulses anymore.

      Running wise, I had some nice pain-free weeks followed by another minor thing, but I'm definitely moving forward. I'm hoping I can get back to the pain-free state again soon. In the meantime, I'm trying to be smart and cautious about how I workout, and that includes seeing a PT.

      I hope your recovery begins to have far more ups than downs soon. Let me know if I can help the process in any way.

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  4. Thanks for replying. I'm so glad you are doing well. Awareness is so key. Personally I know there is a point in time at which I need to choose to allow the awareness to enter my consciousness, versus ignore it. If things are particularly bad on a feelings/personal/emotional level, I unfortunately often still make the 'easier' choice, which is to ignore higher awareness. Sounds like you've developed the tools, courage, and strength to make the right ('right' being recovery, not ED-driven) choice, at least most of the time.

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    1. It sounds like you are getting there. I sometimes struggle with the little things, like taking time off from running, especially after feeling good, but in the end, I do try to make the right choices, even if they aren't easy. The main thing for me in addition to the awareness is to keep asking myself if I'm doing what's best. I may not do that 100 percent of the time. I may not always know what that is, too, but I can at least aim to do the best I can in a given situation. I guess that's all any of us can do. :)

      I also think it helps to talk about it. Sometimes if I'm struggling to know the right path, I will get a second opinion by talking to a friend, going to a PT or discussing things with someone who can relate. It's really important to check in with yourself, and when that becomes difficult, reach out and check in with someone who's on your side and can support you through some touch choices or actions.

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