Put aside all preconceived notions of what a book about the profound trauma of living with an eating disorder might be like, then turn to page one. There are no lurid details. No “how to be anorexic” insider tips. You will find poetic, lyrical writing painting pictures of an unexpected upbringing in rural Montana. A woman who grows, ironically, to have the heart of a chef and a romantic healthy relationship with food. A woman who takes the reins of her life and exposes the lie that eating disorders are about some societal pressured desire to be thin. This beautiful work is about the courageous, relentless attentiveness it takes to live an honest, emotionally healthy, exceptional life, and that it is always a work in progress. Always.

Dawn Brockett is a masterful storyteller who has crafted a beautiful and eminently accessible memoir about her struggles with anorexia from the healing side of the illness. Most important is her central thesis about control and power. In essence, the confusion is over the need of the anorectic to control something. In my forty years of mental health practice, I have always believed this about anorexia myself. Many well-meaning therapies often intensify the pain, not heal it. People fail to realize that this control is to anorexia as suicide is to depression. In neither case is the dramatic action itself the problem. Yet, in both cases the action is a vehicle or tool to solve a deeper problem. As a medical resident in the late 1980s, I participated in the ‘treatment’ of anorectic young women. Back then, we thought the proper treatment was to ‘fight fire with fire,’ by trying to stamp out the ‘obstinance’ of these suffering young ladies.

We could not have been more wrong.

To those women, I give my own heartfelt apologies. To understand what the real problem is, I fear you will have to read Unrestricted. The benefit, dear reader, is a deeper insight into the inner conflict suffered every day through this disorder. You will also learn that there is hope, and that these demons can and should be quieted.

Dawn shares an unfiltered story of deep courage, incredible resilience, and true emotions. Every page is a call for self-reflection and after reading this book one can only be inspired to do better and do more for oneself and for others.

To read Dawn’s story has been one of the greatest privileges; her courage and tenacity is abundantly clear in her captivating prose. This book is eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and hopeful – a truly inspiring work

Dawn’s humanity and courage burst through in a brilliant flash of light. Her journey will provide strength and inspiration for all who read this intensely personal and beautifully written book.

I smiled, laughed, gasped, cried, and found hope. Dawn Brockett shows us that challenges can be overcome in a way that illuminates, educates, and entertains.

As much a tale of hope as a trail of tears. Dawn’s journey through the caves of anorexia is one of raw courage and pride, a story that will remain with us for a very long time.

This is a work of art that is inspiring, insightful and stays with you. No matter why you might be interested in this subject, having read this book you will walk away glad that life put this book in your path, just as all of us who have the honor of having Dawn in our lives, are grateful that our paths crossed.