Teamwork makes the dream work
A team of four has spearheaded the innovative idea behind this educational film on eating disorders. Everyone on this team brings a unique skill set to the table as they use their abilities to do positive work in our communities. Strong leaders can change one student, one school, and a community at a time.
Bios of the team
Scott Arritt,
Lead writer for script, guided curriculum
Kaitlyn Chana,
Writer, Producer, Marketing Director
Stephon J. Davis,
Writer, Producer, Director
Shawn Jenkins,
Lead Cinematographer
Medical Advisory Committee
Our medical committee has been meticulous in overseeing our content for our educational film entitled Empty and our guided curriculum to ensure it showcases the facts surrounding eating disorders, while not glamorizing the illness. Their goal is to make sure our content is seen as an added benefit in our community to help enhance the conversation surrounding this mental illness.
Lori Osachy,
Medical Advisor
Lori Osachy, MSS, LCSW wants to live in a world free from eating disorders and body hatred. Lori is a nationally recognized authority on the treatment and prevention of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and related mental health issues. She has successfully counseled adults, children, and families for over twenty years. Lori regularly lectures, teaches and is the author of numerous books, articles promoting eating disorder education among health care professionals and the lay population. She has been featured in several national magazines and is a regular mental health consultant for print news and television. She received her BA from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, and her MSS from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research in Bryn Mawr, PA.
Dr. Amit Vijapura,
Medical Advisor
Empty Ambassadors
Our ambassadors are influential people who believe in our nonprofit’s values and want to help others by bringing awareness to body image and eating disorders through our Empty program. This partnership allows our ambassadors to share inspirational content, educational resources, and their recovery story with others, while inspiring positive thoughts about ourselves.
Morgan Horn,
Empty Ambassador
Morgan Horn is a Master of Public Health candidate at Muskie School of Public Service and a Juris Doctor candidate at Maine Law. Morgan received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Public Health from the University of Southern Maine. She is a graduate assistant for the Northern New England Clinical Translational Research Tracking and Evaluation team, as well as a research assistant for the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Department at the Maine Center for Disease Control. Outside of the classroom and work, Morgan is a part of the Muskie Student Organization, Maine Public Health Association, American Public Health Association, and American Health Lawyers Association. Morgan, who once suffered and recovered from her own eating disorders, wishes to complete her degrees by 2021. She believes by practicing law as a healthcare attorney, she will help to assure compliance in the healthcare system for all. This desire to help others is one of the reasons that Morgan joined the Reel Stories. Real People., Inc. advisory board.
Sherry Hudak-Weinhardt,
Empty Ambassador
Sherry Hudak-Weinhardt is an actress, producer, writer, and motivational speaker on mental health. She is writing a memoir called Misunderstood that includes her struggles with anorexia, bulimia, and nighttime eating disorder, she also writes about the evolution of five generations in her family of which have struggled from this mental illness. Here memoir will be released in 2019. She is active with many organizations in the eating disorder community, such as, National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, and Mothers Against Eating Disorders. While attending Kent State University as a Nursing and Psychology major in the early 1990’s, she started her own support group on campus for eating disorders and addiction. This opportunity eventually lead her to mentoring individuals with eating disorders through a nonprofit organization called Mentorconnect. Sherry is certified through IFPA, ACE, and ACSM as a strength training coach. She has worked with many professional athletes who understand the complexities of proper nutrition and exercise to obtain their highest achievements. While much of her success has been achieved unconventionally, her purpose has never wavered from helping others achieve their individual goals. As an actress, producer, and advocate for the educational film entitled Empty her holistic approach to understanding the complexity of eating disorders has always been to help others recognize the impact eating disorders have on families, friends, our society, and most importantly one’s health.
Ashley Law,
Empty Ambassador
Ashley Law is an award winning public speaker who specializes in women empowerment. Law got her start public speaking as an NFL cheerleader and ambassador for the Minnesota Vikings back in 2005. As a representative for the Vikings, Law appeared on news segments and worked with children’s groups and fundraising organizations in her community for three years. While she had success and appeared happy on the outside, Ashley recognized in her late teens that she was battling an eating disorder and sought professional help when she was 20 years old. For 5 years, Ashley received daily group therapy, meal support, and personal therapy from a treatment team in Arizona where she learned to put herself first and her own happiness as a top priority. After reaching a strong point in her recovery, Ashley felt compelled to give back and connect with others struggling with similar mental health concerns. Ashley continues to help women and teens improve their self-confidence and leadership skills through personalized workshops in her community and throughout the state of Arizona. Some of the workshops led include partnerships with the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders, the Junior League of Phoenix, Girl Scout Troops in Maricopa County, and Toastmasters International organizations. Ashley has also appeared on news networks as an advocate for eating disorder awareness.