Our Mission
Weight Hope is an online community dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles & holistic well-being. We serve those who struggle with various forms of disordered eating and weight battles that interfere with their happiness and well-being. We are here to help those without a specific diagnosed eating disorder.
Our Philosophy
Weight Hope promotes ending the weight battle, developing effective coping skills, engaging in healthier life choices, making peace with your body and living a value-driven life of health and well-being.
We encourage establishing life-enhancing habits to replace former self-destructive behaviors. Weight Hope believes that a fulfilling healthier life is possible for those willing to engage in the profound physical, emotional and spiritual work necessary to forge a new way of being in the world that embraces health, authenticity, and wholeness.
Who’s Behind Weight Hope
Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC – Founder & Director
Jacquelyn Ekern founded Weight Hope in January 2016, after experiencing years of inquiries for help by visitors to our well-regarded sister site, Eating Disorder Hope. Many of the eating disorder sufferers that contact Eating Disorder Hope are looking for help in managing and living a healthier lifestyle. They are sick of dieting and repeatedly gaining and losing weight. They have not been diagnosed with an eating disorder, but are still feeling profound pain and inner conflict around their weight, eating and health.
Jacquelyn believes in holistic recovery from diet/weight/body obsession that addresses all of the destructive patterns or behaviors engaged in by the individual. It became clear that it would be helpful to also have a site that deals foremost with weight, health, lifestyle, and the psychology behind making healthier choices.
Jacquelyn Ekern is a licensed therapist and she manages the Weight Hope, Addiction Hope and Eating Disorder Hope organizations and online communities.
Jacquelyn has a Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree from The University of Phoenix and a Masters degree in Counseling/Psychology, from Capella University. She is a member of the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), Academy of Eating Disorders (AED), the Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp).
Baxter Ekern, MBA – Vice President
Baxter Ekern is the Vice President of Ekern Enterprises, Inc. He is responsible for the operations of Weight Hope and ensuring that the online community’s website is functioning smoothly. Baxter has been lending his services to Eating Disorder Hope and Addiction Hope before coming on board as the full-time Vice President in October of 2013.
Baxter began his college education at Texas Christian University and transferred to Texas A&M University where he received a BS degree in Journalism with a minor in Marketing. He then went on to earn his MBA from the University of Phoenix.