Hi there! I'm Angel Casas, a fitness professional and passionate advocate for mental health and body respect. I’m a Certified Personal Trainer and Eating Disorder Coach. My journey has been a rollercoaster of self-discovery, resilience, and transformation.

Born in Mexico and brought to the US as a baby, my early years were shaped by the confines of a high-control religion, Jehovah's Witness, and a traditional Mexican upbringing. Growing up, I constantly felt like something was wrong with me. I was taught that being gay was a sin that needed to be suppressed to attain salvation. I followed the path they set for me: Marry a woman and have children.

But it wasn't until I embraced my truth at 26, facing divorce and coming out as a gay man, that my world shattered. I was excommunicated, losing all connections with friends and family, leaving me isolated and in despair.

My struggle with self-acceptance went beyond my sexuality. Body image became a battleground. From an early age, I was taught that being thin equated to good health and moral righteousness. My mother's own relentless focus on weight and diet ingrained these damaging beliefs in me. We both have tried every diet imaginable. I have lost over 100 pounds, multiple times.

The weight of these burdens led me to over a decade of therapy, including six inpatient treatment stays for depression and anxiety, with multiple suicide attempts along the way. It was only when I sought help for my eating disorder that I began to unravel the complexities of my struggles and find answers that had eluded me for so long.

In this journey, I discovered the insidious impact of systemic oppression, diet culture, white supremacy, colonization, and the idolization of thinness. I learned about how the patriarchy and religious oppression had nurtured my eating disorder since childhood. I also realized the higher risk LGBTQ individuals face in developing eating disorders.

But amidst the darkness, I found light and hope. I discovered the concept of Health At Every Size (HAES) and learned to embrace my innate beauty and worth, regardless of my size. I learned that health isn't confined to a specific body shape, and that true well-being goes beyond the numbers on a scale. Finally, I learned how to connect with my body, healing the disconnect that had plagued me all my life.

Gratitude fills my heart for the incredible mentors, therapists, and counselors who have guided me on this path to recovery. And now, it's my dream, passion, and mission to share everything I've learned with others who are desperately seeking help.

Unfortunately, I know firsthand the challenges that people of color, especially those with limited financial resources and/or uninsured, face in accessing support. Traditional eating disorder treatment centers often come with staggering costs, making them inaccessible for many. Most ED treatment spaces charge upwards of $2,000 per day. Additionally, these spaces are predominantly led by white, thin, cisgender women, leaving Queer & BIPOC Folx wondering where they can find the representation and understanding they need. That's why I've created this coaching program—to provide a safe and inclusive space, where people can feel seen, heard, and validated, regardless of their skin color, sexual orientation or body size.

If you've read this far, hopefully it means that a part of my story resonates with you. If you're seeking help and support, I encourage you to reach out. I genuinely love helping people, especially individuals like you, on their journey towards healing and self-discovery.