Michelle Klinedinst is a trailblazing advocate for eating disorder recovery, founder of ViaMar Health, and a passionate community member dedicated to creating safe, therapeutic spaces for holistic healing. Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, she has turned her vision of compassionate, personalized treatment into reality, establishing ViaMar Health as a beacon of hope for patients and families across the United States. Inspired by her own journey of growth and her love for the sea, Michelle has developed a program that not only treats the disorder but also nurtures the whole person, ensuring lasting change and empowerment.
What inspired you to start ViaMar Health in Palm Beach County?
Palm Beach County became a pivotal point in my life when I moved here to pursue personal growth and explore passions that I had put aside for too long. I remember feeling so inspired by the beauty of the area, but I also quickly recognized a glaring void: there were no comprehensive, effective eating disorder treatment centers here. I saw people struggling—students, mothers, fathers, even professionals. This realization planted the seed for ViaMar Health. I felt a deep, almost spiritual calling to fill that void. It wasn’t something I could walk away from. I started reaching out to community and national stakeholders, and the more I spoke with them, the clearer it became that I couldn’t just sit back and hope someone else would solve the problem. It had to be me.
The name “ViaMar Health” is unique and meaningful. Can you share more about its origins and significance?
The name “ViaMar” holds layers of personal significance. “Via” means “by way of,” and “Mar” means “the sea” in Spanish. It’s a homage to my Puerto Rican roots and my lifelong love of the ocean. The ocean, for me, is deeply therapeutic. It can appear calm on the surface, yet underneath, it holds immense power, beauty, and even turmoil. This duality mirrors the journey our patients undergo. Eating disorders and mental health challenges often hide beneath a seemingly calm exterior, but the depth of emotion and complexity beneath is immense. Our mission is to honor that depth, navigate it, and emerge stronger on the other side. The name reminds us every day that healing is a journey, a way forward, and often requires navigating through waters that are both serene and tumultuous.
You speak a lot about “compassionate care.” How do you bring that concept to life at ViaMar Health?
Compassionate care is the heartbeat of ViaMar. It goes beyond traditional treatment; it’s about walking side by side with our patients. We don’t just look at their symptoms; we seek to understand the person behind the struggle. This means listening—really listening—to what our patients are saying and what they’re not. Our approach involves a whole spectrum of therapies designed to treat the mind, body, and soul, but it’s also about creating an environment where our patients feel safe, respected, and understood. We embrace each patient’s unique story, struggles, and strengths. Compassionate care is knowing that the small things matter, like celebrating a tiny step forward or being there during moments of vulnerability. It’s a culture we’ve created where our staff members genuinely care and are deeply invested in each patient’s success.
How has your Puerto Rican heritage influenced your approach to healthcare and community building?
My heritage is a cornerstone of my identity and, by extension, the way I approach both healthcare and community. In Puerto Rican culture, family and community are central to everything we do. This value has shaped ViaMar’s atmosphere—where everyone is treated like family, with unconditional love, patience, and acceptance. My upbringing taught me to value the well-being of the collective, to celebrate diversity, and to hold space for stories of resilience. These principles are woven into our program at ViaMar Health. We emphasize inclusivity, understanding that healing doesn’t happen in isolation but in the presence of supportive, diverse communities. We incorporate family programming because we know that eating disorders don’t just impact individuals; they ripple out to families and communities.
You mentioned that your journey was deeply personal. How does that shape your perspective on recovery and treatment?
My own journey has taught me the importance of authenticity and persistence. Recovery isn’t linear, and that’s something I’m passionate about communicating to both our patients and their families. There are good days and bad days, but the key is to keep moving forward. Because I understand the nuances of personal growth, I advocate for a treatment model that is flexible and adaptable to each individual’s needs. My perspective has also shaped how I view setbacks—not as failures but as opportunities for deeper learning and resilience. I often say to our patients, “Progress is progress, no matter how small.” This mentality has influenced the structure of our programs, which allow for grace and understanding while still holding our patients accountable to their growth.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in running ViaMar Health, and how have you overcome them?
Starting and running ViaMar Health has been a rollercoaster, with challenges at every turn. One of the most difficult aspects has been developing effective treatment models for the wide variety of eating disorders we encounter. No two cases are the same, so we had to continually innovate, research, and adapt. The other major challenge was establishing trust within the community. It took time to prove that our approach worked, especially in a field where skepticism can run high. We overcame these challenges by investing in staff training, building strong partnerships with healthcare organizations, and always staying committed to our mission. When we faced barriers, we didn’t give up; we adapted. For example, early on, we realized a lack of family involvement was hindering progress, so we introduced comprehensive family programming, which became one of our core strengths.
What does success look like for you and ViaMar Health?
Success is deeply personal and multifaceted for me. It’s not just about numbers or accolades, though those do affirm our hard work. True success is seeing our patients build healthier relationships with food, their bodies, and the people in their lives. It’s watching them find joy in moments that used to be overshadowed by their struggles. When I hear stories of patients returning to their passions, reconnecting with loved ones, or just feeling at peace, that’s when I know we’ve succeeded. It’s also about the ripple effect—when families heal, and when our community feels empowered by our work. Seeing our staff grow, learn, and find purpose in their roles is another layer of success. Ultimately, it’s the transformations we witness every day that keep us going.
How do you stay resilient and inspired as a leader in such an emotionally demanding field?
Resilience is a practice, not a state of being. I draw inspiration from our patients’ strength and courage. When you witness someone confronting their deepest fears and fighting for a better life, it puts everything into perspective. I also lean on my team; they are an incredible source of support. We practice self-care, hold each other accountable, and find ways to decompress together. Personally, the ocean remains a huge source of grounding for me. I take time to connect with nature, whether that’s a walk on the beach or simply listening to the waves. Another way I stay inspired is by continuing to learn. Mental health care is ever-evolving, and I find excitement in staying at the forefront of new therapies and research. Lastly, I remind myself of our mission and the impact we’ve made. It’s easy to feel defeated in this field, but focusing on the lives we’ve changed keeps me resilient.
ViaMar Health places a strong emphasis on ethics and accountability. Why is this so important to you?
In healthcare, and especially in mental health, trust is everything. People come to us in some of their most vulnerable moments, and they deserve to be treated with the utmost integrity. Ethical practices are non-negotiable at ViaMar. We are transparent with our patients and families about what to expect. We submit ourselves to third-party standards, not just because we have to, but because we want to be held accountable. It’s about living up to the promises we make every day. Our patients deserve honesty, dignity, and a team that stands by their word. It’s also about modeling ethical behavior in our interactions, showing our patients that integrity is a core value worth embracing in their own lives.
What are you most proud of when you reflect on ViaMar Health’s journey?
Reflecting on our journey, I feel immense pride in the community we’ve built. Seeing patients come back years later to share their recovery stories or parents expressing their gratitude is incredibly humbling. I’m also proud of the culture we’ve created within our team—a place where our staff feels valued and motivated to make a difference. The fact that ViaMar has grown organically through word of mouth and community trust, rather than aggressive marketing, speaks volumes about the impact we’re making. But most of all, I’m proud that we have become a sanctuary for healing. People come here from across the country because they trust us to guide them through one of the most challenging battles of their lives. That’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and it fills me with gratitude and purpose every single day.