Mission & Vision
About SEA WAVES
SEA WAVES is dedicated to transforming the military community’s approach to eating disorders. Through education, advocacy, and access to resources, we support service members, veterans, and their families impacted by disordered eating.
We equip military communities with tools for early identification, prevention, and culturally informed support, helping individuals access care and feel less alone in the process.
Why We Exist
Eating disorders are prevalent in the military community, yet they are often misunderstood, under-recognized, or dismissed. Military culture values readiness and resilience, but those same pressures can hide disordered behaviors and discourage help-seeking.
SEA WAVES exists to address the gaps in education, access to care, and systemic response that leave service members and families navigating these challenges without support.
Our Mission
SEA WAVES supports, educates, and advocates for service members, veterans, and their families affected by eating disorders by increasing awareness, promoting prevention, and improving access to culturally informed care.
Our Vision
We envision a military community where eating disorders are recognized as serious health concerns and addressed proactively, with timely access to appropriate care for all who need it.
Meet The Team
About our Founder
Leah Stiles is a retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist and the Founder and Executive Director of SEA WAVES. After two decades of military service, she transformed her lived experience with an eating disorder into a powerful platform for education, prevention, advocacy, and support within the military community.
A recognized leader in military mental health reform, Leah develops programs that challenge stigma, promote early intervention, and connect service members, veterans, and families with life-saving resources. Her work centers on the critical intersection between eating disorders, suicide prevention, and readiness—issues too often overlooked in military culture.
Leah is the author of the forthcoming book Battle Scars & Body Wars: A Personal and Professional Journey Shining a Light on Eating Disorders in the Military and a sought-after keynote speaker who brings her story to life on national stages.
Leah’s mission is clear: to shine a light on what’s been hidden for too long and ensure that every service member, veteran, and family has access to the care and understanding they deserve. Through SEA WAVES and her advocacy, she carries forward one message above all: Need a light? Be a light.