The Book

“Joy Mast has beautifully created a strategic guide for helping others pursue freedom from the stronghold of emotional eating. I only wish her book had been available to me 25 years ago! In my years of searching for help relating to my health and wellbeing, I haven't encountered a book as relatable and practical as this one. It is a resource that I will return to as well as recommend to others.” 

 —Eliza Johnson, Releasity participant

Set Free & Satisfied takes us on a journey of hope, healing, and transformation in our relationship with food. Joy shares her painful struggle with emotional eating in an authentic, relatable, and honest way while showing us how spiritual, mental, and emotional healing will lead to freedom from overeating. She provides us with a step-by-step plan to align our thoughts, actions, and habits with a healthy mindset. This book provides valuable tools and insights that will inspire change from the inside out, leading to a peace-filled approach to food for long-term health and well-being. 

 —Sarah Duncan RN NBC-HWC, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach

With its perfect balance of gospel-centered grace and practical guidance, Releasity is a must-read for anyone who loves Jesus and struggles with overeating. Its pages contain a treasure trove of emotionally-healthy wisdom and resources, thoughtfully laid out to guide you step by step into the process of long-term heart and life change. Joy humbly and humorously shares bits and pieces of her own journey in a way that makes her readers feel both understood and inspired. For the discouraged readers who have tried numerous methods for overcoming their struggle with food, Releasity reminds us that we serve the God of Hope (Rom. 15:13). 

—Bethany McGuire, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, MA in Christian Counseling, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

“This relatable book, filled with personal stories from the author, leaves me with hope for the now and the future, as well as with helpful tools as I move forward in my journey with emotions and food. After almost a lifetime of diets and gimmicks, I am relieved at age 62 to find a new path that offers freedom with healthy boundaries that I am eager to explore. All that I have read in this book gives me what I need to move from isolation and poor choices and has opened my eyes, mind, and heart to ways of living abundantly that I have never before considered.”

—Kathy Fletcher, Releasity participant

“Joy offers a compassionate, practical, and Christ-centered approach to finding freedom from disordered eating. She candidly and winsomely shares about her own journey towards freedom, inviting readers along with her through her tried-and-true “Releasity” program. She gives encouragement to depend on the Holy Spirit for true freedom that lasts. It’s a book I’m grateful for personally and professionally.”

—Heather D. Nelson, Christian counselor and author of Unashamed: Healing our Brokenness and Finding Freedom from Shame 

“Rooted in Christ’s love for us, Joy Starnes Mast offers a hopeful path into freedom from our unhealthy relationship with food. Her vulnerability, sound Scripture references and practical guides are among the reasons why I  recommend Set Free & Satisfied.”
—Stephen E. Davis M.Div, Anglican Priest (ACNA)

“Our relationship with food goes deeper than our mouths and appetites.  I appreciate how Joy, with her wit and candor, invites you to come and connect with her through personal stories, Scripture, cognitive behavioral therapy and real-life practical tips to address the struggle of overeating.  Set Free & Satisfied compels and equips the participant to take time and really sit with what is going on in their heart, mind, and soul.  Joy’s and previous participants’ stories encourage the reader to realize that change can occur, food struggles are released and lasting healing and freedom in Jesus Christ are found. Jump in with a friend, surrender, give yourself time and space to really reflect on what Joy is offering for you. You will be glad that you took the journey!”

—Jennifer Harris MS, RDN, CD, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

"Joy offers us a better posture to benefit from the Lord’s healing, a healing that is more lasting than any weight loss program. She reminds us that God has created masterpieces in us all and to start in the middle, in the heart, will be where the true healing begins. Joy reminds us that our God is a healer and wants to offer us all a lasting freedom.  She turns our attention towards a God who has the capacity to help us see things differently-- from brokenness to healing to newness of life. By returning to the biblical text, these pages point us to an ancient model of healing."

—John Rogers, Director of Peterson House, Presbyterian Pastor, M.Div, Duke Divinity School

“Set Free & Satisfied is filled with HOPE for the weary dieter and for those who long to stop overeating.  The practical step-by-step approach is set apart from others by the powerful Scripture truths shared throughout.  As a health professional, this book is invaluable to me in counseling both individuals and groups in breaking free from the cycle of food restriction and overeating.”

—Heather Sylvester, MA, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian

“Are you or a loved one struggling with overeating? If so, you'll want to check out Set Free & Satisfied, a faith-based book that takes you on a journey of finding freedom from overeating. The author provides clear teaching and practical steps, while also sharing her own struggles and healing journey. With a voice of understanding, the author helps the reader feel supported and not alone in this journey. We've had great success offering Releasity to women in a group setting at our church too!”

—Catherine Nations, Director of Women’s Ministry, Carmel Baptist Church, Matthews, NC

“Set Free & Satisfied is brilliant. Joy tackles a complicated problem with humor and honest experience. She guides the readers with refreshing, God centered grace. I can see this program helping many people who currently feel alone in their struggles with overeating. I can’t wait to share it with my patients!”  

—Faison Green Knox, MD 

“Mast has written a powerful guide to help those struggling with food addiction in a relatable way with clear actionable steps. Her Christian worldview points to the powerful One who designed us and His intricate and deliberate design of the human body. In doing so, she provides an excellent way to connect or reconnect with our inborn hunger and fullness signals. This book provides clear guidance and support to help individuals on their journey to freedom.”

—Beth Butler, MD 

“A fresh, humorous, positive approach for those struggling with eating issues. Grab some friends and study this book together. In moving from isolation to community you will discover healing and a new freedom.”

—Susan Alexander Yates, international speaker and writer of numerous books including Risky Faith, Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God who is Bigger than your World.