Participant stories
Jordyn’s Story
Jordyn, accountant & crafts enthusiast who developed anorexia nervosa after being bullied as a child, AUCKLAND. Accountant and crafts enthusiast, Jordyn, 24, has struggled with body image and her relationship with food since childhood. Growing up Jordyn was frequently bullied at school and teased by her older brother because of her size. At the age…
Read MoreDave’s story
Dave, 51, Music lover & keen hiker who has waged an ongoing battle with eating disorders since his mid-teens, CHRISTCHURCH Animal and music lover who enjoys hiking, climbing and spending time outdoors, Dave, 51, Christchurch, has been living with an eating disorder for more than three decades. Dave was formally diagnosed with bulimia nervosa at…
Read MoreAmy’s story
Amy, 22, English Literature & Psychology student & avid writer, diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in her early teens, WELLINGTON The artificial control of anorexia was, for Amy, her only means of control. Having grown up in a family fraught with illness, her mother diagnosed with MS and wheelchair-bound, Amy’s upbringing was one of love but…
Read MoreJess’ story
Jess, 27, Eating disorders recovery coach whose love of dance fuelled her recovery from anorexia nervosa, AUCKLAND Eating disorders recovery coach Jess, 27, Auckland has a passion for hip hop dancing and is a young-adult pastor for her church alongside her husband. A negative comment about her body during her impressionable adolescent years prompted Jess…
Read MoreClaireabelle’s story
Claireabelle, 27, Bride to be, nanny & social influencer who has experienced a trifecta of eating disorders, TIMARU Nanny and social influencer, Claireabelle, 27, Timaru, has struggled with her body image and relationship with food from a very young age. At the age of 12, she was already six-foot-tall and was perpetually bullied for looking…
Read MoreClaudia’s story
University student & yoga teacher who lost her teenage years to anorexia, AUCKLAND Event management and marketing student and yoga teacher Claudia, 21, Auckland loves boxing, swimming and going to the beach. From a young age, Claudia experienced low moods and feelings of anxiety. She was always self-conscious about being quite tall, which was only…
Read MoreAngela’s story
Mother-to-two & writing enthusiast who lived with bulimia nervosa for more than a decade, AUCKLAND When mother-to-two and writing enthusiast, Angela, 49, Auckland was only nine years of age, she began dieting, and subsequently fuelling her obsession with monitoring her weight and calorie counting. Throughout her high school years, she continued to diet furiously. At…
Read MoreCaitlin’s story
Operations & sales manager who was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in her late twenties, AUCKLAND Operations and sales manager for a fashion designer Caitlin, 30, loves to cook and enjoys creating various vegetarian dishes. She enjoys boxing and relishes spending time with her family. Before she was ten years old, Caitlin began having an unhealthy…
Read MoreFin’s story
Fin, 21, Business diploma recipient with a passion for fashion design who lived with anorexia nervosa throughout his teens, DUNEDIN Business diploma recipient, Fin, 21, Dunedin, has a passion for fashion design and spends his free time making fabrics and clothing. Fin describes himself as having been “a chubby kid” and while he wasn’t…
Read MoreMegan’s story
‘Health navigator’ who spent eight years grappling with anorexia nervosa, CHRISTCHURCH Megan, 23, Christchurch, is a dedicated ‘health navigator’, who works with individuals to overcome medical and mental health challenges that hinder them from returning to work or study. Her occupation rings close to her heart, given the eight years she has spent working to…
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