Jen shares her remarkable journey having battled with anorexia for 16 years. She describes her lived experience from being diagnosed aged 12 through to the present day, now studying for her PhD In Australia, with a specialist interest in eating disorders and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDS).
This is a real insight into how an eating disorder can emerge and take hold of someone's life. In 2015, it was critical but something changed whilst she was an in-patient, essentially saving her.
On her path of recovery, we met because Jen was suffering with recurring and persistent pain. It was great to hear that she continues to use some of the skills and tools that we practiced together, and how they can just be useful for living well.
Jen has made enormous progress but is not there yet. However, she has the self-awareness and skills that she uses when noticing certain feelings, to get back on track, together with incredible support from her loving family. Moving to Australia just before lockdown was an example.
Jen talks openly about her life and experiences with the hope that she can inspire others -- I am sure she will. Before recording, I asked if anything was off limits. No, she said.
Jen epitomises the name of this podcast, together with a huge dose of courage and determination. Just listen to how she conquered the waves!
In her own words: "It is now my mission to to help others believe that they too can recover and there is a life out there for them away from their eating disorder not matter how faint that glimmer of hope may be, it is always possible."
You can see Jen's photos and read her words on Instagram at jens_littleworld and on her website. She is an ambassador for InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders.
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