Every person who suffers from an Eating Disorder feels very alone and different to everyone else, but the truth is that though their stories may vary they are for the most part also the same. They are all stories of lives dictated by rules, fear, shame and punishment. This was my story too for most of my life.
Recovery from Anorexia
I suffered from an eating disorder for more years than I haven't. In fact, I just believed that the eating disorder was who I was and that it was the only thing I was good at. Until I found a coach who gently challenged my thoughts and beliefs and encouraged me to take consistent, committed action, they offered me the unfaltering support i needed to be able to make the necessary changes. It was messy and far from straightforward, but it was worth every minute. Recovery taught me to laugh more, to live a life according to my values, to experience what it is like to be fully present in my relationships, and to discover the other parts of myself that had never been allowed to shine.
During my recovery, I came across the work of Carolyn Costin, and her concept of using recovered mentors to bridge the gap in eating disorder treatment resonated very strongly with me. I knew then that, for the years spent with an eating disorder to have any meaning, when I was recovered, I wanted to use my lived experience to help others. It means the world to me that my journey has come full circle and I am now able to help people recover from their eating disorders.
Certified Eating Disorder Recovery Coach
I trained at the highly prestigious Carolyn Costin Institute (CCI). CCI offer an intensive year-long training which follows a curriculum based on the book and workbook " 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder" by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Grabb. The comprehensive training equips coaches to facilitate behaviour change and new coping skills. To be certified, I completed a supervised internship, where I had the pleasure of being supervised by Carolyn Costin herself.
Registered Nutritional Therapist
I am a registered nutritional therapist (DIPION) and a member of the British Association of Nutritional Therapists.
I trained at the Institute of Optimum Nutrition based in the UK. ION is one of the premier colleges in the UK for nutritional education, and I completed their flagship 3-year nutritional diploma, which focuses on evidence-based dietary science and how to apply that to personalised and functional nutrition. Where applicable, I use my nutritional training to educate my clients and help them to heal their relationship with food.
Other qualifications
Eating Disorder Essentials - The Australian Centre for Eating Disorders.
