At the age of 13 I began to suffer from anorexia. Then, I did everything I could to hide my eating disorder, wanting to shrink away from the prying eyes and concerned questions just as much as I wanted to physically shrink my body. 

Now, as an ambitious young woman who has come out the other side, I realise that having or having had an eating disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, the process of recovering and regaining the ability to live and enjoy one’s own life is actually a sign of enormous strength, and I will always consider it one of my proudest achievements. 

Anything that helps to increase awareness and sensitivity, promote health and happiness in recovery, and open up non-judgemental dialogues about eating disorders is a positive in my eyes. 

This is why I want to run for Beat as a way to highlight an issue that is often seen as taboo, whilst simultaneously helping them to continue in work that is so important and which I know I could have benefitted from if I’d known the support was out there - honouring my proudest achievement with something that I hope can be another of my proudest achievements, completing a marathon!