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This Is Why I Share My Story

If you know me, you know I love to talk.

I love to be social, meet new people, and connect with others on a deeper level.

I crave connection more than I crave anything else in this world.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s because for so many years, my eating disorder was the only connection I had…it was ED and I against the world.

Then there are other times where I wonder if it’s just the opposite…my eating disorder was all I had, deeper connections and meaningful conversations were just not on my agenda.

But one way or another, when I create these deeper connections with people, I like to know what makes them uniquely them.

For a long time, this is something I questioned about myself.

What makes me uniquely me?

In the past I would’ve said something along the lines of, “ Hi, I’m Sam. I have a passion for both health and fitness and love to learn about nutrition.”

It made sense to me, it was obvious.

I was deemed “the gym girl” by my peers and I was GD damn proud of it at the time…

However, when I began my road to recovery, that was one of the hardest things to let go of…

It was my identity, I was the “gym girl,” and I didn’t know who I was if I couldn’t be her.

I struggled with this for longer than I’d like to admit, as many often do.

However, today I share my story because it is a part of who I am, it is a part of my identity and a part of what makes me, me.

No, I am not my eating disorder, but my eating disorder has impacted my life and made me into the person I am today.

It is a part of my personal narrative and it shows the most honest, authentic version of myself.

It has given me courage and passion that I never knew existed.

And, It has shown me the strength and bravery that I never knew I had.

I share my story because I am no longer ashamed of my past, but thankful that is has helped to shape my present.

I share my story because talking about my battle with anorexia helps not only myself, but anyone else out there who feels alone.

I share my story to break the stigma, to give others hope, and to be the most authentic version of myself.

I share my story because I believe It’s what I was born to do…I’m no longer ashamed, I’m proud of who I’ve become.