Hope in Recovery

After many years living with both gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia and an unhealthy relationship with food, dieting and exercise, I have learnt to live in recovery and develop healthy and positive behaviours that support long term recovery. I attribute my personal success to a strong CBT-E recovery program, based on current best practice and research, personal empowerment and engaging in peer support programs, with a recovery focus. Lived experience peer support is pivotal to my recovery, to manage emotional, social and psychological impact of disordered eating, including isolation, loneliness and feeling of defectiveness and disempowerment.

I struggled to manage overall health and wellbeing for many years, most likely a result of unhealthy eating behaviours. Along with my recovery, I am gaining better health outcomes in my bone and joint health, cardiovascular system, sexual and reproductive health and mental wellbeing.

My journey does not stop here, I believe recovery is a life long behavioural change process and am learning to accept my inherent value and worthiness, regardless of my physical characteristics. My journey continues in learning how to reach my full personal potential, with self compassion and acceptance and building healthy interpersonal relationships, that are mutually positive and pleasurable.