Anne-Sophie is the blogger and podcaster behind fightinganorexia.com and more recently annesophie.us, where she continues to inspire individuals to take back freedom from their eating disorders through her heartfelt podcasts, articles, and a variety of her books and courses. She has so gratefully agreed to talk with me and share a little about herself, her story ad her tips for others.
1) Could you tell us a little about yourself and your background with eating and body image?
I’m the founder and owner of annesophie.us, a company that focuses on self-love and body-love. I’m a writer, self-published author, coach, mentor, podcaster, video producer and a total nerd. I recently made my dream of living in NYC come true by moving without a visa, job or a plan. I love life, good TV, gadgets, music, books and, most of all, traveling the world.
I grew up in the beautiful south of Germany with a gorgeous, loving younger sister and an abusive brother, who caused me to develop anorexia when I was about 10 years old. My issues with food started with a simple diet and a bit of exercise and quickly evolved into controlling my entire life for 14 years. I was so terrified of the world, my brother, the future, school, everything that I thought I could only survive and thrive if I controlled my body and my food intake. In 2011 I was at such at the brink of doing and finally took charge of my life. I’ve been in recovery for 2 years now and my life has never been better. I’m so free, so happy and so healthy that it often seems like a dream.
2) Where are you today in terms of eating and recovery?
I still don’t consider myself completely recovered as I anorexic thoughts and behaviors still get the better off me from time to time. However, no matter what happens on any given day, I always start anew on the next day, meaning I always eat my regular meals and I never over exercise like I used to in the past. I am now able to deal with my anxieties in healthy ways and I don’t place my value as a human being on the shape of my body anymore. I am now in love with myself and accept my body for what it is: a beautiful vessel that allows me to do meaningful work in this world.
3) What do you think has helped you the most get to a place of peace with yourself?
Writing. Journaling, blogging, writing morning pages or simply scribbling random words on post-it notes or old newspapers has helped me tremendously. I find that by writing down what it is you’re feeling in this very moment, you clear your mind, your spirit and make room for more positive, fulfilling feelings. So often, we clutter our mind with negativity, doubts, hatred and fear and we hold on to those thoughts forever and ever. Yet, if we take a moment to just put these words on a piece of paper, we release the energy and feel instant relief.
You don’t have to be a writer or poet to tune into this moment of relief. Everyone can and will feel “lighter” after taking five minutes to journal about their fears.
4) What would be your biggest tips for those who are trying to recover?
The first and most important step is to admit to yourself that you’re not OK. You’re probably telling everyone that you’re fine, you have it under control and it’s not that bad. But deep down, you know that you’re suffocating, dying and you are desperate to receive help, love and support. It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to admit that you’re struggling. Talk to someone you’re close to or talk to a counselor, teacher, mentor online. Reach out and don’t be afraid. You won’t be judged and you won’t be made fun of. You’ll receive love, support and guidance. Also, listen to the people who are sincerely trying to help you without judging them or thinking that all they want is for you to gain weight and become fat (that’s what I used to think!). They want to help you and have YOUR best interest in mind. Trust that they truly and deeply care about you.
5) What is it you do today as a career and how does it help others?
I write, podcast weekly, coach, have a weekly YouTube show and create online courses that empower women all over the world to accept and love themselves and their bodies. I am very open about my past and my current struggles because I believe that by sharing the truth of recovery and life, others won’t feel so lonely and they’ll feel understood. I’ve written 3 books with the purpose of sharing the joy that living with body-love and body-acceptance entails. Knowing how miserable life is when you’re at war with yourself and your body, there’s nothing that I’m more passionate about than showing others that there is a way out, there is a way to freedom and peace of mind and there is a way of living life without obsessing over food and calories. I’m all about spreading hope because that is what I most missed when I was in my darkest place.
6) How has blogging and social media been a positive influence on your life and recovery?
It saved my life. I wouldn't be here writing this if it weren't for social media. When I hit rock bottom in 2007, I thought life made no sense. I had failed at committing suicide, had dropped out of school, was terrified of everything and everyone. I didn’t want to live, didn’t want to wake up but couldn’t sleep. My existence was pure agony. My mom, my sister, they all tried to pull me out of my misery and were scared to death about me not being able to escape that dark, dark place within, but nothing worked. I locked myself in my room, closed the curtains and watched TV: Ally McBeal, Lost, The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, Buffy and Angel; they were my saviors, my comfort, my source of escape. However, I was still alone, misunderstood and oh so desperate. But when I found podcasts and social media, my life changed forever. I went from being passive to being active. I went from being scared to being hopeful. I went from mistrusting to opening up. I went from existing to living. I found new friends and found hope, which is what I needed to move on and heal.
7) What is it about blogging and podcasting do you think helps people the most?
It is the feeling of community, of not fighting alone. Too often, we believe that we’re alone in our struggle, with our thoughts and behaviors and nobody understands what we’re going through. The truth is that so many of us share the same thoughts and feelings and reading and writing about these emotions helps all of us to connect and to heal.
8) Do you have any advice for those just starting out with blogging or getting into social media?
Be yourself. I know we all want to please others and would love to be loved by every single person on the planet. However, if the prize for being liked is negating yourself, it’s not worth it. You are special. You are perfect and you are amazing just the way you are. Don’t hide behind a curtain and instead show the world the true you. We want to connect with you just the way you are. The biggest gift you can give yourself and us is to be truly, uniquely you.
Thank you Anne-Sophie!
You can check out her website and products at her website, annesophie.us for more uplifting advice and comfort.
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xoxo
Tayla