Welcome to this week’s SBS Radio episode - My Life With Anorexia. A report in 2015 estimated that more than 725,000 people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder, with roughly 75-90% of those being female. BEAT, a UK-based eating disorder charity, estimates that of those with eating disorders, 10% were anorexic, 40% were bulimic and the rest fall into the EDNOS category which included BED. Concrete statistics are hard to come by - but what is clear is that eating disorders can be devastating, are on the rise, and are still not very well-understood. Whilst this podcast episode is by no means going to be a comprehensive guide to anorexia, I wanted to have an open, candid discussion with a couple of people regarding their experiences with anorexia and other eating disorders. First, we have Polly Hale of the Fit Mum Formula, who was hospitalised 3 times between the ages of 18 and 22 due to her anorexia. In the second half of the podcast we’ll hear from Matt Stranberg, a registered dietitian and strength and conditioning specialist who currently is working with the Walden GOALS programme, who treat competitive athletes experiencing disordered eating behaviours. I just wanted to thank her for being so candid and open with me. What you’re about to hear covers a particularly painful part of Polly’s life - so her willingness to discuss it on record doesn’t go unnoticed. More about Polly: http://www.thefitmumformula.com/   More about Matt: https://www.waldeneatingdisorders.com/an-interview-with-goals-program-lead-nutritionist-and-exercise-science-advisor-matthew-stranberg/ Walden Behavioral Care and the Athlete Specific GOALS team: https://www.waldeneatingdisorders.com/treatment-programs/specialized-eating-disorder-treatment-programs/goals-intensive-outpatient-program-for-competitive-athletes/ Another interview regarding trainers and helping clients: https://www.jessihaggerty.com/blog/screenandrefer   Eating Disorder Organisations  MEDA (US): http://www.medainc.org/ NEDA (US): https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ BEAT (UK): https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ If you’d like to reach out to Matt directly, you can email him at [email protected] and you can also download a guide for athletes and eating disorders.   If you'd like to reach out to me, my email is [email protected]    If you'd like to contact Polly, her email is [email protected]