“The directors of my college frequently called me into the office threatening to withdraw my scholarship or expel me if I did not lose weight. One even told me that if I was hungry in the evening I should just eat a whole cabbage boiled. I was only 17 or 18 at the time and already struggling with bulimia which had developed over time at my previous vocational dance school since age 13. After I was so broken by my training I battled anxiety, anorexia, body dysmorphia, bulimia, and severe depression.
I found the audition process incredibly difficult, had no sense of self-worth or confidence in my amazing talent, and almost quit dancing completely. Now, I am ‘obese’ and have a host of metabolic disorders and other remnants from my EDs and decades of dieting (like chronic acid reflux and weak teeth to name only 2). I’m a dance teacher with my own school and try my hardest to pass on body acceptance and positivity on my school ethos. I don’t want any of my students to ever go through what I did.”
-Anonymous
