Our Story and Vision
How Food Freedom Coach Started
In the depths of her 10 year battle with an eating disorder, Midi searched for affordable and accessible support from someone who both specialised in the treatment of eating disorders and had the empathy and understanding of what it was like to live with bulimia every day. It took Midi 5 attempts to finally find someone who could walk with her towards her freedom.
After 3 years of therapy and being free from bulimia for more than 10 years, Midi took a leap of faith and started Food Freedom Coach in January 2024. She comes equipped with a Masters in Human Nutrition and Social Work, five years work experience in Mental Health and a wealth of wisdom and expertise on how to break free.
Our Mission
💛 To provide hope and support for anyone seeking to break free from an unhealthy relationship with food
💛 To provide online coaching sessions at affordable prices
💛 To provide compassionate guidance for families and partners who are supporting someone with an eating disorder
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Our Vision
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With a Master's in Human Nutrition and as a Registered Social Worker, Midi brings academic knowledge and personal experience from her own journey and struggles. This provides a powerful combination that translates to real change for her clients.
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Operating solely online eliminates overhead costs associated with maintaining physical spaces for coaching sessions. This cost efficiency can translate to more affordable services for clients; thus reaching more people stuck in the cycles of binge eating and disordered eating.
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Food Freedom Coach, born in January 2024, believes there is hope and freedom for those trapped in the cycles of an eating disorder.
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Online coaching delivers accessible support that is more convenient for people with busy schedules. Online sessions offer flexibility in scheduling, making it easier for both the Coach and the client to find mutually convenient time slots. This can be particularly beneficial for clients with hectic lifestyles or irregular work hours.
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Online sessions break geographical barriers, allowing individuals from anywhere to access coaching services without the need for travel or finding a local specialist.
How it all began
The earliest memory I have of being made aware of the size of my body, was when I asked my mum why people didn’t know that my brother is older than me. I mean, to my five year old brain, that would be obvious. The response I got was, “it’s because you’re big”. I became ashamed of the shape and size of my body as more, very specific, critical comments were made about my body throughout my childhood. This intensified as I approached my early teens and at the age of 12 years old, I finally gave in to the pressures to lose weight. I went on a very restrictive diet and lost a significant amount of weight over a period of 10 months.
I had a goal weight in mind and was sure that once I had reached that, I would be happy. But that was not the case at all. I wasn’t satisfied and wanted to lose more weight, so I began restricting more of my intake and increased the amount and intensity of my daily exercise routine. I counted calories, thought about food all the time, did more activity all in the name of burning calories, and became completely obsessed with food and weight loss.
On my mum’s birthday, we decided to get a cake to celebrate. Because she allowed me to eat it, I ate cake for the first time in almost a year. Wow, did it taste good and because my body was in starvation mode, I wanted more and more. The guilt afterwards consumed me and I could not bear it’s weight. Then I remembered a movie I watched about a dancer who purged to keep her weight down. I thought, “I’ll do it just this once and then I’ll get back on track”. Famous last words.
When things got really out of control
Soon after that, my mum became unwell and went back to our home country for treatment. That was when my binging and purging sky rocketed out of control and I became extremely unwell for the next 10 years.
The next 10 years were the darkest of my life. I couldn’t even eat an apple without it turning into a binge and purge cycle. I would starve myself all day, only to set myself up for a massive, out-of-control binge and purge cycle. I was purging in plastic bags, public toilets, showers - anywhere I could get rid of the guilt that burdened me. I hated myself, became suicidal and was convinced that this was going to be my life forever.
But my story doesn’t end there
My recovery journey began when I could afford treatment after I had graduated from University with my first degree. I found a psychotherapist who was experienced in eating disorders and had the same values as I did, and continued to see her regularly for the next 3 years. The one thing that kept me going was knowing that one day, my story would be used in a powerful way to help others with similar experiences, struggling with an eating disorder. I didn’t want others to experience the loneliness that I did during my recovery. Although my recovery journey was extremely difficult, painful and hard, it is by far one of the best things I have done in my life.
What life looks like now
Today, I am happily married with three beautiful children. Life is full, rich and meaningful. I eat when I’m hungry, stop when I am satisfied, and eat a variety of foods without guilt. I exercise to maintain my wellbeing and mental health, rather than punishment. I raise my two daughters and son knowing that their value is based on their characteristics and how they treat others, rather than their body size and shape. I have broken the generational cycle of disordered eating and unhealthy body image. And I am here to help you do the same.