From Overdrive to Ownership: Jenna’s Road Back from Anorexia

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with longstanding client Jenna, tracing her 15 year journey with anorexia and exercise obsession to a completely different place - one defined by peace, strength, and genuine self acceptance. What started as “healthy eating” and daily cardio spiralled into years of restriction, amenorrhea, and a constant battle with her body. But through her work with Lily, Jenna rebuilt trust with food, restored her health, and redefined what fitness means - discovering freedom, confidence, and a physique she never thought possible. Together, Lily and Jenna reflect on what it really takes to heal your body and your mindset, and why lasting change is so much more than macros and gym plans. They discuss • The early spiral: From teenage “clean eating” and cardio marathons to a diagnosis of anorexia at 17 • The turning point: How working with Lily shifted everything, from rigid control to true nourishment and strength • Building structure, not obsession: Three to four strength sessions, daily movement for joy, and rest days without guilt • Letting go of numbers: Releasing the scale, simplifying food, and focusing on how strength feels, not what size it looks like • The transformation: Hormones balanced, digestion repaired, cycles regular, and self worth finally unhooked from appearance • For anyone stuck in the cycle: Why you cannot “think” your way out of disordered habits, and what happens when you finally let your body lead Jenna’s story is a reminder that healing is never about willpower. It is about support, patience, and learning to feel safe in your body again. For anyone still caught between fear of change and the desire for freedom, this conversation is proof that it is possible to come home to yourself, rebuild from the inside out, and live in a body that finally feels like yours.