My story

Told in a timeline

1984

Born in Windhoek, Namibia to my German father & Namibian born mother also of German descent.

Born in Windhoek, Namibia to my German father & Namibian born mother also of German descent.

My dad is physically & emotionally abusive towards my mother. My sister & I get caught in the middle & witness to the abuse, we are left with a deep scar.

My dad is physically & emotionally abusive towards my mother. My sister & I get caught in the middle & witness to the abuse, we are left with a deep scar.

I have my first memories of self-soothing with food. I seek out sweet things & find myself raiding the cupboards at home & helping myself to anything I come across at my friends houses without asking. 

I have my first memories of self-soothing with food. I seek out sweet things & find myself raiding the cupboards at home & helping myself to anything I come across at my friends houses without asking. 

My then-best friend catches me stealing sweets from her, which marked the end of our friendship. This incident was the beginning of a pattern where my eating disorder led me to prioritise my own survival above all else, causing me to neglect & lose many meaningful relationships.

My then-best friend catches me stealing sweets from her, which marked the end of our friendship. This incident was the beginning of a pattern where my eating disorder led me to prioritise my own survival above all else, causing me to neglect & lose many meaningful relationships.

My mom initiates my first diet. The seed is planted that I am not good enough as I am & need to restrict my food intake.

My mom initiates my first diet. The seed is planted that I am not good enough as I am & need to restrict my food intake.

I was bullied earlier in life already but when I am called ‘Fette Seekuh' (german for 'fat seacow') & 'thunder thighs', I truly begin to dislike myself. I experiment with purging after meals as I can’t seem to control what I eat & keep finding myself secretly baking microwave cakes & making fudge, sometimes in the middle of the night. 

I was bullied earlier in life already but when I am called ‘Fette Seekuh' (german for 'fat seacow') & 'thunder thighs', I truly begin to dislike myself. 

I experiment with purging after meals as I can’t seem to control what I eat & keep finding myself secretly baking microwave cakes & making fudge, sometimes in the middle of the night. 

I binge & purge on a near daily basis. Sometimes 2-3 times per day. I continuously ask my father for extra allowance to fund my costly habit & occasionally end up stealing money from my parents or food from a supermarket.

I binge & purge on a near daily basis. Sometimes 2-3 times per day. I continuously ask my father for extra allowance to fund my costly habit & occasionally end up stealing money from my parents or food from a supermarket.

My physical & mental health deteriorates & I see a psychologist to help me gain control of my eating habits. I am diagnosed with Bulimia, checked into a rehabilitation centre & prescribed anti-depressants. I see temporary improvement but as I leave rehab I find myself back to binging & controlling my weight through diets, restriction, diet teas, pills…

My physical & mental health deteriorates & I see a psychologist to help me gain control of my eating habits. I am diagnosed with Bulimia, checked into a rehabilitation centre & prescribed anti-depressants. I see temporary improvement but as I leave rehab I find myself back to binging & controlling my weight through diets, restriction, diet teas, pills…

I end up in the emergency room with a pulmonary embolism due to overuse of  diet pills containing Norpseudoephedrine (a type of amphetamine). It's a wake up call. I try to be healthier but can’t stay consistent for long periods. I continue searching for solutions to help ‘fix’ me.

I end up in the emergency room with a pulmonary embolism due to overuse of  diet pills containing Norpseudoephedrine (a type of amphetamine). It's a wake up call. I try to be healthier but can’t stay consistent for long periods. I continue searching for solutions to help ‘fix’ me.

By chance, I partake in a Yoga Teacher Training with 3 weeks of daily classes including yoga, yoga nidra, breathwork & eating nutritious meals. For the first time, I feel in control around food & my mental chatter is barely there.

By chance, I partake in a Yoga Teacher Training with 3 weeks of daily classes including yoga, yoga nidra, breathwork & eating nutritious meals. For the first time, I feel in control around food & my mental chatter is barely there. After finishing the training, I decide to go on a diet recommended by a doctor & finally reach my goal weight.

After finishing the training, I decide to go on a diet recommended by a doctor & finally reach my goal weight. 

I find myself back where I started, 20kg heavier, unable to stay consistent with practicing yoga, binging & unable to control myself around food.

I find myself back where I started, 20kg heavier, unable to stay consistent with practicing yoga, binging & unable to control myself around food.

I draw inspiration from 2016, when I felt in control around food for the first time & try to learn how this happened. What was the secret behind my newfound tranquility & balance?

These questions became my compass, guiding me towards the realms of nutrition & habit change. Yet, it wasn't until I delved deeper into the ancient wisdom of yoga & Ayurveda that the true magic unfolded.

Incorporating these practices into my daily life became my anchor, harmonising my body, mind, and spirit. With Ayurvedic principles as my guide, I found myself not only savouring delicious meals but also finding a sense of inner peace & quiet. Best of all, I now had the knowledge & skills needed to stay consistent in my practice.  

This pivotal moment laid the foundation for my journey, igniting a passion for self-development & to empower others to overcome self-sabotage, learn to trust themself around food & find self-acceptance.

I draw inspiration from 2016, when I felt in control around food for the first time & try to learn how this happened. What was the secret behind my newfound tranquility & balance?

These questions became my compass, guiding me towards the realms of nutrition & habit change. Yet, it wasn't until I delved deeper into the ancient wisdom of yoga & Ayurveda that the true magic unfolded.

Incorporating these practices into my daily life became my anchor, harmonising my body, mind, and spirit. With Ayurvedic principles as my guide, I found myself not only savouring delicious meals but also finding a sense of inner peace & quiet. Best of all, I now had the knowledge & skills needed to stay consistent in my practice.  

This pivotal moment laid the foundation for my journey, igniting a passion for self-development & to empower others to find solace, balance, & joy in their relationship with food & themselves.

1989-2009

1991

1996

1998

2001

2002-2006

2009

2016

2017-2018

2016

2019-today

ca 1994