Let me introduce myself

Born and raised on the Sunshine Coast, I’ve always felt at home surrounded by beach, bush, and open farmland. I’m engaged to the love of my life, and enjoy spending time with the people who mean the most to me. While I have a soft spot for travel and adventure, I’m a homebody at heart. I find joy in the simple things like cooking, gardening, photography, a great film, board game nights, and of course, a good coffee (or wine!).

I’ve always been passionate about learning and personal growth, spending over a decade at university studying psychology and education. My career began as an English and drama teacher, before I found my true calling in mental health and lived experience peer support. My work is deeply informed by my own lived experience with OCD, anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidality, and eating disorders under the OSFED diagnosis—including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and ARFID presentations at different points in my life.

These experiences have given me a deep understanding of recovery—not just as a process of overcoming challenges, but as an opportunity to reconnect with my values, rediscover my personal strengths, and build a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. They’ve also fueled my passion for supporting others, creating a space driven by empathy, integrity, and a strong belief in the power of connection and support in healing.

What does it mean to be recovered?

“Being recovered to me is when the person can accept his or her natural body size and shape and no longer has a self destructive or unnatural relationship with food or exercise.

When you are recovered, food and weight take a proper perspective in your life and what you weigh is not more important than who you are, in fact, actual numbers are of little or no importance at all.

When recovered, you will not compromise your health or betray your soul to look a certain way, wear a certain size or reach a certain number on a scale.”

- Carolyn Costin.

My recovery story

My journey with mental health and eating disorder recovery has shaped not only who I am, but also the work I do today. My lived experience, combined with my professional training, allows me to offer compassionate, understanding, and evidence-based support to those navigating their own recovery.

From a young age, I struggled with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and a deep sense of unease in the world. As a child, I was exposed to messages about body image and dieting that left a lasting impact. Like so many others, I internalized the belief that my worth was tied to my appearance. This led me down a path of disordered eating, where I sought control, validation, and a sense of purpose through harmful behaviors.

For years, I felt trapped in a cycle of restriction, self-doubt, and isolation. I convinced myself that I had everything under control, but in reality, my world was growing much smaller. It wasn’t until I reached a turning point—when I was given the opportunity to choose recovery for myself—that I truly began to heal. Through therapy, professional guidance, and personal determination, I learned that real strength comes not from control, but from self-compassion, flexibility, and connection with others.

Recovery was not a linear path, nor was it easy, but I discovered that every challenge was an opportunity to grow, to unlearn the harmful messages I had absorbed, and to build a life filled with meaning beyond my eating disorder. Over time, I shifted my focus from self-punishment to self-care, from fear to freedom, and from isolation to support. One of the most powerful realizations I had was  asking myself, “I could, but why?” This mantra became my guiding light, helping me challenge negative thoughts and make choices that aligned with my values and goals.

Today, I am honored to use my experiences to help others. I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals, families, and professionals in navigating the complexities of eating disorder recovery. Through my work in peer support, coaching, research, and advocacy, I strive to create a space where people feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Recovery is possible. No matter how long you have struggled or how hopeless things may feel, there is always a way forward. Healing is not about going back to who you were before, it's about discovering who you are outside the eating disorder, and I promise that version of you is worth fighting for!

If you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, I am here to walk alongside you.

I bring a wealth of experience in the eating disorder recovery space, with a particular focus on lived experience peer work. My journey began at Wandi Nerida, Australia’s first residential eating disorder facility, where I started as a recovery navigator and worked my way up to the team leader. During my time there, I played a crucial role in developing and implementing key programs, including a 12-week peer support group and the alumni program, which have both become central components of the facility's offerings. My work at Wandi Nerida allowed me to collaborate closely with Carolyn Costin, the pioneer behind the 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder framework, which is the cornerstone of my approach to recovery coaching.

In addition to my work at Wandi Nerida, I later went on to establish the eating disorder platform at a private Sunshine Coast organisation, where I provided one-on-one support, facilitated group programs, and engaged with the community to raise awareness and offer psychoeducation. My dedication to supporting individuals with eating disorders has made me a well-recognized advocate in the Sunshine Coast community, where I am known for my commitment to fostering safe, inclusive, trauma-informed spaces for both individuals and their loved ones.

With a Bachelor of Psychology (BPsych) and ongoing research through my honours thesis on the relationship between Ozempic and eating disorder behaviors (BPsych(Hons), I combine both academic knowledge and practical, lived experience to guide individuals on their recovery journey. My background also includes a dual Bachelor’s degree in secondary teaching and the arts (BEd(Sec)/BA), which enables me to connect with young people, parents, and teachers navigating the challenges of middle and high school life—challenges that are often compounded by eating disorders. Throughout my career, my focus has remained on creating recovery-oriented, supportive environments that empower individuals to reclaim their lives from eating disorders.