Something many people do not understand about mental health issues and eating disorders is that challenges that these people endure are often dealt with unhealthy behaviors- many times for years upon years instead of shaking off the stressful moments and trauma they may have dealt with. Since my passion to start speaking was sparked by my recovery from anorexia and bulimia, I was first challenged with triggers such as bingeing, purging and exercising to an unhealthy level when I started speaking in front of groups. It certainly has not! Struggles along the way have varied throughout the past several years. Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
#The foundation fill me up buttercup professional
I particularly enjoy working with female college athletes and professional athletes as well as working to remove the stigma that is tied to eating disorders and mental health matters. After starting the club, I started a blog, to share my experiences and began speaking at events outside of the Phoenix area. Going on two years, the club is one of the newest clubs, yet very successful as our current board members and officers work hard to lead this group to expand their leadership and speaking skills. Through my research, I learned that I had the ability to start my own club and founded an all women’s club based in Phoenix, Junior League of Phoenix Toastmasters Club.
I sought out resources in my community to groom these skills and heard about Toastmasters International. This is when my passion to become a better speaker really ignited. My past trauma and painful memories of my eating disorder started to seem like a distant memory and I was delighted to hear that the patients I was speaking to were inspired by my story. Through sharing my story in hospital settings, I learned that I began to heal from the inside out. I was reluctant at first but recognized that I really needed that support when I was in treatment myself, there just wasn’t this kind of resource accessible at that time. It took up so much time- I felt like I lived at the Dr.’s office but I was persistent to recover and never gave up, despite challenging ups and downs through the process.Īfter recovering in 2012, I was asked by Rosewood Center for Eating Disorders to come back as an alumni speaker and share my journey to recovery with other patients. After leaving inpatient treatment, I spent another 2 1/2 years in outpatient treatment where I saw a Registered Dietitian, Therapist in a 1-1 setting, a Psychiatrist to help me manage my anxiety and depression, and attended a support group four nights a week. It was a challenge for me to take time away from school, I felt like I was falling behind from my friends and I feared I would never get better or have the strength to go back to school.
I spent three months living in this treatment center while taking a medical leave of absence from my studies at Arizona State University. In 2009, my eating disorder led me to an inpatient treatment facility in Wickenberg, Arizona, Rosewood Center for Eating Disorders. I had been suffering silently from anorexia, bulimia and a frightening addiction to exercise. I started public speaking in 2012 after recovering from a life-threatening eating disorder. Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Law.Īshley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
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