For 15 years, she studied eating disorders. She was hiding one too.

Five years ago, Meg Vardy was a UK-based researcher studying treatment for anorexia. What most of her colleagues didn't know: she'd been living with anorexia herself for 15 years. She's since stepped away from academia to launch JourneyED, a Dunedin-based charity offering free peer support to people across Aotearoa navigating eating disorders — because, in her words, no one should have to go through it alone. This week on Take It From Us, Meg shares her story and her vision for what recovery-focused, lived-experience-led support can look like. Hit play. We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here. If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis Kent Johns is a health coach, broadcaster and motivational speaker. Visit his website here.