Breaking Barriers

At school, though, I didn’t fit the mould. In primary school, I was called disruptive — too chatty, too energetic, too much. Over time, I learned to mask that energy. I slowly became quiet, withdrawn, unconfident. By the time I reached secondary school, the light I’d once had felt dimmed. I was still being told I was smart but not trying hard enough, but the truth was: I was trying. I just didn’t understand why everything felt so hard.

Eating disorders in athletes aren’t just about food; they’re about identity, performance, and the weight of expectation. What looks on the outside like calorie counts, meal restrictions, or obsessive routines is rarely about the food itself.

After years of misdiagnosis, surgeries, and being sidelined by pain, collegiate golfer Maddie Moran found herself in one of the lowest points of her life.