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Aroosha Nekonam has spent the last two and a half years rebuilding her life, after enduring a severe bout with anorexia. The 25-year-old law graduate was at a point where her hair began falling out and even laying down on a bed was difficult, as there was no fat on her body. Doctors told her that she would soon need a wheelchair to move around, since walking was putting too much of a strain on her heart.

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Aroosha’s eyes were finally opened when she had agreed with her mom to visit a specialist in South Africa, but was told by doctors she would not survive the Journey. Her heart was far too weak.

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With support from her family, doctors, a therapist and dietician, she began to recover.

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“Once I knew I wanted to recover, I was in a state of shock that I’d done that to myself. I worked with my psychiatrist and dietician to build up my weight gradually and, as my body grew stronger, so did my mind.”

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She began falling in love with weightlifting and found a social circle online to motivate her. “These strong women were just an inspiration, and I wanted to be strong like them. I was sick of being this frail, pathetic thing that didn’t eat and didn’t move.” Now, she can lift twice her bodyweight.

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And later this year, she’ll be competing in her first body building competition.

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