Many people battle eating disorders every day all across the world, despite efforts to accept ourselves at any size and more realistic-looking models in commercials.

Annie, 21, from Woolley Moor, has struggled with anorexia for over five years, facing hospitalizations and intensive care. However, she’s turned to her love of running for recovery and is now in great shape, completing the Chesterfield Half Marathon in October.

She shared that recovery is a beautiful, transformative process, and in 2017, she fought harder than ever before, this time for herself. Over the past four months, she’s gained three stones and is now at her heaviest since 2014. Annie realized that kindness and how we treat others matter more than weight and that happiness comes from focusing on what truly matters.

Running played a vital role in her recovery, giving her goals and helping her stay on track. She encourages others to stop obsessing over food or calories and embrace exercise as a celebration of what the body can do.

Despite tough days, Annie urges those facing similar struggles to keep going. “We must prove we can overcome our disorders and live a life free from regret,” she says.