Maintaining your identity when experiencing an eating disorder can be tricky. The illness often provides a false sense of comfort that can rob you of the things that make you you, like your interests, hobbies, friendships, relationships and life goals. On this episode of Candid Conversations, we speak to Jess, a recent graduate of our Peer Mentoring Program, and Stefan, one of our wonderful peer mentors at EDV. We talk about Jess' progression through the program and what shedding the identity of her eating disorder has meant for her. Jess speaks about: identity and recovery, toxic productivity, self advocacy when seeking help, balancing independence with the support of others, the challenges of different cultural understandings of mental health, the importance of wanting to recover and much more. We hope this episode inspires you as much as it did us. Enjoy this podcast? Subscribe/follow to ensure you never miss an episode!This podcast is informed by lived experience and professional practice. It is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice. If this podcast prompts you to seek further help and if you live in Victoria, our team at the EDV Hub is here to listen and support you. The EDV Hub is a free and confidential helpline service providing information and peer support for Victorians experiencing eating disorders and those who are supporting them. The EDV Hub operates Monday - Friday from 📞 CONTACT THE HUB:Call: 1300 550 236Email: [email protected]Web Enquiry: www.eatingdisorders.org.auIf you are located outside of Victoria, please contact The Butterfly Foundation: www.butterfly.org.au🌿 FIND EDV ON SOCIALS:Instagram: @eatingdisordersvictoriaFacebook: www.facebook.com/EatingDisordersVictoria/Twitter: @ed_victoriaTikTok: @ed_victEDV acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is recorded. The Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging.