In this deeply moving episode, I speak with Jen Hamer—an inspiring young woman who battled a life-threatening eating disorder from the age of 12. Jen opens up about the core beliefs that drove her illness, the pivotal moment she chose recovery over death, and the ongoing journey of healing and rediscovery.
Now completing a PhD focused on eating disorders in athletes and preparing to publish her first book Goodbye Anna, Jen is using her lived experience to spark change, foster understanding, and bring hope to others still in the struggle.
This conversation is a raw and powerful reminder that recovery is possible—and that your body is not your enemy, but your home. Whether you’re facing your own challenges or supporting someone who is, Jen’s courage and wisdom will stay with you long after you listen.
In this deeply moving and unflinchingly honest episode of Stories of HOPE, I sit down with Jen Hamer—an extraordinary young woman whose journey through the darkness of a life-threatening eating disorder has not only shaped her, but now empowers others walking a similar path.
Jen’s battle began at the age of just 12, when what started as a seemingly innocent pursuit of control and perfection spiraled into a dangerous illness that consumed her body, mind, and identity. She courageously opens up about the painful core beliefs that fed her disorder: the need to be “good,” the fear of taking up space, and the shame that twisted her perception of self-worth. Her story is not simply about food—it’s about the fundamental human need to be seen, accepted, and loved, especially by oneself.
But this conversation is also about turning points. Jen speaks about the day she chose recovery over death—not because she had all the answers, but because something inside her whispered that she was made for more than mere survival. With raw vulnerability, she describes what it means to face your deepest fears, to rebuild a relationship with your body, and to find peace in the spaces that once held pain.
Now in the final stages of completing her PhD, Jen’s academic work focuses on eating disorders in athletes—a group uniquely vulnerable to body image pressures, performance demands, and societal expectations. Drawing from both her lived experience and scholarly research, Jen is becoming a powerful voice for change in both clinical and community spaces.
Her upcoming book, Goodbye Anna, is more than a memoir—it’s a manifesto of hope, a farewell to the eating disorder she personified as “Anna,” and a love letter to every person who believes they are too far gone to heal. With clarity, compassion, and grace, Jen is breaking silence, busting myths, and reaching into the lives of those who still feel trapped in shame.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that recovery is not a linear path—it’s a revolution of self-compassion, patience, and trust. It reminds us that our bodies are not battlegrounds to be fought with, but homes to be nurtured, respected, and reclaimed.
Whether you’ve walked the path of disordered eating yourself or know someone who has, Jen’s insight will leave you changed. Her courage is contagious, and her wisdom lingers long after the conversation ends.
🛒 Buy Jen’s Book – Goodbye Anna
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Goodbye-Anna-Jennifer-Ellen-Hamer-ebook/dp/B09PT6H3JQ