How Pilates helped heal my body after an Eating Disorder

Mental health doesn’t have one face or one path – we each walk our own unique journey. Abbie, our Pilates Specialist Sports Coach shares her story in the hope that it brings comfort, courage, and a reminder that healing is always possible.

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

"My Journey with Mental Health – What Kept Me Going

Looking back on my early teenage years, school was tough for me. I struggled with dyslexia, and it often made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. The one thing that gave me confidence and made me feel valued was swimming. I threw myself into it, literally. The more I swam, the more I felt like I had a purpose.

But as school became more challenging, my self-worth started to fade. I didn’t feel seen. Swimming remained my outlet, but gradually it became tied to how I looked and what I ate. I began focusing more on my diet in ways that weren’t healthy, and eventually, my body went into survival mode. I became so unwell that I was hospitalised and put on bed rest. The doctors diagnosed me with anorexia, but I was so malnourished I couldn’t fully understand it.

Support Through the Struggle

The years that followed were incredibly difficult, but I was lucky to have the support of an amazing eating disorder clinic. They didn’t just help me – they helped my family too. Watching someone you love go through something like this is heartbreaking, and that support was a lifeline for all of us.

A turning point came when my body simply couldn’t cope any longer. I was exhausted, emotionally and physically, and I reached a place where I felt like I couldn’t keep going. I’d become consumed by the idea of being smaller than everyone else.  

One Sunday evening, I went to church with my family – my Dad’s a minister, so it was a regular part of our lives. I was completely drained, and during the service, something inside me broke open. I turned to my mum and said, “I can’t do this anymore. I need help.” People gathered around to pray for me. I desperately needed a miracle and that night, something shifted. I found myself saying the words, “I need to eat now.”  

It surprised everyone, including me. That night, I had my first full meal in a long time – yes, even cake. I still remember the exact slice. What used to bring me fear became a symbol of hope. That moment marked the beginning of real healing.

Finding Strength in Pilates

After I started eating again, I was still very weak, but I wanted to move my body in a new, healthier way. I needed to find something that would nourish me physically and emotionally. That’s when I discovered Pilates.

I learned that it was originally used to help soldiers recover from the trauma of war. That spoke to me – I felt like I’d been in a battle too. The Pilates reformer was even inspired by hospital beds and springs for those who couldn’t get up. I had been that patient once, and it made sense to start here.

I began slowly, with worship music playing in the background. I would pray during my practice. It was gentle, restorative, and it gave me space to rebuild – body, mind, and spirit. I fell in love with Pilates. It helped me reconnect with myself and with God. It gave me back my strength and a renewed sense of who I am.

Eventually, I trained as a Pilates instructor, so I could help others experience the same transformation. Through this journey, I’ve found a way of moving that supports my mental health as much as my physical health. I’ve not just regained life – I’ve discovered a life of joy and purpose, aligned with how I believe God created me to be.

A Message of Hope

If you’re going through something similar – whether it’s a struggle with mental health, physical health, or both, I want you to know there is a way forward. Your challenges don’t define who you are. They are part of your story, not the whole story.

I spent eight years in an eating disorder clinic. Healing didn’t happen overnight. It was slow, messy, and full of ups and downs. Even now, I sometimes still battle with the same thoughts. But the difference is, I know I don’t have to act on them. I can bring them to God in prayer and trust Him to carry me through each day.

Recovery is not always a straight line. But no matter how long it’s been or how deep the struggle feels, it’s never too late for God to work in your life. He’s not finished with you yet. He can turn even the darkest times into something beautiful.

Today, five years on, I still practice Pilates six days a week. It’s my daily reset, my space to continue healing and growing. I feel the strongest and most grounded I’ve ever been. 

Thank you for reading my story. I hope it encourages you wherever you are on your journey."

— Abbie Clarke

Pilates Specialist Sports Coach at Sportily

To attend one of Abbie’s sessions, click here.

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