Free Falling: A True Story of Eating Disorder Recovery
Let me introduce you to Jayme. She struggled for over a decade with an eating disorder that left her free falling. She found a way to recover and now, instead of hiding behind fear or shame, lives her life to inspire and encourage others who are struggling with similar issues, even leading her to bravely free fall in a whole new way.
Here is the original interview. I also wanted to share with you the chapter of her story from my book: From These Broken Pieces.
Free Falling
Terror filled Jayme as she stared down at the earth thousands of feet below. Underneath the bubbling fear was a boiling excitement. It was time to leave the plane, and something told her that she would love this.
She took a deep breath and jumped, wind whipping at her face. Her arms were outstretched as the world zipped by. This is what freedom feels like. She thought. This is what living feels like.
Free falling 15,000 feet from an airplane felt like going a month without binging and purging herself. Bulimia had ruled her life. Her childhood perfectionism grew into a check-the-box relationship with God, food-restricting diets, and over-exercising. It ate away at her. Her relationship with her husband broke down. Finally, she just left him and fled to Florida.
She started dating an atheist. One day they drove by a church and he said, “I know you used to go to church when you lived in Michigan, and if the only reason you’re not going now is because you don’t want to go by yourself, I’d go with you.”
An atheist. Telling her to go to church. In that moment, she knew it had to be God, so she took a chance and tried church again. It didn’t lead to recovery right away. She tried seeing a counselor, but she wasn’t ready yet. The hold bulimia had over her was just too strong. The craving twisted her mind. If she didn’t give in, she just knew she would die. And yet, to keep purging was killing her.
Something had to change.
It was time to start trying to recover. She had nothing left to lose trying it God’s way. She prayed out even though she was terrified.
What if I gain weight?
What if all these bad things happen that I don’t have control of?
Her thoughts spun wild, but she had to let go of control and start getting help. She came across a book written by someone who had dealt with bulimia. She saw herself in the pages of the book, only this person had gotten better. The story was enough to make Jayme realize it was time to start taking tiny, gradual steps.
She went one day without purging.
A week.
At the one-month mark, she signed up for skydiving. She had struggled so long that she didn’t know who she was anymore. She didn’t have hobbies or dreams. Something new was needed. How different could you get than launching yourself out of a plane and into the sky?
As soon as her feet touched the ground, she knew everything was different. That free fall was what it felt like to be free from bulimia and she’d never forget it. There was no going back. She started traveling the world—even bungee jumping in Switzerland—and she knew was traveling with Him. Just her and the Lord.
She’s now gone eight years without purging. Jayme thought she’d live with this addiction her entire life, but God had a different plan. She has even hosted a podcast: Recover With God Podcast to encourage others struggling with eating disorders.
It was a long journey that led to jumping out of that plane, but she now lives every day in beautiful, God-given freedom.
Want more encouraging true stories of hope and healing? Check out my book, From These Broken Pieces. Another great place to start your healing journey is diving deep into God’s Word! My free online course, Coming To Life may help!
