Introducing Bethan | NOT A Sob Story | Anorexia & SJS Survivor

Hello everyone!

I’m Bethan, which you likely have already guessed, but it feels weird to write an introduction without saying my name! I’m 26 years young, born and bred in the village of Embsay in North Yorkshire, just outside of the famous Skipton. 

I’ve been through a lot in my short life. I endured 8 years of severe mental illness (anorexia, depression & anxiety predominantly), spending time in and out of various institutions-even being sectioned under the mental health act. Unfortunately for me, this was followed by a life threatening episode of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), that landed me in intensive care on a ventilator. 

This, however, is NOT a sob story. I pulled my life back together, and after a long, painful recovery, I found my husband Mark, my faith in Jesus Christ, and the answers I had been searching for all along. I do still battle with the after effects of SJS; chronic fatigue and ongoing problems with my eyes and lungs, but I don’t allow this to stop me from living a life full of love and joy.

Helping others has always been a passion of mine and I have done plenty of voluntary work in hospitals, as well as doing anorexia recovery advocacy work; in hospitals, colleges and universities.

Going to the gym played a pivotal role in my mental and physical recovery, and so I studied to be a personal trainer and gym instructor, and have enjoyed working as a PT ever since; helping others overcome their health barriers, and actually enjoy exercise!

So, what does the future hold for me, or us I should say! God willing; finishing our camper van build, plenty of travelling, and helping people wherever we can with our online content creation and of course, spreading the gospel! 

We’re both really excited to start this blog, and we hope we can provide some entertaining, if not useful content for you all.

Sending my love,

Bethan