In this week's episode of the Bizzimumzi podcast, your host Ashley welcomes a true TikTok sensation and inspirational figure, Allison Jacobs. Allison's journey is nothing short of remarkable, as she candidly shares her experiences and struggles, from her early days as a passionate dancer to her ongoing battle with eating disorders and her recent diagnosis of Lipedema. Allison's love for dance ignited at a tender age, starting her dance classes at just 2 and a half years old. Dancing quickly became her passion, but the path was not without its challenges. As she grew older, she faced societal pressure to conform to a certain body type for dancers, which led her down a dangerous path of extreme dieting. Shockingly, even adults in her life praised this unhealthy behaviour, perpetuating the harmful belief that "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." Despite her unwavering love for dance, Allison couldn't maintain the toxic reality she was living in. Depression and feelings of hopelessness crept in, driving her to fill the void with food. Her journey spiraled from restrictive eating to binging, purging, and more, ultimately hitting an emotional rock bottom in January of 2019. In this heartfelt conversation, Ashley and Allison delve into the profound impact of eating disorders postpartum and Allison's recent diagnosis of Lipedema. Lipedema is a chronic condition characterised by an abnormal accumulation of fat cells in the legs, thighs, buttocks, and sometimes arms, primarily affecting women. Allison shares her plans for surgeries aimed at eliminating the Lipedema from her body, but she also faces the daunting reality that it might not be something that can be permanently eradicated. Join us for an honest and inspiring conversation as we explore Allison Jacobs' incredible journey of self-discovery, resilience, and her determination to overcome adversity while spreading awareness about eating disorders and Lipedema. Tune in to gain insights into her story and find strength in her courage to confront life's challenges head-on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices