Aroosha Nekonam has spent the last two and a half years rebuilding her life, after enduring a severe bout with anorexia. The 25-year-old law graduate was at a point where her hair began falling out and even laying down on a bed was difficult, as there was no fat on her body. Doctors told her that she would soon need a wheelchair to move around, since walking was putting too much of a strain on her heart.

Aroosha’s eyes were finally opened when she had agreed with her mom to visit a specialist in South Africa, but was told by doctors she would not survive the Journey. Her heart was far too weak.

With support from her family, doctors, a therapist and dietician, she began to recover.

“Once I knew I wanted to recover, I was in a state of shock that I’d done that to myself. I worked with my psychiatrist and dietician to build up my weight gradually and, as my body grew stronger, so did my mind.”

She began falling in love with weightlifting and found a social circle online to motivate her. “These strong women were just an inspiration, and I wanted to be strong like them. I was sick of being this frail, pathetic thing that didn’t eat and didn’t move.” Now, she can lift twice her bodyweight.

And later this year, she’ll be competing in her first body building competition.