‘I didn’t think I’d be here’: Radio host Abby Coleman reveals her harrowing struggles with an eating disorder – following the death of Jaimi Kenny
Radio host Abby Coleman has revealed that she struggled with a harrowing eating disorder, in the wake of the death of Jami Kenny.
The star of Brisbane B105’s Stav, Abby and Matt show made the confession on her radio show this week.
The 38-year-old began with a tribute to Jaimi, who died on Monday at the age of 33.
Confession: Radio host Abby Coleman (pictured) revealed this week that she struggled with a harrowing eating disorder, while paying tribute to Jaimi Kenny
While the exact nature of Jaimi’s illness has not been specified, it’s understood she had long battled an eating disorder.
Her family had supported her through years of treatment at the End ED private clinic on the Sunshine Coast.
Jaimi is survived her mother Lisa Curry, father Grant Kenny, sister Morgan Kenny, brother Jett Kenny and half-sister Trixie.
Tribute: Jaimi died on Monday at the age of 33. While the exact nature of Jaimi’s illness has not been specified, it’s understood she had long battled an eating disorder. Jaimi is pictured with her mother Lisa Curry and stepfather Mark Tabone
Family: Jaimi (left), was the eldest daughter of Aussie sporting power couple Grant Kenny (centre) and Lisa Curry (right). Pictured on the Sunshine Coast on April 3, 2008
Abby said on air: ‘My heart breaks to know someone lost their life through that because there would have been a lot of girls in the clinic that I’ve gone to over the years that just never come out’.
The former star of reality show The Mole went on to detail her own struggles.
‘I didn’t think I’d be here and to be honest, able to eat in a relaxed fashion. I never thought I’d be able to eat something that was on a banned list.
Abby said: ‘My heart breaks to know someone lost their life through that because there would have been a lot of girls in the clinic that I’ve gone to over the years that just never come out’
The former star of The Mole went on to detail her own struggles: ‘I didn’t think I’d be here and to be honest, able to eat in a relaxed fashion. I never thought I’d be able to eat something that was on a banned list’ she said
‘I always had issues with it. I was always focused on being thin. I did ballet. I had that pressure growing up and pressure on myself,’ she said.
Abby added that at her worst, she weighed just 36 kilos and was using amphetamines to keep her weight down.
She said: ‘Once I had banned food, I forced myself to throw up and that was a cycle. That was a secret weapon. Then that would be the only food I would consume. I got down to 36kg. My periods had stopped. I had hair on my arms.
‘I had sores on my knuckles from throwing up so much. I would have been maybe around about 19.’
Struggle: She added that at her worst, she was using amphetamines to keep her weight down. ‘I got down to 36kg. My periods had stopped. I had hair on my arms. I had sores on my knuckles from throwing up so much,’ she admitted
Abby added: ‘I remember going to a clinic and I was so devastated because I wasn’t the thinnest. Isn’t that crazy? I would take amphetamines to get it down. Everything was just so consuming of it.’
The radio star credits therapy, reaching out to the Butterfly Foundation and meeting her husband Scott with aiding her recovery.
She promised other sufferers there was hope, professing: ‘I want people to know that you can get better. You can honestly find peace with food, and your body and your weight. You can honestly love it’.
For free and confidential support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Butterfly Foundation for eating disorder concerns on 1800 ED HOPE
Help: The radio star credits therapy, reaching out to the Butterfly Foundation and meeting her husband Scott (right) with aiding her recovery