Michele Bauer

Born and raised in Taunton, MA. Spent most of my life as a sheltered child but always given the opportunity to explore. Most competitive sides of myself were of the individual manner. Horseback riding, swimming, figure skating, bodybuilding. All of which required strict discipline. Alas, this pressure in my life caused some damage which has lasted for years. I was married for only under 2 years and now pronounce myself happily divorced. My disorder (bulimia) caused me to retreat into my shell because I started to feel like a disappointment to everyone. Despite having three personal training certificates and a Master's Degree in Physical Science, I was led to believe that I would never go anywhere. I started doing meanial work in a restaurant, eventually managing it as well as three others. I was still being tortured internally and externally. It finally took it's toll out on me and, after 15 years of torment, my body and my mind shut down. I was 81 lbs, couldn't walk and felt life slipping away from me. They eventually put me into therapy and additional doctors. I became a heavy drinker too which numbed me but also destroyed my body and mind. IT took a year before I could stop the drinking but the eating disorder still harped on me. Slowly being able to see that I always try to please others instead of seeing what I wanted/needed. Time to start taking more time for myself so I decided to find new things to place my focus on. I now want to help other know what it's like to go through a disorder from the inside as well as open up to others with one who just want to talk to someone who understands. There is so much literature out there but it's like a big textbook. We all all individuals and need to be treated like the person that we are.