By the age of 16, Lara Rebecca from Wales was at the height of an eating disorder. She spent years in denial, while doctors feared for her health. Eventually, she was rushed to hospital emergency. Through an intensive recovery program, Lara survived—and thrived. Inspired by an urge to help others, the now-20-year-old became a fitness blogger, podcast host, and advocate raising awareness of eating disorders. Despite having a happy childhood, Lara recalls chronic anxiety and panic attacks by the onset of high school. “It was a tree and a stem from an abundance of other mental health issues that I was struggling with at the time,” Lara from Cardiff explained to Wales Online. As a preteen, she’d lost her confidence, and a domino effect led to a coping mechanism around age 12. She found that controlling her weight fulfilled a need. It started with exercise, calorie control, and hiding food. When …