Women celebrated at Springfield campus

USQ Student Experience Coordinator, Dr Megan Axelsen shared her personal struggle with anorexia nervosa with staff and students at Springfield campus as part of International Women’s Day celebrations today.

Dr Axelsen talked about how the sport of triathlon had been integral in her ongoing recovery from the life threatening illness that had consumed her for 11 years in the hope it may connect with others suffering body image issues.

'I am no expert on anorexia, but I have lived it, I have felt it and I have made a quasi-recovery from it,' she said.

'My story may help someone who is suffering come forward and seek help and encourage others to think more carefully about how their comments may hurt or harm people. My involvement with triathlon has really been the turning point for me in my recovery from anorexia.

'Prior to becoming involved in triathlon, I had simply lived from one day to the next with limited goals, no real friends and the constant feeling that I had nothing to look forward to. My life was defined by the illness of anorexia.

'In the beginning, triathlon was simply an exercise addiction that contributed to my weight loss and justified my exercise dependence; it provided an explanation for all my training and gave me a reason to exercise compulsively.

'However, as time went on, involvement in triathlon gave me more than this, it helped me to expand upon life beyond food and to reconnect with my body in healthier ways.

'It helped me gain weight in a manner that was healthy and purposeful, it led me to a group of likeminded people who became friends and whose friendship engendered in me a sense of belonging.

'It contributed to the changing of my self concept, which led to positive behavioural changes and personal enrichment and a growth in self determination. I became a triathlete, not an anorexic.'

Following Dr Axelsen’s talk USQ staff took part in an International Women’s Day luncheon.

International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world each year on 8 March. It is an important occasion to celebrate the achievements and gains made by women and to focus on the job still to do in working towards equality for women around the world.