Uploaded July 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
As part of our 'Talking helps' Conversation series we spoke to Quinn about their eating disorder and how it has impacted their life over for the last 35 years. Quinn identifies as transmasc, non-binary and queer. They first noticed that they felt wrong with their body when they were about 12 but didn't recognise it as an eating disorder until much later. Since then they have been on this merry-go-round of either binging or starving, dieting or feeling terrible about overeating. The eating disorder really took over their life and they became completely occupied by how much and what kind of food they were eating.
Quinn remembers a moment of realisation after becoming a parent. Having noticed their older child copying their meal replacement eating habit of sipping diet shakes really slowly it was a moment of realisation. This was the point where they really wanted to do something, but Quinn felt trapped. They couldn't actually break out of their own frame of thinking that their body was wrong.
It was transitioning and meeting their partner that really made a difference. Slowly Quinn started to recognise themselves in the mirror.
Quinn's story is one of discovering identity, finding true self and the ups and downs of an eating disorder along the way. Now Quinn chooses to pay attention to where love is, to what makes them feel good rather than paying attention to what's missing. Food no longer takes centre stage in their life and in Quinn's own words "that's fabulous".
Anyone of any age, gender, culture or background can experience eating or body image concerns. Watch our full video series to see that there are as many different eating disorders as the people who experience them.
You'll see that eating or body image concerns can have a serious impact on your life. However, you're not alone, and you don't need to do it all by yourself.
That's why our confidential, free and expert support team are here from 8am to midnight AET, seven days a week, ready to talk. Because talking can help.
Butterfly's National Helpline Call 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673)
https://www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/our-services/helpline/
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/thebutterflyfoundation
TWITTER: twitter.com/Bfoundation
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebutterflyfoundation
As part of our 'Talking helps' Conversation series we spoke to Quinn about their eating disorder and how it has impacted their life over for the last 35 years. Quinn identifies as transmasc, non-binary and queer. They first noticed that they felt wrong with their body when they were about 12 but didn't recognise it as an eating disorder until much later. Since then they have been on this merry-go-round of either binging or starving, dieting or feeling terrible about overeating. The eating disorder really took over their life and they became completely occupied by how much and what kind of food they were eating.
Quinn remembers a moment of realisation after becoming a parent. Having noticed their older child copying their meal replacement eating habit of sipping diet shakes really slowly it was a moment of realisation. This was the point where they really wanted to do something, but Quinn felt trapped. They couldn't actually break out of their own frame of thinking that their body was wrong.
It was transitioning and meeting their partner that really made a difference. Slowly Quinn started to recognise themselves in the mirror.
Quinn's story is one of discovering identity, finding true self and the ups and downs of an eating disorder along the way. Now Quinn chooses to pay attention to where love is, to what makes them feel good rather than paying attention to what's missing. Food no longer takes centre stage in their life and in Quinn's own words "that's fabulous".
Anyone of any age, gender, culture or background can experience eating or body image concerns. Watch our full video series to see that there are as many different eating disorders as the people who experience them.
You'll see that eating or body image concerns can have a serious impact on your life. However, you're not alone, and you don't need to do it all by yourself.
That's why our confidential, free and expert support team are here from 8am to midnight AET, seven days a week, ready to talk. Because talking can help.
Butterfly's National Helpline Call 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673)
https://www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/our-services/helpline/
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/thebutterflyfoundation
TWITTER: twitter.com/Bfoundation
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebutterflyfoundation
