From Eating Struggles to Food Freedom
A Journey Towards Food Freedom & Health
You can move beyond your food and body image challenges and/or your eating disorder.
Eating Free Founder and Lead Coach is living proof.
If I can break free from my difficult relationship with food, eating and my body, then you can too.
I battled with my eating and my weight and then an eating disorder. Tired of the struggle, I learned to nourish my body, enjoy movement, Eat Freely and live easily.
It took time. Recovery is never a quick fix. But every step forward, every day, is what matters.
I also came to understand how diabetes affected my eating—insight that was especially valuable because I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a very young age, when understanding of diabetes was limited and diabetes support was scarce.
Today, I am deeply passionate about helping others nourish their bodies, build self-trust and rediscover joy and freedom in their lives.
I don’t want anyone facing food or body image challenges to feel alone.
Eating struggles and eating disorders can be isolating, with shame and stigma deepening the loneliness.
Connection without fear of being judged is the first step toward change.
I know how overwhelmed you may feel.
Let’s work together: You’ll be in a safe, confidential space where we can explore ways to help you develop a healthier, more positive approach to food, eating, and your body.
– Alexandra van Essche, Eating Free Founder and Lead Coach
Eating Free: Powered by Lived Experience Eating Disorder Recovery
“There was a time I felt alone in my struggles with food. I wished there was someone I could speak to who could appreciate what I was going through. My diabetes was so tough to manage. Back then, diabetes was not understood and support was limited. Those who faced an eating problem remained silent, often feeling ashamed.
“I listened, read and learned. Every setback became a lesson. Change didn’t come all at once—I took it one day at a time.
“I began to enjoy food again—for nourishment, for connection, for joy. I felt comfortable eating alone and with others. I felt well, and I didn’t want to go back to a way of eating that did not support me nor my diabetes control.
“For the next 15 years, I built a life supported by routines that kept me well: nourishing food, movement, and time with the people I loved.“
“I was Eating Free and Loving My Life. I was OK. My diabetes control was excellent, and it felt great.
“In 2025, after completing further training, I brought together everything I’d learned, read, and experienced to create the Eating Free Coaching Pogramme.
I carefully developed its guiding principles and core values, and then designed each coaching option—mapping out the modules and building clear, supportive steps to guide clients through every stage of their journey.
“Knowing that someone else knows exactly what you are going through is the starting point for meaningful change and the belief that recovery is possible.“
Today I am OK
OK with what I eat and when.
Today I am OK
OK with my body.
Today I am OK
OK with myself and my life.
Food, Eating & Body Image Healing
Live in a loving body and love your living body.
You can learn how to nourish your body and your mind.
Overeating or compulsive eating doesn’t mean you’re weak.
It means you have an opportunity to discover your true strength.
Managing diabetes and eating can be tough, so don’t be tough on yourself.
Your diabetes and your body need your patience and care.
When you feel trapped in your eating disorder, know that you are not alone.
Many people struggle with and recover from eating disorders. Reach out for support as soon as you realise you are struggling.
Studies have shown that early support for anyone struggling with food, eating, weight and body image can help limit the progression of these difficult challenges into an eating disorder. I struggled for far too long because I did not get the support and understanding I deserved. So please reach out for support as soon as you can. You deserve support, and you can get better.