Chelsea Kamody

The powerful story of a JYM Army member who battled – and overcame – serious eating disorders by adopting a more balanced approach to her fitness.

Written By Jim Stoppani, PhD

Updated October 8, 2019

Written by Chelsea Kamody

My name is Chelsea Kamody. I’m an 8th grade science teacher and coach. I’m also a concert pianist and teach piano lessons. I’ve always loved sports and I was very active growing up. I played volleyball, softball and ran throughout high school. However, when I was 16, the idea of becoming fit and healthy took a turn for the worse: My grandma, to whom I was incredibly close, passed away. I didn’t know how to deal with my emotions, so I started using exercise as a form of escape.

While that may not seem like a bad thing, I took it to the extreme, spending hours upon hours a day running, biking and jumping rope. I lost my appetite and stopped eating. I soon started seeing my weight drop. I was 5’10”, 126 pounds, athletic and thin and I did NOT need to lose weight. However, I got it into my head that I needed to be skinnier and it soon became a game of control. This “game” spiraled out of control quickly and took over my life. I struggled with severe eating disorders for the next 10 years. I was hospitalized numerous times for heart issues, liver issues, malnourishment, but none of that seemed to register as a red flag to change. I saw therapist after therapist, visited one treatment center after another, and it was all a game of manipulation to me. I worked out for hours a day, constantly read fitness magazines and admired the models I saw and wondered why I couldn’t get to that point even though I was so dedicated to the gym.

Finally, in November of 2014, I hit an all-time low of 75 pounds. I could not walk straight or think straight; I had no emotions and I was randomly passing out. At an unpleasant doctor’s visit, I was told that my heart and liver were failing and I was going to die before Christmas. I heard this news, broke down, and I actually gave up at first. I made an attempt to take my life, but failed. That night, I sat there thinking about everything I had to be thankful for. There was no reason for me to leave this world so soon when I was blessed with so much.

I am very hard-headed and I knew that a treatment center or therapist was not going to help. I am very goal-oriented, so I made it a goal to compete within one year. Deep down, I didn’t think it was possible, but it was something to work toward. The first two or three weeks were SO hard. I had to give up control, cut back the cardio and add a ton of food – and I hated it all.

After about two weeks, however, I started feeling human again. I was more alert, not so fatigued, and I started to feel emotions. I had been living in a black hole for so long, I forgot what happiness, love, or basically any emotion was. After that, I was all in. I actually forgot about the goal of competing for a while and was more interested in getting my life back.

By early January 2015, I had gained quite a bit of weight and was close to 120. At this point, I revisited the idea of competing. Although it scared me, I knew I had to do it. So I signed up for my first bikini show in March. I ended up taking the state for the first time in the beginning of March, and I literally made my dream come true.

Up until this point, I was very quiet about my progress and transformation. I basically wanted to forget the last 10 years ever happened and move on. A good friend of mine who knew the situation said I should consider sharing my struggle as I may be able to help someone. This prompted my first post on Facebook, basically admitting to the world what I went through. I was so incredibly scared, but the feedback I received was incredible. Since then, I have been very open with my struggles and I feel like I have been able to help and reach out to quite a few people.

Since my first show, I’ve competed in three other bikini shows and am now part of two competition teams. I put on a total of 55 pounds since last year. I’m still trying to add some muscle this winter, so I’m taking a small break from the bikini shows and venturing into powerlifting! I have my first meet in the beginning of February.

While things are going 1,000 times better, I still have my share of struggles. I suffer from OCD, severe anxiety and adjustment disorder, plus I do still struggle a bit with my exercise-addiction issues. However, I know I’m a stronger person and I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life.

My diet was the hardest thing to change. I went from eating very little to close to 6,000 calories! I’m still on a very high-calorie diet and eat between 400-500 grams of carbs a day. It’s a lot for my little body, but I have a fast metabolism and I know if I want to put on muscle I have to eat the amount I am. Another change was that I used to be a cardio queen. I still love cardio and miss doing it as much, but I have fallen in love with heavy lifting and the feeling of strength. Breaking PRs is an incredible feeling!

I can honestly say I would not be here today if it wasn't for my support systems. My family and friends have been amazing and have supported me every step of the way. However, I think the best thing I've gained has been the friends I’ve made in the fitness world. I feel like I’m now part of a wonderful world of people who have the same visions as I do. I’ve made friends on my teams, at shows and in Facebook forums who cheer me on and inspire me every day.

I'm going to continue on my fitness journey and I plan to make plenty of improvements this year and come back with a bigger and better package next year! More importantly, though, I’m going to continue to work on myself as a person. I want to find balance in my life and live a long, healthy and happy life! I still sometimes get down on myself and think negative thoughts. Then I look back to where I was before – sick, on feeding tubes, miserable, unhappy – and I can only thank God that I’m not there anymore. And I NEVER plan on going back. It’s only up from here!

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