
It was in the news just recently. Ben King, an American professional cyclist, revealed his experience and survival from bulimia. Nobody knew that Ben, a rider for Dimension Data, had suffered from an eating disorder when he was younger. There were no traces in him that would make you think that he had a mental health issue. But he has endured it, and lucky for him, he is living proof that any type of eating disorder, however difficult it is to overcome, can be battled with and won.
Inhabiting a fat body is seen as a moral failing, evidence of being a sub-par human being. — Alexis Conason Psy.D.
Ben King and his Bulimia

At such a young age, Ben has been competing across continents. He wanted to be fast, and in his mind, to be swift, he had to be “light” – meaning he had to lose weight without having to lessen his food intake. Ben would do everything in excess. He would ride his bike in the morning, do strength training and weights for lunch, run and do track sometime in the afternoon, and then go home. While at home, there is no rest or relaxation time. He would juggle with his homework and then squeeze in swimming sessions. The only time he would rest is at night when he sleeps, and presumably, he doesn’t sleep that much.
He didn’t understand why his life turned out to be too “busy,” and he hated the fact that he couldn’t “control” it. After one of his nightly swim exercises and with a chaotic mind, he stopped on the roadside and vomited. The feeling it brought made Ben feel satisfied, and that was the start of his bulimia.
Our first exposure to the social aspects of eating is in the family, so it’s not surprising that certain factors in the family are tied to the development of anorexia. — Tom Wooldridge, PsyD, ABPP, CEDS
Bahne Rabe and his Anorexia

One of the most famous rowers in the entire world is Olympic gold medalist Bahne Rabe. Bahne is from Germany, and in total, he had two Olympic medals in Rowing – eight men in a group. Being able to join the Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Only a select few are given the chance to be an Olympic delegate but because of his uncanny skills, Bahne competed in Rowing twice (1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona). They brought home the victory, a gold, and a bronze medal, respectively.
By age 29, Bahne retired from his Rowing career. Actually, he had to retire because it was discovered that Bahne was suffering from a lung problem. He didn’t take it well, and it added to his eating disorder issue. Life after competition and sports took a toll on his physical and mental health. Bahne wouldn’t eat at all. He succumbs to anorexia and loses too much weight.
What happened to Ben and Bahne?
These two individuals are both athletes and men, for that matter. It is unlikely for men to suffer from anorexia or bulimia since women are more prone to these eating disorders. They are athletes even, and as professional sports players, they are supposed to be equipped with how to handle the pressures, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and understand work-life balance. Apparently, they were damaged by their disorders, which brought about serious consequences.
Bahne died in 2001 after battling with anorexia for years. His lung condition developed into pneumonia, and, of course, his eating disorder made him extremely malnourished. It worsened his physical state. These two conditions combined led to his premature passing.
Ben has lived to tell the tale. He is very vocal about bulimia and how to seek treatment or help for it. The cyclist told people that his FAITH revived his will to live and that he forced himself to ask for assistance. Ben also resorted to proper nutrition, and that also facilitated his treatment of the eating disorder.
Find a professional who can guide you through this journey, someone who specializes in eating disorder treatment, intuitive eating or chronic health issues. — Danielle Swimm LCPC
Call for Help on Eating Disorders
If you have anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating problems, or if you suspect your loved one to be suffering from it, don’t go silent. Take the initiative and call for help. There is no shame in seeking counseling and therapy. Eating disorders can end a life – it is dead serious.
Now, if you want discreet consultations, you can opt for anonymous chat sessions at BetterHelp. They have trained experts in assisting people with eating disorders in a non-judgmental environment. If there are people who want to see you survive this ordeal, they are the ones who will want you to heal and live.