Co-production - Elena's experience

Our expert by experience - Elena - shares why she took part in co-production for the Empowering Recovery research project and what it meant to her.

What is your experience of eating disorders? What motivated you to become an expert by experience?

I’ve been in recovery from anorexia for over three years now, but the roots of it trace back much further. I was always the high-achieving, perfectionist type, the straight-A student, the girl who wanted to be the best at everything, even if it meant burning out. At first, my eating disorder (ED) felt like a coping mechanism for the pressure. But it quickly took over. I reached a point where I had to choose recovery, not because I was ready, but because I couldn’t keep living the way I was.

Recovery, though brutal, has changed my life. I still struggle with certain aspects of it, and it is a daily battle between my voice and my ED voice, but I’m learning to accept those parts of me with compassion. Through sharing my journey on my blog and podcast, I’ve connected with people who get it. It’s given me purpose: to speak for those who still feel voiceless, to support carers and sufferers alike, and to push for systems that offer real help. My mum, my biggest supporter, and I have raised over £1,300 for Beat so far through TwoGether campaigns, and so becoming an Expert by Experience felt like a natural step – not just to share, but to co-create change.

On top of that, what motivated me to become an Expert by Experience was the loneliness of it all. I never want anyone to feel like they’re navigating this in silence. Sharing my story, whether through my podcast, blog, or campaigns, became a way to reclaim my voice and connect with others who might still be in the thick of it.

What does co-production mean to you?

To me, co-production means being given a seat at the table, not just as a token voice, but as someone whose lived experience genuinely shapes the conversation. It’s about building recovery-focused tools and support with the people who’ve been through it, not just for them. It’s mutual respect, collaboration, and knowing that your insights are just as valuable as clinical expertise.

What do you enjoy about being an expert by experience?

I love being part of something that truly makes a difference. It’s healing in itself to take something that once made you feel powerless and turn it into purpose. I’ve met the most passionate, empathetic people through this work, and it’s helped me grow not just as someone in recovery, but as a communicator and advocate, which has also aided me in what I post online through my blog and podcast about EDs and recovery.

Could you tell us about your experience on the Empowering Recovery project? (i.e. about the project, your contributions, the outputs.

Being part of the Empowering Recovery project has been one of the most meaningful things I’ve done in my recovery (and career) so far. As someone who spent a long time lost in the world of ED-related social media, both knowingly and unknowingly, it felt incredibly powerful to use that same space for good. Our focus as a panel was co-producing social media content that could truly make a difference: content that would speak to people in recovery, as well as to influencers and creators who shape the online space. It wasn’t just about telling people to “get help”, it was about meeting them where they are, using language and visuals that feel familiar but challenge harmful norms.

Since I work in social media and digital marketing professionally, I found myself bringing the most experience in that area to the group. That gave me a bit of a leadership role, which felt both exciting and grounding. It was so important for me to be able to contribute my expertise beyond the day-to-day world of branded content and aesthetic campaigns. Instead of creating polished carousels or marketing materials for clients, I was using my skills for something that genuinely matters – helping people feel seen, supported, and safer online.

What I loved most was the collaborative nature of it all: working alongside other experts by experience, each with their own unique journey, as well as Beat’s team who truly valued our input. We weren’t just consulted; we were heard. I contributed ideas for post formats, messaging, tone of voice, and how to keep the content authentic yet accessible – especially knowing how Gen-Z consumes this kind of media. It felt empowering to know that our lived experiences could shape something that might interrupt someone’s scroll in the best possible way, offering a nudge toward healing instead of a spiral into comparison.

It’s been hopeful, healing, and incredibly validating to be part of something that turns pain into purpose.

What advice would you give someone who wants to become an expert by experience?

Start by honouring your story… all of it. You don’t need to be fully “recovered” or have the perfect words to contribute. What matters is your willingness to share, reflect, and help others feel less alone. Your voice matters. And more than that: your insight can help create real, systemic change. Don’t underestimate the power of lived experience.