Former ballerina dropped to 36kg told her heart would stop

A former ballerina has described how the pressure to be "lean" led her to develop an eating disorder that nearly ended her life. 

Anais Garcia, from Baltimore, Maryland, told how she starved herself in a desperate bid to please dance teachers who favoured "taller and thinner" students. 

At the height of her sickness, she weighed just 80lbs (36kg) and was told by doctors that if she danced again her heart would stop, the Daily Mail reports. 

Now the 20-year-old is recovering from the illness and is determined to help other dancers struggling with body image and eating disorders. 

Anais, who majored in dance at a performing arts high school, said staff and students placed a "huge emphasis" on body type.  

"You wear skin tight leotards and tights in front of full-length mirrors for hours each day," she said. "I was constantly told to change my body, specifically to develop longer and leaner muscles.

"Many teachers promote the dancers who are thinner and taller and ignore the dancers who are not."

By the time she graduated, Anais was battling a severe eating disorder and was hospitalised during her first year of university.

Her turning point came when she was rushed to the emergency room after collapsing on a photo shoot.    

She said: "I felt really weak and delirious, however, I wasn't scared. I thought I was going to die and I felt at peace knowing that I wouldn't suffer anymore from my eating disorder. 

"It's sad to say but at the time I wouldn't have minded dying. I felt bad that my mum had to see me so sick. This event really woke me up to the reality of my disorder."

Anais pledged to gain weight, saying she was "fueled by her anger, determination and fear".  

She forced herself to meal prep and up her calories each week until she had reached 2000 calories a day.  

She added: "The most important thing I did was rest. My body had a lot to catch up on, so I slept for weeks.

"Slowly but surely my energy began returning and my weight began increasing.

"I only weighed myself at the doctor's office because I refused to be a slave to the scale in my own house considering I use to weigh myself after each meal."

Now she is reclaiming control over her life both mentally and physically.   

She said: "In the past, I would turn down invitations, parties, meals, anything that possibly involved food. 

"Now, I am rediscovering life and it's many benefits. I eat cake once in a while and go out with friends when asked.

"I also recently started my blog to share my story and hopefully help others."

Despite reaching a healthy weight, she admits she has further to go.

She added: "I am heading in the right direction. I am only going to recover as much as my determination allows, and as of now I refuse to die.

"I am on a mission to recover fully and help others one day."

This article was first published on Daily Mail and is republished here with permission.