The 2022 winner of the Rachael Bland New Podcast Award explores the physical and psychological impacts of eating disorders in a brand new, nine-part BBC 5 Live podcast.
The Weigh Up: The Eating Disorder Diaries is the brainchild of 19-year-old York University student Molly Smith who is recovering from anorexia, a condition she was diagnosed with at just 14. Eating disorders affect around 1.25 million people in the UK, according to data from Beat Eating Disorders.
Smith said: “At the time, anorexia was my best friend. It was the only thing I could rely on in life and it gave me so much happiness at the beginning. It did make me happy, I was losing weight. I felt like I looked prettier. People would say nicer things to me. It was my best friend, and it became toxic. When people challenged it, that’s when it became harder to deal with.”
“It ruled every moment of my life but with a lot of help and support I was able to break free. I’m the proof that recovery is possible.”
The weekly episodes, which were developed as part of Smith’s prize for winning last year’s Rachel Bland Award, follow Smith as she talks to psychologists and experts about anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders, hears her parent’s experience of caring for someone with anorexia, and speaks to former Love Island star Dr Alex George and eating disorder charity BEAT, about the media’s portrayal of the illnesses.
The Rachael Bland New Podcast Award was launched in January 2019 in honour of the BBC Radio 5 Live newsreader and presenter who died in September 2018 from breast cancer. Rachael was the creator of You, Me And The Big C, the award-winning podcast which won praise for tackling the subject of cancer in an original and unsentimental way.
BBC Radio 5 Live commissioner Dylan Haskins, said: “BBC Radio 5 Live launched the award in memory of Rachael to find new voices who shared her famous frank and fearless approach to shedding light on important topics.
“The Weigh Up is an eye-opening series that breaks down common misconceptions around eating disorders. We hope this podcast will educate and support people just like Rachael’s work did.”
The Weigh Up: The Eating Disorder Diaries launches on BBC Sounds on Wednesday, March 1, with new episodes available weekly.
