Episode description:

World-renowned athlete Jessie Diggins joins Peace Meal to share her personal eating disorder recovery story. She reflects on struggling with bulimia as a teenager and how treatment helped her find healing, resilience, and long-term success in elite athletics.

In this episode, Jessie speaks candidly about the pressures of competitive sports, the role control played in her eating disorder, and how treatment helped her build healthier coping skills that supported both her recovery and her athletic career.

Episode show notes:

Jessie Diggins grew up in Minnesota, where skiing was part of everyday life. From an early age, she traveled with her parents on ski trips and quickly became immersed in competitive athletics. That path eventually led her to the high school ski team.

Although Jessie was surrounded by encouragement from her family, coaches, and peers, she describes how pressure to maintain a lean, high-performing body quietly took hold. Like many elite athletes, she internalized the belief that control over her body was essential to success. This mindset set the stage for disordered eating behaviors.

Shortly after graduating high school, Jessie purged for the first time. She recalls this moment as when she realized something was seriously wrong.

Despite knowing her behavior was harmful, Jessie felt intense embarrassment and fear of being judged. She did not want to tell anyone. This silence is common among athletes struggling with eating disorders, particularly in performance-driven environments where vulnerability can feel risky.

Fortunately, Jessie’s parents noticed changes in her behavior and stepped in. Their support led her to seek treatment at The Emily Program, which became a turning point in her recovery.

During treatment, Jessie came to understand that her eating disorder was not really about food. It was about control.

Through structured care, she developed healthier emotional regulation skills, learned new coping strategies, and rebuilt trust in her body. Jessie describes treatment as the hardest thing she has ever done. It was also the most transformative.

Her recovery did not end her athletic career. It strengthened it.

After completing treatment and continuing her recovery journey, Jessie went on to achieve extraordinary, world-renowned success in competitive cross-country skiing.

Her story challenges a common myth that recovery weakens athletes. Jessie’s experience shows the opposite. Healing made sustained excellence possible.

Following her professional success, Jessie made a deliberate choice to use her platform to raise awareness about eating disorders in athletes and beyond. She partnered with The Emily Program to encourage others to seek help and to remind those struggling that recovery is possible.

Jessie closes the episode by answering listener questions and sharing what lies ahead in her advocacy and athletic journey.

You can find Jessie Diggins here and learn more about The Emily Program online or by calling 1-888-364-5977.

About the podcast:

Peace Meal is a podcast hosted by The Emily Program that covers topics related to eating disorders, body image, and how society may influence our thinking.

You can find Peace Meal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Music. If you enjoy our show, please rate, review, subscribe, and tell your friends!

Are you interested in being a guest on Peace Meal? Email [email protected] for more information.