Jaimi Kenny dead: Radio host Abby Coleman opens up about eating disorder struggles
The heartbreaking struggle of Jaimi Kenny has resonated with Aussies, encouraging one radio host to open up about a “soul-destroying” battle.
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Jaimi Kenny’s tragic death this week has prompted an outpouring of support from sporting stars, celebrities and friends, and inspired Brisbane radio host Abby Coleman to share her own battle.
The oldest daughter of former Olympians Lisa Curry and Grant Kenny died in hospital earlier this week at the age of 33 after a long battle with a long-term illness.
News.com.au understands Jaimi had been in and out of hospital receiving treatment for an eating disorder and alcohol-related illness, while The Saturday Telegraph reported she was left “heartbroken and traumatised” after the death of the love of her life.
RELATED: Jaimi Kenny’s battle with an eating disorder
Jaimi’s private battle has had a profound impact on mourners and led to a number of people to bravely share their story.
Radio host Abby Coleman, from Brisbane’s B105, shared her own heartbreak for Jaimi on air and said she too had struggled with an eating disorder.
“My heart breaks to know someone lost their life through that because there would have been a lot of girls in the clinic that I’ve gone to over the years that just never come out,” Coleman said.
“It’s soul destroying ... I was really bad, but I’ve come through. It’s really hard for people who are experiencing eating disorders and also the people that are caring for them. There’s men and women who have suffered from it.
“To not think that you can come out of it — I didn’t think I’d be here and to be honest, able to eat in a relaxed fashion. I never thought I’d be able to eat something that was on a banned list. I always had issues with it. I was always focused on being thin. I did ballet. I had that pressure growing up and pressure on myself.”
RELATED: Friends, family pay tribute to Jaimi Kenny
Coleman said her eating disorder spiralled out of control when she met a bodybuilder at the age of 18.
“(He) was obsessed with what I was eating. I went out for dinner with him once and he was like, ‘No you don’t want the pasta. Eat the chicken.’”
Her relationship with food took a turn with Coleman dropping to 36kg and suffering some horrific health problems.
“Once I had banned food, I forced myself to throw up and that was a cycle. That was a secret weapon. Then that would be the only food I would consume. I got down to 36kg. My periods had stopped. I had hair on my arms. I had sores on my knuckles from throwing up so much. I would have been maybe around about 19,” she said.
“I remember going to a clinic and I was so devastated because I wasn’t the thinnest. Isn’t that crazy? I would take amphetamines to get (the weight) it down. Everything was just so consuming of it.”
Coleman eventually sought out professional help and began her road to recovery.
“I went to a lot of therapy. This is my thing. If you feel like you can get over it yourself, I would say no. You need professional help. The thing is, the amount of years you let it go, the longer amount of years you need for recovery. I left it for too many years before I permanently found help,” she said.
Now with three kids, a happy marriage and an illustrious career on radio and TV, Coleman said she’s finally at a good place.
“Meeting (my husband) Scott was a saviour too. I’d never had dinner with someone. I remember going to get dinner with him and said ‘I think I should probably tell you that I’m recovering from an eating disorder’. He told me his sister in law is anorexic. It was the first time I was probably open with someone about it. My saviour would be my mum going to a therapist and a self-help group because she didn’t understand it.”
Coleman said she felt the need to speak out after hearing about Jaimi’s death.
“ I want people to know that you can get better. You can honestly find peace with food, and your body and your weight. You can honestly love it,” she said.
Offering her condolences to the Curry-Kenny family who “would be in a world of pain”, she encouraged anyone struggling to reach out to the Butterfly Foundation - Australia’s leading eating disorder charity.
“The Butterfly Foundation, they helped me. They have got a lot of calls at the moment but just leave a message and they will definitely get back to you.”
The Butterfly Foundation estimates more than a million Australians are living with an eating disorder however only a quarter of those reach out for professional help.
Hundreds of people paid tribute to Jaimi this week, including her best friend Millie Thomas.
“My heart is shattered into a million pieces right now - I can’t fathom life without you,” she wrote.
“My days will never ever be the same without your love, your light + your laughter.”
Ms Thomas, who works as an eating disorder recovery coach at End ED on the Sunshine Coast, was incredibly close with Jaimi over the years.
On Jaimi’s 30th birthday, Ms Thomas posted a stunning photo of her friend, praising her for being a fighter who “beat the odds”.
“Together forever Mills xxx,” Jaimi replied.
Ms Curry, Jaimi’s mum, also penned a heartbreaking tribute to her first child.
“Our hearts are completely broken,” she wrote. “Our beautiful daughter Jaimi has lost her battle with a long-term illness and passed away peacefully in hospital yesterday morning with her loving family by her side.
“So loved. So beautiful. So kind to everyone … So painful. I can barely breathe.
“Jaimi will forever be remembered as a caring, bright and loving soul who always put others before herself. Her love of flowers, cooking, art, decorating, photography, babies, the beach, and helping others will always be remembered.
“Our hearts are broken and the pain is unbearable but we cherish every wonderful moment we got to share with our treasured and so loved first child.”
If you or anyone you know need help or support for an eating disorder or concerns about body image, please call Butterfly Foundation National Helpline on 1800 334 673 (ED HOPE).
Originally published as Jaimi Kenny dead: Radio host Abby Coleman opens up about eating disorder struggles