Melinda Hutchings
Melinda Hutchings is an author, mentor and inspirational speaker who inspires readers and audiences with her courageous story of turning her life around.
She is the author of three books about eating issues which have helped thousands of people understand the dynamics of eating disorders from the early warning signs and onset through to the recovery process and beyond. Having lost her teenage years to anorexia, Melinda is passionate about promoting positive body image and the dangers of dieting, as well as empowering her readers to trust the voice that speaks from their heart to create a happy and fulfilling life.
Melinda’s third book Why Can’t I Look the Way I Want; Overcoming Eating Issues was published by Allen & Unwin last year, and took recovery one step further by showing examples of people who had successfully rebuilt their lives post- recovery. Melinda interviewed 17 teenagers and young adults who had all battled an eating disorder, from male anorexia to bulimia and binge eating disorder. Her book gives a comprehensive account of the struggle, turning points, the recovery process, including lapses and relapses, and the eventual triumph over the eating disorder to show how recovery is possible. The book also details how the interviewees healed and moved forward to become happy, confident and successful. One of the girls Melinda interviewed was hospitalised more than 50 times over ten years, but with persistence and determination, made a full recovery and is now studying medicine.
Melinda says “By showing real life examples of people who have moved forward and are doing what they’ve always wanted in life, I hope to alleviate some of the fear of the unknown and inspire courage, confidence and faith in a positive outcome. I know firsthand that it can feel safer to hang on to the eating disorder because it is familiar and predictable, but I also want people to know how empowering it is to let the eating disorder go and give yourself permission to find the person you knows is inside. It takes time to heal and move forward, but the life you get to create on the other side of recovery is truly amazing because it is the life that is true to your heart. There is nothing more fulfilling than living with personal freedom and the sense that anything is possible. This book is very close to my heart because it took me back to the pain and hopelessness one endures whilst struggling with an eating disorder – and then to the sheer exhilaration of recovery and discovering how amazing life can be on the other side.”
Melinda was a Finalist in Cosmopolitan’s ‘Fun Fearless Female’ 2009 awards in the category ‘Inspirational Role Model’. An experienced speaker, she has presented at several conferences and forums, as well as being profiled extensively in the media, most recently 9AM with David & Kim, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Madison, Sunday Telegraph (Body & Soul), Sun-Herald, Tim Webster 2UE and ABC Radio National.
Melinda is a member of Thought Leaders Central, a community of inspirational experts, and is currently studying at the Life Coach Academy to attain international accreditation as a Professional Coach.
Her fourth book It Will Get Better; Finding Your Way Through Teen Issues will be published by Allen & Unwin in July 2010.
WE HAVE A SIGNED COPY OF THIS FANTASTIC BOOK TO GIVE AWAY!!!
Thank you so much Melinda!
How can you be in the draw to win this fantastic book?
Just visit Melinda’s site and tell us who (what famous person) she quotes on her front page.
YOU CAN SEE MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE AUTHORS WE PROMOTE HERE, including my debut novel ‘Falling’.
http://michellehayward.blogspot.com/p/authors-and-book-give-aways.html –
In May – Our featured Author will be Claire Halliday! Plus there’ll be a signed copy of her book to give away.
