Alexa Bliss opens up about her anorexia

It’s always powerful when anyone discusses their personal battles and how they’ve overcome/managed them, but it can be especially impactful when celebrities, athletes and other pop culture figures people look up to share those kinds of stories.

SmackDown Women’s champion Alexa Bliss recently spoke to the Akron Beacon-Journal in her home state of Ohio about her history with anorexia and how she treats the eating disorder.

I had gone through it first in high school. Then when I joined college cheer, we had a very strict workout regimen that we had to follow. And I had just recovered from the first eating disorder. We had to sign in to do cardio, BOD PODs [a measurement of muscle vs. fat in the body], the things athletes should do. But it retriggered everything for me. I went from 120 pounds to 80 pounds in about six weeks.

That was the main reason I left [the University of] Akron. It was after a football game. I was still in my uniform. I told my coach that I needed to go home and get help. I checked into Nationwide Children’s Hospital [in Columbus] and the doctors were amazing and helped me get through it all. It was a tough time but it also made me the person I am today.

Bliss (real name Lexi Kaufman) transfered to Columbus Community College where, as part of her recovery, she began body building. Her success in International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB) competitions are part of what led to her WWE career.

Which, of course, led to a championship and being one of the most buzzed about Superstars on Tuesday nights. Still, Alexa has to remain vigilant about her disease:

It’s not like, “Oh, you’re cured of anorexia.” You’re never healed. You live with it the rest of your life. It’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon.

All the more reason it’s awesome she’s getting her story out there, where people fighting anorexia, and other chronic conditions, can see what’s possible.

And just another reason Alexa Bliss rocks.