THE Mount Gambier Library will host Limestone Coast author Jenny Marshall this month for the launch of her memoir, Death by Chocolate Cake: My journey through obesity with love.
Ms Marshall has endured more than most could imagine.
Her childhood was marred by years of emotional, psychological, physical and sexual abuse.
Food became Jenny’s only source of comfort, leading her down the road towards morbid obesity.
At age 12, she weighed 132kg.
A target of school and, later, workplace bullying, her weight continued to increase, as did her sense of shame and severe depression.
At her heaviest, Jenny reached 250kg and had begun to suffer serious health issues.
Death by Chocolate Cake documents Jenny’s journey from a place of deep-rooted shame and depression towards a place of self-love and happiness.
Her decision to change her life for the better was instigated by a friend who convinced her that her life mattered, and by her recognition that her obesity was a symptom of her abuse and not a disease.
“My first experience of being loved was the catalyst for my journey of inner healing and overcoming obesity,” Ms Marshall said.
“It motivated me to find the root causes of my obesity and to address them which ultimately led to my transformation and freedom.”
By learning to accept herself and her body, becoming more informed about food, and hiking with her adopted greyhound Dreamy, Jenny lost over 100kg.
She is now an accredited Functional Medicine Health Coach and plans to use her own experiences to help others.
“My hope is that people identify with my story and have the courage to change their life for the better,” Ms Marshall said.
The June 30 event is free and starts at 7pm.
Bookings are required due to limited spaces.
