Kathie
Trigger Warning / Discussions of Body Dysmorphia & Eating Disorders
“I am worthy of feeling better, worthy of recovery, worthy to be myself even right here, right now.”
Most retirees eagerly await their departure from the workforce and the opportunity to unwind. When Kathie retired, she started her own business and set out on one of the most difficult journeys of her life. At age 60, she made the decision that enough was enough after decades of battling body dysmorphia and an ensuing eating disorder. Now, by listening, learning, and leading with courage and faith, Kathie is navigating her own healing journey and supporting others to do the same as founder of Anchored Collective, a mentoring and coaching organization specializing in grief recovery. Every experience that Kathie has had, positive and negative, have shaped her into the woman she is today—someone she is very proud to be. Meet Kathie. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
K: Hi, I’m Kathie Powell. I wear many hats. I am kind of retired but not, I have a little business called Anchored Collective-Grief Recovery. I am a wife (over 42 years), a mother, a grandmother, a dog mom, a business owner, speaker, singer, volunteer and friend. I love where I am in this life. I love my family, my friends, a good cup of coffee, talking to Jesus, early mornings, dancing, and loving people where they are.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
K: I’m a lot and not in a bad way. I am me, unapologetically, and it has taken me a long time to get here. I am funny, honest, curious, a forever learner, busy, kind, generous and loving. I love with my whole heart. At this point in my life, I am truly curious about people and their stories. At this point in my life, I know I am here to listen more.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
K: My ability to see the potential in others. I love to listen to their hopes and dreams and guide them into listening to who they are. We need to listen to ourselves more. Watching them discover they hold the answer to achieving their own hopes and dreams. I cherish helping others help themselves tap into why they are and who they on the way to becoming who they are meant to be.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
K: There are so many. Some are tragic, some traumatic, some powerful and some beautiful. Each experience has helped define me and made me stronger.
The thing that jumps out to me right now is this recovery journey I am on for an eating disorder. I finally opened up about having an ED at the age of 60. I have also struggled with body image and body dysmorphia for almost 50 years. I carried this secret for too long. I’ve felt such shame and guilt for not being able to fix myself and win over this mental illness by being thin enough, good enough or restrictive enough. This has been one of the hardest, most painful and most honest times of my life. There are days when I want to run from it and go back to pretending it’s not real and hide it. But I can’t and I won’t. I deserve better and I deserve to live in the truth. I have too much living to do to pretend and hide my shame in the dark. I am still in the thick of it.
Learning that recovery of any kind isn’t linear and recovery isn’t about being perfect its about taking steps forward and even if I fall back its okay. I can still get up and move forward again. I am worthy of feeling better, worthy of recovery, worthy to be myself even right here, right now. This isn’t a topic that many people talk about especially at my age so if one person feels seen through my story and seeks the help they need, this is all worth it. Life is precious.
P: What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
K: Don’t lose yourself to fit in. It’s not worth it. You are good enough as you are. I love you and I am so proud of you. Don’t second guess yourself. Trust yourself.
“Fitting in is becoming who you think you need to be in order to be accepted. Belonging is being your authentic self and knowing that no matter what happens you belong to you. “Brené Brown
My darling girl you belong.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
K: First of all, I am humbled to be a woman. Being a woman to me means honouring the power I have been given in this life. To share my power. It means celebrating the women who came before me who blazed the path for the opportunities I was given. To take my turn to lend support and encouragement to those women who come after me so they can do more than I ever could or believed was possible. I know now that anything is possible.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to if they were here right now?
K: May I be so bold to say myself?
That is not to say there hasn’t been many, many inspiring women along my journey and I am so grateful to each one both young and older. I think you know who you are because I know I have told you.
But today, right here and right now, it’s me.
I did the work; I am doing the work. I am continuing to learn and grow. I am present in this process and I am being authentically me without apology. The journey to this moment has been full of ups and downs, miss steps, heartbreak and so much love. I wouldn’t change how I got here because I can’t, all I can do is flourish right here right now knowing what I know and honouring you.
I am proud of who you are becoming. I’m so grateful you let down your guard and opened yourself up to who you really are. I needed to meet her. I love you. You are worthy of this beautiful life you have. Keep loving those close to you, keep listening. Thank you.