Photo: Diana Dulgerian Photography
As founder of Sammy D TV, Sammy Davis uses her TV platform to show women they are more powerful, beautiful and special than they think. But about eight years ago, Davis struggled to see those own characteristics within herself as she was living with an eating disorder.
Some may want to forget completely about a past eating disorder, but Davis is grateful for the experience because it lead to who she is today. EmpowHER had the chance to interview Davis about her past eating disorder and her work today to help women see the beauty within themselves and live more fulfilling lives.
Q: What triggered your eating disorder?
A: At the time, I was a college sophomore in Philly and had gained some weight from drinking and eating late at night my freshman year. I realized it was time to make some changes and I found healthier behaviors like going to the gym more.
My parents filed for divorce in October of my sophomore year and I felt really neglected. It may sound weird, but I wanted to lose weight to get attention. It was a turning point between healthy behaviors and self-destructing ones. At first I was looking healthy and lost weight, but then it turned into how low could I go. My parents’ divorce was out of my control and this was an easy way for me to take control.
Q: What were some habits you had during your eating disorder to keep your weight down?
A: I counted calories and was only eating about 1200 calories a day because that was the most I told myself I could eat. I made it a religious thing to go to the gym every day, and if I didn’t go to the gym, I would feel bad. I never threw up, but I started taking laxatives. There was this comparison to models in magazines. I put up photos in my room and they served as an inspirational photo board. I had food journals where I would write things like “I could eat less,” and would record five calories I ate from a piece of gum.
Q: What was it like at the lowest point of your eating disorder?
A: At my lowest, I weighed 120 pounds at 5’9”. I was freezing all the time and not sleeping well. I could still exercise, but didn’t really have energy. I could barely walk up four flights of stairs to my apartment.
Photo: Wendy Kissinger Photography
Q: How did you get help for your eating disorder?
A: In March of my sophomore year, my parents had an intervention. They sat me down and said they knew what was going on. I flipped out and was sobbing, but the thing is I needed that so bad. Someone gave me the permission to acknowledge that I wasn’t happy and that this wasn’t ok.
Q: How did your eating disorder impact your life?
A: Having an eating disorder was probably the most impactful time in my life. I realized I had the power to let go; it really was a blessing in disguise. To come from such a place of self-pressure and doubt and criticism, it was powerful to know down inside of me that I was more powerful than this false idea of beauty. Our struggles all come with a purpose and make us stronger and more compassionate.
Q: How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle today?
A: If I adopt a behavior that becomes so strict, I don’t feel good. Now it’s all about the 80-20 rule. It’s about eating real food and whole food. If my body wants two bowls of oatmeal, I’m going to eat two bowls of oatmeal. I think to myself I have a strong, healthy 28-year-old body. I know what thoughts are not worth listening to when they come up. It’s important to understand that this whole control thing can apply to different areas of your life.
Photo: Wendy Kissinger Photography
Q: What is Sammy D TV and how do you use it to empower women?
A: Sammy D TV is a platform for reminding women that they are more powerful, beautiful and special than they think. The mantra is really just to encourage people to think positively. When we love ourselves, we can love each other. I want to help women seek progress, not perfection. On my YouTube Channel I interview people in the field of women empowerment and female entrepreneurship. I talk to women who have gotten through their struggles and want to teach others what they learned.
Q: What do you think is important for women to know?
A: Every woman deserves to dress and treat themselves and know that she’s beautiful. When you express your authentic, vulnerable self, you get it off your chest and say that’s not part of me. It allows others to provide their own experiences and open up about it and realize we’re not alone. To stand in your power is to stand in your story and not be ashamed of it. Don’t keep it in because you don’t know who you could help or whose life you could change.
Want to learn more about eating disorders? Join our Twitter #HERchat today at 7 p.m. EST. Sammy Davis will be participating and answering questions about eating disorders!