In the beginning there is fun and lightness. At the age of five, Cora Bögeholz discovered roller skating through her older sister. She likes this mix of endurance, strength and mobility. The girl quickly succeeds.
At the age of ten she wins her first German championship title in the youth field. Soon after, she starts for Germany at the European Championships. Roller skating means everything to her.
Puberty takes its toll on the body
Then she hits puberty. At 14 her body changes, she becomes more womanly. These physical changes are also noticeable in competition.
“Then there were elements and jumps that worked great before, which then no longer worked, which of course is totally demotivating at first. Then, in addition to the physical, there was also the mental. You were no longer so self-confident that I reconsidered a lot . I used to get on the track as a kid, make my boot, and get back off.”
Work on the weight
But now the lightheartedness is gone. There are also severe back problems. The athlete has to take breaks from training several times. Without Cora’s knowledge, a conversation ensues between her trainers and her parents. They are considering whether it wouldn’t make sense if Cora “worked on her weight”.
“There was talk of about five kilos. Because I would then have less mass, I would also have fewer problems with my back, feet and knees, which all hurt so much. But it was never communicated to me properly. I then through the back door – at home, with my mom – then heard sayings like ‘Would you like to eat that now?’ or: ‘But that has a lot of carbohydrates’ or: ‘But that’s very unhealthy’. Which made me feel: I’m too fat. I have to eat less. I weigh too much.”
Positive experiences after weight loss
Soon after, her wisdom teeth are pulled. She is not allowed to eat anything and is losing weight. Suddenly there are compliments from everyone – at school and in training.
“I look good because I’ve lost a bit of weight. My jumps have worked better than before. I noticed: It’s getting me ahead, it’s getting me something – and then I completely changed my diet afterwards, and then I’m there slipped in because I’ve had positive experiences with it.”
Breakfast before school is saved
Cora, who is very perfectionist, sorts out certain foods: she no longer eats sweets; Meat and dairy products will eventually be taboo. She skips breakfast before school and thus saves a meal. She is 15 and barely eats any calories.
“Because I ate less and less and had less and less nutrients, it started with hair loss, that I had total hair loss. I was tired, I was weak. I could no longer concentrate well. I had no more motivation. I At some point I had so little energy that I just wanted to sleep. All I wanted to do was go to bed – and I no longer had any motivation to go to training.”
At the age of 17 only 39 kilos on the scales
The youth is becoming more and more powerless. She is on a shot drive that she can no longer stop. Shortly after her 17th birthday she weighs only 39 kilos. Together with her mother and the trainer, she decides to take a break from roller skating. Cora withdraws, thinks a lot and researches on the net.
“There was a table with facts that could indicate anorexia. And I just have: checklist. Yes, yes, yes. Everywhere yes. I had read a lot and did a lot of research myself, and that’s how I came to the decision : Okay, something’s really wrong.”
The body has to learn to deal with food again
Cora seeks help from a child and adolescent psychologist. She goes to therapy regularly. Despite some setbacks, a lot is developing positively. However, her body has to relearn how to properly handle food. Although Cora moves a lot and eats normally again, she gains over 20 kilos. She no longer feels comfortable in her own skin. But:
“At some point I also understood: I have to get through it now, the body needs its time to recover itself. I didn’t have my period for almost a year and a half. It definitely took a long time for the whole thing to level off again until the weight regulated itself so that I didn’t gain any more weight.”
To help others, Cora makes her story public
Cora has since returned to her normal weight. She continues to eat healthily, but also treats herself to chocolate or a pizza. She has not resumed competitive roller skating.
But with a degree. The topic of “eating disorders in sports”, she has found, is still taboo. To change this, the 19-year-old makes her story public.
“If I can help just one person with my story, then everything is actually achieved.”