Linn Strömberg, a 23-year-old from Kalmar, Sweden, has opened up about her powerful and painful battle with anorexia — a struggle that nearly cost her life before weightlifting helped her find a path to recovery.
What started as a simple intention to lose a small amount of weight gradually turned into a dangerous fixation. Although she was at a healthy weight in 2011, Linn began restricting her food intake and increasing her exercise, convinced she could control her body through discipline and limitation. Over time, that control spiraled into obsession. Her weight dropped dramatically to just 5 stone 10 pounds, placing her in a life-threatening condition.
At her lowest point, Linn was consuming only about 400 calories per day. She meticulously weighed everything she ate — even lettuce — determined to eat as little as possible. Watching her rapid physical decline was devastating for her loved ones. Family and friends often broke down in tears as they witnessed her body becoming increasingly frail.
The physical toll was severe. Linn became so weak that jogging was no longer possible, and even walking required immense effort. She constantly felt cold, no matter how many layers she wore, and her hair began to fall out. Alongside the physical symptoms came intense psychological struggles: panic attacks, irregular menstrual cycles, and overwhelming anxiety dominated her everyday life.
Looking back, Linn has described the fear of living in a body that felt like it was shutting down. She recalls hearing her heartbeat and worrying it might stop at any moment. Despite that fear, the illness continued to push her deeper into destructive patterns. “More than a year of my life was lost to constant anxiety,” she later reflected, highlighting how severely anorexia can distort thoughts and perceptions.
Her turning point came in 2013, when relatives she hadn’t seen in some time were shocked and brought to tears by her appearance. With the unwavering support of her mother and her boyfriend, Timmy, Linn began the long and difficult journey toward recovery. Step by step, she worked on rebuilding her nutrition, restoring her strength, and reshaping her mindset.
A major breakthrough happened when she was introduced to weight training. Encouraged by Timmy, she decided to try lifting weights. For the first time, her focus shifted — not toward making herself smaller, but toward becoming stronger. Today, Linn trains five to six times a week. She avoids cardio because it reminds her of the unhealthy habits she once had, and she now follows a balanced, nourishing diet.
As she often says, “You can’t build muscle if you don’t fuel your body properly.” Her journey stands as a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, and that strength — both physical and mental — can grow from even the darkest struggles.