How many biscuits can you eat in one sitting for supper? 20-year-old Fion broke the Internet with a video of her wolfing down an entire pack of Hup Seng biscuits alone in one go.
While many were amazed at her feat, little did they know that this seemingly voracious eater once battled anorexia, dwindling to just skin and bones.
In this exclusive interview with WeirdKaya, Fion shares how hurtful comments and taunts from her peers made her walk down the dark path of anorexia, which almost killed her.
Descent into anorexia
Fion’s story begins in the bustling city of Johor Bahru, where she grew up with dreams and aspirations like any other child.
Her passion for Latin dance, which she pursued from the age of 6 to 12, offered a glimpse into her spirited and vibrant personality.
However, that bright personality began to take a darker turn during her years at an international school, where the seeds of anorexia were first sown in her.
During health check-ups at school, my body weight would be read out loud and this invited constant verbal bullying, which led me to develop a harmful perception of my own body.
All my friends weighed only 30kg+ but mine started with a 4. I began to wonder if I had overeaten and deeply hated myself for it despite not being obsessed with my body weight,” she said.
The anxiety, compounded by the bullying she endured from her peers over her weight, quickly turned into a toxic mix which led Fion down the destructive path paved with restrictive eating habits and struggles with her body image.
Nothing but skin and bones
What started out as a quest for a ‘perfect’ body quickly spiralled into a life-threatening obsession. Over time, school counsellors noticed Fion’s increasing isolation and refusal to eat, but their attempts to intervene had little effect.
When Fion reached the age of 15-16 in 2019, her condition worsened, leading her to take an indefinite break from school.
The vibrant girl who once enjoyed hearty meals now faced her reflection in the mirror with disdain, deeply convinced that she was ugly and overweight.
I became hypersensitive, unstable, and often got angry. My family was constantly walking on eggshells as they were afraid of setting me off with the words they said.
Fion’s condition was also masked by the family’s initial assumption that she was suffering from depression. But it wasn’t until she visited a doctor was the real severity of her anorexia was revealed.
She didn’t want to admit it even though she had confirmed her disorder after searching my symptoms online. As such, her family could do nothing but encourage her to eat and drink more.
I also experienced periods of absolutely refusing to eat, causing my weight to plummet to a mere 22kg at a height of over 150cm,” she said.
With time, Fion’s world gradually narrowed down to a constant, overwhelming focus on food and weight, a typical symptom of eating disorders like anorexia.
I meticulously removed every drop of oil from the food I bought and obsessively counted the calories for every food item I saw in the supermarket.
Many assume that people with eating disorders typically hate the sight of food and just want to stay away from it, but it’s the total opposite in reality.
I spent much of my time being engrossed in food videos online. All my brain could think of was about food.
“Yet, I was acutely sensitive to my weight and my body became so frail that I would often sustain bruises due to a lack of body fat.
My skin grew dry, my bones became fragile, and my hair continuously fell out,” she said.
Road to recovery
It wasn’t until a brush with death and subsequent hospitalization during the MCO that the gravity of Fion’s condition became apparent.
The doctor insisted that I needed to be admitted to the hospital even though the wards were full due to Covid-19. I tried to cry my way out but it didn’t work.
“Eventually, the doctor’s relentless ‘threats’ and the thought of me not surviving after graduating at the age of 17 was what made me reconsider my decision not to be hospitalised.”
With the help of psychiatrists, dietitians, medication, and a structured meal plan, Fion slowly began to recover and finally had her first ‘breakthrough’ when she experienced her menstrual cycle after two years in 2021.
I burst into tears when I finally had my period,” she recalled.
However, the journey was far from easy, and Fion faced a setback a year later.
I fell into mild depression due to loneliness and a renewed disinterest in eating, which led to a fainting episode in a restroom.
Her academic life at SEGI was also challenging as there was only one student per intake, leading to classes and exams being conducted at home.
This lack of social interaction further diminished my desire to eat, compelling me to return to Johor Bahru for traditional Chinese medicine and the nurturing care of my family,” she said.
In 2023, things began looking up for Fion with her enrollment at UTAR’s Kampar campus, where she was able to build more social connections.
I actively participated in various activities, including the lion dance club, which helped me make friends and feel more connected.
After half a year, she was forced to drop out of UTAR due to financial difficulties. When she landed a job at a small company which only had three people, it helped her grow and become more mature, shifting her mindset towards a more positive and resilient outlook.
Becoming “Miss Hup Seng”
In the middle of last year, Fion unexpectedly rose to fame on TikTok after a clip of her devouring a packet of Hup Seng biscuits in one sitting went viral.
Watch it here:
For her, the viral clip not only brought her joy and astonishment but also reconnected her with some people from her past.
Some thought Hup Seng had played a part in my recovery from anorexia, but that wasn’t the case at all.
“For me, creating and editing videos is just a hobby, not a deliberate attempt to eat excessively or gain online attention. In fact, I don’t plan on becoming an influencer or Mukbang content creator,” she insisted.
Her regular diet, which includes feats like eating an entire Gardenia loaf by herself, reflects her natural appetite rather than a forced endeavour.
Embracing the title of a food enthusiast, she no longer fears the label and instead takes pleasure in it.
I checked with my doctor whether my eating habits were problematic but my blood sugar and blood pressure levels turned out to be normal. My doctor said it might be just my physical constitution.
A beacon of hope
Fion’s transformation from a girl battling anorexia to a young woman who celebrates food and life is a powerful narrative of resilience, healing, and self-acceptance.
Reflecting on her journey, Fion expresses regret over her lost youth and the fact that her grandfather could not see her recover after supporting and praying for her.
I wished my grandfather could see me in good condition for a longer time. I was still ill during our last video call in 2021.
Fion’s experience offers valuable insights for those dealing with eating disorders and their families.
In her embrace of a healthier, happier life, she stands as a beacon of hope for many who struggle with similar challenges, showing that recovery is not only possible but can open the door to a new, empowering chapter in life. Just like what she kept emphasising,
Life is short, embrace the brevity of life by living in the moment and being your most authentic self.
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