Matt Klitscher
With its extreme physical challenges and constant strategising, Treasure Island: Fans V Faves is sure to be a rough ride for contestants, but it likely won’t be the hardest thing Anna Thomas has ever faced.
“I struggled with an eating disorder for eight years,” the Auckland personal trainer tells Woman’s Day. “It’s a really silent, isolating disease, with so much shame, but I came out of that and it’s been a massive triumph.”
Anna, 28, doesn’t remember what triggered the disorder.
Overcoming her obstacles has made Anna stronger.
“It’s such a complex thing,” she says. “It evolved and slowly progressed. It wasn’t just one thing [like bulimia or anorexia], but a complete disconnect from healthy eating. Food was my enemy but also my best friend.
“It sounds stupid talking about it now, but it felt like that person wasn’t me. I knew what I was doing wasn’t OK. It was like an addiction of sorts, like alcoholism or drug abuse. And because I travelled lots, was always moving home and I wasn’t around my family, no one knew.”
A turning point came when one of her oldest friends asked her straight up, “Do you have an eating disorder?”
Anna recalls, “I wasn’t expecting it and I was like, ‘Yeah, I do.’ From that day, I sought help and really prioritised getting well. I took time out to work on myself and figure out the root causes. That was five years ago and I’m well out the other side now. I see food as fuel.”
When asked to join Treasure Island, Anna didn’t hesitate to sign up, explaining, “My life’s been a bit too cruisy for a while and I’ve always been one to say yes to difficult things.”
And she has an advantage in that she trained 2021 winner Chris Parker and “puzzle queen” Brynley Stent ahead of their stints on the reality show, later gaining some valuable advice.
“They’re both the nicest human beings and I’m so proud of them,” gushes Anna. “Chris did amazingly, obviously, and Bryn could’ve got even further if she’d been a bit more gutsy, but she has the biggest heart.
Anna with her girlfriend. “I’m going home to a good thing.”
“Chris advised me to stay close to the strongest contestant, remember to always have fun and not to take it so seriously because it can be all-consuming. I have to remember that no matter
when I’m eliminated, I’m going home to a good thing – which is the same thing my girlfriend told me!”
If you’re struggling with your mental health, call or text 1737 at any time to speak to a trained counsellor for free. For help with an eating disorder, call 0800 2EDANZ or visit ed.org.nz. In an emergency, always dial 111.
