Esther Ro rolls out her quads to prepare for her workout at the Stimulus gym that specializes in physique style training.
Just two years ago, after earning several specific category first places at the NPC Mother Lode competition, Ro found herself sitting beside her toilet on the verge of throwing up due to binge eating.
After having a strict diet for weeks in preparation for the competition she became more sensitive to urges and triggers to overeat which have been present with her since childhood.
As a woman of God she hopes that her story will be used to empower those who share the same struggle.
“Through this experience I am trusting that God is allowing me to go through this to one day help other people through it too,” Ro said.
Early on in her athletic career, her relationship with food involved binge eating tendencies. She started competing at an early age in gymnastics but also faced the demons of binge eating then.
Her story has many other chapters though, with Ro always striving for excellence in her studies and in the workplace as well.
The 22-year-old is finishing her MBA with an emphasis in finance at the University of Nevada, Reno. She currently works from home as a trade development analyst for Breakthru Beverage Group, a distributor of luxury and premium wine, spirits and beer brands.
She still manages to go to the gym at least three days a week. Her faith and love for bodybuilding is still unwavering, and she is proud of the progress she has made with her eating disorder.
Reporting by Aaron Arao shared with Our Town Reno