Johanna Scoglio's book, "When the Water Still Holds Me: Letters Through the Tides of a Long Term Eating Disorder," is written as a series of personal letters reflecting on her life, illness and healing.
"I start with a letter called 'Dear Daughter' to the child I never had. It really shows what my eating disorder stole from me," said Scoglio, an author and advocate.
Scoglio was diagnosed with an eating disorder at 15 years old. She credits doctors, clinicians and treatment centers -- where she spent many months -- with helping her begin recovery after loved ones intervened.
"I have a whole chapter called 'Dear Loved ones' so for those that have been on this journey for a long time supporting a loved one, you know how to keep showing up for that person," she said.
Water is a central theme in Scoglio's memoir and her recovery process. While she once viewed reaching the shore as her ultimate goal, she came to see strength in staying in the water and continuing the fight.
Now in recovery decades after her diagnosis, Scoglio hopes her story offers encouragement and reassurance to others.
"Like there's a reason you're here. There's a reason you picked up this book for individuals to reflect on some different questions that are themes from that chapter so that they have something to carry with them," she said. "But I firmly believe that I struggled for so long into the depths that I did so that you know I could be on the other side and I could provide that hope for others. Kind of be that beacon of light when they feel like.. you know they don't know that recovery is possible."
Scoglio is scheduled to speak at The National Alliance for Eating Disorders' 2026 NOT ONE MORE: Rally for Recovery on Saturday, April 11, at Cedar Fork District Park in Raleigh. Her book is available for purchase on Amazon.