How a Canadian cliff diver used empowering messages to help overcome mental health struggle

Several years ago, Molly Carlson enjoyed posting "perfectly captured and edited pictures" to her Instagram account.

Faking, she says, almost a perfect life.

But Carlson developed a binge-eating disorder before Canada's 2016 Olympic diving trials while struggling with anxiety and body dysmorphia disorder, a condition that constantly had her thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in her appearance.

Carlson limited herself to 300 calories a day at least five days a week, threw breakfast prepared by her mother on the floor and ate three almonds for lunch.

WATCH | Molly Carlson shares struggles with anxiety, and overcoming:

Unsuccessful in qualifying for the Summer Games in Rio by two spots, the disappointment revealed Carlson's silent struggle with mental health but led to her seeking help for the disordered eating and prioritizing her well-being.

The Thunder Bay, Ont.-born athlete began studies that fall at Florida State University in Tallahassee, where she worked with diving coach John Proctor, who appreciated the energy Carlson brought to practice and was supportive during her mental health struggles.

"I had a tough high school journey with disordered eating and body image," Carlson told Mariam Kourabi this week at CBC Sports headquarters in Toronto. "I struggled accepting myself as a taller [five-foot-nine] diver.

"John said, 'You're so much more than your body. You're a positive person, and the judges can feel that.'"

WATCH | Carlson races Canadian swimming star Summer McIntosh:

Four years later, Carlson left FSU as one of the most accomplished divers in Atlantic Coast Conference history and only the second Seminole to win ACC meet MVP three times.

"It was a beautiful journey of learning to love myself again," said Carlson, a Montreal resident who transitioned to cliff diving in 2020 and is among the best in the world. "Being able to talk to a coach about mental health, having him realize I have anxiety and respect it. That was the first time I felt supported in that way."

These days, the 26-year-old Carlson posts across multiple social media platforms encouraging people — including those feeling alone in their life journey — to share their stories and speak their truth about mental health advocacy and self-image through #BraveGang, a large online community movement she founded a few years ago.

"I wanted people … to share their own brave stories and be proud of themselves. It's such a safe place where you can be yourself and be supported," she said.