Why Parrhesia Exists: My Journey, My Truth, and the Reason Behind This Community

The word Parrhesia comes from ancient Greek, combining pan (all) and rhesis (speech). It means to speak freely, openly, and courageously, to share the truth without fear.

Today, I want to share not only the story behind Parrhesia, but the personal journey that brought it to life.

While my professional background tells one part of my story, there is another part that shaped who I am, what I believe in, and why this community needed to exist.

The truth is, I battled anorexia.

Twice.

The first time was when I was 18 years old. At the time, I believed I had overcome it. I thought it was something I had left behind — a difficult chapter that was finally closed.

But years later, at 24, it returned quietly. I didn’t recognize it at first. It didn’t arrive suddenly; it appeared through patterns that slowly became my everyday life. Less food. More exercise. More control. More pressure. Hours at the gym, long walks, and daily runs of 8–10 kilometers, seven days a week.

My body was surviving on almost no fuel, while my mind convinced me I was simply being disciplined.

Until my 25th birthday.

That day became a turning point. I realized something I could no longer ignore: I could not build the life I dreamed of on a body and mind that were fighting just to survive.

If I wanted to pursue my dreams, create meaningful change, and become the person I wanted to be, I first needed to become healthy, strong, and resilient enough to carry those dreams.

So I stopped hiding.

I started listening.

I asked for help.

I opened up to the people who cared about me and allowed myself to be supported. I faced the truth, broke the cycle, and began the journey back to myself.

I won.

Not because I was stronger than everyone else, but because I finally understood something important: asking for help is not a weakness. It is an act of courage.

And that is why Parrhesia was created.

Parrhesia is more than a website. It is a community — a place where people can speak openly about the things they often feel forced to hide. A place without shame, stigma, or judgment. A place where difficult conversations can happen, where people can feel heard, understood, and supported.

So many of us carry parts of ourselves we have buried away. Experiences we are afraid to share. Feelings we believe others will not understand.

But healing begins when we give those parts a voice.

If sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone, then it is worth sharing.

This is only the beginning.

If you have ever struggled, felt unheard, or wished for a safe place to speak your truth, your Parrhesia is here!