She felt uncomfortable when she looked at her reflection, and soon found herself dealing with an eating disorder.

Her struggle with bulimia came when she was 18, but Ms van Someren Boyd, now 27, said the battle changed her perceptions of body image forever.

She is taking her experience on another journey one that she hopes will encourage other young women and men to ``love themselves for who they are''.

Ms van Someren Boyd will ride her recumbent trike from Sydney to Perth next month in support of the Butterfly Foundation, which is dedicated to changing the culture, policy and practice in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.

``I remember feeling very depressed, I wouldn't talk to anyone, I was miserable,'' Ms van Someren Boyd said. ``I want to help others in similar situations.''

``I'm doing the whole trip on my own but a few friends will ride part of the way with me. All I have to do is pedal.''

The 6000-kilometre coastal trip is expected to take about six months. Ms van Someren Boyd hopes to raise $2 million for the foundation.

Details: everydayhero.com.au