Depresh Mode with John Moe Kim-Joy of The Great British Bake-Off
Dec 26, 2022
In this engaging conversation, Kim-Joy, a beloved former Great British Bake-Off contestant and author, shares her journey from childhood struggles with selective mutism and a strained family dynamic to thriving in the baking world. She discusses how supportive relationships bolstered her confidence and led her to the Bake-Off stage. Kim-Joy also explores baking as a therapeutic outlet and its role in her mental health advocacy, along with her upcoming cookbook, 'Bake Me A Cat,' which promises a whimsical twist on baking.
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Chaotic Childhood In Shared Household
- Kim-Joy grew up in Belgium in a household shared with her father's ex-wife and half-siblings, which she describes as unstable.
- She says the family dynamics and her mother's vulnerability shaped much of her childhood experience and mental-health trajectory.
Selective Mutism And Self-Imposed Rules
- Kim-Joy describes becoming selectively mute at secondary school, speaking at home but withdrawing at school and deliberately avoiding attention.
- She developed rigid rules (e.g., minimal gestures, fixed clothing) to remain invisible and avoid scrutiny.
Silence As A Self-Protection Strategy
- Kim-Joy frames her silence as self-protection and identity control that felt like the only viable option at the time.
- She viewed remaining invisible as a strategy to avoid being defined by others until she left that environment.
