TORONTO — One year into a blissful marriage with Justin Trudeau, Sophie Gregoire says she has "happy syndrome" - but life wasn't always picture perfect for the pretty entertainment correspondent.

In an interview to be published Monday in Chatelaine magazine, Gregoire admits that her work with Montreal-based BACA Eating Disorders Clinic is fuelled by an intensely personal connection.

"I came from an environment where there were a lot of young girls suffering from eating disorders," she told the magazine.

"And yes, when I was a young teenager I suffered from an eating disorder, too."

Gregoire says trying to please everyone around her, peer pressure and the media's obsession with beauty are what contributed to her bulimia.

It never got to the point of emaciation, although it lasted from age 17 to 21 - and Christine Julien, Gregoire's best friend since kindergarten, said she could tell what was going on.

"I guess Sophie felt she had to be as intelligent as her dad and as beautiful as her mother," Julien said.

"She always wanted to impress, which put a lot on her shoulders. She was too hard on herself."

Eventually Gregoire revealed her illness to her parents, who sent her to a therapist for treatment.

Today, "I have 'happy syndrome,"' she says.

"I believe in goodwill and that people are born good."

Gregoire is busy and happily channelling that positive energy into carving out ever-expanding niches for herself.

After bouncing from various PR jobs, she is now the Quebec correspondent for CTV's entertainment show eTalk Daily.

"Eating disorders are not something you get out in the blink of an eye," she says.

"It's something that's deeply rooted in you, and you can't get out of it alone. It has nothing to do with education level or social background. It hits everywhere."