England rugby star Ellie Kildunne has spoken out about her battle with body dysmorphia, which began during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. Kildunne, a key player in England's Rugby World Cup victory, revealed that she developed an unhealthy relationship with food and struggled with her body image. Despite her success on the field, including scoring five tries in the World Cup, Kildunne felt isolated and alone, and her mental health suffered as a result. She has now spoken publicly about her struggles, including her experiences with disordered eating and body dysmorphia, in the hopes of helping others who may be going through similar challenges.
Kildunne credits a conversation with a physiotherapist at her former club, Wasps, with helping her to confront her issues and seek support. She says that she now feels more in control and is able to speak openly about her struggles without feeling triggered.
Kildunne hopes that by sharing her story, she can help to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and body image issues, and provide support to others who may be struggling.