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 last year, revealed that she developed an unhealthy relationship with food and struggled with her body image after being unable to play competitive rugby. Despite her success on the field, including scoring five tries in the World Cup, Kildunne felt "really alone" and struggled with her weight and self-perception. She has since sought help and now feels "in control" of her body and mental health.
Kildunne hopes that by sharing her story, she can help others who may be struggling with similar issues and show that even successful athletes can face challenges with their mental health.