England rugby star Ellie Kildunne has spoken out about her secret struggle with body dysmorphia, which began during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. Despite her impressive performance in the Rugby World Cup, including scoring five tries in England's winning campaign, Kildunne felt isolated and alone. She has now revealed her unhealthy relationship with food and her battle with an eating disorder that developed during the pandemic.
Kildunne, who recently released her autobiography 'Game Changer', explained how she would see herself as bigger in the mirror, despite being considered small in the rugby world. A turning point came when a physiotherapist at her previous club asked if she was okay, prompting Kildunne to open up about her struggles. With the support of her physiotherapist, Kildunne has begun to take control of her life and is now using her platform to help others who may be going through similar experiences. She hopes to show that even successful athletes like herself can struggle with mental health issues and that nobody is perfect.