England rugby player Ellie Kildunne has spoken out about her personal struggle with body dysmorphia, which began during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. Despite her success on the field, including scoring five tries in England's Rugby World Cup win, Kildunne has revealed that she felt isolated and alone after the tournament. She has now spoken about her experiences with unhealthy weight loss and an eating disorder that developed during the pandemic, when she was unable to play competitive rugby. Kildunne has said that she had a distorted view of her body and would often see herself as bigger than she actually was.
She has credited a physio session at her former club, Wasps, with helping her to confront her issues and seek support. With the help of lead physiotherapist Emily Ross, Kildunne has been able to address her problems and is now feeling more in control. She hopes that by speaking out, she can help others who may be struggling with similar issues and show that even successful athletes can face personal challenges.
Kildunne's story highlights the importance of seeking help and support when struggling with mental health issues, and the positive impact that talking openly about these issues can have.