Rugby World Cup champion Ellie Kildunne has spoken out about her struggles with body dysmorphia, which began during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. Despite scoring five tries in England's World Cup victory, including a notable solo effort against Canada, Kildunne felt isolated and developed an unhealthy relationship with food, leading to an eating disorder. In an interview with BBC Sport, she discussed how her perception of her body image became distorted, making her feel 'small' in the rugby world but 'big' outside of it. A turning point came when a physiotherapist at her former club, Wasps, expressed concern for her well-being, prompting Kildunne to seek help and eventually find support.
Now, she feels more in control and hopes to use her platform to help others who may be struggling with similar issues, proving that even successful athletes like herself can face personal challenges.