England rugby star Ellie Kildunne has spoken out about her struggles with body dysmorphia, which began during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. Despite being a key player in England's Rugby World Cup victory, scoring five tries, including a notable solo effort in the final against Canada, Kildunne revealed that she felt isolated after the tournament.
She has now discussed her experiences with unhealthy weight loss and the eating disorder she developed during the pandemic, when she was unable to play competitive rugby. Kildunne explained that she would see herself as bigger in the mirror, even when she had lost weight, and that this distorted perception led to a terrible relationship with food. She credits a physio session at her former club, Wasps, with helping her to address the issue, and now feels in control and able to speak openly about her struggles. Kildunne hopes to use her platform to help others who may be going through similar experiences, and to show that even successful athletes can face challenges and imperfections.