England's rugby star Ellie Kildunne has spoken out about her secret battle with body dysmorphia, which began during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. Despite her impressive performance in the Rugby World Cup, scoring five tries, including a notable solo effort in the final against Canada, Kildunne has revealed that she felt isolated after the tournament.
She has now discussed her struggles with body image 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 distortion led to a poor relationship with food. A turning point came when a physiotherapist at her former club, Wasps, asked if she was okay, prompting Kildunne to open up about her issues.
With the support of the physiotherapist, Emily Ross, Kildunne was able to address her problems and is now feeling more in control. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can help others who may be struggling with similar issues and show that even successful athletes like herself can face personal challenges.