England rugby star Ellie Kildunne has spoken out about her battle with body dysmorphia, which began during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. Despite her impressive performance in the Rugby World Cup, including scoring five tries, Kildunne revealed that she felt isolated and struggled with an unhealthy relationship with food and her body image. In an interview with BBC Sport, Kildunne discussed how the lack of team environment and physio support during the pandemic exacerbated her body dysmorphia, leading to an eating disorder.
She recalled how she would see herself as bigger in the mirror, despite being considered small in the rugby world. Kildunne credited a physio session with lead physiotherapist Emily Ross at her previous club, Wasps, with helping her to confront her issues.
With Ross's support, Kildunne began to address her problems and now feels 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 challenges with body image and mental health.