Rugby Star: Borderline Personality Disorder Is My Superpower

Wales rugby star Donna Rose charges through opponents on the pitch with the same determination she uses to face her toughest challenge off it.

The 35-year-old tighthead prop has represented Wales 42 times and won two Premiership titles with Saracens, all while managing borderline personality disorder. She was diagnosed with BPD at age 21 after years of feeling different but not understanding why.

"If I feel something, I feel it twice as much as someone else," Rose told BBC Sport. She describes living with severe self-doubt and a "devil" on her shoulder telling her she's not good enough.

Growing up in the traveller community, Rose struggled to concentrate at school and was often labeled as just "naughty." Her mental health deteriorated until she joined a crisis team that finally gave her answers.

After her diagnosis, Rose researched BPD and learned to identify her triggers. She takes daily medication but calls rugby her true "medicine."

The sport gives her an outlet for stored-up adrenaline and energy. When she's exhausted from training, the negative voice quiets down too.

Rose didn't start playing rugby until later in life, making her international debut in 2021. But she's turned what some might see as a disadvantage into her greatest strength on the field.

"I say it's my superpower," Rose explained. She channels the intensity that comes with BPD into powerful runs through defensive lines.

The changing room can be challenging with 30-plus people creating noise and stimulation. Her teammates at Saracens and Wales understand when she needs five minutes alone or when she needs support.

Rose welcomed daughter Margot 18 months ago, adding another powerful reason to manage her condition well. Coming home to her daughter's smile can instantly shift even her worst days.

Why This Inspires

Rose's openness about her mental health journey breaks down stigma in professional sports. By sharing her story, she's showing others with BPD that they're not alone and not defined by their diagnosis.

She doesn't say she "suffers from" BPD but rather that she "lives with" it. That simple shift in language reflects her empowered approach to mental health.

Her message is clear: a mental health disorder isn't a full stop. Rose has competed at two World Cups, won championships, and become a mother while managing her condition every single day.

"I want to show everyone that even if you have a mental health disorder, you can push to thrive to be who you want to be."