World Cup Star Ellie Kildunne Breaks Silence on Recovery

World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne wants you to know that even champions struggle, and that speaking up changed everything for her.

The 26-year-old England rugby star scored five tries during the Red Roses' triumphant World Cup campaign last year, including a stunning solo effort in front of 82,000 fans in the final. But behind the success, Kildunne was battling something far more difficult than any opponent on the field.

During the coronavirus lockdown, Kildunne fell into disordered eating and unhealthy weight loss. Without her team environment and clear athletic goals, she tried to find control through restricting food and excessive running.

"I could probably see myself getting a little bit smaller, but then was still trying to chase being smaller on top of that," Kildunne told BBC Sport. She describes how body dysmorphia distorted her self-image, making her see something in the mirror that didn't match reality.

The consequences showed up quickly when organized rugby resumed. Kildunne suffered a stress fracture in her knee from lack of muscle mass and experienced involuntary tremors in the gym because she had no energy to fuel her body.

Everything changed when physiotherapist Emily Ross asked one extra question during a routine session at Wasps rugby club. After the physical assessment, Ross simply asked if Kildunne was OK in other areas of her life.

"I broke down in tears, probably because I'd been waiting for someone to say that," Kildunne recalled. "As soon as you say something out loud to somebody, that creates accountability."

Kildunne was later diagnosed with ADHD at the start of 2025, which helped her understand why she sometimes fails to prioritize eating. She now works with team nutritionists and takes proactive steps to maintain a healthy relationship with food.

Why This Inspires

Kildunne's courage to share her story publicly creates a lifeline for others struggling in silence. By speaking openly about body dysmorphia and disordered eating in elite sports, she's helping break down the stigma that keeps people from asking for help.

Her message is clear: recovery is possible, and sometimes all it takes is one person caring enough to ask the right question. Fellow England teammate Sarah Bern says she's "totally blown away" by Kildunne's openness.

Athletes are often seen as invincible, but Kildunne's honesty reminds us that vulnerability takes real strength.