Eleven big names in Australian women’s sport have bravely revealed the incredible toll that disordered eating, fat-shaming, online trolls and backwards coaching trends have had on their lives.
With some avoiding tragic results and others overcoming terrifying health ordeals, they have come together in News Corp’s inaugural edition of INSIGHT to share their experiences in the hope of helping others who may be suffering and inspiring the next generation of sporting talent.
Rugby Sevens phenomenon Teagan Levi opens up on the horrific abuse which led her down a dangerous health path.
“One day I was just driving in the car and I got this no caller ID call. It was these girls telling me my body image isn’t normal, that I’m fat, ugly and I look like a man,” she told INSIGHT.
“Jealousy is a curse and obviously there was something going on in their lives that they had to put other people down.”
Paralympic hero Ellie Cole recalls the looks and glares she would receive from others as she walked down a street with her “robot leg”.
While she was proud of her disability it was what happened after joining AIS that sparked Cole’s downward spiral.
“The first week I got there (AIS), my skinfold number was something like 117. Our dietitian said it needed to be below 100.
“I started skipping meals entirely and my health really started to suffer, but because I was losing weight I kept pushing through. Before I knew it, I had developed a mild eating disorder.”
Disordered eating is rife in women’s sport, according to Alicia Edge who works with the Matildas and Football Australia’s emerging female talent.
Skin fold tests she says are of no use to athletes and only perpetrate the issue calorie counting and weight obsession.
While the culture of disordered eating within football is not perfect, Edge lifts the lid on how bad it has been and the work she and others are doing to combat it.
“I was really shocked at the state of football – and this isn’t just the Matildas – of where it was at. It had some really big body image and disordered eating behaviours across it.
“The more I speak to coaches and support staff, it’s even more important to work through their assumptions around food and body because if we’re going to change a culture, we need to change the environment they’re in.”
Also featured in the first edition of INSIGHT SPORT:
Guest editor Libby Trickett shares her experiences with the “shame spiral” and getting skinfold tests on pool deck in front of everyone. The disordered eating she experienced and why things have to change across the board.
The work that must be done to bring an end to athlete intimidation and creating a safe space for everyone.
AFLW star Sarah Perkins and the fat-shaming abuse she received while she was mourning the death of her father.
Suns AFLW star Ellie Hampson and the lethal combination of thin = success.
Swim star Lani Pallister and her mum discuss the realities of living with disordered eating and how as a mum she missed some tell-tale signs.
Boxing sensation Kate McLaren about her previous life in the fashion world and the pressure to be thin.
How discovering boxing was both a blessing and a curse as starting to take the contraceptive pill resulted in a “phantom pregnancy” and almost destroyed her.
Firebirds captain Kim Ravallion discusses her muscular appearance and the rejection that made her fall in love with weight training.
And cricket legend Sarah Coyte on what a battle with anorexia did to her in her mid20s and how she fought back.
All of their incredible stories will be shared from February 15, 2023 at InsightSport.com.au
