In this episode, I'm joined by Rhiannon Linington-Payne – current Welsh International 400m athlete, Head of Competition at Welsh Athletics and National-level hockey player, who highlights her experiences with disordered eating, and how sport played a facilitative role within her recovery. 

At an influential, impressionable age, Rhiannon found herself within a harmful, competitive environment where weight loss was celebrated and disordered, destructive behaviours were normalised… thus triggering her unhealthy habits and mentality towards her food and body.

She discusses the inadequate support she received when she developed the courage to seek support. Disappointingly, weight gain and increasing caloric intake was the primary focus… the mental complications and underlying psychological factors were seemingly ignored.

And despite the years of growth, it’s a continuing battle, where voices and thoughts resurface. I suppose understandably as it was so heavily ingrained for a prolonged period.

However, the performance element of her sport was the driver and motivation towards recovery. Determined to ensure her behaviours were healthy to allow progression within her training and subsequent competitions… wanting to fuel her body, to feel strong, powerful, capable, and successfully achieve in her sport. Thus, highlighting one of the many positive attributions of sport participation.

We also discuss the empowering nature of strength training. The overwhelming sense of accomplishment, the release, and satisfying progression… again acting as a motivator to remain healthy mentally and psychologically. 

And finally, we relate on our continues frustrations of gym closures and the disappointment within our government with their refusal to acknowledge how much these environments contribute to positive physical and psychological health.