Olympic Rower Wilde Opens Up About Eating Disorder That Became Her Normal

Olympic bronze medalist Becky Wilde has courageously opened up about her long battle with an eating disorder that she describes as becoming her normal, sharing how recovery ultimately helped her appreciate the incredible capabilities of her body and achieve sporting glory at the Paris Olympics.

The 27-year-old Team GB rower from Taunton, Somerset, spent years hiding her struggles from coaches, parents, and friends before finally seeking help in 2022. Her journey from destructive habits to Olympic success demonstrates both the hidden challenges many athletes face and the power of addressing mental health issues directly.

Wildes eating disorder began during her teenage years as a competitive swimmer, triggered by a seemingly innocuous comment about weight gain that she mistakenly connected to declining performance. The main trigger for me was being told Id put on weight and then attributing that to why I swam slower, which wasnt the reason, she explained to BBC Radio Somerset.

This single comment, combined with the pressures of social media during her formative years, created a perfect storm of unhealthy behaviors that would persist for years. Growing up in a time where social media was coming to the fore and we were confronted by so many different ideals about what bodies should look like, she reflected on the additional pressures facing young athletes today.

For approximately six years, Wilde lived with habits that severely impacted both her physical health and mental wellbeing. As a swimmer, she describes being constantly overtrained and frequently sick, largely because she wasnt fueling herself adequately for the demanding training schedule required for elite competition.

When Wilde transitioned to rowing through a university talent-spotting scheme at Bath, the eating disorder manifested in different but equally concerning ways. She began experiencing repeated rib injuries that she now attributes directly to weakened bone density caused by insufficient nutrition over extended periods.

My bone density has been made so weak as a result of not eating enough, Wilde admitted, highlighting how eating disorders can have lasting physical consequences that extend far beyond immediate performance impacts.

The turning point came in 2022 when back-to-back rib injuries left Wilde in what she describes as a really bad place. After years of wondering why me, the connection between her injuries and eating habits suddenly became clear, prompting her to finally seek professional help.

I just remember being so broken down by it all and Id always been like, why me? and then it suddenly hit me - this is why, she recalled. That realization led to an emotional conversation with her coach, who immediately recognized the situation and insisted on getting professional support.

The recovery process has been full of ups and downs according to Wilde, but therapy played a crucial role in her healing journey. Her first Olympic experience in Paris, where she won bronze in the womens double sculls alongside Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne, became a powerful symbol of what proper self-care and nutrition could achieve.

Finally appreciating how incredible my body can be, Wilde reflected on her Olympic success. I achieved an Olympic bronze medal as a result of treating it right - thats played a big part in her new relationship with her body.

Beyond her personal recovery, Wilde has become an advocate for eating disorder awareness, particularly wanting to reach young athletes who may be struggling in silence. I think of myself when I was 16, 17, 18 and how lonely I was and how I didnt really feel like I could talk to anyone, she shared.

Her message is clear and hopeful: asking for help is the best thing you could ever do. Wilde credits changing attitudes toward womens bodies in sport, citing role models like the Red Roses rugby team and weightlifter Emily Campbell who celebrate strength and power over appearance.

Wildes story serves as both inspiration and warning, demonstrating that even Olympic-level success is possible after addressing mental health challenges, while highlighting the importance of creating supportive environments where athletes feel safe seeking help when needed.