In a recent autobiography, young Wallabies sensation David Pocock has disclosed that he has been battling an eating disorder for much of the last ten years.
Pocock, who managed to bolster his reputation at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, mentioned that he started experiencing this issue during his teenage years, coinciding with his family’s relocation to Australia from Zimbabwe.
The openside flanker candidly discusses the significant impact the eating disorder had on him.
“I was irrationally strict about what I consumed and had a very distorted perception of my body image and appearance,” he shared.
“Reflecting on old photographs, I was absurdly thin, yet in my mind, I still felt I wasn’t thin enough. I recall instances when I broke down in tears during family dinners or travels, particularly when there were no healthy or ultra low-fat food choices available.”
“I struggled with how to cope with my evident anxiety regarding food.”
He acknowledged that the upheaval of moving from Zimbabwe, necessitated by his family being forcibly removed from their farm, might have contributed to the emergence of the disorder.
“This was likely a reaction to the fear I felt during the last few years on the farm in Zimbabwe when I felt utterly powerless. After arriving in Australia, I used it as a means to regain a sense of control and certainty. I’ve addressed this extensively with my psychologist.”
Ironically, the 23-year-old is seen as one of the fittest athletes in rugby, having earned the nickname ‘Bam Bam’ from his teammates because of his muscular build.
Pocock’s autobiography, Openside: My Journey to the Rugby World Cup, details his life on and off the pitch, particularly his involvement with the charity he co-founded, Eightytwenty Vision.
He assured that all proceeds from the book’s sales will be donated to charities via his website, heroesboots.com.
by Buford Balony
