Swimming champion Emily Seebohm reveals two-year eating disorder struggle

Emily Seebohm has revealed shock details of her struggles with an eating disorder, including taking laxatives, as the champion swimmer admits she was “embarrassed to be in my togs”.

Elite athletes are rallying around champion swimmer Emily Seebohm after she bravely revealed her long battle with an eating disorder.

Queensland’s darling of the pool chose New Year’s Day to share her body image struggles and the pressure from coaches to be thinner in order to swim faster.

The 28-year-old Olympic gold medallist, who lives in Hendra in Brisbane’s north, took to Instagram to disclose the secret she’d harboured for more than two years.

Seebohm said 2021 was going to be the year she was “braver” for herself and give her body “the love it deserves”.

Emily Seebohm has taken to social media to detail her two-year eating disorder battle. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Following the surprise admission that she had “binged, purged and taken laxatives” and felt embarrassed to be in her togs, the former backstroke world record holder was swiftly embraced by fellow athletes and friends.

Olympian breaststroker Georgia Bohl, 23, said she was proud of Seebohm.

“A lot of people would be inspired by you opening up about your story and realising unfortunately how common this is.”

Junior Pan Pacific champ Lani Pallister, 18, said: “You’re so amazing Emily and (have) been one of the biggest inspirations in my journey so far.”

American freestyle star Maddy Banic, who has struggled with mental health issues and attempted suicide, said “being vulnerable to help others is exactly what bravery looks like”.

Meanwhile, B105 radio presenter Abby Coleman, who in September revealed her own battle with an eating disorder following the tragic death of Jaimi Kenny, said “complete recovery is possible”.

Emily Seebohm posted on Instagram to tell of her two-year eating disorder struggle. Picture: Instagram/emcbomb

Seebohm, who is dating Nova breakfast presenter David “Luttsy” Lutteral, said she decided to reveal her battle in the hope of helping others.

Posting a photograph of herself with a butterfly tattoo on her wrist – a symbol of The Butterfly Foundation charity which supports people with eating disorders – she admitted she had counted calories, skipped meals and constantly weighed herself.

“I have judged my body every time I have been in front of a mirror,” she said. “I’ve been told that the only way I can swim faster is by losing weight and I have believed it.”

According to federal government data, up to 16 per cent of females over age 15 have eating disorders, and the National Eating Disorders Collaboration says athletes are at greater risk if they believe it is possible to enhance their sports performance through weight regulation.   

Originally published as Swimming champion Emily Seebohm reveals two-year eating disorder struggle