Plan B Forum

Rugby union referee Nigel Owens reveals his struggle with eating disorder bulimia nervosa is not over and remains an ongoing battle.



There have been a number of 'firsts' in my life.

As a referee in world-class rugby, one of the most macho sports on the planet, I was the first in the sport to come out as being gay.

In the hope of reaching out to other young people struggling with mental health, I was also one of the first sportsmen to speak openly about the biggest regret of my life - a suicide attempt.

Early one morning at the age of 26, I left a note for my mum and dad, both of whom had been hugely supportive of me, explaining I couldn't carry on, that I desperately wanted to bring it all to an end.

I took an overdose, laid down on a Welsh mountainside and waited to die. Doctors later told me I was just 20 minutes from death when I was airlifted to hospital by a police helicopter.

So I got a second chance. I was determined not to waste it and using my experience to help someone else is a pretty good way of ensuring that.

Which brings me onto another 'first'; I've spoken about dealing with bulimia in the past but have never before revealed that to this day I continue to struggle with an eating disorder.

Since the age of 18, I have had bulimia nervosa.


Continues here.....

Bicycle Bill wrote:expecting the rest of the world to make exceptions or special considerations for our 'problems'

and have a chronic case of a Hawaiian disease called 'lakanuki'

Eating disorders are a terrible scourge and ANY attention that can help sufferers know they're not alone is a good thing, period. I didn't see anything in the article indicating this man was asking for attention or pity, but only to help others who suffer as he does.

Eating disorders have the highest death rate of any mental health illness and are estimated to affect 1.6 million people in the UK. Around 400,000 are thought to be men and boys.

I'm speaking openly about it because I know that men and boys can view it as a sign of weakness by admitting there's a problem that you can't sort out yourself.

But it's not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of great strength to do that.

On the programme I speak to professional boxer Bradley Pryce who made himself in the past sick to lose weight. You see these guys in the ring and think they embody mental toughness and physical strength.

It goes to show that everybody can suffer from it - a world cup rugby referee, young teenage boys and professional boxers.

rubato wrote:They have referees for rugby? there are rules?


yrs,
rubato