Australian Cricket Star Meg Lanning Opens Up About Struggles with Food and Exercise

Australian cricket sensation Meg Lanning, renowned for her remarkable career on the field, has bravely shared her personal battle with food and exercise that ultimately led to her early retirement from international cricket.

Lanning’s candid revelations came to light during an interview on the Howie Games podcast, where she disclosed the hidden struggles she faced with maintaining a healthy relationship with food and exercise.

The cricket star, who secured multiple World Cup victories and captained the Australian team in numerous triumphs, initially took a break after the 2022 Commonwealth Games before returning to lead her team to another T20 World Cup title in South Africa.

However, Lanning’s undisclosed medical reasons forced her to step down from the 2023 Ashes tour and announce her retirement from international cricket at the age of 32.

During the podcast interview with Mark Howard, Lanning revealed that her weight loss was a result of excessive exercise and inadequate nutrition, confessing to running up to 90 kilometers per week at one point.

She acknowledged that her behavior was driven by denial and a desire to prove herself, leading to a spiral of harmful habits that affected her mental and physical well-being.

Despite maintaining her performance on the pitch, Lanning described feeling a sense of disconnection and control loss in her personal life, struggling with identity issues and a lack of direction once cricket was no longer the focal point.

Reflecting on her experience, Lanning admitted that she reached a point of insomnia and isolation, often becoming irritable and withdrawn from those around her.

The cricket star expressed gratitude for the support she received and highlighted the importance of opening up about personal struggles, even when solutions may not be immediately apparent.

Although Lanning continues to compete in domestic leagues such as the Women’s Big Bash League and the National Cricket League, she has chosen to forego international representation for the time being.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of mental health awareness and seeking help when facing challenges, resonating with individuals navigating similar struggles.