Sarah Bern: Overcoming Body Anxiety Through Rugby and Social Media

England and Bristol Bears prop Sarah Bern has opened up about her struggles with body image anxiety and how building her social media presence has helped her gain confidence. Bern, who has been capped 71 times by the Red Roses, is set to represent England in the upcoming Rugby World Cup. In a recent episode of The LGBT Sport Podcast, Bern discussed her journey with double Olympic gold medal-winning boxer Nicola Adams.

Struggles with Body Image

Bern revealed that she has always felt self-conscious about her body, especially during her younger years. "I was always bigger as a young girl and I never felt like I was good enough or pretty enough," she shared. This anxiety extended to her social media presence, where she initially felt that no one would be interested in her life.

Turning Point: Social Media and Rugby

Bern's perspective on social media began to change after witnessing the impact of American rugby player Ilona Maher, who joined Bristol Bears earlier this year. Maher, the most followed rugby player on social media, has built a global profile by promoting body positivity. "She [Maher] was with her family and her energy and how she managed to get her social media alongside her being a professional athlete, I found it really cool," Bern said.

Building Confidence and Engagement

Bern now embraces social media as a tool to connect with fans and grow the sport of women's rugby. "Especially for women's rugby, we need more fan engagement. We need more fans. We need to grow our sport - what's the best way to do that? Well, show ourselves," she explained. This newfound confidence has also helped her manage anxiety and be more authentic.

Looking Ahead to the Rugby World Cup

As Bern prepares for her third Rugby World Cup, she feels less pressure to meet expectations and is more focused on enjoying the experience. "This World Cup I'm excited for in a different way. I hope we win, but I don't feel like that's the biggest thing that could happen," she said. Bern hopes that the tournament will have a similar impact to the recent success of England's women's football team in the Euros, bringing more attention to women's rugby globally.