Australia’s revered former captain, Meg Lanning, has bravely opened up about the personal struggles that contributed to her unexpected early retirement. The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the challenges faced by even the most successful athletes.
Lanning’s retirement last November sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Still at the peak of her career, the 31-year-old was a dominant batting force and a highly respected leader. Speaking on The Howie Games podcast, Lanning shed light on the hidden battles she’d been fighting.
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Lanning turned to exercise as a coping mechanism for her struggles. However, she admits to a dangerous cycle of over-exercising and under-eating. “I was doing about 85-90km a week running,” Lanning confessed, “I was in denial.”
“It became a bit of ‘I am going to show you’ sort of thing,” Lanning explained. “It just spiralled, mentally and physically I couldn’t give what was needed for that Ashes series.”
The physical and mental toll was evident. Lanning described withdrawing from loved ones, experiencing mood swings, and a significant drop in weight. “[My teammates] knew something was up,” she said. “You become grumpy, you can’t concentrate, you’re not sleeping…”
Lanning’s struggles highlight the importance of mental health – even for top athletes. “I’ve learnt… there is always something happening,” Lanning reflected, “I guess I have realized how much telling people…can actually help.”
