Meg Lanning, the former captain of Australia’s women’s cricket team, shocked the cricketing community by announcing her early retirement, citing depression and inadequate nutrition as the primary reasons. Lanning, regarded as one of the most successful captains in Australian cricket history, took everyone aback with her sudden decision to step away from all formats of the game. Her candid revelation sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by athletes and underscores the importance of prioritizing well-being over sporting achievements.
Meg Lanning on Her Retirement:
During an interview on the Howie Games Podcast, Meg Lanning disclosed that her health suffered significantly due to excessive exercise and inadequate nutrition. She admitted that her obsessive workout routines and insufficient food intake had taken a toll on her well-being. Lanning’s candid revelation highlights the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to fitness and nutrition, emphasizing the risks associated with overexertion and underfueling in the pursuit of athletic excellence.
After securing victory at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, Lanning opted for a six-month hiatus from cricket to escape the confines of bio-bubbles. During this break, she ventured into working at a coffee shop. Upon her return to cricket, Lanning captained Australia to a triumphant T20 World Cup win in February 2023. However, she surprised many by withdrawing from the Ashes 2023 due to undisclosed medical reasons, leaving fans and pundits speculating about her sudden decision.
She said, “ I was over exercising and under fuelling. I got to the point where I was doing about 85-90km a week. I was in denial. It became a bit of ‘I am going to show you’ sort of thing. It sort of just spiralled. I was not in a place to be able to go on tour and play cricket and give the commitment levels required for that Ashes series mentally and physically.”
She further said, “ I got down to about 57kgs from 64kgs. The ratios were out of whack a lot. I didn’t really want to see other people. I disengaged a lot from friends and family. It was just all out of whack and I kept sliding. At some point, it’s got to stop. I felt very out of control in terms of what my future looked like: ‘If it’s not cricket, what does life look like if I am not playing?”
She added, “ It was a bit of my coping mechanism, I’d love just chucking the headphones in and going for a run. I could escape mentally, I’d throw the headphones and I wouldn’t take my phone with me. I’d just have my Apple Watch on for some music, so nobody could contact me. It became an obsession, I could escape mentally, no one could contact me, and I felt like I was in control.”
She also said, “Initially it didn’t start off as a deliberate thing, it just became a bit of a new normal. But it slowly crept into conscious decisions because essentially I felt good, I was light, I could run heaps and I wasn’t getting injured like everybody was telling me I was going to. World Cup, WPL last year probably was when I was getting a little bit out of control in terms of the obsessive side of what I was doing. I don’t sit still normally but it was just like no days off, can’t eat your meal until you’ve gone for a big run. That’s when it took hold a fair bit.”
Lanning opened up about her battle with insomnia, emphasizing its profound impact on her well-being. She described how the persistent inability to sleep affected her both physically and mentally. Lanning’s candid revelation sheds light on the challenges faced by athletes beyond the field, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health issues such as insomnia. Her story serves as a reminder of the significance of holistic wellness in maintaining peak performance in professional sports.
She revealed, “I dreaded night time because I knew I would go to bed and not be able to sleep. That would make me so mad. I would just get more angry with myself. If you can’t sleep, you can’t do anything.”
Despite grappling with undisclosed health issues in private, Lanning continued to deliver commendable performances on the cricket field. However, the toll on her health eventually led her to the difficult decision of stepping down as captain of Australia and participating in regular tours. This candid admission underscores the immense personal sacrifices athletes sometimes face in balancing their health with the demands of professional sports, highlighting the importance of prioritizing well-being above all else.
She further said, ” No matter what was happening, I was always able to perform. (But) it had become a bit of auto pilot.”
Meg Lanning at WPL:
At the pinnacle of her career, Lanning made the surprising decision to retire at just 31 years old. Despite her youth, she had already amassed an impressive array of achievements, including an unparalleled record of winning 5 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup titles and 2 Women’s Cricket World Cup trophies, with 6 of those victories achieved under her leadership as captain. Although she bid farewell to international cricket, Lanning remains a force to be reckoned with, showcasing her batting prowess and leadership skills as captain for DC in the Women’s Premier League, where she continues to excel.
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