How AFLW star Richelle Cranston is tackling body image
AFLW star Richelle Cranston is putting the spotlight on body image and wants to show there’s no one-size-fits all when it comes to a healthy female shape.
A powerful Western Bulldogs forward/midfielder, Richelle Cranston is celebrated for being fierce at the contest and strong on the ground, but off the field Richelle says body image has been a struggle for her over the years.
“I’ve definitely got a lot better at it, and I’ve thought about it from the perspective of young girls coming through and being a role model for them,” Richelle tells The House of Wellness TV show.
“When I was younger I didn’t have many female role models. There’s always this perception that women are meant to be small and petite, and I always thought I had to be that. And I’ve never been that.
“But I think about what my body can do – I’m very strong and powerful, so I think about what my body can do on the footy field.”
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Putting the spotlight on body image
With one in four young people experiencing issues with their body, and social media bombarding us with unrealistic and manipulated images of women, Richelle wants to demonstrate there is value in all bodies.
She believes the AFLW provides a space for “real women”.
“Social media is a bit of a trap… there’s this perception of women looking a certain way, or fitness models that aren’t always being that truthful,” she says.
“I think AFLW gives you a real sense of women.
“We’ve got lots of different shapes, lots of different sizes, lots of different characters, and a lot of people just being who they are. I really like the fact AFLW gives that for young girls.”
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Life will be OK
The New Zealand-born player says Aussie Rules has changed her life in many positive ways, including helping her to become mentally and physically stronger.
The lure of the AFLW motivated Richelle to knuckle down and become fit enough to play at the top tier.
In the process she lost 30kg, discovered her passion for gym training, and even bought a gym.
“I feel like my life is not real, because my job (the gym) is something I love – it doesn’t feel like a job at all, football doesn’t feel like I job – I think I’ve ticked some really important boxes,” she says.
Along the way, Richelle has had to confront challenges including online trolling and her own negative self-talk.
She has learned to counter it through positivity and being kinder to herself.
Richelle hopes she can be the role model for young girls she couldn’t see when she was growing up.
And the key message she wants to convey is the same as that she would tell her younger self: “You’ll be OK, you’ll find your people, you’ll find happiness, you’re not weird.”
Watch the full interview with Richelle Cranston on House of Wellness TV, airing 2pm Fridays and noon on Sundays on Channel 7.
Written by Ella Cigognini and Claire Burke. Photo: Liz Vagg.
