‘DWTS’ Alum Sharna Burgess Opens Up About Past Eating Disorder and Complex Relationship with Food
Sharna Burgess Shares Her Journey Through Eating Disorders and Food Struggles
Sharna Burgess, best known for her role as a professional dancer on the hit television show *Dancing With the Stars* (DWTS), recently opened up about her difficult past with eating disorders and her “super complicated” relationship with food. During a candid Instagram “Ask Me Anything” session, Burgess revealed that she struggled with cycles of binging and restricting food, a pattern that haunted her from her teenage years well into her 20s.
The Australian-born dancer, now 40, described how these struggles were deeply intertwined with the pressures she faced in the dance world. She recalled being weighed frequently as a teenager and constantly told to lose weight, despite not being overweight. This relentless scrutiny contributed to a negative body image and unhealthy eating habits that persisted for years.
Early Pressures and the Impact of Dance on Body Image
Burgess’s experience is a stark example of how the dance industry can sometimes foster harmful attitudes toward body image. In a 2021 interview with Australia’s *Good Health & Wellbeing* magazine, she shared that at age 15, she was weighed every two days by her teachers and was regularly told she needed to shed more pounds. This pressure was not only physically taxing but mentally damaging, instilling a persistent sense of inadequacy.
“I remember being 15 and put on the scale every two days by my teachers and we were told whether we needed to lose weight or not. Every week I was told that I needed to lose more weight — and I certainly wasn’t overweight,” Burgess said. This environment led to a cycle where she would binge eat one day and then starve herself the next, a pattern that continued well into her adulthood.
Transformation Through Dance and Self-Acceptance
Despite these early challenges, Burgess’s perspective began to shift when she joined *Dancing With the Stars* in 2011. Witnessing the transformations of the celebrities she danced with inspired her to view her own body differently. She realized that her body was not just a source of criticism but a vessel that had carried her through difficult times and allowed her to achieve incredible milestones.
“It was seeing just how much the celebrities on the show transformed and ended up loving their bodies through being able to move and dance that really shook my perspective,” Burgess explained. “I started to see something else in the mirror, I started to see a body that had gotten me through some incredibly difficult times, that had created some beautiful moments, that had won championships, that had landed me a life I never ever thought possible.”
This newfound appreciation helped Burgess break free from the destructive eating patterns of her youth. By her 30s, she had developed a healthier relationship with food and her body, embracing self-love and body positivity.
Life After DWTS and Continuing Advocacy
Burgess’s last season on *Dancing With the Stars* was in 2021, where she was partnered with her now-fiancé, actor Brian Austin Green. After welcoming their son, Zane, she stepped away from the show but has not ruled out a future return. She remains vocal about her experiences and continues to advocate for healthier attitudes toward body image and eating disorders.
During her Instagram Q&A, Burgess emphasized that her journey is ongoing and that she hopes sharing her story can help others facing similar struggles. “It’s never a no,” she said about returning to DWTS, expressing her love for the show and its community.
Conclusion
Sharna Burgess’s candid revelations about her past eating disorder and complex relationship with food shed light on the pressures faced by dancers and performers. Her journey from struggling with binging and restricting to embracing body positivity is inspiring and underscores the importance of self-acceptance. If you or someone you know is dealing with an eating disorder, remember that recovery is possible, and seeking support is a vital step. Stay connected for more empowering stories and expert advice on overcoming challenges related to body image and mental health.
