England rugby star Ellie Kildunne has never been afraid to say the quiet part out loud. Long before becoming one of the most recognisable faces in women’s sport, she admits: ‘I did want to be famous, I wanted to put on a show for people.’
It’s a level of honesty that feels rare – and refreshing – in a sporting culture that often rewards modesty over ambition. But for Ellie, visibility has always been part of the mission. As women’s rugby surges into the mainstream, she’s clear that personality matters just as much as performance. ‘Once upon a time, you could be in a room saying you play for England and people would still not give a shit,’ she says. ‘I’ve always said, “We’re not just players, we’re people.” Show them the person.’
That mindset has helped propel the 26-year-old beyond the pitch. From TV appearances to brand partnerships, she’s embraced every opportunity to bring the sport – and herself – to a wider audience. And while some athletes shy away from the spotlight, Ellie leans into it, seeing it as a chance to connect, inspire and ultimately grow the game.
By refusing to downplay her drive or dilute her personality, she represents a new kind of athlete: one who understands that being seen can be just as powerful as winning.
Isaac Williams is Site Editor for both Women’s Health UK and Men’s Health UK, guiding and supporting the content teams to create content across all platforms. Isaac’s love of health and fitness began at Loughborough University, where he graduated with a History and English degree in 2014. His first job was at Men’s Running magazine, where he progressed from Staff Writer to Editor. Among his highlights of those four years include completing a 24-hour track race (never again), just about finishing a multi-day ultramarathon in the Azores, and chugging his way around a ‘beer mile’. Isaac ventured into the world of freelance journalism in 2018, interviewing some of the biggest names in sport – like Anthony Joshua and Ben Stokes – and writing features for the likes of The Guardian, Red Bull, ShortList and BBC Countryfile. He was also a regular contributor to an adventure series called ‘The Man Who’: speaking to some of the world’s most extreme explorers from the wilds of Caffè Nero. In late-2019, Isaac became Editor of Men’s Fitness UK. In his five years there, Isaac was responsible for editing the monthly magazine and managing website content, ultimately helping the brand transition to a ‘digital-first’ approach. He joined Hearst UK as Multiplatform Editor in December 2024, where he manages day-to-day digital output, edits content and writes articles on all things health and fitness. When he’s not hammering at his keyboard, Isaac enjoys exercise and trying – unsuccessfully, so far – to teach his baby son to kick a football. You can follow Isaac on Instagram @isaacw1993.
