Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff Announced As September’s Cybersmiler of the Month Award Winner

By sharing details of his personal struggles with the public, Freddie hopes that he has raised awareness of how men are also being deeply affected by eating disorders, an issue that most people tend to associate with young girls and women. If you are affected by anything touched on within this article, follow the links to our various support services or click on the blue logo icon at the bottom right of the screen to start using Cybersmile Assistant, our smart AI support assistant.
We are proud to announce presenter and ex-international cricketer, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff as Cybersmiler of the Month Award winner for September. Freddie, who joins a host of previous winners including Lili Reinhart, John Legend and Lady Gaga has been chosen as the winner of the award for his incredible bravery in opening up publicly about his long-term battle with the debilitating eating disorder Bulimia.
Most people will know Freddy as one of the main hosts of the hit international TV car show, Top Gear, or as the fearsome cricketer who’s stunning sporting career earned him hero status with the British public. Since retiring from cricket in 2009 he has been a regular guest on talk shows, reality TV shows and documentaries, including his foray into professional boxing which saw him obtain a professional U.S. boxing license and go onto win his first professional bout!
“It’s something that affects me every single day. It’s something I am acutely aware of when I look in the mirror, when I eat my food, when I try on my clothes, it’s something I don’t stop thinking about.”
Freddie Flintoff, Cybersmiler of the Month
By sharing details of his personal struggles with the wider public, Freddie hopes that he has raised awareness of how men are also being deeply affected by eating disorders, a problem that people tend to associate with young girls and women. In fact, men account for up to 25 percent of people with eating disorders in the United Kingdom, but many remain silent about it, something Flintoff himself experienced early in his career.
To help bring more visibility to the challenges faced by men with eating disorders, Freddie has just completed a full-length BBC documentary, ‘Freddie Flintoff: Living With Bulimia,’ in which the star examines his two-decade battle with Bulimia and depression.
“I didn’t feel like I could speak or say anything. Being a bloke, 6ft 4” and from Preston, I’m not meant to have an eating disorder by rights. So, you keep it hidden away and you don’t want to speak about it.”
Freddie Flintoff, Cybersmiler of the Month
Everybody at Cybersmile thinks that Freddie wholeheartedly deserves this Cybersmiler of the Month Award, for his incredible bravery in sharing details of his personal mental health struggles in the hope of breaking down stigma and encouraging others to seek help available to them. Well done Freddie, you are a true winner on and off the pitch! On a side note – if you are wondering how Andrew got his ‘Freddie’ name…it’s because his surname sounds a bit like the famous cartoon caveman, Fred Flintstone!
You can explore the Cybersmiler of the Month Award winners Hall of Fame to see a full list of previous recipients and learn more about becoming a brand sponsor of the award here.
If you are affected by anything touched on within this article, we can help you. Visit our Help Center or click on the blue logo icon at the bottom right of the screen to open Cybersmile Assistant, our smart AI support assistant. To learn more about Cybersmile and our work, please explore the following recommendations:
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What are your thoughts on Freddie’s great work breaking down stigma around disordered eating and mental health? Let us know your thoughts by contacting us or tweet us @CybersmileHQ.