What Is Beyond The Scale

Beyond the Scale is an exciting project led by Elle and Ellie, both experts in their fields. This effort is a guide for awareness, sharing knowledge, and empowering athletes who want to understand themselves better in the challenging world of food and body image.

In a world already complicated by intense training, our goal is clear – to untangle the complexities of eating problems and body image issues, exploring the what, why, and when. More than just making people aware, our project aims to shine a light on practical solutions, revealing simple yet effective tools to deal with historical and trauma-related aspects.

The end goal is to empower athletes to achieve their best physical and mental well-being, unlocking their full potential both on and off the field.

You can be a professional athlete and have a positive relationship with food and your body image.

How we can help:

Informative and inspirational talks to Team GB, National Level, semi-professional and grass roots organisations.
Interactive workshops to empower athletes.
CPD-certified training and education.

*All from a range of qualified professionals in the industry and Team GB athletes.

Elle Mace

Elle Mace is a master practitioner in disordered eating, obesity, and nutrition. Also a CPD Trainer, Facilitator, Level 5 ILM coach and mentor.

Elle has personal experience of an eating disorder and has seen first hand the challenges of this within sport and fitness. Once a keen sportswomen, Elle struggled with her strength and performance. Now, she is dedicated to raising awareness about the prevalence of disordered eating in the sport and fitness industry. Statistics show that a significant number of young girls discontinue sports participation due to factors like menstrual cycle concerns, disordered eating, and body image struggles. Elle is committed to supporting individuals in overcoming these challenges and thriving in their athletic pursuits.

Why it started?

The Beyond the Scale project began when Elle recognised more athletes were seeking help with eating and body image issues. Collaborating with like-minded professionals like Ellie, they launched an initiative to raise awareness and equip sports individuals and teams with the tools to navigate the complexities of their relationship with food and body image!

Ellie began struggling with disordered eating at age 10, exacerbated by poor advice from a personal trainer in her teens. She faced anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating for over a decade. Now, with three years as a personal trainer, she leads the Beyond the Scale project to address misinformation in the fitness industry.

Ellie Boatman

My name is Ellie Boatman. I’m a professional rugby player for Great Britain 7s, and I’ve been playing at a professional level for two years. Alongside rugby, I’m also an online fitness coach and run my own online business.

Before becoming a professional athlete, I struggled with disordered eating and body image issues for several years. It affected my life deeply, and I didn’t think I would ever get better. However, I reached out for help, worked with a qualified therapist, and eventually found recovery.

Not every day is perfect, but I’m much more confident in my own skin now. I understand the importance of fuelling my body for my sport. I’ve realised how crucial it is to share my story and encourage other athletes to do the same. Disordered eating and body image struggles are a significant issue in sports, and I believe speaking out can help break the stigma and inspire others to seek help and find their own path to recovery.

I’ve enrolled in Elle’s CPD course for fitness professionals, which focuses on disordered eating and body dysmorphia. I believe it’s crucial for all coaches to gain a deeper understanding of these issues to better support their clients and athletes. The knowledge gained from this course is essential in addressing these challenges effectively in the fitness industry.

I wanted to make a real difference, so I decided to collaborate with Elle on the Beyond the Scale Project. Our goal is to provide sports clubs and athletes with the training and tools to address disordered eating and poor body image, helping them create healthier environments and support systems for those struggling with these issues.

Meet Our Ambassadors

Mimi-Isabella Cesar

Mimi is a seasoned Rhythmic Gymnast representing Great Britain and England for over 14 years, with notable appearances at World Championships and Commonwealth Games. While she values competitive success, her primary focus is on making a positive impact in the sport. Through her platform M.I.C. Gymnastics, she supports gymnasts worldwide, aiming to foster a supportive environment for all levels. Despite facing body image pressures, Mimi advocates for athletes' well-being beyond appearance, emphasising the importance of proper support and fostering a positive sport culture.

Emily Currie

I am a professional surfer from Cornwall, and I am the current European Champion as well as a multiple British and English National Champion. Alongside competing, I also coach the English Junior Surfing Team.

As an athlete, there is always pressure around how you look and what you eat. In surfing, we often have to navigate significant external pressures associated with body image. For female surfers, this is frequently linked to the way the sport is marketed. These issues are something I’m passionate about addressing as an ambassador for BTS because they have been personal struggles for me during my career.

I believe it’s incredibly important that we talk about the impact these pressures have on athletes. By doing so, we can drive positive change, ensuring better support for athletes and the next generation of surfers.

Emma Oldfield

I’m a women’s sports content creator and presenter following six years of experience in PR and communications for all things TV.

Sport was a huge part of my identity growing up—weekends were all about football. But over time, my relationship with it shifted. Struggles with body image turned what was once my escape into something that felt like punishment. After losing my mum, my eating disorder took center stage, becoming a way to cope with a lack of control in other areas of my life. For a decade, I battled anorexia and bulimia, trying to rebuild my sense of self—my values, purpose, and identity.

Eventually, I found my way back to football and creativity, blending my passions into a career that moved me beyond survival mode. I’ve learned the importance of balance, embracing a well-rounded routine to relieve the pressure of perfection. Now, I’m dedicated to celebrating women’s sport and sharing stories that matter.