Olympic heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill opens up about retirement from athletics, raising two children, and the body image pressures facing female athletes
Nine years after retiring from elite athletics, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill remains one of Britain’s most adored sporting legends, known for her top performances on the track, not least her 2012 Olympic heptathlon gold.
Nowadays her life looks a bit different, as she works to inspire the next generation of sporting stars while enjoying “taking a step back” to embrace motherhood. In fact, to Reggie, 11, and Olivia, eight, her kids with construction site manager husband Andy Hills, her title means nothing.
Jessica, 39, says: “They don’t really care that I’m ‘Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’. To them I’m just Mum. Kids don’t really evaluate their parents through the lens of career achievements. One day they will, I’m sure!”
For the three-time world champion, it was important to step away from the track on her own terms.
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She says: “I retired when I wanted to retire. I was ready after the last Olympics [2016]. It was like… starting the next phase of my life.”
Yet the Sheffield native is aware not every athlete has such an easy ride when it comes to retirement. She says: “It can be quite a challenging time. Your whole life has been around training and performing, and then it suddenly stops.
“But thankfully for me, it was a smooth transition, and having my family and support network around me really helped.” And although the roar of the stadium crowds may be behind her, a huge part of her identity will always be tied to sport. Jessica says: “I always loved competing. What started as a hobby when I was a kid became my career, my job, and it was amazing.
“But now it’s nice to sit back a little, enjoy being a parent and explore new opportunities, like inspiring our kids to be healthy, happy, and active.” As a woman who has been scrutinised intensely – she has even been accused of being fat – body image is a topic she approaches with honesty.
She says: “In retirement, your body changes. I’ve had two children, but I’m still active. I love running, strength work, and staying fit. Sport taught me lessons that I carry with me every day.” Jessica is also passionate about passing on this important message to young athletes, particularly girls, and she advocates healthy eating as an ambassador for breakfast brand Weetabix. She advises girls: “Know who you are, be confident, and don’t take too much notice of what other people say. Your body is doing something incredible. Embrace that.”
The star is all too aware of the pressures faced by female athletes. She says: “Being a woman and an athlete can be… challenging. I had my son at the end of my career, and coming back to competing after having a child is a huge barrier.
“Things are improving but women still have more to consider than male athletes in the sports world.” Nevertheless, she is optimistic about the progress women’s sport is making on the world stage. She says: “It’s got so much better. We see amazing female athletes promoted, featured in campaigns. The Lionesses have raised the profile of women’s sport hugely, and athletics has stars like Keely Hodgkinson shining through. “Female sport’s in a really positive place.” Jessica still puts in the miles – this week she joined rugby legend Kevin Sinfield in Sheffield for his 7 in 7 ultramarathon challenge in aid of motor neurone disease charities. But while she loves watching fellow athletes compete in Strictly and I’m a Celeb, she won’t be signing up herself. She admits: “I’m way too scared of spiders to go into the jungle, and dancing every Saturday would terrify me! I’ll happily enjoy it all from the sofa.”
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is a Weetabix all-star and together they are on a mission to give Brits the best possible start to their day and help them achieve their goals – bix by bix.
