Sharna Burgess Opens Up About Her Complicated Relationship With Food and Journey to Self Acceptance

18 January 2026

Sharna Burgess. Credit : Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

Sharna Burgess is known for her confidence, grace and powerful presence on the dance floor, but behind that strength lies a deeply personal story she has only recently begun to share more openly. In a candid exchange with fans, the former Dancing With the Stars professional revealed her long struggle with an eating disorder, offering an honest look at the pressures that shaped her relationship with food and body image.

The 40 year old dancer spoke about her past during an Instagram question and answer session, where she was asked directly if she had ever experienced an eating disorder. Her response was immediate and unfiltered. She admitted that she struggled with both binge eating and restricting, describing her connection with food as complicated throughout her teenage years and well into her twenties.

For Burgess, these patterns did not appear out of nowhere. They were rooted in her early experiences as a competitive dancer, an environment where physical appearance was constantly scrutinized. She recalled being just 15 years old and regularly being weighed by her teachers, often being told she needed to lose weight despite not being overweight. That repeated messaging left a lasting impact, shaping how she saw herself for years to come.

The result was a cycle that became difficult to break. Burgess explained that she would alternate between extremes, overeating one day and depriving herself the next. Even as she grew older, the voice of that younger version of herself remained. She described looking in the mirror in her twenties and still seeing the teenager who had been told she was not enough.

Her story reflects a broader reality within the dance and performance world, where discipline and perfection are often prioritized at the expense of emotional well being. For many performers, the line between maintaining physical standards and developing unhealthy habits can become blurred, especially at a young age.

Despite the challenges, Burgess’s journey did not remain static. A turning point came in her thirties, particularly after she joined Dancing With the Stars in 2011. Being surrounded by celebrities who were learning to embrace their bodies through movement began to shift her perspective. Watching others find confidence through dance helped her reconnect with her own body in a more positive way.

Instead of focusing solely on appearance, she began to see her body as something that had carried her through life, supported her career and allowed her to achieve things she once thought impossible. That shift in mindset marked the beginning of a healthier relationship with food and self image, even though she acknowledges that healing is not a quick or linear process.

Burgess’s openness also speaks to a larger cultural shift where conversations around mental health and body image are becoming more visible. By sharing her experience, she adds her voice to a growing number of public figures who are challenging unrealistic standards and encouraging honesty about personal struggles.

At the same time, her story highlights how deeply early experiences can shape long term behavior. The messages she received as a teenager did not simply disappear with time. They lingered, influencing her thoughts and habits for years, a reminder of how important it is to foster supportive and healthy environments, especially for young people in high pressure fields.

Today, Burgess appears to be in a more balanced place, both physically and emotionally. While she does not claim to have everything figured out, her willingness to speak openly reflects growth and self awareness. It also offers reassurance to those facing similar challenges that change is possible, even after years of struggle.

Her journey is not just about overcoming an eating disorder. It is about redefining self worth, learning to trust one’s body and finding strength in vulnerability. In sharing her truth, Sharna Burgess reminds others that healing is not about perfection but about progress, patience and the courage to face what once felt impossible.