SOUTH BEND, INDIANA: Haley and Hanna Cavinder, widely known as the Cavinder twins on TikTok, have amassed a significant following and earned a substantial income through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals since the NCAA allowed college athletes access to sponsorship endorsements in 2021. However, in a candid 29-minute YouTube video, the sisters revealed their ongoing battle with an eating disorder and shed light on their challenging relationship with food.
On World Eating Disorders Action Day, June 2, the basketball-playing twins posted a heartfelt video discussing their tumultuous journey with anorexia nervosa. "Something that Hanna and I have been struggling with for years now … is our eating habits," Haley said, admitting that the problem escalated after they transferred from Fresno State to Miami in April 2022. She described starting "calorie counting" and becoming overly conscious of her food choices.
'Cavinder twins open up about eating disorder struggles'
"If we're going to do something we're going to do it 100 percent," Hanna said. "There's no in-between, so it's extreme. That's just kind of how our minds work. And I feel bad because I started calorie counting — it was kind of me. It started getting very toxic with eating a certain amount of calories a day. But we're burning so many calories, we're not taking in enough." They also highlighted the impact of hormonal imbalances, hair loss, and the pressure they felt from comparisons on social media. Additionally, the sisters even admitted to turning their struggle into a competition, attempting to outlast each other without eating.
Recognizing the severity of their situation, the Cavinder twins sought assistance. They reached out to MLB icon Alex Rodriguez's ex-girlfriend, fitness guru Kathryne 'Kat' Padgett, known for helping individuals become their "best selves." Padgett revealed that the twins were not fueling themselves adequately for both their athletic performance and everyday life. Together, they worked to address the twins' unsustainable eating habits, focusing on increasing their carbohydrate intake and improving their overall relationship with food.
'So feel free to reach out'
In their video, the Cavinder twins expressed their goal for 2023: to heal their relationship with food. They collaborated with a nutritionist, Padgett, to guide them on their journey. The sisters emphasized their desire to help others struggling with similar issues, encouraging those in need to reach out and seek support without hesitation. "We want to help people," Haley said. "Genuinely want to help people, so feel free to reach out, don't be afraid to talk to someone."
The Cavinder twins recently graduated from the University of Miami, choosing not to utilize their fifth year of eligibility to explore opportunities outside of college basketball. They have embraced NIL agreements and have already secured a partnership with WWE, indicating their intent to pursue "a lot of long-term deals."
