Former bobsledder Simon Dunn has opened up about recent struggles, revealing the life he depicts on social media is only part of his story.
Last week, the gay Australian posted to Instagram and Twitter a photo of himself playing rugby. Topless, he looks a little bigger than some of his fans may be used to seeing him. He has frequently posed for magazine and online showing off an incredibly toned physique and prominent abs.
My online persona is the image I want the world to see. Abs, photoshoots, parties, success etc. I questioned posting this picture as it didn’t fit within my “story”. Remember we all go through our own battles in life outside of what we show the world online. Myself included! pic.twitter.com/3R9utJsTxk
— Simon Dunn (@BySimonDunn) September 14, 2019
The message accompanying the image says:
“The online persona I show you is all photoshoots, parties and magazine covers. This hasn’t always been entirely the truth. Earlier this year, I found myself back in Australia, living in a country town in my mother’s spare room and financially broke.
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“Having to rebuild my life at the time felt like a monumental task. I honestly didn’t think I could do it. I stopped looking after myself, drinking most weekends away, stopped training, all things which compounded the low point I was in.
“It honestly felt all the years of hard work had only led me back to where I began. For the first time in my life I’d felt anxiety, which was something new, scary and very overwhelming at times.
Related: Gay bobsledder Simon Dunn blasts homophobic meme featuring his face
“Only weeks earlier I was living in London with my partner, running my own business, attending every party I was invited to, appearing in countless photoshoots and magazines.
“Before this I was in North America representing Australia in bobsleigh, training and competing, whilst getting flown to media gigs and appearances all around the world.
“I was passionate about doing everything I could to show the world that out and proud athletes exist. I felt the world was my oyster and this was my chance to do exactly that. I felt like I’d failed and let so many people down.
“Life over the last several years has been a truely [sic] amazing adventure. This now felt all but a distant memory. Many tears were cried over many nights, and some days I didn’t want to even get out of bed.
“This image is me at the height of that time, I questioned if I should post it because it doesn’t portray the person I show the world. There’s no abs, I was unhappy and lost.
“It portrays the real me, someone who, like everyone else, has obstacles they need to overcome. My little victory is being able to post it now, only a few months later, passionate for life again and looking forward to the next adventure.
“The Simon you see online is the Simon I want you to see, may it be my pride or the influence of social media, but it’s not always as it seems. Life is a series of ups and downs, just remember – there’s always light at the end of the tunnel no matter how dark it may seem!”
Related: Simon Dunn showed his stuff at the laundromat. Mad about it?
After his time with the Australian National Bobsleigh Team, Dunn, 32, relocated to London, UK, and took up playing rugby and offering personal training. He’s also worked as a model.
However, as his weekend postings reveal, he recently returned to Australia and is in the process of finding his feet again.
The postings have prompted thousands of messages of support. Many gay men admitted they too felt pressure to present a perfect life on social media. Dunn today posted a message to Facebook thanking everyone for their support.
“Your messages of support in regards to my post last week have truly been amazing, I can’t thank you enough!
“Many of you related to the pressures of social media and also comparing ourselves to people whom seem to have perfect lives. I hope my candidness has shown you that this is often not the case but instead a story and image people put forward!”
Queerty has contacted Dunn for further comment.
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DomitoJo
exactly! people have no idea how hard it is being white, affluent and hot! i’m glad somebody’s finally telling the truth!
rustyiam
Are you jealous?
UlfRaynor
Guessing reading comprehension isn’t your strong suit, since he clearly stated he came back to Australia broke, which is the exact opposite of affluent.
ElPillo
DomitoJo’s comment is called satire…
SergioJackson1461
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dwes09
No, it is not “satire” in any way, it is a poor attempt at “sarcasm” that ends up (as noted by others) as nothing but superficial jealous and sad.
Here’s a clue “DomitoJo”: people other than you have struggles. Clearly they have greater intellect, empathy and depth.
Tombear
Damn, that is one beautiful man!
rray63
Nothing but love for the guy.
AtlasRich
Well, my first thought was “Struggle? Yea, it must really suck to be him. He’s got everything going for himself; what a crybaby..” in complete sarcasm of course. But then I reread the post and I get it. He’s one of those people that seem to have everything going for them but in reality it’s very different. Look at Robin Williams for example; you’d think he was the happiest person in the world from the outside looking in. I discourage people from bringing their problems to social media and expecting a sound solution. You can share your problem, complain or even just vent on social media but for something serious or having a deep impact on your life talk to a someone in real life. Someone who you respect to be truthful and genuinely helpful and not just trying to get into your pants. Truthful will also include giving you criticism and things that are not easy to hear but can help you repair or completely change that issue that is bothering you. Talk to someone who you know will invest a lot of time and effort in you because it will take some time and relationship building because we are much more complicated overall than a paragraph on a profile can ever provide insight to. (professional counselor, clergy, best friend/confidant, etc.) Lastly, don’t put your self-worth in the hands of social media OR don’t create a false “you” for validation and “likes”.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Simon has problems but so do you and me and everyone. You are all beautiful and loved, just be yourself but if you are troubled don’t look to social media for real help and don’t kid yourself and others by making everything SEEM all good.
Kangol2
I always saw a lot of pain Robin Williams’ antic comedy. It always seemed to me that he was trying to keep himself and others laughing to prevent the tears that were just beneath the surface. I say this as someone who was a huge fan of Robin Williams’ work, too.
alterego1980
Regardless of who he is, his message is the most important PSA of this generation! People, of any race, class or creed can get caught up in and be susceptible to the pitfalls of social media, beauty, perfection, etc. now everyone thinks they can be a star. It’s negatively affecting our society. We should take this stuff seriously and do a better job teaching people how to deal with it.
nm4047
Australian Bobsleigh team, a winter sport that the country or people are not really known for! Another (minor) celebrity with that same approach ‘actors’ have when they move to LA, I’m going to be a success because I’m in the right place. Unfortunately, he didn’t make the porn tape prior to his plan being put in place. Sounds like he’s also moved back home where he’ll get straight onto welfare to support the next phase of his ‘dream’. Fame is such a fickle thing, once you’re light dims there’s very little likelihood of it shining again. Just one of many pretty faces that think their youth and looks are that it takes.
batesmotel
Who looks hotter to me without the abs. The abs are too much.
iminheatlikeacat
Gosh, who would have thought that taking time to carefully create an online persona whilst #livingmybestlife doesn’t actually mean people are #livingtheirbestlives ? ?????
DarkZephyr
Now that you snarked out in the Queerty comment section, is your day complete?
iminheatlikeacat
@DarkZephyr
It’s 23:34. There’s 26 minutes left until my day is complete. So, no.
Tombear
He can always be a high end escort?
Creamsicle
As much as I love his message of vulnerability in text, that photo was not an example of vulnerability. He still looks hotter, happier, and healthier than 80% of men.
I don’t know how he lost his money, but I hope he lands on his feet and remembers how ephemeral fame and fortune can be before engaging in the social media circus again.