Anna Maynard Opens Up About Trolling, Fitness and Mental Health

Anna Maynard says she has developed a “thick skin” after years in the public eye, insisting online trolling no longer has much power over her.

The 24-year-old CBBC presenter has faced public attention since she was 17. She is also the younger sister of singer Conor Maynard and YouTube personality Jack Maynard.

Anna explained that criticism on social media is nothing new, but said she remains in control of what she sees on her accounts and can remove or ignore anything upsetting.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline at the Bohomoon event in London, she said: “It’s something I’ve always been aware of. I’ve been in the public eye since I was 17, so it isn’t new to me.

“When it comes to any hate or trolling, I’m in control of my account. I can choose what I do, and if something starts affecting me, I can delete it or simply not look at it.

“You don’t have to spend your days reading things that make you unhappy. I’m quite strong and have thick skin, so it doesn’t really affect me too much.”

Anna Maynard says she has built a “thick skin” during her years in the spotlight while discussing online trolling

The 24-year-old presenter says embracing fitness has “completely changed” her mental health, with early-morning workouts helping her clear her mind

Anna also opened up about how exercise has recently transformed her mental wellbeing, describing fitness as a major turning point in her life.

She said she and her boyfriend, Traitors star Harry Clark, are currently enjoying their “wellness and fitness era”. Anna now regularly gets up at 5am to train, saying the routine helps her start the day with a clearer mind.

“Fitness has honestly changed everything for me,” she said. “It came along at a time when I really needed it, and it’s such a good way to clear your head.

“I get up at 5am every morning and get it done. I have to exercise in the morning because it clears my head for the rest of the day.”

Anna and Harry are currently preparing for the London Landmarks Half Marathon, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 6.

The couple’s training comes after Harry revealed a dramatic two-stone weight loss in a before-and-after post shared in December.

The Traitors winner showed off his new physique in a shirtless mirror selfie taken at the gym.

In the earlier image, Harry was wearing green swimming shorts as he posed beside the sea during a holiday abroad.

At the Bohomoon event, Anna told MailOnline that she has been in the public eye since she was 17 and can manage any trolling by deleting or avoiding content that affects her

She said people do not need to spend their time reading upsetting comments, adding that she is strong enough not to be greatly affected by online criticism

Anna said she and her boyfriend, Traitors star Harry Clark, are currently focused on their “wellness and fitness era”

Anna described fitness as a major change in her life and said her 5am workouts help her feel mentally refreshed throughout the day

Harry said the earlier photograph was taken in August, when he weighed 100kg, or 15 stone 10lbs. By December, his weight had fallen to 85kg, equivalent to 13 stone 5lbs.

Alongside the photographs, he wrote: “A reminder to myself on December 1st.”

He added: “Always remember to look at how far you’ve come. In the first photo, I’m around 85kg and feel as though nothing has really changed. The second was taken while I was on holiday in August, when I weighed more than 100kg.

“People often tell me they never thought I needed to lose weight, but the proof is there. I was a chubby bunny.”

Harry continued: “It’s crazy to think this is only the beginning. Who knows where I’ll be next August? I hope everyone has had a good week. I’m also starting to realise that this time next week I’ll be 24, which is mad, but what a year being 23 has been.”

Harry previously revealed that he lost six pounds in just four days while attending the intensive 1st Class Bootcamp with Anna.

The demanding programme helped him shed weight while also giving him a renewed sense of mental clarity, something he said had been missing for some time.

Anna’s comments come after fellow Traitors star Charlotte Chilton spoke about life as a single mother following the birth of her daughter, who she says was fathered by Anna’s older brother, Conor Maynard.

Anna has been a familiar face in the public eye since she was 17 and is the younger sister of singer Conor Maynard and YouTube star Jack Maynard

The update follows Harry’s reveal of his two-stone weight loss, documented in a before-and-after photograph shared in December

Charlotte, 32, said earlier this month that Conor, also 32, has not yet met their 10-week-old daughter. She alleges that he stopped responding after learning she was pregnant and has not acknowledged Penelope as his child.

She announced in June that Conor was the father of her “miracle” baby. Charlotte said the pregnancy followed a one-night stand after she had experienced seven miscarriages during IVF treatment with her former wife.

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, Charlotte described the emotional and financial strain that followed, saying she has had to work almost constantly while caring for her newborn to keep the household going.

“Penelope has everything she needs, don’t get me wrong,” Charlotte said. “She has lovely clothes, we’ve booked baby massage and she’s learning to swim, but that’s because I put her first. I go without so she can have those things.

“If someone else helped financially, what more could I provide for her? What else could I do? I could be a present mother rather than someone working every hour and feeling exhausted because she’s trying to make ends meet.”

Charlotte has repeatedly spoken about what she describes as Conor’s lack of involvement. When she first announced her pregnancy, she said: “She is not a dirty secret, and I will not be silenced.”