Rachael Gunn, widely known by her moniker Raygun, is opening up about her experiences following the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she made history as a competitor in the inaugural breaking event. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Gunn reflects on her journey, the challenges she faced, and the powerful message she wishes to share with the world.
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At 38 years of age, Gunn is determined to continue inspiring others to embrace their true selves. “Come at me,” she asserts confidently about her struggles, as she prepares for the release of her Netflix documentary, “Untold: Breaking Badly,” set to debut on 1 September. The film recounts her tumultuous experiences and public scrutiny that occurred as a result of her Olympic debut.
Gunn, who holds a doctorate in Cultural Studies from Macquarie University, expressed how difficult it was to watch certain segments of the documentary. Her dissertation focused on “de-territorializing gender” within the breaking community, an interest that blossomed alongside her relationship with her husband, Samuel Free, a former B-boy himself. However, just days after her Olympic performance, Gunn found herself embroiled in controversy when unfounded allegations suggested that her husband’s affiliations with the Australian Breaking Association gave her an unfair advantage in representing Australia.
Describing the situation as “really tough,” Gunn shared that both she and Free navigated a wave of backlash and intense scrutiny following the event. Interestingly, even those who have been critical of her concede that the accusations were baseless. The documentary features commentary from fellow B-girls Flix and Tinylocks, who voiced their disappointment with Gunn’s performance, with Flix admitting she felt “offended” and “embarrassed.” Despite this, Flix later acknowledged that Gunn “was the best B-girl on that day,” affirming that her spot on Team Australia was earned.
The documentary shed light on the difficult challenges faced by Australian B-girls during this time of heightened scrutiny and pressure. Gunn addressed these criticisms thoughtfully, understanding that her peers were responding to the chaos and tension that permeated the breaking community in Australia. “It was especially hard for Australian B-girls because of the attention that the community got, the scrutiny, the harassment,” she explained.
However, the harsh critiques from her community were not the hardest aspect of the experience for Gunn. Instead, she found it challenging to watch the rapid-fire edits capturing the intense global reactions to her performance. The focus of the documentary allowed her to reclaim her narrative, marking a step towards closure on what she refers to as an episode where she felt she had been reduced to a viral meme.
Prior to the Games, Gunn sought help for her mental health, being prescribed antidepressants to manage her anxiety. She candidly shared that while the medication presented challenges, it ultimately provided her with a stable baseline amid the chaos of being an elite athlete. “It threw things off, definitely, but also it calmed that anxiety,” she noted, while reflecting on the pressures of balancing training and high-level competition.
Despite the tumultuous repercussions of her Olympic adventure, Gunn reports that her mental health has significantly improved in the years since. “My mental health is good these days, but I don’t take that for granted,” she remarked. She emphasised the importance of regularly checking in on her well-being and being willing to take time for herself when necessary.
Having participated in smaller local events since the Olympics, Gunn is eager to contribute to her community and support emerging talents within the breaking scene. “I’ve entered just some small local jams with my crew, and it’s been really nice to be back and support the scene,” she explained, demonstrating her commitment to fostering a positive environment for fellow dancers.
As she looks to the future, Gunn expresses a desire to pursue creative avenues that resonate with her passions. She mentioned the potential for new opportunities arising from her documentary, hoping it might lead to ventures that inspire others to embrace their individuality and creativity. “I hope that this opens doors,” she stated, indicating a readiness to tackle unexpected challenges ahead.
Gunn’s experiences have undoubtedly shaped her resilience and strength, allowing her to inspire others through her story. Through speaking engagements and community involvement, she aims to motivate others to persevere through life’s hurdles. As she continues her journey, Rachael Gunn stands poised to advocate for authenticity and creativity in all its forms.