Kirsty's Story

SHE STARTED TRAINING TO FEEL BETTER… NEARLY THREE YEARS LATER, SHE'S DEADLIFTING 160KG.

For Kirsty, strength training began during one of the most difficult periods of her life. What followed was a transformation that went far beyond physical strength.

Perimenopause had brought overwhelming anxiety and depression, leaving Kirsty's confidence shattered.

She had struggled with binge eating since her early teens and as her mental health deteriorated, those habits returned with renewed force.

At the same time, she was facing her mum's terminal illness.

Kirsty knew something needed to change.

It was Kirsty's husband, Stu, who spotted a Facebook post from Luke looking for women interested in trying strength training.

He gently encouraged her to get in touch and Kirsty decided to give it a go.

Initially, she simply hoped that exercise might offer some relief from the challenges she was experiencing during perimenopause.

She couldn't have imagined just how important it would become.

As Kirsty began training, she discovered that the benefits reached far beyond the weights she could lift.

She describes a huge positive shift in her mental wellbeing, alongside regaining control over the binge eating that had affected so much of her adult life.

She no longer experiences the same debilitating anxiety and depression she once did and while she's proud of her physical progress, it's these changes that mean the most.

Feeling happier, more confident and more in control of her life.

Of course, there have been some pretty extraordinary physical achievements too.

Like entering a strength challenge and successfully deadlifting 160kg.

But Kirsty also finds pride in the everyday moments, lifting and carrying things she previously wouldn't have been able to manage.

Realising just how strong she's become and recognising how far she's come because she kept showing up.

Kirsty describes herself as someone who historically struggled to stick with things. From hobbies to qualifications, gym memberships to fad diets, she'd started plenty of things that never quite lasted but strength training has been different.

Almost three years after beginning, it's become a natural part of her life, not another short-lived attempt at change. Something she genuinely enjoys and wants to keep doing.

Kirsty's story isn't simply about lifting an impressive weight.

It's about finding an approach to exercise that she enjoys, building confidence and discovering what she's capable of during a challenging chapter of her life.

Her experience of improved mental wellbeing is deeply personal, and her story is a reminder that progress can mean so much more than physical results.

With the support of LJHF coaches she describes as kind, dedicated and encouraging, Kirsty has found something she once struggled to believe she could maintain.

And her advice to anyone considering starting?

"Do it. I promise you won't ever regret it!"