wo years ago, Katy West was so low, she could barely use public transport without having a panic attack.
Fast forward to now and the 35-year-old has scooped a silver medal at the World Powerlifing Championships in Las Vegas, after developing an unexpected passion for the sport.
Life changed for the Prestatyn librarian when, at the depths of depression, she turned to exercise.
Her confidence quite literally went from strength to strength and her secret binges on chocolate soon made way for a strict strength training regime that saw her achieve what she once thought was impossible.
Battling depression
Reflecting on her journey, Katy said: “I have suffered from depression and anxiety for around 15 years, although I was not diagnosed until 2008.
“I struggled with everyday tasks, I couldn’t concentrate. I didn’t eat and have little interest in anything.
“My mind was full of thoughts of how useless I felt, how nobody liked me and how everyone would be better off without me here.
“I’d convinced myself that being thin would make me happy and when it didn’t, I started overeating.
“I joined a gym to get fit but when my trainer moved away, I felt lost.”
But it was in 2014, when Katy met champion power lifter, Lou Brierley from The Fitness Academy in Prestatyn that things began to change.
“Before I met Lou, I had no confidence and no self-esteem,” she said.
“I was at a really low point again and I couldn’t stand to look at myself in the mirror when we trained. I was so anxious about training with someone new that I even had a panic attack on the way.
“I went to Lou to get stronger but I got so much more and soon found myself training to power lift.
“I had a terrible relationship with food and he completely changed that.
“He got me from rock bottom to be confident enough to put on a lycra singlet and do my first power lifting competition.
“Not long after that, I travelled to Vegas on my own, which is really an achievement for me.”
GPC World Powerlifting Championships
Katy came second in the GPC World Powerlifting Championships for the deadlift in the 75kg weight category with a lift of 155kg, equalling the world record in her age category and setting a new European record.
Prior to that, she won her first all women event in Manchester and also earned a bronze medal representing Great Britain at the European Powerlifting Championships in Eastbourne.
“I really don’t know where I’d be without Lou, he has changed my life,” she added.
“The support he has given me has been unreal and I’m so pleased that he’s not just my coach but my friend too.”
Lou himself recently scooped a national personal training award at a ceremony in Bath for his dedication towards his clients after being whittled down from 350 others in the running.
He also featured in the Daily Post earlier this year after helping an overweight teenager lose three-and-a-half stone.
The 22-year-old from Rhyl said: “Katy has changed so much since the day I first met her, the person who was once terrified and barely spoke has transformed into one who’s confident and determined.
“Since developing a passion for power lifting, she’s gone from being anxious travelling on the bus to going to Las Vegas on her own.
“I can’t put into words how proud I am of how far she has come.”
Courtesy of: Daily Post