Article: They Laughed at Me for Being Overweight... Now I’m a Personal Trainer

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They Laughed at Me for Being Overweight... Now I’m a Personal Trainer

I Was Bullied for My Weight at 13, Here's How I Turned Pain into Strength

When I was 13 years old, I came home from school in tears. The teasing had gotten unbearable with cruel comments about my weight that made me feel completely worthless. I still remember that moment vividly: the sting of the words, the heaviness in my chest, the feeling of being broken.

That day changed everything.

My mum saw how deeply I was hurting and took action. She booked an appointment with a nutritionist and signed me up for sports. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the first step in a journey that would shape the rest of my life. Slowly, I began learning how to take care of myself, how to eat with intention, how to move my body in ways that felt good and most importantly, how to rebuild the confidence I had lost.

Learning to Nourish, Not Punish

For me, the hardest part wasn’t working out or staying active. It was food. Food had always been emotional, a source of comfort, control and sometimes shame. Trying to unlearn years of emotional eating in a world filled with temptation felt impossible at times.

Then came another hurdle: allergies. Being diagnosed meant I had to completely rethink how I approached food. I couldn’t rely on the same meals or snacks anymore. I had to educate myself, get creative in the kitchen and be constantly aware of what my body could and couldn’t tolerate.

There were years of trial and error. Years of feeling lost. But through all the frustration, I started to find clarity. I learned to listen to my body, to eat in a way that supported my health, not just my appearance. I stopped punishing myself and started caring for myself.

From Powerless to Purposeful

This journey didn’t just change my body, it transformed the way I saw myself. I used to feel powerless around food, overwhelmed by guilt and shame. Now, I feel in control. I make choices with purpose. I’m more disciplined, more self-aware and more compassionate.

Dealing with allergies was hard, but it taught me how to be gentle with myself. It taught me to slow down and trust my body. And I began to realise that real transformation isn’t just physical, it’s emotional and mental too.

Fortunately, I also had the support of my mother who really was my rock. She believed in me before I believed in myself. Once my family understood what I was going through, especially after the allergy diagnosis, they became more supportive too. But I still had to dig deep most days. A lot of the motivation had to come from within. Even so, just knowing I wasn’t entirely alone, that I had people in my corner, made all the difference.

Bouncing Back from Setbacks

I’ve had more setbacks than I can count. There were times I slipped into old habits, moments when I thought all the progress had vanished. And with allergies making things more complicated, it often felt like I was climbing a mountain with extra weight on my back.

But I kept coming back to my why. I reminded myself of how far I’d come and how much better I felt, not just physically but emotionally. When motivation faded, discipline kept me going. I kept showing up for myself, even when it was hard.

Because deep down, I believed I deserved a better life.

Who I Am Today

Physically, I feel like a new person. I have more energy. I recover faster. I don’t get sick as often. But the biggest change is internal. I’ve replaced insecurity with pride and self-doubt with confidence. It’s no longer about trying to shrink myself or look a certain way, it’s about feeling good and strong in my body.

This journey even reshaped my career. I became a personal trainer so I could help others feel empowered too. I know what it’s like to struggle, to start from scratch, to feel completely overwhelmed. And I know how powerful it is to make it to the other side.

The most important thing I’ve learned is that real change starts from within. It’s not about chasing perfection or obsessing over numbers. It’s about mindset. It’s about knowing you’re worthy of more and building the discipline to show up for yourself, even when you don’t feel like it.

I’ve learned that setbacks don’t mean failure. They’re part of the process. Every misstep taught me something about resilience, patience and self-love. And I wouldn’t trade those lessons for anything.

What I’ve Learned and What Comes Next

I’m excited for the future, not because I want to reach some finish line, but because I know this journey is ongoing. I want to keep growing physically, emotionally and mentally. I want to keep learning about nutrition, movement and mindset so I can better support the people I coach.

And I want to create a space where others feel seen, supported and strong. This is no longer about short-term results, it’s about long-term wellness and living a life that feels good, inside and out.

If you’re at the beginning of your journey, please be patient with yourself. There will be setbacks, but that doesn’t mean you’re failing. Don’t compare your path to anyone else’s. Take small, consistent steps. They matter more than trying to change everything overnight.

And most importantly, listen to your body. Whether it’s about food, fitness or your mental health, your body is always speaking. Trust it.

Believe in yourself, even when no one else does. Especially then. That belief is what will carry you through when nothing else can. This journey is yours to conquer. And you absolutely can.