Landing at Heathrow airport, excitement ran through me. ‘Home sweet home,’ I smiled. It was January 2019 and, after two amazing years working as a personal trainer in Dubai, I’d moved back to the UK.
I’d wanted to be nearer to my son, then 20, family and friends, and was looking forward to seeing everyone. I’d saved a month’s salary, and at 44, with years of work experience behind me, I'd expected to find work pretty easily.
Only, in the next few weeks, I was turned down for almost every job I applied for, and was told that, after 20 years working in the fitness industry, I was overqualified.
‘It’s not fair,’ I groaned to my mum, then 72, and I felt humiliated having to ask her for help to pay my rent.
By February, I was getting desperate, and after chatting to a friend one day, he suggested in passing I try webcamming. ‘It’s a booming industry at the moment,’ he said.
I looked into it and found I could earn money by stripping online, from the safety of my own home.
I’d been a lapdancer when my son was little, and had always been prepared to do whatever was necessary to get by and provide a good life for him. So, even though I’d come a long way since then, building a career in the fitness industry, the idea of stripping didn’t faze me. I just needed to make money, so I emailed some lingerie shots to an agency.
‘We love your photos, and the customers will love your muscles,’ one of the reps replied.
I couldn’t afford to pay out for any special camera equipment but the rep reassured me that all I needed was my laptop.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 23, 2021 من WOMAN'S OWN.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 23, 2021 من WOMAN'S OWN.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
'SEEING MY NAME ON TV IS SURREAL'
Loose Women newbie Olivia Attwood Dack on joining the hit show, marriage and career goals
THE MISSING PIECE
My earliest memory of my older sister Priya wasn’t one where she was present, but rather, the realisation of her absence.
WEEKNIGHT WINNERS
Rustle up these tasty family dinners with just five easy ingredients
SMILING THROUGH CANCER
Like most mums, when my kids are upset I’ll do almost anything to turn their frowns upside down, whether it’s making Max, 11, his favourite chocolate cake or putting on silly voices for Georgia, eight, when she’s had a bad day at school.
BRAVERY AMIDST SUCH HORROR
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on dinner time, posh grub and wet summers
RELAX & RESET
For farm-to-table food and a game-changing spa, head for the dramatic Dolomites
HELP! I'M TURNING INTO MY MUM
As the years pass, Heather Main, 39, realises she’s inheriting more and more of her mother’s traits
I WAS MISTAKEN FOR MY HUSBAND'S MISTRESS!
When Gemma Loveden, 38, lost l6st, a family member was convinced she was someone else...
Denise confesses I'MA MORNING SEX PERSON'
Never one to mince her words, Denise Welch is much-loved by fans for her refreshing honesty.
Cat & Ben SNUBBED!
Are the This Morning hosts feeling disgruntled after missing out on an NTA nomination in favour of Alison?