Natalie Weaving, 38, co-owns a marketing agency and lives in Basingstoke,Hampshire, with her son Alfie, eight.
Sweating as I lifted a heavy weight in the gym, all I could think about was the burning feeling coursing through my arms. Then, as I put the weight down, satisfaction washed over me. The truth was my mum, Debbie, was dying of cancer and the endorphins I got weightlifting was my only respite from the mental pain.
Generous, kind and funny, Mum was my best friend. When I was little, she was always there to take me to netball or ice skating, and as I grew up, we got even closer, going to the cinema and on shopping and spa trips.
I was devastated when Mum was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2013. She was given just six months to live. Initially I went into shock, but knew I had to be brave, especially for my son Alfie, who was 18 months old.
Mum was in shock, too. She continued to defy the odds and fight the cancer, but by December 2016, she’d started to get weaker. I was terrified, but took steps to ensure I’d be in the best place possible to deal with her death.
As well as seeing a counsellor, in April 2017 I took up weightlifting, which I’d done a bit of in my 20s. I loved how powerful it made me feel and how the endorphins gave me a boost. I began personal training with the Strongest Woman in the World 2018 lightweight-category winner, Farah Fonseca, every two weeks, plus I trained alone twice a week. It was tough and to begin with I was sore, but I went from dead-lifting 70kg to 140kg within six months.
Denne historien er fra August 31, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
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Denne historien er fra August 31, 2020-utgaven av WOMAN - UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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EAT WELL (even on a budget) - Easy meals that make the most of your store cupboard, and won't break the bank
Courgette and pesto pasta
The CATCH
The house was perfect - so why was it so cheap?
Elizabeth and THE RAIN
She had made Lisa's life a misery- and now she was back
I won't stop taking my daughter out of school... - TO GO TO THE BEACH!
One mum tells us why fun, spontaneous days are sometimes more important than being in the classroom
Where's the JUSTICE?
Catherine Wardle's son died over a senseless Snapchat spat
Fat-shamed BY MY MUM
Gemma Hall, 28, showed off her snaps and got a dose of tough love
Fighting for SURVIVAL
When Danielle Camilleri collapsed at 40, the diagnosis was devastating
Finding love AFTER LOSS
As Kelsey Parker moves on after losing her husband Tom, we investigate how difficult it is to find love again in widowhood
Phil's revenge
Phillip Schofield is back on our screens after a 16-month hiatus and it seems it's all-out war between the former presenter and ITV.
'I'm too scared TO HAVE SURGERY'
Christine Lampard on gratitude, staying in shape and date nights with husband Frank.