Wrexham woman who lost her house and 'comfort ate to size 16' is now a national bodybuilding champion

Claire Crowther, 35, won first place at the UK Ultimate Physiques British Championship finals in York on Saturday.

She competes as a female bodybuilder in the Athletic Figure class.

Having won her qualifying event in Milton Keynes on October 19, she went on to defend her title to be crowned British Champion - but it wasn’t an easy journey.

Claire Crowther this year. Images provided by Claire Crowther

In the earlier part of 2019 Ms Crowther went through a marriage breakdown.

Having previously suffered with severe depression, anxiety and self harm she said this could have been a trigger for her to spiral into a path of self-destruction.

She went through her first divorce in 2007.

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Speaking of the events which followed, she explained: “It was a very tough time for me. I had a young baby and I had no money.

“I lost my house, I went bankrupt and I comfort ate my way to a size 16.

Claire Crowther in 2009

“I got severely depressed and started to self harm.”

Ms Crowther recovered from this and in 2010 went on to lose six stone in body weight.

“I knew I had to change my life around,” She said.

“I started to clean up my diet and joined the gym.

Claire Crowther this year

“I found that training helped my depression and gave me focus.”

In 2014 Ms Crowther remarried and started planning to compete in her first fitness show.

“I had got into great shape for my wedding day so I thought why not set a new goal and go for a fitness competition,” she continued.

“I already loved lifting weights and worked hard in the gym so I got stuck right in.”

By 2016 Ms Crowther had stepped on stage in the bikini category and won first place at the Pure Elite World Championships and third place at the UK Ultimate Physiques British Finals 2016.