I was a single mum living in a council house when I started working out – now I’m England’s strongest woman
A MUM who lived in a council house when she started working out has become England’s strongest woman.
Seven years ago, Rosie Abercrombie was a single mum living with her newborn daughter and suffering from post-natal depression.
But having spent most of her life overweight, Rosie joined the gym in a bid to get herself out of the house.
Now, Rosie, who grew up just two streets away from iconic strongman Eddie Hall, has become England‘s Strongest Woman, smashing the competition in the under 73 KG category.
Rosie, 27, from Knutton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, is a coach and trainer at Old School Gym in Chesterton, where she also pumps iron four times a week.
The determined mum said: “I have been doing the strongman training for 12 months.
“I wasn’t expecting to win. I’m chuffed.
“I never exercised at all through my life. I was quite overweight. I had my little girl when I was 20. I was a single mum from the off.
“I knew a lot of girls in the same position. They never worked again and continued to have more children. It made me more determined to do something and prove people wrong.
“For a person who’s not academically gifted, I just wanted to do something. I started going to the gym to get myself out and do something for myself.
“It just went from there. I got addicted to getting stronger and the freedom lifting weights gave me.”
People began encouraging Rosie to train others as a job, leading to her job at Old School Gym.
And she revealed just exactly how her newfound career rescued her from a “dark place”.
Rosie said: “They have a full floor dedicated to strongman. It’s just something I really enjoy and it got me out of a dark place. This is my thing. This is what I’m supposed to be.
“It filled a void. I want my daughter to know her mum is doing something with her life. I want to make a name for myself and get out of social housing.
“A massive part of it is inspiring the people I work with. I run training camps and boot camps. I also do online coaching and nutrition.”
Rosie came second in the Midlands qualifier for strongwoman.
She revealed that on a typical day she eats a lot of protein and carbs but also allows herself treats.
She said: “I dipped my toe into bodybuilding but when the focus is so much on your diet it takes the enjoyment out of it. I fuel my body properly.
“I am fortunate to get as far as I have but I am not in any rush.”
Rosie will now compete in Britain’s Strongest Woman in August.
Depending on her position, she could then qualify for European competition.