Whithorn boxer says sport helped tackle her postnatal depression

A new mum has credited the sport of boxing with helping her recovery from postnatal depression.

Natasha McCallum became the first female boxer from Whithorn’s Bravehearts Boxing Club to step into the ring last week when she competed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow.

Although she lost her first bout, the 29-year-old said what really mattered was her victory over mental health challenges she faced after giving birth for the first time to her now three-year-old daughter.

“When I had Ella-Rose I was at my lowest,” she said. “The Bravehearts gym saved my life.”

“It’s different to any other mental health that you feel,” she explained.

“You can get depression but the postnatal from having a baby is completely different.

“It makes you not want to be here anymore. People say you get the ‘baby blues’ but you don’t realise how severe it can be.”

She said that was where the sport had come to her assistance.

“I found boxing and it’s hard to explain, but I’ve gone from size 16 to size eight, feel brilliant and got my life back,” she said.

Natasha, who moved from Ayrshire to the remote town of Whithorn in south west Scotland 13 years ago, had no previous experience of boxing, but the internet helped her to find a club on her doorstep.

“Because of the size I was after I’d had my little one, I started Googling how to lose weight,” she said.

“And boxing came up, as one of the hardest, but quickest ways to lose weight. So I tried it and I saw the weight falling off.

“I just got addicted to it, but it helps that you see the improvement in your body. I started looking in the mirror again and seeing the change helps you keep going.”

Now she says she feels “absolutely amazing”.

“I can’t believe what I’ve done and how far I’ve come,” she added.

“I never thought I’d see a way out of where I was, but I have.”

Natasha has recently launched her own cleaning business – the boxing club is one of her clients – and she is supported by partner John and family, although she banned them from watching her first fight.

“They’re a great support but the boxing is something I’ve done on my own; it’s my thing,” she said.

“My mum’s not keen to watch it anyway, and, being honest, I was also a little embarrassed that I might not box very well.

“I had Tom, my coach there, and there were others from the club supporting me, and that’s what it was about.”

She said their backing had been amazing and they had had “huge smiles” on their faces since her fight.

“I never thought I’d be in a boxing ring, but I absolutely loved it,” she added.

“I don’t know if boxing is for everyone, but I’d recommend women give it a try.

“Whether you need a lift, something to focus on or not – you don’t have to physically box people.”

She added: “I never realised what boxing training could do, but I know now, and it’s given me my life back.

“I would definitely recommend it to anyone.”

Tom Jolly, who runs the Bravehearts club, said it was delighted with what she had achieved.

“We are an open and welcoming club at Bravehearts and it’s been great to see more girls and women getting involved in training, and boxing itself,” he said.

“Natasha is a great role model for them.”

Head coach Wullie Martin said the club was very proud of how she had developed.

“Natasha made history for our wee club by becoming the first female Braveheart boxer to compete in a sanctioned bout up in Glasgow,” he said.

“I told Natasha that win, lose or draw didn’t really matter because as you step in through the ropes of a boxing ring the most important thing is not physical strength, but mental strength.

“You have to believe in yourself and your abilities to succeed, and Natasha has shown she has that mindset. The wins will come.”

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