A MUM who was told she couldn’t conceive due to ‘health fears’ shed nine stone to become pregnant with her first child – and now she’s hoping to empower others as she reaches the finals of a UK-wide pageant.
Jodie Griffiths from Weaverham will be representing Cheshire West in next year’s Galaxy Pageants finals and is trying to build a platform to spread awareness about anxiety and depression.
She said: “I'm trying to build a platform for mental health in our community and help anyone who was in a similar position to myself.
“I've gone from suicidal due to my weight to becoming empowered by my body and can't wait to compete to show others you can achieve anything you set out to do.”
Jodie welcomed her daughter Freya in June this year with husband Phil after dropping from 22st 6lb to 13st 6lbs.
Jodie found out she had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - a condition that affects how the ovaries work - in 2019 and struggled to conceive.
She started gaining weight in her teens but really saw her waistline 'balloon' after battling depression and while undergoing fertility treatment.
Jodie and Phil even looked into adoption, but Jodie claims she was turned down because of her overweight frame.
Desperate to turn her life around, Jodie forked out £8,500 on a private gastric sleeve operation and fell pregnant naturally soon after.
Baby Freya is now thriving and Jodie is preparing to take the stage to boost her confidence further.
“People could think I’m full of myself and am confident for doing this pageant but I’m far from it.
“I just wanted to put myself out there.
“I’m nervous for the finals, but when I throw myself into something, I don’t think back.”
Jodie is a finalist in the Mrs Galaxy division, which is open to those aged 18 and over who are legally married, and if she wins will represent the UK in the Galaxy International Pageant in America.
The finals will take place in March 2023 in Manchester.
And Jodie wants to use her platform to help others.
“I want to raise awareness of mental health and people with depression and anxiety," she said.
“I want to tell people who think they can’t do something because of mental health that it is achievable – at the moment you’re just ill but you will get better.”
Every month leading up to the finals, Jodie is planning on completing a fitness challenge to boost her own fitness levels and raise money for charities.
She is also planning to do something to mark Mental Health Awareness Day on October 10.
For updates, follow @mrscheshirewest on Instagram and galaxypageantsuk.com/jodie-g/.
If you are suffering with your mental health, you can get help for free from Samaritans by calling 116 123.
Alternatively, visit samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here