I was a single mum living in a council house when I started working out – now I’m England’s strongest woman
A mother who started training in a council house has become England’s strongest woman.
Seven years ago, Rosie Abercrombie was a single mother living with her newborn daughter and suffering from postnatal depression.
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But after being overweight most of her life, Rosie hit the gym to get out of the house.
Now Rosie, who grew up just two streets away from legendary lifter Eddie Hall, has become England’s strongest woman, beating the competition in the under 73kg category.
Rosie, 27, from Knutton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, is a trainer and coach at the Old School Gym in Chesterton, where she also trains iron four times a week.
The single-minded mom said, “I’ve been doing strongman training for 12 months.”
“I didn’t expect to win. I am very happy.”
“I’ve never done any sport in my entire life. I was pretty overweight. I had my little girl when I was 20. I was a single mother from the start.”
“I knew a lot of girls in the same position. They never worked again and had more and more children. That made me more determined to do something and prove people wrong.”
“For a person who isn’t academically gifted, I just wanted to do something. I started going to the gym to work out and do something for myself.”
“It just kept going from there. I became addicted to getting stronger and the freedom that lifting weights gave me gave me.”
People encouraged Rosie to train others as a profession, which led to her job at the Old School Gym.
And she revealed exactly how her newfound career saved her from a “dark place”.
Rosie said: “They have a whole floor dedicated to the strong man. It’s just something that I really enjoy and got me out of my dire situation. That’s my thing That’s what I’m supposed to be.”
“It filled a void. I want my daughter to know that her mother is making something of her life. I want to make a name for myself and get out of council housing.”
“A big part of that is inspiring the people I work with. I lead training camps and boot camps. I also do online coaching and nutrition.”
Rosie finished second in the Midlands qualifier for strongwoman.
She revealed that on a typical day, she eats plenty of protein and carbs, but also indulges in treats.
She said: “I’ve been into bodybuilding a lot, but when the focus is so much on nutrition, it takes the fun out of it. I really fuel my body.”
“I’m lucky to get this far, but I’m in no rush.”
Rosie will now compete in Britain’s Strongest Woman in August.
Depending on her position, she could then qualify for European competition.
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