I needed to find a platform where my size didn't matter, or at least I thought it didn't, and theater and performance were it.  The only time I felt alive and comfortable was when I was performing and over the years I got some brilliant opportunities including being a finalist on channel 4's operatunity but the best came with the opportunity to be part of SHINE. The kids inspired me and gave my performance a new depth whilst putting all my problems in perspective as well. The special needs kids perform with an exuberance that in my eyes translates to being alive and the other kids with an innocence and energy that showed they were enjoying every minute.

And that is where my journey to becoming a better performer and person started in addition to realising that being morbidly obese was very dangerous, health wise. So with Mel, the founder of shine and a close friend, being a true motivation, the kids of SHINE being my inspiration and a network of very close friends, too many to mention,( who doubled as family) forming a fantastic support network, it all began. 3 pounds here, 1 pound there and 8 stone later I'm now facing one of my biggest challenges the flora marathon as part of BBC1's 'Run for Glory' documentary! 26 miles... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA... how ridiculous!! Even if I crawl to the end, I'm going to complete it... there are sooo gonna be tears.