A single mum-of-two who said her life fell apart after her marriage collapsed is now a boxing champion.
Lucy Payne says the sport saved her when her relationship broke down.
She won the Union Boxing Federation (UBF) title last month.
But the 37-year-old said she was in a very, very dark place after splitting up with her boys’ father nine years ago and struggled through each day.
Until five years ago Lucy of Carhampton, near Minehead, Somerset, had never set foot in a boxing gym or donned boxing gloves before.
“It was the most difficult time in my life,” she said.
“I split up with my sons’ father.
“And I really lost myself – I didn’t know what to do.
“I struggled each and every day.
“I was in a very dark place.
“The person I was five years ago I very much would doubt that I’d still be here now to be honest.
“In the moment of the marriage break down I could see no way out and my life seemed to have no meaning.
“My children mean the absolute world to me but at that point it seemed that nothing mattered.
“I keep myself to myself so I didn’t reach out to anyone about my problems.
“So I tried to process everything on my own and try to keep a brave face on as the boys still needed me as their mum.”
She told What’s The Jam: “But I had always enjoyed watching boxing on TV and I thought, ‘you know what let’s just go for it’.
“So I found a local club and messaged a coach who said, ‘just pop up’.
“And to this very day the moment I walked into the club it felt like it saved my life.
“It’s such a huge journey it’s put me on I get quite emotional.
“I feel like I found myself through boxing.
“It’s like a family – I spend more time at the gym than I do at my own house.”
She said the first time she went to the gym was intimidating.
“It is a very male dominated environment,” she said.
“I walked in and wanted to walk straight out.
“I’m not that confident in everyday life so it was a huge step for me.
“But they were very welcoming and I haven’t looked back since.
“My sons were a little apprehensive – they were worried about the safety aspect at first.
“But they saw the joy it gave me and that I was happier and they’ve been supportive towards it.
“When they say they’re proud of me again it makes me very emotional.
“It’s been us and only us for the last nine years.
“I want to prove to them that with hard work and determination, you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Lucy trains and coaches at Tavern Fitness and Martial Arts in Watchet which she affectionately refers to as a “second family.”
She was also crowned the English boxing champion at her fight in April, and plans to take on the European championships next year.
“I absolutely thrive on discipline, it makes me feel alive.
I’m always looking for the next goal or achievement,” she said.
She added that the training also had transformed her body.
“When I go to give blood or have a vitamin B12 injection they have to use a different needle because I’m quite muscular.
“They think it’s quite amusing.”
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