Latest news with #NatashaMcCallum
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Whithorn boxer says sport helped tackle her postnatal depression
A new mum has credited the sport of boxing with helping her recovery from postnatal 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 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." 'Role model' 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." If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, you can visit the BBC Action Line.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Daily Record
Inside creepy abandoned Scottish high school 'filled with decay and pigeons'
The photographer said it was "sad to see" the state of the building. Unsettling photos of an abandoned Scottish high school have been shared online. The former school is situated on the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde. On Monday, May 26, urban exploration blog Exploring with Natasha shared images of the former Rothesay Academy in the island's capital town of Rothesay. Once full of pupils, the site has been empty since the school relocated to a new campus in 2007. Exploring with Natasha is a photography blog run by urban explorer Natasha McCallum. She journeys to long-forgotten or abandoned sites across Scotland and shares images of how they look after being left to the elements. McCallum's latest photographs show how Rothesay Academy has changed since being deserted in 2007. According to the explorer, the building is "filled with decay and pigeons" and mould and greenery covers the walls. In the images, wallpaper can be seen peeling off and many of the windows are smashed. Additionally, the classroom equipment that remains is in a very poor state and beginning to disintegrate. Speaking to the Daily Record, McCallum commented: "On an exploring trip we decided to check out various islands, we found this school so decided to explore it. It was amazing to see the science rooms still intact with the old wooden desks. It's mainly filled with decay and pigeons, but the decay was beautiful to capture, especially with the big corridor shots." She added: "It was pretty amazing exploring the school and getting to see inside before it gets demolished. Especially a school with a lot of history like this one. The views from the top classroom windows looking over Rothesay I will never forget, it's very sad to see it go." Since being shared on the Exploring with Natasha Facebook page, the images have received more than 120 likes. With more than 20 comments, many Scots also shared their thoughts on the photographs. One Facebook user wrote: "Great find and pics. Thanks for sharing." A second agreed: "Great photos Natasha, you've really captured it well. Also a nice change to see natural decay over time rather than all out vandalism and destruction." Read on for a collection of images of the abandoned Rothesay Academy. More information can be found on the Exploring with Natasha page.
