Alanna Groom is a mother of two who has struggled with depression for many years.
Bodybuilding is more than just sculpting the ideal physique for competition. For some, fitness is a way to improve their mental health as well as their overall lifestyle. This is especially true for Alanna Groom, a London mother of two. Groom struggled with depression for years and was on the verge of suicide before she discovered bodybuilding.
Groom is a mother of two daughters, and this is when her depression started. She was diagnosed with post-natal depression, which worsened in 2020. Many people were stressed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those who were forced to close their businesses. Groom was forced to close her business, which exacerbated her depression. This is when Groom realized she was “worth more dead than alive.”
Alanna Groom had tried various diets throughout her life, but nothing had worked. Groom’s sister hired a personal trainer for her when the gyms were closed due to the lockdown. Scott Francis started training Groom, and they started a 10-week program.
“IN MY HEAD, I WAS GOING TO END UP KILLING MYSELF IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, SO I HAD NOTHING TO LOSE,”
Alanna Groom started losing weight quickly. She began working on her bodybuilding skills in December. Her next goal was to work hard enough to be able to compete. She started taking classes to learn poses and hone her craft. Groom won gold in her first competition in December. This was the culmination of her efforts.
Groom admits that during the lockdown, she hit rock bottom. This is when she started drinking, self-medicates, and her eating habits deteriorated. She stopped taking her antidepressants and changed her eating habits when she started her training program with Francis. After the one-week period was up, training for bodybuilding was a simple next step.
For Alanna Groom, winning her first bodybuilding competition was worth far more than a gold medal. It demonstrated that she could achieve her goals regardless of the obstacles.
“THE WINNING WAS AMAZING BUT I COULD FINALLY SAY ‘WOW I GOT MYSELF HERE, I LOOK LIKE ONE OF THEM GIRLS I’VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF.’”
Bodybuilding is a sport that showcases some of the world’s best physiques. This is a difficult level to achieve, and weightlifters should not be discouraged if they do not reach it. Going to the gym and improving your health can be beneficial both mentally and physically for some people. Alanna Groom is a shining example of this, as well as an inspiration to others.
