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‘I was self destructive’ – Kelly Holmes opens up on depression, identity crisis and growing up in care in emotional post

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OLYMPIC gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes has emotionally detailed her ‘self destructive’ past in an inspirational social media post.

The former Team GB athlete has used her platform to tell fans about her difficult past in a bid to inspire those in similar situations.

Holmes posted an emotional picture of her as a child and her in army uniformCredit: Instagram / @damekellyholmes
Holmes won two gold medals at the 2004 Olympics in AthensCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Holmes won gold in the 800m and 1500m at Athens 2004 after coming back from career-threatening injuries, and was awarded a damehood in 2005.

She was also presented with an MBE in 1998 for services to the British Army after a ten-year contribution to the Armed Forces.

But her astonishing achievements are made even more incredible given the challenges she faced growing up.

And Holmes opened up about those struggles in an emotional Instagram post.

She uploaded a picture of herself as a child next to a snap of her in army uniform and wrote: “In a children’s home until I started primary school.

“No privileges. Grew up in a council house, did odd jobs like cleaning cars/paper rounds/shopping for elderly to get my own money.

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“As a young girl I struggled with my identity. Grew up with my white mum,step dad,siblings and wider family (I didn’t know my biological father who’s Jamaican).

“Joined the Army when I was 17 left when I was 27, Proud to have served for my country GB.

“Suffered from depression,self harming and being self destructive.

“Struggled to deal with the bereavement of my mother 2017. Breakdown 2020, Burn out 2021.

“As a woman and a person in the public eye, I have never been confident with who I am.”

But Holmes then went on to list her personal achievements in a bid to inspire those living in difficult circumstances that ‘anything is possible’, if they are given the opportunities to succeed.

Holmes has spoken out about her mental battles before, and how she used to self-harm daily to ‘release the anguish’ she was feeling.

And she finished her post with the motivational message: “GET HELP and support if you need to. SPEAK to people because you need to. DON’T GIVE UP at the first hurdle.

“CRY if you have to. LOVE if you want to. DREAM cause you should do”

Source: Athletics - thesun.co.uk

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