From being a shy young person to becoming one of Wales’s strongest women, the last few years have been a huge transformation for Sioned Halpin.
In a special S4C programme, the cameras follow Sioned as she trains for the Wales’s Strongest Woman championship. As well as following her preparations for the big competition, we will get to know Sioned, from Kidwelly, and hear how lifting weights has transformed her life and been a lifeline to her during a tough time in her life.
Cryfder Sioned Halpin (Sioned Halpin’s Strength) will be shown at 9.00pm on Wednesday 22 September.
Sioned said: “The old Sioned was shy and never wanted to go anywhere. I wasn’t confident at all. I am a different person to who I was 10 years ago. For me to do this competition, it’s a big experience in itself.
“I was bullied a lot in school. Every lunch time I would hide in the toilet. I didn’t want to know anybody else and I took a step away from everyone. It was all about my weight really.
“I’ve been quite big since I was in school and not a lot has changed, but instead of trying to lose a lot of weight, like eight or nine stone, I thought, ‘just embrace it and do something that makes you happy. Looking back on the person I used to be gives me ammunition to train harder and it gives me a lot of confidence. I’m not quite sure what my life would be now if I hadn’t started doing this.”
During the programme, we hear from those who have helped Sioned throughout her Strong Woman journey, including her coach Hywel Owen-Thomas, her training partner and former Wales Strongest Woman winner, Sioned Owen-Thomas, and the winner of the UK’s Strongest Man for the last two years, Gavin Bilton, from Caerphilly.
Gavin said: “You just recognise talent straight away. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, but what she does take seriously is her training and her attitude towards being as strong as she possibly could be. It’s amazing and it’s great to watch. I truly believe that I can see it in her that she could become one of the greats.
“She’s doing amazing. Sometimes she doubts her capabilities but she’s stronger than she knows.“
Cryfder Sioned Halpin
Wednesday 22 September, 9.00
English subtitles available
On demand: S4C Clic, iPlayer and other platforms
A Tinopolis production for S4C
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