Young woman who trains in Cumnock named Britain junior champion

Sophie Holland had never stepped foot in a gym before last year when she was encouraged to try strongwoman by her boyfriend's parents.

She only had a personal goal of getting into shape, but before long she fell in love with the sport a few months later.

And in October she was left shocked when she won the title of Britain's Strongest Junior.

Sophie had only been in the sport for just under a year when she won the competition (Image: Newsquest)

Sophie told the Chronicle: "I started in The Unit in Cumnock not to do strongwoman but to get fitter. I have never stepped foot in one before and on my first day I was terrified to be at the gym, but now it has changed my world. 

"I never thought I would get anywhere with it, but I loved the training and eventually felt comfortable enough to enter competitions.

"The competitions can be intense but on the day you feel like you are in a different world. It has still not sunk in that I won that title.

"You go through the day and fight for every last bit of strength and energy you have got and then you are left speechless that you achieve the title.

"One of the things that drives me is the amazing support team that I have. My coach, boyfriend, family and all of the people from my gym are the most supportive and encouraging people.

"The Unit in Cumnock is a small little gym but everyone is treated like family, and it really is an amazing place to train and grow."

She began using the gym to get fitter but fell in love with the sport (Image: Phillips Photography)

And despite her most recent win, the 22-year-old, who lives in Ayr, has already competed in major competitions from Stirling Strongest and was awarded the Scottish Junior Deadlift record holder.

And it hasn't been an easy process as she has to fit in the training around her full-time job.

She has also competed in other major competitions across the country (Image: Phillips Photography)

She continued: "I have had to do a lot of intensive training and weightlifting. I also have a coach who helps me with the nutrition side of things. My coach, Shereen, really pushes me to my limits as she knows what I’m capable of even if I don’t believe it myself.

"When I am not at work you will always find me in the gym training. It takes up a lot of my time, but it will always be worth it because I feel so passionately about it.

"There is a lot more I want to achieve, but I am so proud of how far I have come in my early twenties. Once I am 23 I won't qualify as a junior so it is the start of the journey to work my way up to becoming a professional."

Now she is encouraging other young women in Ayrshire to give it a try (Image: Melissa Phillips Photography)

She now wants to encourage other young women in Ayrshire to give the sport a try.

'"It is such an amazing sport and people don't realise that," added Sophie.

"It is not just men that can stand out in this sport. It is so empowering to know that our bodies are capable of lifting incredibly heavy items. It will never just be about the physical strength it is about the mental strength to be able to keep going and pushing yourself further.

The 22-year-old can be found at the gym after work (Image: Melissa Phillips Photography)

"I have never came from a sports background and was never interested in the sporting world. I was always too self-conscious to go to the gym. I will always encourage women to give it a try because it is life-changing.

"You don't hear much about women in the sport and I think it is time that changes."