After reaching a critical health turning point, athlete Kaitlin Hicks has shed a third of her body weight, transforming her life and returning to international competition in the Highland Games.
For many, the path to health is not a straight line, but a series of hard-won battles against grief and physical limitations.. For 29-year-old athlete Kaitlin Hicks, the journey to shedding a third of her body weight began not in a gym, but in the quiet, terrifying moments of a night spent struggling to breathe.
Kaitlin, a teaching assistant from North Yorkshire, once stood as a North East shot put champion, a powerhouse of athletic potential.. Yet, life took an unexpected turn in 2021.. Following a cascade of personal bereavements—including the loss of her cherished grandmother and her animals—she found herself retreating into a cycle of comfort eating.. By 2024, her weight had reached 27st 7.5lbs (174.9kg).. The physical toll was severe; she was diagnosed with sleep apnoea, a condition so acute that her husband, Aiden, spent nights watching over her, terrified she would stop breathing entirely.
The turning point toward a new life
The realization that her lifestyle was becoming a death sentence was the catalyst for change.. Rather than looking for a quick fix, Kaitlin approached her recovery with the same discipline that once made her a top-ranked shot putter.. She began using tracking tools to monitor her nutritional intake, temporarily utilized medical support to help recalibrate her metabolism, and gradually shifted her focus toward long-term athletic sustainability.
This transition was not merely about the numbers on a scale; it was about reclaiming her identity as an athlete.. The psychological shift from using food for comfort to viewing it as essential fuel for performance changed everything.. Now weighing 18st (114.3kg), Kaitlin has successfully traded size 28 clothing for a size 18, but more importantly, she has regained the agility and stamina required to compete at the elite level.
Returning to the world stage
Returning to the arena brought its own set of challenges, but Kaitlin thrived.. She is now a competitor in the Highland Games, representing her country in disciplines like the hammer throw and caber toss.. Her seventh-place finish at the 2025 IHGF World Amateur Highland Games Championships serves as a testament to her resilience.. Looking ahead, she has her sights set on European and World Championship titles.
Her story offers a poignant reminder that recovery is rarely just about diet.. It is about the environment we cultivate and the people we surround ourselves with.. By removing the secrecy that often surrounds unhealthy eating habits and replacing it with open, goal-oriented training, she broke the cycle of emotional spiraling.. The “small wins” she celebrates—like navigating a plane seat or simply climbing stairs—are the true markers of a life reclaimed.
Ultimately, Kaitlin’s transformation provides a blueprint for those feeling trapped by their own circumstances.. Her journey underscores that while the weight of grief can feel immovable, re-engaging with one’s passions can provide the necessary momentum to move forward.. She is no longer just surviving; she is competing, thriving, and setting a standard for health that transcends the scale.