Dame Kelly Holmes admitted at an event in Tunbridge Wells over the weekend that she self-harmed because of sporting injuries.
The Double Olympic champion from Pembury revealed details of her personal experience with depression at the Health and Wellbeing Live event at Mabledon House on Saturday [September 23] where she was a guest speaker.
A series of seven injuries led Dame Kelly Рwho owns Caf̩ 1809 in Hildenborough Рto self-harm.
She said: “At my lowest, I was cutting myself with scissors every day that I was injured.”
“The scissors were in the bathroom and I used them to release the anguish that I had. It was really a bad place to be. But my biggest message to people is that you can get out of that and you can still achieve. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.”
The athlete went on to win gold medals in the 800m and 1,500m races at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and was crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Dame Kelly was speaking at the first Health and Wellbeing Live event which welcomed over 600 visitors and numerous experts including nutritionist Dr Maryiln Glenville who runs a successful practice in Harley Street and Tunbridge Wells.
As well as expert talks there were also fitness classes and food demonstrations and a range of health foods and natural beauty products for sale.
Speaking about why she decided to launch Health and Wellbeing Live its Co-Founder Shelley Harris, said: “Our lives are very busy and hectic and whilst we all want to feel healthier and have better wellbeing it can be hard to find the time to explore and achieve this, especially locally.
“We wanted to bring together local experts and exhibitors so people could discover new ways they could improve their own and their family’s health – both physical and mental.”
