Gladiators star Sabre shows off incredible transformation after being 'very unwell'

Gladiator star Sabre has showed off her epic weight loss in snaps shared on Instagram, admitting she has been "considerably underweight" and "overweight" in the past

Sabre has revealed her epic body transformation(Image: BBC)

Gladiators star Sabre has shared her epic 10-year body transformation.

Scottish star Sheli McCoy is one of the uber-athletic Gladiators on the rebooted BBC show. Earlier this year, she was seen venting her frustration in the locker room with fellow Gladiator Diamond.

But Shelie has revealed she has been "very unwell" in the past, having been "considerably" overweight and underweight. Sheli took to Instagram with side-by-side snaps showing her incredible fitness journey.

The first photo, taken 10 years prior to her transformation, saw Sheli with friends at a bar or restaurant. The second image was taken in the gym and highlighting her impressive abs and biceps.

She posted side-by-side snaps of her 10-year fitness journey(Image: sheli_mccoyofficial/Instagram)

Sheli revealed her muscle-building journey in another side-by-side post. The first photo saw her at a size 6, weighing 55-60kg, while the second showed her at a size 10, weighing 65-70kg, with more definition.

Shelli told fans her transformation was down to hard work and that she wasn't a natural-born athlete. She wrote: "I posted this on my story just a few days ago and I must have read over 60+ messages all starting with 'I thought you were just one of those people who was given solid genetics and forever an athlete'....

She showed fans how she had bulked up and credited it to hard work and discpline(Image: sheli_mccoyofficial/Instagram)

"Whilst I truly do understand the image I now portray is that of a disciplined, focused and relentless athlete I can show you better than I can explain to you that that's really not always been the case and I too have been and still would consider myself a work in progress."

Shelli added: "I have been considerably overweight (Pic 1 Left). I have been considerably underweight (Pic 2 Left). I have been very unwell with both extremes ... And now I can say I am Healthy, athletic, strong and able to share these experiences for the benefit of others. (Pic 1 + 2 Right).

Sabre said she was "considerably" overweight and underweight(Image: PA)

"So next time you see a person in their fitness era and before we formulate a preconceived mind set of their genetics or lack of effort - first allow them a little nod of respect because they may have just worked their absolute heart out for that fitness , that mindset and that body , like I did."

Sheli ended the post with a sweet picture of her smiling with her dog. She added: "Picture 3 , Because happiness > bodyweight." Sheli, a Scottish weightlifting champion and CrossFit athlete, joined the BBC One television show "Gladiators" in 2024, where she is known by the Gladiator name "Sabre."

Sheli McCoy is a gym owner from Dundee, Scotland, and has starred on other TV shows, such as BBC's Michael McIntyre's The Wheel. She has said she trains 16 to 19 hours a week.

She now stars on the BBC reboot

Ahead of Gladiators premiering last January, Sheli said: "I truly hope Sabre will inspire and empower the younger generation of strong capable females just as the Gladiators I once watched inspired me to be a confident athletic woman." Sheli added: "It is Sabre's time to shine - here come the powerful girls."

"It's a dream come true," Sheli admitted before filming the BBC show, going on to say, "I'll be taking part in the old, iconic games my mum and I once watched and I can't wait to attack the new ones with her watching."

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