A mum has undergone an incredible transformation after splitting with her long-term husband - and credits her divorce for turning her life around. Emma Sheppard, 42, split from her husband of 18 years in 2020 after feeling unhappy within herself and her appearance.
But two years later the mum-of-two says she is now 'walking on air' after the divorce forced her to make changes to her lifestyle such as joining the gym and ditching junk food. Emma also began putting on makeup and going out again, as well as setting up an account on the dating app Tinder.
Since transforming herself both inside and outside, Emma claims she now receives lots of attention - including from a man who claimed to have been on Love Island.
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Emma, a welfare case worker from Blackpool, Lancashire, said: "I'm so happy now that I've totally turned my life around. "I feel amazing and it's like the beauty comes from within. It's like walking on air.
"Before I'd always just worked hard and cared for everyone else. But, one day after we separated, I realised it was my turn. "I looked old empty and drained, but now I'm living my best life. I'm happy and I look completely different."
Emma, who tied the knot in 2000 at aged 22, says she thought she would be married for life but the relationship started to break down several years ago.
Her husband then moved out in January 2021, and the divorce was finalised in October of that year. Emma says she was initially down but, after listening to the song Roar by Katy Perry, she decided to move on.
First she gave her wardrobe a makeover, throwing out her usual black trousers and flats and instead opting for skirts, heels and brightly coloured jackets and coats. She also started wearing red lipstick for the first time, and cut her 20-a-day smoking habit to just four.
The non-drinker also took an extra job two nights a week in a cocktail bar and started going to the gym doing weights and cardio five times a week. Emma says she also switched up her eating habits, replacing egg, chips and bacon sandwiches with chicken pasta and homemade bolognese.
She said: "I'd married for life. It was him, the girls and work. I felt I'd got it all sorted. It was really bad after he left, it really broke me. I felt worthless - I was having panic attacks.
"I had no confidence in myself and was so isolated. I was just existing, working to pay the bills and just getting through.
"One day I woke up and thought, 'You come from a family of strong women, you are free and you can make a difference in your life'.
"I realised I can be so much more. It was like a force from somebody watching over me. Everything about me is completely different now.
"People say I look incredible compared to before, and I think it's because I'm so happy inside. Now I just smile all the time. And this is just the beginning."
Emma does not have a new partner yet, but is currently looking for love on Tinder.
She said: "It was funny to get hit on by that Love Island guy. I didn't recognise him at first but I thought, 'My type on paper'.
"I worked it out when we talked over Snapchat and I saw videos of him. He was messaging saying how pretty I was and that I don't look like 42.
"It was very flattering, and a shock, and quite funny."
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