A Liverpool-based model who would regularly received criticism over her weight is determined to prove her critics wrong.
Mariam Agha, born in Saudi Arabia but now living in Liverpool city centre, uses her Instagram feed to help encourage others.
Boasting more than 15,000 followers, the 21-year-old has shared her journey which led to her being scouted by modelling agency Emilia Models.
Speaking to the ECHO, Mariam said: "I used to always be criticised about my weight, people would ask me 'why don't you eat?', but it's because of my metabolism.
"But watching America's Next Top Model I felt good about myself, I used to think that I could be a model one day."
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However, despite earlier interest from agencies, Mariam says she previously declined offers due to a lack of confidence after years of criticism.
She added: "I wasn't confident - the reason that I didn't pursue modelling was because of anxiety.
"I would decline photoshoots because I was too anxious.
"At the point where I was getting scouted, I was challenging my comfort zone - it was one of the best opportunities and I didn't want to let it go because I knew that I'd regret it.
"As a person that struggled with mental health, especially growing up in Saudi - where it [mental health] is not spoken about as much - I wanted to make that change as an Arab woman.
"In my opinion, it's as important as physical health, it can really demotivate you and it can make you miss out on a lot of opportunities if you don't deal with it.
"People take their own lives from their mental health - it's not like physical health where you can see it, but that doesn't mean it's not there."
Despite now being signed to an agency Mariam, like many people, has faced difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic.
She is yet to be given a paid photoshoot as she develops her modelling portfolio.
Mariam said: "At the point where I was getting scouted, I was challenging my comfort zone - it was one of the best opportunities and I didn't want to let it go because I knew that I'd regret it.
"But it hasn't been easy at all, I'm building my book in preparation for work - right now I'm a developing model.
"With modelling, you need to understand that you can be optioned for something without getting the job and that's okay.
"I feel really good because I've done something I didn't think I can manage.
"My friends have been really supportive."
