A mum made a life-changing decision when she inherited a gift from her brother after his death, aged 31.
Joe Compaan died in July 2021 after suffering a brain haemorrhage, leaving his 34-year-old sister April consumed with grief. The mum-of-two spent months drinking before she realised "something had to change".
In October 2022, April took on a personal trainer and soon found herself in the gym every day. Within months, April was able to easily lift the 20kg plate dumbbells she inherited from Joe.
April has now turned to bodybuilding, transforming her physique, and said she has found her "raw grief easing".
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April, who owns a jewellery business, from Norwich, Norfolk, said: “My brother loved working out, but he had problems with alcohol. When we cleaned his flat after his death, I somehow ended up with his equipment.
''Thankfully it inspired me, and I am now training for my first ever competition. My mental and physical health have improved so much since I started, I can’t imagine my life without it. I feel much stronger now.''
Joe's death came after he was found with a head injury by his mum, Sally, 62. Medics rushed Joe, an online investor and author, to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, where he was diagnosed with a brain haemorrhage.
April said: ''Despite the best efforts of staff there, he never recovered and received palliative care until he died. It was devastating for my mum - she had to move away from the area as the memories were too much.
“I struggled to come to terms with life without him in my life. Drinking provided a temporary relief, and I became very unhappy and unhealthy.
“I knew inside of me I needed to find a healthy coping mechanism as soon as possible before it got worse. I kept looking at the two dumbbells I inherited from my brother lying in my dining room and I went to meet Charlie Davies, a personal trainer.
''I told him I wanted to start bodybuilding with a view to raise money for charity in my brother's honour, to draw a positive from a negative.
“I've loved it from day one, it's been massive in helping me channel the grief into something and making me feel like he’s here with me."
Since starting at the gym six months ago, in October 2022, April who weighed 11st 8lbs, has dropped two stone. She is now a slim 9st 8lbs and has dropped from a size 14 to a size 8.
After daily training she is now preparing for her first body building show on July 2, 2023.
She said: “My mum is so proud of me, she calls me her little Gladiator Girl.
“My kids - Cara, 14 and Dylan, 11 - have adapted well to my new lifestyle, and they understand and support me with my diet and routine.
''I’ve met other people who’ve lost their siblings in the gym and are now like me challenging their grief into bodybuilding.
''It'll never bring him back, but I know how proud he'd be, I'm doing it all for him.''
April documents her progress on her Instagram - @april_compaan - as well as fundraising money for the Mental Health Foundation in memory of her brother.
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