Greenock woman opens her heart about coping with depression and her struggle to conceive a child

Michelle Gillespie says she experienced the 'darkest time' in her life as crippling depression and anxiety took hold of her life.

The 33-year-old then suffered a further setback when she and her husband Martin discovered they could not conceive naturally.

She used mindfulness and meditation - therapeutic techniques which can improve mental wellbeing - to improve her wellbeing.

Michelle says her mental health is now better than ever and her new positive outlook has allowed her to lose four stone and she has become a life coach.

By speaking out about fertility and mental health issues, Michelle hopes it will encourage a more open and honest discussion about topics she feels are swept under the carpet.

She said: "I feel that now, anything that comes my way, I'm able to handle it.

"I now want to teach people that same message.

"I want to empower people and show them that anything is possible."

Michelle, who lives in Roxburgh Street, shas always suffered from anxiety but it was back in 2015 when it started to affect her life.

She said: "It was depression and anxiety and I was off work for a few months.

"It was the darkest time.

"I had always suffered from bad anxiety from a young age so this was it coming to a head."

Although Michelle got herself back on track, she suffered a further blow in 2016 as she tried to start a family.

She said: "The further knock came in 2016 when we were told that we couldn't conceive naturally.

"I was also advised that I would have to lose six and a half stone before we would be put on the IVF waiting list.

"I've struggled with my weight since I was 14 and had tried yo yo dieting and plans.

"I thought that no way on this earth would I get to the target weight they set for me."

Michelle believes there is not enough public discussion about fertility problems.

She said: "I realised that there is not a voice out there for people suffering from fertility issues and there isn't much help out there.

"It's something that a lot of couples go through.

"So I feel that if I can speak about it then other people won't feel so alone.

"I want to be able to empower people to talk about it more."

Through her new positive mindset, Michelle has lost four stone and has dropped three dress sizes from a size 22 to a size 16.

Michelle is now on a mission to help others and has set up her new life coaching venture 'The Mind Matters Coach'.

Michelle, who offers free sessions where people can meet up with her, has also started a meditation class at the Old Auction Rooms in Greenock every Sunday at noon.

She said: "I just want to show people that anything is possible.

"I used to live in the past and I realise that you can choose to spend the time you have got here in pain and past memories or choose to spend it by experiencing what is going on right now whether that is good or bad."

Michelle says her husband Martin has been a tower of strength for her.

She added: "My husband has been so supportive and so loving.

"Any time I've been feeling a wee lull or a bit of self-doubt he's always there to tell me how far I've come."