A RIBBLE Valley swimming instructor is making waves after qualifying for a place on team GB at the European Championships.

Mum-of-three Natasha Newell, 42, will be taking part in the ETU sprint distance triathlon age qualifiers which will take place in Geneva in July.

”I’m so excited and very proud,” said Newell, who is a member of Ribble Valley Triathlon Club.

Success was hard won for Natasha, who just four years ago weighed 14 stone and was in the ‘obese’ weight category.

But everything changed for Newell while on a holiday in Spain.

“I was in a bad place. I was comfort eating and my life was in a rut,” said Newell, who lives in Wilpshire.

“The turning point came when I was on holiday in Benidorm and I went to get some things from my room.

“ I didn’t recognise myself in the mirror. I honestly thought somebody else was in the room.

“When I realised who it was I felt like someone had hit me.”

Newell decided to make some changes and tried to walk up Pendle Hill. But it was only with the encouragement of friends that she managed to reach the top.

“I took three steps and stopped. I was so unfit and out of breath,” she added.

“Reaching the top was such an achievement for me. It was one of the hardest things I did at the time.”

Newell also joined a gym and began a long journey that would see her lose over five stone and take back control of her fitness.

In 2012, the aspiring athlete completed her first triathlon. She bought a bike one week before the race and had just one cycling lesson. Her only aim was to cross the finish line.

More triathlons followed and last year she came sixth out of 50 competitors at a qualification race in Southport which secured her place at the European Championships.

Her training regime now sees her swim over 250 lengths, run 18 miles and cycle 75 miles a week.

“I’m going to do my best and give it 100 per cent,” said Newell. “I’m training very hard but I still plan to enjoy the race.”

Newell hopes her story will inspire others to make a change and advises them to focus on a goal list.

She said: “Don’t make big changes but focus on little changes. They will turn into big changes eventually.”

Melissa Blackmore, Natasha’s coach at Virgin Active, said: “Her greatest strength is her determination to do everything as well as she can. She’s an inspiration.”

To sponsor Natasha in her triathlon in Geneva please contact her at natashanewell@ymail.com.