Dundee, Scotland – Sheli McCoy, known for her role as a Gladiator on the BBC show, opened up about her journey to becoming a fitness champion after surviving domestic abuse. McCoy, who is now a gym owner, spoke about being attacked by an ex-partner in her early twenties, resulting in two black eyes and a restraining order against him. During this time, she struggled with weight gain due to unhappiness and overeating, but she eventually made the decision to become “strong” and has since achieved great success as a Scottish CrossFit and weightlifting champion.
McCoy is now one of the leading stars on the revamped version of Gladiators, which has garnered significant attention since its launch. Speaking on the Restless Natives podcast, she shared details about the abusive relationship, including a violent ending that resulted in a court case and a restraining order. She also spoke about the toll the destructive eight-year relationship took on her, leaving her feeling isolated and unhappy.
Drawing inspiration from her mother, who is a sergeant in the Army, McCoy made a commitment to regain her strength and never endure such suffering again. She acknowledged that she learned the hard way but emphasized the importance of offering help to others who may be going through similar experiences. McCoy described her journey as a “learning curve” and expressed her determination to reclaim her former self and inspire others to achieve their full fitness potential.
Ahead of her appearance on the show, McCoy described herself as a hard worker and revealed that she dedicates 16 to 19 hours per week to training. She has participated in multiple weightlifting and CrossFit championships, representing Scotland and serving as a source of inspiration for future generations. The BBC revealed that the Gladiators reboot has attracted millions of viewers, marking the biggest launch of a new entertainment series in the UK in several years.