Gladiators Star Sabre Opens Up About Imposter Syndrome and Personal Struggles
Sheli McCoy, the formidable Gladiators star best known by her arena name Sabre, has candidly revealed the deeply emotional reasons behind her decision to join the hit television show. The 37-year-old athlete has spoken openly about her long battle with imposter syndrome and the complex journey she has undertaken regarding her body image and self-confidence.
From Scottish Childhood to Gladiators Arena
Sheli's path to Gladiators fame began during her childhood in Scotland, where she watched the original series captivated from her family home. She admits that as a sport-obsessed girl, she often felt like an outlier among her peers. "The contenders would face these fierce gladiator women, and I loved that," she told The Mirror, "and now that I get to be one of them!" This childhood fascination planted the seed for her eventual participation in the 2024 reboot of the iconic competition series.
Despite her obvious athletic prowess and dedication to physical fitness, Sheli confesses that her muscular physique left her feeling self-conscious for many years. These feelings were compounded by what she describes as imposter syndrome - that persistent internal doubt about her abilities and worthiness, despite external evidence of her success.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
The journey hasn't been straightforward. Sheli reveals that during an abusive relationship, she lost her hard-earned physique entirely, gaining significant weight and falling into unhealthy patterns. "I became very unhappy and unhealthy in a terrible relationship that ended very traumatically and I gained a lot of weight," she explained to her followers on social media.
This difficult period became a turning point. "I promised myself I would do better, be better and become a role model and a leader, to make myself and others proud and that's what I feel I have done," she stated with determination. Her commitment to transformation saw her shed four dress sizes through dedicated training regimens.
Becoming a Role Model
Now, as Sabre on Gladiators, Sheli has embraced her platform with purpose. Contrary to seeking celebrity status, she emphasizes that fame was never her motivation. Instead, she focuses on mentoring young girls and developing her business - a gym she owns in Dundee.
"I'm currently going into two schools a week at the minute, minimum, and coaching kids' classes at the gym twice a week," she revealed, highlighting her commitment to community engagement over red carpet appearances or reality television opportunities like Strictly Come Dancing.
Message to Her Younger Self
Reflecting on what she would tell her younger self, Sabre offers powerful advice that resonates with her personal journey: "It's okay to take up space. It's okay to be a little bit louder than other girls, it's okay to be a little bit stronger than other girls, and it's okay to want to play sport with boys. Be proud of it."
This message forms the cornerstone of her mission - to empower the next generation of girls to embrace their strength and athleticism without apology.
Training Regimen and Physical Transformation
Maintaining her powerful Gladiator physique requires immense dedication. Sheli trains between 16 and 19 hours weekly, incorporating regular CrossFit sessions and Olympic-standard weightlifting into her routine. She credits these disciplined workouts, combined with proper nutrition and quality sleep, for maintaining the fierce power and agility that define her Sabre persona.
She recently shared remarkable before-and-after photographs with her followers, contrasting her physique from 2012 with her competition-ready form from 2018. These images visually document her transformation from what she describes as an unhappy, unhealthy period to her current peak physical condition.
As Gladiators continues to air on BBC One and iPlayer every Saturday at 5:45 PM, Sheli McCoy stands as a testament to resilience, demonstrating how personal struggles with imposter syndrome and body image can be transformed into sources of strength and inspiration for others.
