Mother, 42, who looked ’empty and drained’ from her 18-year marriage unveils her stunning post-divorce transformation after joining the gym and setting up a Tinder account
- Emma Sheppard, 42, from Blackpool, split from husband of 18 years in 2020
- Mother-of-two initially distraught by the divorce, but decided to make a change
- She cut from smoking a pack-a-day to only 4, and has changed diet and skincare
A mum credits this incredible transformation to getting divorced – and joining Tinder.
Emma Sheppard, 42, from Blackpool, split from her husband of 18 years in 2020, which Left her feeling ‘worthless.’
She says her busy life as a wife had left her unhappy – both within herself and with her looks.
But, two years on, Emma says she is ‘walking on air’ having turned her life around.
The mum-of-two joined a gym and ditched junk food – instead eating healthy meals she had cooked at home.
And she also glammed-up and started going out again – and set up an account on Tinder.
Emma says she’s since received loads of attention, including from a man who claimed to have been on Love Island.
Emma Sheppard, 42, from Blackpool, split from her husband of 18 years in 2020, which eft her feeling ‘worthless. ‘But, two years on, Emma says she is ‘walking on air’ having turned her life around with a glamourous makeover
Emma, a welfare case worker said: ‘I’m so happy now that I’ve totally turned my life around.
‘I feel amazing and it’s like the beauty comes from within. It’s like walking on air.
‘Before I’d always just worked hard and cared for everyone else. But, one day after we separated, I realised it was my turn.
Emma tied the knot in 2002 and thought she’s be with her husband for life. She was devastated when the pair split in 2020, pictured
Cheers to that! The mother-of-two got a new lease on life, thanks to her incredible transformation
‘I looked old empty and drained, but now I’m living my best life. I’m happy and I look completely different.’
Emma tied the knot in 2000, aged 22, and said: ‘I’d married for life. It was him, the girls and work. I felt I’d got it all sorted,’ she said.
But the relationship started to break down several years ago and her husband then moved out in January 2021, and the divorce was finalised in October of that year.
‘It was really bad after he left, it really broke me. I felt worthless – I was having panic attacks,’ she admitted.
‘I had no confidence in myself and was so isolated. I was just existing, working to pay the bills and just getting through.
At the end of her 18-year-long relationship, Emma said she suffered panic attacks and was only existing
Between work and family life, Emma was left with very little time to take care of herself and had picked up unhealthy habits
‘One day I woke up and thought, “You come from a family of strong women, you are free and you can make a difference in your life”.
‘I realised I can be so much more. It was like a force from somebody watching over me.
Emma says she was initially down but, after listening to Roar by Katy Perry, she decided to move on.
First she gave her wardrobe an overhaul, booting out her usual black trousers and flats for skirts, heels and brightly coloured jackets and coats.
She also started wearing red lipstick for the first time, and cut her 20-a-day smoking habit to just four.
The mother-of-two hit the gym, changed her diet and reduced her smoking in order to complete her makeover, which changed her outlook on life. Pictured now
The non-drinker also took an extra job two nights in a cocktail bar and started going to the gym for weights and cardio five times a week.
And Emma says she also switched up her eating habits, replacing egg and chips and bacon sandwiches with chicken pasta and homemade bolognaise.
‘Everything about me is completely different now.
‘People say I look incredible compared to before, and I think it’s because I’m so happy inside.
‘The oddest thing is that I really believed I was happy when we were married.
‘I realise now I was emotionally detached then because I was so worried about looking after everyone.
‘Now I just smile all the time. And this is just the beginning.’
Emma does not have a new partner yet, but is looking for love on Tinder.
She said: ‘It was funny to get hit on by that Love Island guy. I didn’t recognise him at first but I thought, ‘My type on paper’.
‘I worked it out when we talked over Snapchat and I saw videos of him. He was messaging saying how pretty I was and that I don’t look like 42.
‘It was very flattering, and a shock, and quite funny.’
The mother-of-two is now on the app Tinder, where she is getting a lot of attention. She said people can’t believe she is 42