A single mum who ditched eating takeaways four times a week is now vying to become Europe’s strongest woman.

Jade Crouch, from Herne Bay, has a relentless schedule of looking after her children, running her own business – which can mean working up to 12 hours a day – and spending time at the gym.

The 28-year-old gas engineer had never stepped foot in a gym four years ago.

But since entering her first Strong Woman competition in August 2022, she has not looked back and is now facing her latest gruelling test.

Jade will have to do a 210kg axle deadlift, 100kg in each hand in a farmer’s walk, 100kg sandbag over a bar, 50kg dumbbell in one arm and a loading medley in the European competition in York later this month.

“My lifestyle has changed massively,” said the mum-of-two about getting into the sport.

“I stopped drinking, I get up and go to the gym for 5am three times a week before my children are awake so they do not miss me.

“I have a better relationship with food whereas before, I was down at the burger van every day but now I prepare all my meals for the week.

“I would eat a lot of fast food. I would skip breakfast; have an egg, sausage and bacon baguette for lunch; and a takeaway for dinner.

“As I am on the road all the time, it is so easy for me to stop at a cafe or burger van.

“I was eating a takeaway four times a week.”

She now vigorously prepares her meals each week.

A typical day includes two eggs and 100g of ham in a muffin for breakfast; chicken, pasta and broccoli for lunch; and steak and salad for dinner with an ice cream for pudding.

But she is occasionally allowed the odd treat.

“Chocolate is my downfall,” she said. “Before I started eating properly, I would eat in my sleep.

“I would wake up, sleepwalk and eat chocolate. I would not know how much I had eaten until I woke up and I saw the wrappers across the floor.”

While undergoing her intense weight training, Ms Crouch also runs her own business, The Boiler Lady.

“I have only been weight training for three years,” she added.

“I have been a gas engineer for 13 years, so I lug boilers and radiators around for a living. It has definitely helped with my strength.”

On top of her training routine and running a business which can mean she does not finish until 10pm some nights, she also has to balance family life with some relatives and friends telling her to slow down.

But she added: “I love my crazy life and what I do.

“I always like to be a busy person, which a lot of people tell me but I would not have it any other way.

“Sometimes my body crashes and I have to spend two days in bed but then I am back up again.”

Ms Crouch will be competing at the European Strongest Woman in York at The Barbican on August 17 and 18.