Infomation Mental Health Week, allhere

 When times get tough, sport can really help.

Here Neil Taylor, South Wales Performance Manager at Weightlifting Wales, shares his own emotional experience of grief and the real power of sport:

Sport has always been a big part of my life. 

I competed in Gymnastics, Trampolining and Weightlifting, with the latter becoming my primary goal, which saw me compete in three Commonwealth Games gaining a bronze in 1986.  

First International Competition in Malta, aged 14

In 1993 I lost my mother to cancer. Mum was very ill for a year before this. 

The invisible stress I went through whilst caring for someone I loved so much caused my weight to plummet. At the time I was a competitive weightlifter, working full-time. All the signs for my mum's health and my sporting career seemed bleak. 

My goal was the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver Island, Canada.

After Mum passed away in November of 93, I had just four months to pick myself up and focus to reach the qualifying total and put myself forward for selection. I achieved it.

The opening ceremony of the Games was on her birthday, which made it all so very special. I came fourth. 

I spotted a saying while in the athletes village at the Games that said 'May you lift in the wind on the wings of your dreams' which has stuck with me since, as my Mum adored butterflies. It always makes me smile and reflect just how very lucky I am to have had her and sport making me the man I am today.

I recovered to go on to compete at the 1998 Games and went on to build a successful career in International Rugby as an International Strength and Conditioning Coach for England Rugby.

Training at the 1998 Commonwealth Games

Without physical activity, I most probably would not have had the toolbox of skills to cope with the emptiness I felt without Mum.

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