Candy gets in shape to be a double winner

But inspirational Candy was undeterred by the stress of the battle, and instead used it to get back her dancer’s body from before her pregnancy - going on to compete in, and win, a female bodybuilding contest.

The travel consultant, who lives with Curtis and Reyes, now two, in Crosland Moor, said: “I went through a very long and stressful process having to fight to stay.

“Because I am from the States, but my son and husband are British, I potentially had to move back without them.

“It took a year-and-a-half and in that time I couldn’t work, so that’s why I joined the gym. It literally kept me sane.”

Candy joined Top Bodies gym in Birkby, and from there decided she wanted to hone her physique to compete on a national level.

“Training and preparing for these competitions shows you you are stronger than you think - not just physically, but mentally too”, Candy added.

“When you see people win, you only see their highs, but there are a lot of downs, too.”

Candy, whose personal trainer is Rob Whitfield, competed at the PCA Muscle Talk Championships in Kettering, taking home the Toned Figure title.

“I never expected to even place in the top five,” Candy said. “So to win was unbelievable.”

This was the second time Candy has competed - having taken part in a similar competition in 2012, taking to the stage while she was seven weeks pregnant.

“My son was delivered by C-section and I lost a lot of core strength - so it was important for my confidence during such a stressful period that I regained my strength.

“If anything, it’s made me realise that if I can do this while taking on another huge battle, I can do anything.” Candy Young, of Crosland Moor, on stage at the PCA Muscle Talk bodybuilding contest where she was crowned Toned Figure champion. Right, at the Top Bodies gym in Birkby