An athlete from Fulham who overcame cancer and mental illness to become world powerlifting champion has given students at a north Kensington top tips in how they can achieve their goals in life.
Monique Newton visited Sion-Manning RC Girls’ School to talk to year nine girls about realising dreams.
The 22-year-old survived cancer at four, was kicked out of home at 15 and later battled depression.
But after taking up weight lifting she turned her life around, becoming a world champion and breaking over 45 British and European records.
She told the students at the Saint Charles Square school: “The only limits are the ones you put on yourself.
“A lot of people will tell you that you can’t do something but the biggest barrier is yourself and you can get over this by being positive and believing in yourself.”
Afterwards, the athlete led the girls in a PE lesson.
Sion-Manning’s head of PE, Miss Claire Towey said the girls found the assembly inspirational.
“Monique showed the girls the medals she won and worked with them in their PE lessons, " she said. The girls said they were inspired by Monique, her positive attitude to life and her achievements.”
The visit was arranged by Westway Trust, which delivers sports leaders sessions in the school.
