From Struggling with Self-Worth to Shaping Strength: How I Transformed My Body and Life to Help Others - with Ellie Nikolova

For years, Ellie battled with weight and struggled with low self-worth, feeling trapped in a cycle of doubt and frustration. Her journey was not easy—countless setbacks, harsh self-judgments, and an ongoing battle with her own reflection. But instead of giving up, she made a decision to change. She embraced the process of transformation, focusing not just on her body, but on rebuilding her confidence, mindset, and self-love. 

Through dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to herself, Ellie finally achieved the amazing physical transformation she once thought was impossible. But the real shift came when she realized her transformation was about more than just appearance—it was about strength, empowerment, and rediscovering her true potential. 

Today, as a certified Transformation Coach, Ellie is on a mission to help others break free from the same struggles she once faced. She empowers women to reclaim their health, confidence, and sense of worth. With a body that reflects her hard-earned strength and a mind that’s been reshaped by perseverance, Ellie is a living testament to the power of self-belief and the transformative impact of fitness. 

Her story is one of triumph, and she is passionate about helping others create their own transformation—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Because she knows firsthand, the journey is worth every step.

For years, I lived in a cycle of despair. I was a mess when it came to food and fitness. I was stuck in this endless cycle of yo-yo dieting, convinced that if I could just lose the weight, I’d finally feel good about myself. 

I’d restrict myself so harshly during the week—eating as little as a kilo of apples a day. But by the weekend? I was binging on anything and everything in sight. Then the guilt would hit like a freight train. 

I’d look in the mirror and hate what I saw, and I’d spiral into thinking, "What’s the point? I’ll never change." I hated myself for not having the willpower to stick to these impossible rules. 

Each time I gave up, I convinced myself that getting in shape wasn’t worth it. But the truth was, my low self-esteem was at the root of all of it. I didn’t believe in myself, so I sabotaged my efforts again and again.

I hated how I felt about myself. I hated how my low self-esteem controlled everything I did - or didn't do. 

                    This is me 4-5 years into Yo-Yo dieting.

I thought I could just shrink myself, fit into society's mold of the "perfect" woman. I thought being skinny would make me happy, but with every diet I tried, every attempt to lose weight, I felt more miserable. 

I started going to the gym—but instead of feeling empowered, I felt like an outsider. I didn’t know what to do, I felt like I didn’t belong, and eventually, I quit. 

And then, after all the starts and stops, I finally figured out how to lose the weight. 

And guess what? I got skinny and I thought that I’d finally feel good about myself. But nothing changed.  I’d look in the mirror and still hate what I saw. I was chasing approval from others, trying to be someone I wasn’t.

I’d lost the weight, but I was still carrying the same heavy, toxic self-beliefs.

When you don’t believe you’re worthy, it shows up in every part of your life.

My low self-esteem wasn’t just ruining my relationship with food and fitness—it was ruining me. 

I let someone treat me like I was worthless because I thought I was. I didn’t feel deserving of respect, love, or even kindness—not from others, and certainly not from myself. 

I didn’t speak up for myself. I didn’t take care of myself. I let other people’s opinions dictate how I lived my life.

I’d become a shadow of myself, living in a constant state of guilt, self-doubt, and hopelessness. 

It wasn’t until I reached my lowest point that I realized something had to change. I wasn’t living—I was surviving. And if I didn’t make a change soon, nothing would ever get better.

That’s when everything shifted. In six months of working with a coach, I made more progress than I had in four years of struggling alone. And it wasn’t just about the physical changes (although those were pretty great). It was about the confidence I build, the strength I discovered and the freedom I finally felt.

I stopped obsessing over the scale and started focusing on what really mattered: 

Feeling good in my body and being proud of what it could do. 

                     Six months into my journey with the coach.

I went from avoiding crop tops and shorts to proudly rocking them—and even doing a photoshoot to celebrate my progress. Let me tell you, stepping in front of that camera was one of the most empowering moments of my life! And here’s the best part: I stopped caring about what society thought I should look like. I stopped living for other people’s approval and started living for me.

I went from losing my voice in front of a couple of people to speaking confidently to hundreds of people. For the first time in my life, I felt empowered, not because of how I looked, but because of how I felt about myself. 

I don’t chase being “skinny” anymore. 

I chase strength. I chase confidence. I chase the things that make me feel alive and happy, regardless of what anyone else thinks. And you know what? I’ve never been more fulfilled and confident.
 

Look, I don’t know where you are right now. Maybe you’re stuck in the same cycle I was in—yo-yo dieting, feeling like nothing works, hating your reflection. 

Or maybe you’ve tried everything and you’re ready to give up. But here’s what I do know: you don’t have to stay there. 

Change isn’t easy, but it’s possible. 

It doesn’t start with a magic diet or workout routine. It starts with a decision to say, “I deserve more.” True, lasting change doesn’t come from chasing someone else’s idea of what you should be. It comes from looking inward, recognizing your worth, and doing what’s best for you.

Now, my mission is to help other women break free from the same struggles I faced. I want to challenge the belief that women need to be as thin as possible, eat as little as possible, and shrink themselves to be acceptable. 

I want to help women see that they are so much more than their weight, their size, or anyone else’s expectations. I want you to feel what it’s like to walk into a room with confidence, knowing your worth.

I want you to experience the freedom of nourishing your body instead of punishing it. And most of all, I want you to realize that you are capable of so much more than you’ve ever been told. I know how hard it can be to even start believing in yourself again. 

If you would like to get more inspiration from Ellie please follow her Instagram @mettafitellie or you can fill out quick form (2-3 minutes) at: LINK