A Swansea mum who once struggled with a binge-eating disorder and spent more than £1,000 on McDonald’s has turned her life around by losing 7 stone – and is now set to represent Wales on the international stage while running the Swansea Half Marathon in aid of Morgan’s Army.
Kirstie Logan, 35, from Cockett, Swansea, has undergone a remarkable transformation. After the sudden death of her father left her battling PTSD and weight gain, Kirstie’s health spiralled. At her heaviest, she tipped the scales at nearly 18 stone, suffered from hypertension, high cholesterol, and joint pain, and was bordering on diabetes.
Her turning point came in 2021 after being admitted to hospital with COVID-19, where a doctor told her that her obesity was a major contributing factor to her condition. That stark warning sparked a complete lifestyle overhaul.
“I knew I had to get my life back,” says Kirstie. “So I started walking – up and down the Swansea hills, along the Gower, every chance I got. I radically changed my habits and lost 7 stone, and in doing so, reversed all of my health issues.”
Now, the mum-of-one is no longer hiding behind baggy clothes and cropped photos. Six weeks ago, Kirstie was crowned International Ms Wales 2025, a prestigious pageant celebrating women over 30. She will go on to represent Wales at the International Ms competition in New York City this October, competing against entrants from more than 50 countries.
But before she takes to the world stage, Kirstie has another goal: running the Swansea Half Marathon this June in support of Morgan’s Army, a Swansea-based charity supporting families affected by childhood cancer.
“Morgan’s Army became my chosen charity during my reign as Ms Wales,” Kirstie explains. “I was already on my weight loss journey when I started following Morgan Riddler’s story and his parents’ incredible strength. Their resilience gave me the perspective I needed to keep going, and now it’s my turn to give something back.”
Training for the half marathon hasn’t been easy, especially after such a physically demanding transformation.
“It’s been blood, sweat, tears – and a lot of self-doubt,” Kirstie admits. “But I remind myself that pushing through 13 miles is tough, yes – but it’s nothing compared to what a family goes through when facing a cancer diagnosis. I want to do this not just for Morgan’s Army, but for my daughter. I want her to be proud of my resilience and to know that anything is possible with enough determination.”
Kirstie is hoping to inspire others who may be struggling with their weight, health, or mental wellbeing. “If I can do it – someone who avoided every camera and was virtually invisible – then so can anyone else. You just have to take that first step, however small it might be.”
She is now encouraging the public to support her fundraising efforts through her JustGiving page:
www.justgiving.com/page/kirstielogan1
You can follow Kirstie’s journey and training progress on Instagram: @kirstie_internationalmswales25
