Sam Owens was just a teenager when a karate kick to the head saved his life after a brain scan revealed he had a tumour.
But the the following six years would see him suffer a stroke, lose some of his eyesight and independence while battling a string of debilitating medical conditions - plunging him into a deep depression.
His weight rocketed to 24 stone and he was left feeling "borderline suicidal" by what life had thrown at him ever since he was kicked to the head during a karate tournament at the age of 17.
But fast forward to now and the 23-year-old from Conwy has turned his life around after finding love and friendship, shedding an incredible 10 stone along the way.
Sam said: "In November last year, I weighed 24 stone. I used to eat pizzas late at night and always ordered lots of takeaways.
"The doctor told me I had a high risk of diabetes so I decided I needed to start losing weight.
"But in February, I suffered a stroke, which caused me to lose my peripheral vision and because of that I lost my driving licence, which was devastating.
"I fell into a deep depression and just thought what's the point?"
Sam was already living with an inoperable brain tumour that was only diagnosed by a scan after the karate injury in 2013.
Although the kick saved his life, the tumour caused him to suffer with memory loss, migraines and long-term pain condition, fibromyalgia and led to him losing his close circle of friends.
Sam recalled: "My friends would call and ask me to do things, but I didn't have the energy and they started to think I was just being lazy and was using my conditions as an excuse.
"It got to the point where I started to believe that too.
"I'd tried to go to university and then became a fully qualified security worker, but one day of excursion would floor me for the rest of the week and that was getting me down.
"But everything changed after I had my stroke when I met my cousin's partner, Elise from Lebanon and she became like a personal therapist to me.
"She was an amazing cook and introduced me to new foods.
"She made me take a step back and realise I could change and lose weight, she made me want to better myself mentally and physically.
"Through her I've made so many fantastic new friends and even met my girlfriend, Nouhad who lives in Brussels."
Now Sam is much more positive about his future and is looking forward to new adventures.
Helplines and support groups
The NHS Choices website lists the following helplines and support networks for people to talk to:
He said: "Nouhad has helped my confidence, mental health and physical health in a way I never thought possible from an individual.
"I think the world of her and look forward to our relationship growing closer and stronger in time."
He added: "My new friends always message me asking if I want to go to the gym or catch up over a coffee, which has made a big difference to my life to the point where I'm now pushing people to do those things.
"My tumour is slow growing and I used to see it as a time bomb, but I don't think that way any more.
"I cast it away as much as I can and now have a much more positive outlook.
"My friends and family, especially my mum, Sarah and sister, Jo have helped me more than I can ever thank them for and now I'm looking forward to the future."
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A karate kick and love saved this man's life after depression almost killed him - Daily Post
