Molly McFall, from Craigavon, began sharing her journey as a runner on TikTok during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the health crisis taking a heavy toll on her mindset.
“I had been struggling quite badly,” said the 22-year-old, who was named health and fitness influencer of the year at the recent VAVA Awards.
She is eager to educate the public on how social media can be used to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Molly said it was a “coping mechanism, rather than a ‘Oh let’s do this thing’ [like] it has become now”.
Taking up running, she inspired others to follow suit.
“I really made the videos for me, to maybe see the process and hold myself accountable, but then other people started watching them and have been able to get something from them,” she said.
The mental benefits of exercise are well known, but Molly said it was the combination of sport and publicising it on social media which helped her.
She added: “Social media is a brilliant tool for opening up and connecting with people going through similar things.”
Molly is proud of the community she has built on TikTok.
“The community I’ve built is amazing. They have supported me through ups and downs, everything,” she said.
Molly after winning the award
“I could cry when I think of all the people that support me and they don’t even know who I am.
“I think sometimes we forget how lovely strangers are. We sometimes think people are out to get us when they really aren’t.
“I’m really, really grateful for the community I’ve built.
Molly is hopeful her journey can inspire others.
She said: “Something I feel quite strongly about is that fact that, as I said, I struggled quite badly, but I’m still able to get out and do that run.
“If I can do that, then other people will look at it and think, ‘If she can do it, I can do it too’.
“Then, all of a sudden, people start to feel stronger and more confident. Maybe you didn’t feel okay doing that run, but you did it anyway.”
Molly is aware that social media can have a downside and can negatively impact on mental health.
“I think it’s definitely a case of everything in moderation,” she said.
“I only follow who benefits my mental health. I don’t follow any celebrities or anyone that I’m going to be negatively comparing myself to.
Molly McFall
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“You follow people who make you feel good, motivated, inspired.
“There are many people on social media that will motivate you.
“I think you just have to be so in control of your own social media.
“It can be a very toxic place if you don’t control it. People need to have the confidence to take ownership of it.”