Six months after losing half her body weight on reality TV, Alison lost her husband.

Content warning: This post deals with suicide, and may be triggering for some readers. For 24-hour crisis support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Alison Braun lost half her body weight on The Biggest Loser back in 2008. But it wasn’t until she lost her husband to suicide six months later, that the Perth woman faced her most transformative challenge.

Speaking to Today on Sunday morning, the 44-year-old said the experience was “really tough”, but that she now believes she was better able to cope with it as a result of her time on the controversial weightloss show.

“I was left with three beautiful babies. I had really no idea what to do at that point, how I was going to do everything,” she said.

“[But] The most amazing thing – which I never thought I’d actually say – is that a reality TV show gave me all the skills and the strength to be able to cope with everything that came after that. Because I learned so much about myself that I never knew existed. A lot of what I learned on Loser about me was what actually helped me through that time.

“I also did make a conscious decision that I wanted to be a role model to my kids. I was their only parent left, and I had no choice at that point. I just had to make sure that I kept on going, set up that routine and live a healthy lifestyle.”

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A post shared by Alison Braun official (@alisonjbraun) on Nov 30, 2017 at 2:55am PST

In a recent Facebook post, shared a decade on from when filming began on The Biggest Loser, Braun wrote, that the years that followed have delivered “times of unbelievable highs and times of indescribable lows”.

“I fought bloody hard, I made some stupid choices, I made some amazing decisions, I cried many quiet tears and shared so much laughter, and today I stand here with my hand on my heart and tears in my eyes bursting with gratitude for all that has come my way, I feel humbled and honoured,” she wrote.

Braun, who is an ambassador for Lifeline WA and a motivational speaker, is now “blessed” to have found love again with partner, Alan Taylor, whom she has been dating for two years.

“I never thought I would get to this point in my life,” she recently told New Idea. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Remember, if you are struggling with your mental health, help is available through Lifeline 24 hours a day. Please call on 13 11 14.