She’s on cloud nine after tying the knot with Masterchef host John Torode, in October.
But Lisa Faulker, 48, said struggles with ‘lots and lots of failed IVF and going through the adoption process’ meant she was ‘always stressed and in angst,’ before adopting daughter Billie, 14, with first husband Chris Coghill, 44, in 2008
Appearing on Lorraine on Wednesday, the former EastEnders actress discussed her fertility issues, the death of mum, and explained how she keeps her mental health in check.
Difficult time: On Wednesday, Lisa Faulker, 48, said that struggles with ‘lots and lots of failed IVF and going through the adoption process’ meant she was ‘always stressed and in angst’
She said: ‘For me, wellness and mental health means self-care.
‘We all struggle at times in our life with anxiety and stress and feeling below par. To me, I have to keep that in touch.’
Touching on the difficulties she’s been through during her life, Lisa admitted that her ‘low mood’ began as a teen, when she lost her mother.
She continued: ‘My mum died when i was 16, which is when i started feeling very low. Since then, I’ve had to keep talking to people to make sure I don’t sink very low.
Family: While she is now mother to daughter Billie, 14, through adoption, the actress admitted that the road to motherhood wasn’t easy in the beginning (pictured in 2011)
Candid: Appearing on Lorraine, the former EastEnders actress discussed her fertility issues, the death of mum, and explained how she keeps her mental health in check
‘I’ve lived my life in front of the spotlight since I was 16, which can be positive and negative.
The mother-of-one also detailed how fertility issues and the desire for a child left her feeling anxious.
‘I struggled with lots and lots of IVF which failed and going through the adoption process, which meant I was always stressed and in this angst,’ said Lisa.
Interview: Lisa has previously opened up about her her journey towards motherhood and the heartache she felt after failed rounds of IVF (pictured in May 2019)
Happy: Gushing about her daughter, Lisa previously said that she ‘couldn’t have made one any better’ and she’s ‘an amazing little girl’ (pictured in 2015)
Discussing ways to help sufferers cope with mental health issues, she explained: ‘Walking helps clear my head and gives me that sense of calm.
‘Across the UK, there are a number of groups that want to connect us with nature.
‘Wild in the City helps people explore nature, we’re introducing people to these amazing spaces which are on our doorstep.
‘We’re more connected with screentime, a lot of us are experiencing loneliness,’ noted the TV star.
Lisa has previously spoken candidly about her fertility struggle, recalling how she felt when her fertility doctor Mohammed Taranissi told her that her in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) journey was over.
Speaking about her fertility doctor, Lisa told The Sun: ‘I remember thinking: “Why are you letting me go?” I didn’t understand. Everyone else had many goes at IVF and I only had three.
Honest: Speaking about her fertility doctor, Lisa said: ‘He said I was mentally and physically done. He said I was on the edge, but I couldn’t see that at the time’ (pictured in June 2019)
‘He said I was mentally and physically done. He said I was on the edge, but I couldn’t see that at the time.’
Lisa added that she found IVF was a ‘lonely’ experience which was why she wrote her book Meant to Be: My Journey to Motherhood.
She said: ‘I finally felt confident enough to write it. Going through IVF was lonely. I wanted the book to hold somebody’s hand through that. There was no book for me.’
Honesty: ‘Going through IVF was lonely’ Lisa has previously admitted (pictured in July 2019)
John, 47, and Lisa married in a romantic autumnal ceremony at Aynhoe Park in Northamptonshire, in October 2019.
The pair, who have been dating since 2015, announced the Christmas Day proposal in an Instagram post last year.
In November, Australian restaurateur John shared his delight over the return of the newlyweds’ cooking series, John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen.