Olympic star Gail Emms admits she may have to take a job at Starbucks as she struggles to pay the bills.
Emms admits she feels a 'failure' and 'cries a lot' as the unpaid bills mount up and has been forced to sell possessions on eBay.
The former British badminton ace has starred on many TV and radio shows since retiring but is desperate for a career in the sports industry.
In a movingly honest article for The Mixed Zone website , the mum-of-two also bravely revealed the 'mental battle' and damaged pride that comes with rejection.
Emms, 40, wrote: "I have a big pile of them now. Letters from my bank to say I have missed yet another payment for either council tax, phone or utility bill.
"And every time I open them, it is another reminder that I feel like I am failing. That I, Gail Emms, Olympic Silver Medallist, am a failure.
"As anyone else in my financial situation will testify, it hurts. I cry a lot and do what I can to make the payment, sell stuff on eBay and hope there is enough work next month.
"But why would someone employ me? I have a c.v. that reads ‘played professional badminton for 10 years’.
"And I have just turned 40 years old. I have no qualifications other than a sports science degree completed in 1998.
"I haven’t had any experience in any organisation or company."
She added: "I feel ashamed and it’s a massive dent in my pride to admit that an Olympic medallist is struggling.
"It’s not just the financial situation, it’s the mental battle I am facing at the moment.
"So if you see me as a barista at Starbucks – and please don’t think I am joking here – I apologise now if I get your name wrong."
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