28-04-2025
EXCLUSIVE I used to run to make myself thin. But I finally discovered the joy of jogging in my 40s after my doctor delivered some gut-wrenching news
Writer Emma Campbell espoused the benefits of imperfect running with Mail columnist Bryony Gordon, revealing how embarking on a new fitness journey in middle age carried her through the trauma of receiving a third cancer diagnosis.
On the latest episode of The Mail's 'The Life of Bryony' podcast, author Emma Campbell and comedian turned marathon runner Helen Thorne, declared their love of running, crediting the sport for keeping them sane during some of the most trying moments of their lives.
Emma said she only discovered the 'magic' of running in her forties having been diagnosed with the disease for a third time, forcing a rethink in her approach to exercise.
The 'All That Followed' and 'One Day at a Time' author lives with stage four cancer and is a mother to four teenagers.
'My life-changing running journey only began back in 2019, when I got my third cancer diagnosis ', Emma described.
'Before that, all I'd done is throw myself around, to shrink myself – I would do these punishing runs.
'Helen had just started chemotherapy, and our paths crossed. We met for a coffee, and she recommended we go running together.
'That year, on the physical front, I had a mastectomy, lung surgery and chemotherapy. But 2019 was a transformative year in so many other ways because I discovered running.
'It helped me deal with my body: to be able to look at my body and accept it differently.'
The writer emphasised the extent to which she 'fell in love' with running, revealing that she had run a 10k the day before lifesaving lung surgery.
'It's not about thinking of myself as such a hero', Emma told Bryony.
'Running created a mindset in me that helped me get through what was a really challenging year. It turned out to be a brilliant year – it was magic.'
Helen Thorne, best known as one part of the anarchic comedy duo Scummy Mummies, concurred with Emma about the transformative effects of running.
She has completed six of the seven most famous marathons across the world but only began her long-distance running journey in middle age after finding out her husband had been unfaithful.
Helen revealed: 'At the beginning of 2020, I was signed up to do the marathon and then the big lockdown happened in March.
'My marriage then collapsed: I found my husband had been having an affair. My life had blown up.
'I was drinking and smoking quite heavily – it was Olympic standards of self-destruction. I then thought I had to turn my life around.
'So, in 2021, I did my first marathon – I started choosing my health more. I have since done 9 marathons.'
The active pair stressed that the value of running is not connected to how fit you are or how far you can go.
'I don't want to talk in cliches, but it's all about why you're doing it', Emma said.
'If it makes you feel better, if it makes you feel more alive, more connected – then that's brilliant. There are so many positives and very few negatives.
This chimed with host Bryony Gordon, who has become somewhat of a poster girl on social media for the joys of exercise, regardless of your size.
She recently ran the London marathon in her underwear, a statement against a toxic fitness culture that alienates people from exercising.
The columnist remarked: 'People say – 'I wish I had the confidence to do that.' I don't. I do it because I don't have confidence.
'I wasted years obsessing over my body. I run in my pants as a big two fingers up to all the expectations that tell me not to.'
In the candid spirit of the podcast, Helen gave one piece of unconventional advice to listeners thinking of giving running a go.
'Lubricate your crack, that's one of my top tips', the comedian said.
'Vaseline your arse hole. If you have a hairy bottom, it's just marvelous.'
To listen to the full episode, where the pair discuss how to start running as a beginner and how exercise helps in navigating life's challenges, search Life of Bryony, wherever you get your podcasts.
