The one lesson I’ve learned from life
Louise Minchin, 54, presented BBC Breakfast for almost 20 years before stepping down in 2021. she now hosts a podcast, Push Your Peak. she lives in chester with her husband David, a restaurateur, and their daughters, Mia, 20, and scarlett, 18.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE FOR A NEW START
My happiest days in the past year have been on snowdon, in the pouring rain and freezing cold. that’s one of the reasons i left the BBC — so i could get out into the countryside, challenge myself and have more adventures.
the BBC is a part of my identity and i look back on my time there — especially on the Breakfast show — fondly. i loved the team, i loved the audience and i loved being involved in that extraordinary time in the morning, when everyone is waking up and welcoming us into their homes. people still come up to me and say: ‘i used to wake up with you every day,’ which is very rewarding. But now i’m finding out who the new Louise is and that’s exciting.
i feel like i am in recovery from a sleep deficit after years of getting up at 3.40am. it was brilliant as a mum because it meant i was around in the afternoons. i was there for school pickup, tea, bath time and bedtime.
When my first daughter, Mia, left home three years ago, i had no idea how sad it would make me feel. there was a huge sense of loss, as if a void had opened in my life. then my youngest, scarlett, went to university in september.
i was prepared this time. i knew to get past those feelings of loss; i needed to keep busy, have things to look forward to and projects to work on. i have been writing a book and getting myself back to fitness again after a knee operation.
My husband is hugely supportive. What has been great since the girls left home is that we have a bit more time to do things we enjoy together again. We run, walk in the hills and even have a strength coach who trains us together.
i have realised life is better if you keep moving; you don’t have to stop doing stuff when you’re 50, and it is never too late to try something new. Last year, i learnt free diving and even did it under ice. i don’t know what the end of the story is, but i am enjoying the journey.