>
The only lesson I learned from life: Louise Minchin, 54, says it’s never too late for a fresh start
Louise Minchin, 54, presented BBC Breakfast for almost 20 years before giving up in 2021. She now hosts a podcast, Push Your Peak. She lives in Chester with her husband David, a restaurateur, and her daughters Mia, 20, and Scarlett, 18.
My happiest days last year were at Snowdon, in the pouring rain and freezing cold. That’s one of the reasons I left the BBC, so I could go out in the field, challenge myself and have more adventures.
The BBC is part of my identity and I remember my time there, especially on the Breakfast programme, fondly. I loved the crew, I loved the audience, and I loved being involved in that extraordinary moment in the morning when everyone wakes up and welcomes us into their homes. People still come up to me and say, ‘I used to wake up with you every day,’ which is so gratifying. But now I’m finding out who the new Louise is and that’s exciting.
I feel like I’m recovering from a sleep deficit after years of getting up at 3:40 am. She was brilliant as a mother because it meant that she was around in the evenings. I was there for school pick up, tea, bath time and bedtime.
Louise Minchin, 54, (pictured) says it’s never too late for a fresh start. She presented BBC Breakfast for almost 20 years before stepping down in 2021.
When my first daughter, Mia, left home three years ago, I had no idea how sad I would feel. There was a great sense of loss, as if a void had opened up in my life. Then my youngest daughter, Scarlett, went off to college in September.
I was prepared this time. He knew how to overcome those feelings of loss; I needed to keep busy, have things to look forward to and projects to work on. I’ve been writing a book and getting back into shape after knee surgery.
My husband is a great support. What has been great since the girls left home is that we have a little more time to do things we enjoy together again. We run, we walk the hills, and we even have a strength coach who trains us together.
I have found that life is better if you keep moving; You don’t have to stop doing things when you’re 50, and it’s never too late to try something new. Last year I learned to free dive and even under ice. I don’t know what the end of the story is, but I’m enjoying the ride.
- Louise Minchin is an ambassador for David Lloyd Clubs (davidlloyd.co.uk).
READ MORE:
DR MICHAEL MOSLEY: The secret to making New Year’s resolutions that will stick