Louise Minchin, 54, says it's never too late for a new start

The one lesson I’ve learned from life: Louise Minchin, 54, says it’s never too late for a new start

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.

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.

Louise Minchin, 54, (pictured) says it’s never too late for a new 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 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.

Louise Minchin is an ambassador for David Lloyd Clubs (davidlloyd.co.uk).

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