Louise Minchin is a well-known and respected broadcaster and journalist. Louise presented the UK’s most watched Breakfast programme BBC Breakfast on BBC One for 20 years. Menopause, it’s always been around, as long as they’re been women on this earth and they’ve lived long enough, there’s been the menopause. Yet we still have an outdated mindset and too little awareness, education and support. When I discovered she was writing this book about Fearless women taking themselves out of their comfort zones and undertaking extraordinary challenges and adventures I knew I had to read ( listen ) it. Join us for a celebration of adventurous, brave, courageous women who are doing extraordinary things through sport, exercise and a love of the great outdoors.

Fearless : Adventures with Extraordinary Women: Louise Fearless : Adventures with Extraordinary Women: Louise

In this exciting talk, Louise will share all about how she set out to push herself even further, alongside trailblazing women who are breaking down barriers, smashing records and challenging stereotypes. Freediving under the ice in the dark in Finland, Louise meets with Cath, the first woman to swim a mile in the Antarctic Circle; she cycles across Argentina with Mimi, one of the world's most famous female endurance runners; and swims from Alcatraz with Anaya and Mitali, two young sisters who have braved the shark-infested waters over 70 times. Support this Podcast by subscribing/following its FREE and really helps us produce more content just like this episode. If you enjoy this Podcast why not leave a 5 star review or rating. Out of the 18 women she interviewed (whilst completing a physical challenge), I had only heard of the para-cyclist Kadeena Cox. I was able to live vicariously through Louise as she completed triathlons, free-diving under ice in Finland, and went caving to name just a few of the challenges alongside interviewing these ladies. It's definitely an inspirational read and I hope this book achieves Louise's aim of correcting the gender bias. Perhaps a (BBC) series can be commissioned as a follow on?

Putting my cards on the table I have to admit I’m abit of a Louise fan girl. I love Louise Minchin and BBC breakfast is just not the same without her. She’s smart, sporty and calls out discrimination against women both in sport and in life. I’ve listened to her being interviewed on a couple of podcasts and she always comes across as smiley and honest but with an inner toughness and grit thats taken her on some tough sporting challenges in her Middle Ages. She’s one tough cookie who’s completed some of the hardest triathlons and I really admire her. ( Dare to Tri is another good book documenting her triathlon journey) . I’ve also witnessed first hand her smiley, cheerful disposition cheering her on at a local triathlon here at the Cotswolds Lakes looking like she was having the best time despite there being side ways rain. I wasn't very familiar with TV presenter and triathlete Louise Minchin, as I don't watch breakfast TV, but the concept of this book sounded interesting. In her introduction, Louise observed that as a TV presenter she would often interview people who'd achieved feats of daring or endurance, but noted that those featured were nearly always men. (You know the sort of thing - 500 marathons in 500 days while barefoot and balancing a tin of soup on your head.) To get to the heart of who these women are… I decided to do it the way that I know best, by taking part, spending time right beside them to experience the things they love.'

Fearless by Louise Minchin | Waterstones

Having worked on BBC breakfast for over 20 years, Louise Minchin noticed something… all the adventurers she interviewed were men. Driven to bring more attention to female stories of courage and endeavour, Louise pushes herself to the extreme and embarks on thrilling endurance adventures around the globe with trailblazing women. Women were surely also achieving similar feats, but it clearly wasn't being reported as much. Louise, therefore, set out to find - and indeed become part of - these stories.

Venue details

I had enjoyed watching Louise when she presented BBC Breakfast and was pleased to have the opportunity to read this via the Pigeonhole and find out some of what she had got up to since leaving the programme. What we eat can make a difference to how we feel and our symptoms during the menopause transition, Fiona Staunton is from Fiona’s Food for Life and she has some great recipe ideas and foods that will help you in the perimenopause as well as the menopause.

Fearless: Adventures with Extraordinary Women by Louise Fearless: Adventures with Extraordinary Women by Louise

Louise is such a positive and uplifting presence. Her fearlessness should inspire us all.” - Susanna Reid Louise Minchin went from presenting BBC Breakfast to competing for the GB Team in Triathlon in World and European Championships, a journey she charted in her first book Dare to Tri . The book was inspired by noticing that they were always interviewing men who had done these amazing things and decided to do something to start correcting the media bias by finding extraordinary women who had also been doing amazing things.

Reviews

In the words of Belinda Kirk: "It is not an adventure unless there is adversity. If you aren't suffering a bit… you haven't left your comfort zone. It is beyond your comfort zone, where you stretch yourself, that you learn." Do you know what’s going on with your weight during perimenopause? Do you want to change your shape and make weight management easier? In this episode Louise Minchin, TV Presenter and journalist talking about her fabulous new book – Fearless: Adventures with Extraordinary Women. Louise is such a positive and uplifting presence. Her fearlessness should inspire us all' Susanna Reid