The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan

It can feel difficult to make new connections in midlife, and perhaps you feel you don’t need to? Maybe making new friends is something you had written off for this stage of life? This week Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert talks to Gabby about the health importance of making new connections at any age and stage. Allison shares what she learned from teaming up with the late great Dr. Ruth to write The Joy of Connections, and offers advice on creating opportunities to make new friendships as well as tips to strengthen existing relationships. She stresses why effort and ownership is key; the benefits of quality over quantity; and why meaningful connections are even more important in the age of social media.

Julian Clary takes time out of Panto season to chat with Gabby about the sense of urgency and clarity that getting older has brought him; how much he still loves making others laugh, hence why retirement is not for him; and why he doesn’t believe midlife needs to be about any kind of crisis. The comedian, actor, and writer, brings his trademark risqué comedy and candour to this episode, and also discusses the excesses of his youth, his memories of Strictly Come Dancing, paying tribute to his great friend Paul O’Grady, and the synchronicity of dogs - how the universe will always provide the right canine friend just at the right time! You can catch Julian on stage at the Polladium Pantomime until January 2025, and his new novel A Curtain Call To Murder is available now.

This episode contains strong language. This week journalist and podcaster, Bryony Gordon, speaks to Gabby about the acceptance she’s found in midlife, and how experiencing early menopause made her think about what she really wants and taught her to be less of a “chaise longue!” Listen on to hear more about that... Bryony also speaks candidly about alcoholism and sobriety, as well as living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder from a young age. She chats about using exercise as a mental health tool, as well as focusing on nourishing herself rather than punishing herself when it comes to what she eats. Bryony’s new podcast The Life of Bryony and her latest book Mad Woman are both available now, and you can visit Mental Health Mates to find out more about Bryony’s charity and find a walk near you. 

Entrepreneur, medical research catalyst, and author, Victoria Jackson joins Gabby to talk about the power of keeping things simple to keep yourself moving forward - no need for complicated steps, just do the next thing! Victoria may be on the cusp of turning seventy, but she went through an extraordinary transformation at the midpoint of her life following her daughter’s life changing medical diagnosis, and her story is hugely inspiring. Victoria says it’s her sense of purpose and intention which has defined her from the age of seventeen, and that’s why she continues to try and find a cure for autoimmune disease worldwide, as well as make cosmetics which empower women at the same time! She discusses the power of resilience and the common trait between the many powerful women she knows, including Gloria Steinem and Oprah Winfrey.  Victoria’s latest book We All Worry Now What? is available now.

It's the last episode in the series and the time to discover whether Gabby has hit the health goal which motivated her to kick this whole series off. To help her determine how she's fared, Gabby is once again joined by Dr Amy McKenzie, Director of Clinical Research at Lingo by Abbott.The pair discuss what's worked for Gabby over the last few weeks, any challenges she's faced, habits she'll be taking forward and what impact the experience has had on her.Find out more at hellolingo.com/ukGet 15% off* the Lingo 2-week Learn Plan with code TMP15.*Code valid until 31 December 2024. New Lingo customers only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Please see hellolingo.com/uk to redeem offer.Lingo is not for medical use. 18+ only.© 2024 Abbott. The biosensor housing, Lingo, and related trademarks are marks of the Abbott group of companies.This podcast and the guests are part of a paid advertisement for Lingo.#HelloLingouk

This episode contains strong language.Comedian and podcaster, Josh Widdicombe, can’t wait to tell Gabby how happy he is to be eligible for this podcast! Josh shares why he feels so much more comfortable in midlife thanks to all the life changes he made around the time of his fortieth birthday, including becoming sober and re-evaluating his relationship with work. He also talks about his love of podcasting, sporting autobiographies, and late night sourdough toast! Grab tickets to Josh’s Not My Cup Of Tea tour here.

Gabby welcomes wellness coach Adrienne Adhami to the latest episode of The MidPoint's Guide To Hitting Your Health Goals, inpartnership with Lingo by Abbott, as she looks to perfect her approach to training.The pair discuss the importance of achieving movement throughout the day, strength training and how we can best prepare andrecover from exercise as part of our daily routine.Get 15% off* the Lingo 2-week Learn Plan with code TMP15.*Code valid until 31 December 2024. New Lingo customers only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Please see hellolingo.com/uk to redeem offer.Find out more at hellolingo.com/ukLingo is not for medical use. 18+ only.© 2024 Abbott. The biosensor housing, Lingo, and related trademarks are marks of the Abbott group of companies.This podcast and the guests are part of a paid advertisement for Lingo.#HelloLingouk

Latin dance champion and Strictly Come Dancing head judge, Shirley Ballas, cha-cha-cha’s into the studio to chat with Gabby this week. Shirley tells Gabby why her marriage to dance has never faltered, and how attitudes to weight and appearance have changed within the sport but the scars still run deep. They discuss staying fit and healthy beyond the midpoint, and how Shirley is trying to manage a spinal condition with ice baths and an anti-inflammatory diet. She also speaks about dealing with her brother’s suicide; her relationship with her son, Mark, who really helped her when she was struggling with the perimenopause; and of course, this year’s Strictly cast!

Next up in The MidPoint's Guide To Hitting Your Health Goals, brought to you in partnership with Lingo by Abbot, Gabby sits down with Liz Earle to talk hormones.Gabby has previously spoken honestly and publicly about her perimenopause experience in the past, but what actions can she take now to help her manage the impact of her hormones?Liz and Gabby discuss sleep, food choices and what to do with the wealth of data now available to us thanks to devices such as Lingo.Will this help get Gabby one step closer to completing her health goal?Get 15% off* the Lingo 2-week Learn Plan with code TMP15.*Code valid until 31 December 2024. New Lingo customers only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Please see hellolingo.com/uk to redeem offer.Lingo is not for medical use. 18+ only.#HelloLingo