The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan

This episode contains some strong language. This week it’s all about family on The Mid•Point; whatever form it takes and whoever you include in yours, family is an important part of our lives - particularly in midlife. We’ve cherry picked the best bits on this topic from Gabby’s recent chats with her guests, including Matt Baker, the Reverend Kate Bottley, Jill Halfpenny, Milton Jones, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, LeAnn Rimes, Dara Ó Briain, Elizabeth Day, Kate Thornton, and Adele Roberts.Gabby Logan’s latest book The MidPoint Plan is available now.

This week, we’re giving the midlife crisis a makeover and celebrating midlife blessings!Gabby has cherry picked the best bits on this topic from recent chats with her guests, including Lee Mack, Gabrielle, Richard Hammond, Ed Balls, Rosie Nixon, Adele Roberts and the Reverend Kate Bottley. Gabby Logan’s latest book The MidPoint Plan is available now.

Paula Radcliffe MBE joins Gabby this week! The three-time winner of the London Marathon talks about turning 50, The Olympics and why strength training is so important. In 2002, Paula received numerous accolades including an OBE, BBC Sports Personality of the Year and IAAF Athlete of the Year. Across her incredible career, Paula competed at four consecutive Olympic Games from 1996-2008, and won a gold medal in the marathon at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki. She still likes to run, but has found that she isn't competitive anymore (well, not very), which she finds quite refreshing. In 2020, her daughter was diagnosed with a rare germ cell tumour, so she and her family have been through a lot over the last few years. She talks to Gabby about the stress that this has put on her daughter and how much her family and friends have rallied.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 

This is a very special LIVE episode of The Mid•Point, in partnership with Sweaty Betty! Gabby is joined by not one, not two, but three brilliant guests this week: menstrual health expert, yoga teacher, and registered nutritionist, Le’Nise Brothers; lecturer in Reproductive and Molecular Genetics at University College London and CEO and Founder of Hertility, Dr Helen O’Neill; and former Olympian, personal trainer, and patron of the Menopause Mandate, Michelle Griffith Robinson. This lively panel discuss movement and exercise through different stages of women’s lives; menstruation, maternity, and menopause. Their personal experiences are woven in with practical information about what is going on in our bodies at these different stages, and how movement and nutrition can play a part at each stage. In front of a brilliant audience of Mid•Pointers, they celebrate the joy of movement and the collective power of the sisterhood when women come together to share experiences and move their bodies. It’s a perfect time to open up the conversation on this topic, because Sweaty Betty is celebrating the launch of their new FemTech collection. The innovative new collection is designed by women, for women, and includes the technical Leak Protect Power Legging and ultra-soft All Day Maternity styles, to empower women to keep moving through menstruation, maternity and menopause.Ready to try it out? The collection is available online now at sweatybetty.com and in selected stores across the UK.

The taskmaster himself joins Gabby this week! Comedian and Taskmaster grand creator, Alex Horne, talks about what it’s like making one of the most beloved comedy shows on TV, as well sharing what his showbiz marriage is like with his co-host, Greg Davies. Alex also talks about his other successful marriage and how family life at the midpoint is shaping up, including why his kids are still embarrassed of him despite the fact he makes a really cool show on the telly. They also discuss the importance of movement and staying active so that you can enjoy later life; how Alex has learned to put family first and how to holiday better; and why he and Gabby both love a good wedding! You can still get tickets to Alex’s latest tour with the The Horne Section here. 

Warning: This episode contains strong language. Kate Thornton is as frank and funny as ever, and this week she joins Gabby to talk about everything from single motherhood and presenting prime time Saturday night telly, to the power of talking therapy and recovering from an eating disorder. Kate speaks about the importance of female friendships and how her girl gang are her life raft, and also why her happiest times have been the years she has been a mum to her son, Ben. Kate speaks openly about her ongoing experience of the menopause, and why the right doctor is as fundamental as the right therapist when you’re a middle aged woman. You can hear more from Kate on her podcast White Wine Question Time or tune into her weekend radio shows on Greatest Hits Radio. 

Gabby chats to comedian and broadcaster, Elis James, who is slightly resentful about being eligible for the show! Elis talks about the pitfalls of parenting, including the impossible task of policing children’s access to phones and social media, and explains why he is evangelical about cycling and insufferable on endorphins. They also talk about how Elis’ father’s Parkinson's disease diagnosis has made him think differently about aging, and why both he and Gabby focus on healthspan rather than lifespan. 

Podcaster and activist Lauren Mahon popped by the studio this week with her dog, Ray! Lauren chats to Gabby about the seismic impact You, Me And The Big C had on the way people talk about cancer, but also the emotional heavy lifting it required from her on a personal level. She also talks about experiencing a medical menopause as part of her cancer treatment, why it's okay to wallow sometimes, and how liberating it was learning to drive on the cusp of midlife! They also discuss life after cancer, in particular how to approach sex and intimacy - something Lauren is on a mission to get us talking about more. For more information or support on this issue you can head to GIRLvsCANCER or Macmillan.Warning: This podcast contains strong language.

Comedian Milton Jones joins Gabby to talk about why he sees midlife as being like the “second time round to the buffet!” They also talk about his Christian faith and how attitudes towards faith can change as we get older. They also discuss having aging parents, and Milton speaks very openly about what it was like caring for his mum who suffered from Alzheimer's. Milton also shares what he has come to understand about comedy, over the many years spent honing his craft and before selling out big arenas. They also debate whether or not you should take more risks in midlife, and relish the joy of knowing yourself better at the midpoint.