Shortly after leaving the comfort of the BBC Breakfast sofa in 2021, Louise Minchin found herself criss-crossing the globe – climbing mountains, taking part in triathlons and free diving under ice. She cycled 745 miles across Argentina, swam in shark-infested waters and entered a Half Ironman competition.
But her biggest challenge to date was having to manoeuvre her body, like a contortionist, through a tiny hole into the pitch-black darkness of a cave in the Mendip Hills in Somerset. “I’m claustrophobic, so even thinking about going into a tight space gives me sweaty armpits,” says the broadcaster on a video call.
“I had to think of all the things I’ve learnt over the years from being an endurance athlete, such as: ‘Calm down, breathe and don’t panic.’ It was very unlikely that thousands of tonnes of earth would squash me in that moment, but that was my fear.”
Louise, 54, is no stranger to physical challenges. In 2013, inspired by filming at the National Cycling Centre’s velodrome, she decided to train for triathlons. She went on to represent Great Britain in her age group at the 2015 world and 2016 European championships.
COPING STRATEGY
“It’s not about winning or being competitive,” she insists. “It’s about pushing physical and mental boundaries, and what I get back from that is an enormous amount of resilience and ability to cope with things.”
Louise is drawn to “endurance, courage and bravery”, but noticed that the adventure news stories she reported on were mainly about men.
Bu hikaye HELLO! UK dergisinin June 12, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye HELLO! UK dergisinin June 12, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
STARS TURN OUT FOR THE EARTHSHOT PRIZE THE PRINCE OF WALES ROYAL HEADS TO CAPE TOWN FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS CEREMONY
The Prince of Wales's love for Africa is well known: it is where he spent his gap year before heading to university.
FAMOUS NAMES TURN OUT FOR HALLOWEEN FRIGHT NIGHT STARS GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR SPOOKY STYLE
It may have been spooky season, but that was no excuse for stylish celebrities to abandon their sartorial flair.
BIDDING A BITTERSWEET FAREWELL TO 'VENOM' TRILOGY TOM HARDY ON FLYING HIGH, LOSING HIS TEMPER AND BEING INSPIRED IN HIS CHILLING MARVEL ROLE BY SON LOUIS
When Tom Hardy attended the UK premiere of Venom: The Last Dance in London, he was accompanied by a very special fan.
STARRING IN A NEW LOVE STORY WITH LIAM HEMSWORTH LAURA DERN TALKS OF THEIR CONNECTION - AND WHY VULNERABLE WOMEN ARE SUPERHEROES
The beautiful and dramatic scenery of Morocco's Atlas Mountains is the backdrop for Laura Dern's new film Lonely Planet, a love story in which she plays novelist Katherine opposite Liam Hemsworth's private equity hotshot Owen.
GRANDDAUGHTER OF LADY PAMELA HICKS MADDISON MAY BRUDENELL AND BRET KAPETANOV UNITE THEIR DIFFERENT WORLDS! IN SOCIETY COUNTRY WEDDING
In a heartwarming ceremony filled with love, Lady Pamela Hicks's granddaughter Maddison May Brudenell said: \"I will\" at a 15th-century village church in one of the most extraordinary society weddings of the year - and HELLO! was there to witness the historic occasion.
SPEAKING OUT IN POWERFUL NEW DOCUMENTARY THE QUEEN SHOWS HER PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THEIR FAMILIES
The Queen has vowed to keep fighting for victims of domestic saying: Keep until I am able to no more.\"
PRINCESS BEATRICE AND NUTRITIONIST GABRIELA PEACOCK
HOW THE FRIENDS ARE SHARING THEIR PREGNANCY JOURNEY TOGETHER
AMERICA'S STYLE ELITE IS OUT IN FORCE FASHION'S FINEST A-LISTERS DIAL UP THE GLAMOUR TO HONOUR TOP DESIGNERS IN NEW YORK
Hollywood stars rubbed shoulders with New York's style elite as America's fashion industry gathered to honour some of its top designers.
LEGENDARY DANCER WAYNE SLEEP REFLECTS ON A LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND HOW BALLET LED HIM INTO SHOWBIZ
He has danced with some of the greatest legends of ballet, partied with the biggest names in showbusiness and performed with royalty.
SPORTY, INTELLIGENT AND SHOWING AN IMPRESSIVE SENSE OF STYLE LADY LOUISE SHINES LIKE A JEWEL IN THE ROYAL CROWN AS SHE TURNS 21
As she celebrates her 21st birthday this week, Lady Louise Mountbatten Windsor is growing up into an engaging young woman.