May is National Walking Month in the UK, which we’ve focused on for the past few years, but this year, rather than provide walking plans or outfit ideas, I wanted to highlight some powerful and moving stories: the first, a chronic pain sufferer who was told she may end up as a wheelchair user by age 40 (page 56); the second, a doctor and mother who, along with her family, set out to conquer the Camino Trail in Spain with her wheelchairbound son (page 62). The sheer grit, determination and resilience of both women is so impressive and reminds me not to take my health for granted, and to stop making excuses when it comes to life’s difficulties, whether fitness-wise or other. I hope you, too, will be inspired by these reads.
We also have a new columnist, Dr Sohère Roked (page 36), who will be answering your hormone-related questions each month – do write to her! We’re also taking a look at gut health in this issue with tips on digestion (page 46), exercises for improved gut health (pages 70 and 74), and five delicious gut-friendly recipes (page 92).
Beauty-wise, I look at how to turn your skincare routine into a simple moment of mindfulness to help reduce stress (page 80), make-up artist to the stars Nathalie Eleni shares sensitive skincare buys (page 85), and cover star Gabby Logan (page 16) shares how perimenopause affected her hair, prompting her to start showing her tresses more
