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Our challengers tell their own personal stories here in our Challenger Diaries. You can also read views and comments on mid-life issues.

Check out some of the most recent posts, or browse through the archive.

Giving up the day job at 50 to pursue my dreams

From the age of five, I wanted to be a writer. Encouraged by my first teacher, I wrote stories about a girl called Jane, which all ended,...

Walking the dog...

My 50 Challenges started when I realised how quickly the last 10 years had gone, and how much my life had changed in that decade.

Why we need to talk about mental health

When I set up 50 Challenges, I had to decide whether to talk about my mental health issues. I decided they were fundamental to the inspirati

When life throws you a curveball is it time to re-evaluate?

You do our best: don't smoke, barely drink, run regularly, eat healthily, and then life throws you a curveball. 50 Challenges will defin

10,000 Steps a day and getting knocked off track by illness

My challenge is to walk 10,000 steps a day for a year. Why so low-key? It's the single lifestyle change I can make for 50 Challenges to

Game of cards anyone?

I have resolved to learn a new card game a month for a year for 50 Challenges; something I can do with my father (and others) as he recupera

So many books, so little time...

I have always loved books. Life has a habit of getting in the way and sometimes I'm too exhausted to open a book for my 50 Challenges.

50 Challenges launched at the New York Marathon 2017

Running a marathon may not be everyone’s idea to celebrate a milestone, but when I came up with 50 Challenges, it seemed the obvious way to

Why I am raising £50,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society

Fund raising is usually motivated by personal inspiration. One of my 50 Challenges, to raise £50,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society is n

Why I am launching 50 Challenges with the New York Marathon

Running is my sanity and my strength. It has got me through some tough times. When I came up with 50 Challenges, there seemed only one way t