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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.

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.

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

My final challenge before my 50 Challenges begin: 93 miles of the South West Coastal Path

We didn’t set out to walk the entire South West Coastal Path. Originally it was a one-off holiday and a break from families, not part of 50

A Life changing event made me want change my life

Setting goals, such as 50 Challenges, has become an integral part of my life since I suffered and survived a life threatening brain haemorrh

What am I going to do for my 50th birthday?

Like many ideas, 50 Challenges began with a question: what was I going to do for my 50th birthday? Friends had a party or a holiday. This di