Jo Moseley during her rowing challenge in 2014.

JO MOSELEY completed an epic rowing challenge in 2014 in which she rowed a million metres on a rowing machine to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. She has gone on to conquer other sports she never thought she would and has set up a blog interviewing inspirational women in their 50s. 

Although currently recovering from an injury she intends to get back to a sporting lifestyle once she’s fully fit again. She intends to keep improving at stand up paddleboarding and then give surfing a go.

Here she becomes the latest athlete to answer a round of our quick-fire questions!

To read some of Jo’s stories as well as her interviews with other female athletes visit www.healthyhappy50.com.

What do you see as your biggest achievement in the last few years?

I think my fundraising rowing challenge which I completed in 2014, rowing a million metres over 200 days and marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support. The marathon was five days before my 50th birthday and on the first anniversary of my Mum’s death from lymphoma.

I had only started indoor rowing in the summer of 2013 when a friend suggested I might try it to help me sleep. Prior to that I hadn’t been sporty for decades so it was very much a steep learning curve and change of pace for me!

We raised over £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer which I hope will have made some difference to the lives of individuals and families facing a cancer diagnosis.

What’s your ultimate sporting goal?

My next goal – once and if I’ve fully healed from my knee and shoulder injuries (neither sports related!) – is to learn to surf and to continue to improve my stand up paddleboarding. I’d like to explore the rivers, canals and coastline of Yorkshire and also do my bit to clean up the plastic pollution in our waters and on the beaches.

What’s your favourite movie?

Oh I have a few I love dearly… However,  my ‘go-to-easy-comfort’ movie is Fried Green Tomatoes at the WhistleStop Cafe. One of the characters buys a rebounder (little trampoline) starts exercising and it changes her self confidence and life. It always makes me smile.

And Actor?

I really love Kristin Scott-Thomas.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’ve just finished William Finnegan’s Barbarian Days and am about to start Megan Hine’s Mind of a Survivor.

Mind Of A Survivor: the book Jo is about to start.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Oh I have Stevie Nicks ‘Rooms on Fire’ on constantly! I’m a 1980s teenager!

Jo made the press due to her epic challenge in 2014.

If you could give another sport you’ve never tried a go what would that sport be?

I really would like to learn to surf once and if my knee is strong again.

Where’s your favourite place to relax?

In or by the North Sea on the Yorkshire Coast. Last year I started stand up paddleboarding as I had read it was a great sport for rebuilding fitness after injury, low impact and great for core strength & balance. I also began bodyboarding again after many years absence. I realised just how much riding waves and being in the North Sea really gave me joy and a sense of calm after. Even just walking on the beach is wonderful and relaxing, whether it is raining, sunny or even blowing a gale!

What do you love most about running your website?

Simply the wonderful women I’ve met virtually and then been lucky enough to meet in real life. They are all interesting, brave, kind, thoughtful and very inspiring. It is an absolute honour to share their stories and sporty passions.

Which lady who you’ve interviewed has inspired you the most?

Oh I couldn’t single anyone out! They are all so fab!

Jo has been inspired to share the story of other women her age through her blog www.healthyhappy50.com.

What’s your best characteristic?

I try to be kind and thoughtful.

And worst habit?

Oh, overthinking or self doubt!

Tell us about an embarrassing moment?

Oh my Dad reminded me of an embarrassing moment recently. We were diving together in Menorca and I got ‘narked’ i.e. I started to experience the effects of nitrogen narcosis. I started grinning and behaving oddly and then swam away completely in the opposite direction of the group and out to sea! He had to stop and pull me back with my fin and tell me to go to the surface. I really had very little idea of what I was doing. We were at about 27 to 30m and I’d dived quite a lot and a fair bit deeper before and not had any problems. It was all very embarrassing at the time but all’s well that ends well! And almost 30 years later, we still have a giggle about it!

If you could order any three-course meal what would it be?

I think watercress soup, crab or avocado to start. Fish for mains and then raspberries, strawberries and blueberries and anything very very chocolatey for pudding.

If you had to get stuck in an elevator who would you like to be stuck with?

Ah, that’s a lovely question. I would love to spend time with Gwyn Haslock, the first top female surfer in the UK. I’ve been reading about her in Roger Mansfield’s The Surfing Tribe. She began surfing in the mid 60s and in 1969 became the first British Women’s Champion after previously competing in men’s competitions. Now in her 70s, she continues to surf most days and there is a wonderful video of her online called Can & Will (made by Landrover). I think it would be fascinating learning from her about her experiences, the history of UK surfing and her tips for remaining fit and strong into her 70s. Such a wonderful role model. She is also a Team Rider for Original Surfboards, the bodyboard I use, which I love!  

If there was room in the lift, I’d love to include some of the lovely Surf Senioritas (@surfsenioritas) whom I’ve met online too. I think it’d be a wonderful conversation amongst women who love the sea. I would learn so much from them all and ask lots of questions!

What’s your most used curse word?

Oh gosh, I’m not sure! I try not to swear too much. My teenage son and l do have a saying though that what’s said in the waves is outside normal swearing rules! When we are bodyboarding together and a wave seems particularly big or exciting, I admit the F word is my typical reaction.

Jo has recently taken up the sport of bodyboarding.

What are you most afraid of?

As a mother, my greatest fear is that something will happen to my sons. However, at the same time I have always tried to teach them a sense of adventure and independence. I want them to explore the world. I am going to give them both Megan Hine’s Mind of a Survivor for some great advice tho!

Perhaps more selfishly, I’m a little afraid that despite all my Physiotherapy, exercises & walking etc, my knee simply isn’t healing enough to learn to surf. I’ve spent so many years wanting to learn but thinking that I am too old or chubby and don’t fit the image of a surfer. Now I’ve overcome those fears, I really hope I can be fit and strong enough to try a pop up! If not, I will hopefully be able to SUP surf which would be fab too!

I’m not a fan of snakes. I woke up to one in my tent in Tanzania and would be very happy for that to be the last time I encounter one!

What makes you happiest?

Oh a day at the coast with my boys and family, in the waves or on the beach. Laughter and chat, tasty food, a great book, sunshine or a big fire if it’s chilly. Baking bread for breakfast first thing and after a happy day, early to bed and a brill night’s sleep.

To read some of Jo’s stories as well as interviews with other female athletes visit www.healthyhappy50.com.