Julia Bradbury on reinventing her life after breast cancer

She might have written a bestselling book called Walk Yourself Happy, but Julia Bradbury seems to seek out the joy in whatever she does.

Fittingly for someone who found fame on BBC One’s Countryfile, the 54-year-old presenter and writer is a true force of nature, a sunny optimist who deals with life’s hardships – including a breast cancer diagnosis – in a stoical way.

In an exclusive interview in Good Housekeeping's September issue, Julia, who underwent a mastectomy to have a 6cm tumour removed in 2021, revealed how facing a health shock forced her to completely reevaluate her lifestyle.

'I had to reframe work after my breast cancer diagnosis and build in daily habits that were going to become lifetime ones that would impact how I work. I saw that, actually, you’re not selfish if you implement self-care, and you’re not being lazy if you rest, because it’s incredibly important,' she says.

'How that all fits into the work jigsaw is that I don’t work seven days a week any more. I still need to earn a living, but I’ve found a [different] way. Fortunately, my book has done well. Now I’m writing another. So I can split my time between writing a book and filming.'

Another major lifestyle change has been her decision to reduce her alcohol intake.

'I don't drink alcohol anymore. [But] I don't say l’m teetotal, because I had a thimble of red wine in October last year with some friends,' she says.

'Alcohol is a very touchy subject. It's an addictive substance. I manage to resist it because my increased risk of breast cancer recurrence is 28% if I drink alcohol regularly. I don't need any other incentive.'

Having been through cancer herself, Julia spoke about how she empathised with the Princess of Wales and the privacy issues she faced around her own cancer diagnosis.

'My heart really did go out to her. I wanted to go public with my cancer diagnosis because I didn’t think I’d be able to keep it a secret. Also, I’ve been an ambassador for multiple cancer charities for 20 years,' she says.

'My mum had bowel cancer. My dad had prostate cancer. So I’ve always put myself out there because cancer is something that, unfortunately, affects all of our families. I felt that it was the right thing to do to go public, and then to talk about how I was managing and handling it. I didn’t do it for a sympathy vote. I did it to show that I was as scared and vulnerable as anybody else.'

Julia now helps others find health and healing in nature through her Walk Yourself Happy wellbeing retreats, during which she shares the daily tools and tips she uses herself.

'The response to those has been incredible. They're two-day, one-night retreats when we walk, do breathwork, forest bathing and nutrition work - and people have used words like "life-changing",' she says.

'They've made friends for life and it's really set them on a new path; they've changed the way they eat, they're getting more morning light, they're eating more vegetables.'

As for who she'd like to join her on a walk, she's got her sights set on a major Hollywood star.

'I think that Ryan Gosling should take up walking. It would really help his image. I reckon him up a lovely mountain with a backpack – that’s a solid look. And I might have to hold his hand at some stage to help him over some tough terrain,' she says.

With a new Channel 5 series, Warship: Life In The Royal Navy, on the way, Julia will soon be back on our TV screens. Once described as ‘the walking man’s crumpet’ during her Countryfile days, she talked candidly about the label, as well as the change we still need to see in the workplace.

'Fortunately, I was able to laugh at that and I can’t think of any other sexist slurs that have mired my life. But there’s no question that there’s still misogyny and sexism in the world, and will be for as long as women are the ones having babies, until we shift the balance of care on to men as much as it is on women,' she says.

'Women are the caregivers. We support every economy in the world by taking care of children and elderly relatives more than men do. We’re contributing trillions to the economy in unpaid care work. Of course, there are men that do it, but ultimately the burden still lies with women. We’re trying to change it. But there does have to be a seismic shift in the workplace.'

Read the full interview in Good Housekeeping’s September issue on sale from 1st August. Walk Yourself Happy (Piatkus) by Julia Bradbury is out in paperback on 29th August. Find out more about Walk Yourself Happy retreats at theoutdoorguide.co.uk