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Personal Best: From Rock Bottom to the Top of the World by Adele Roberts
'Adele's inner strength is truly remarkable. Personal Best will light a fire of hope and determination in us all.' -Lorraine Kelly
Award-winning BBC broadcaster, TV personality and DJ, Adele Roberts, was diagnosed with bowel cancer on the first of October 2021. In the months that followed, with her partner Kate Holderness alongside her, she fought very publicly through the challenges of chemotherapy and life with a stoma, whom she named Audrey. Adele's legions of fans avidly followed this remarkable journey, struck by her determination, her stoicism, and above all the resolute positivity that she and Kate demonstrated despite the many hurdles they faced along the way. 18 months on - she ran across the finish line of the London Marathon, setting a new Guinness World Record as the fastest female with an ileostomy.
Personal Best is the story of those months but it's also a tremendously valuable, life-enhancing guide to surviving and thriving through life's challenges and setbacks, illuminating a path that anyone can follow to get back on track, go further than they thought and achieve their personal best in the marathon of life - punctured with inspirational quotes and playlists along the way. Personal Best will help you to take on whatever challenge you may be facing with enough resolution to give yourself the strongest possible chance of success.
Award-winning BBC broadcaster, TV personality and DJ, Adele Roberts, was diagnosed with bowel cancer on the first of October 2021. In the months that followed, with her partner Kate Holderness alongside her, she fought very publicly through the challenges of chemotherapy and life with a stoma, whom she named Audrey. Adele's legions of fans avidly followed this remarkable journey, struck by her determination, her stoicism, and above all the resolute positivity that she and Kate demonstrated despite the many hurdles they faced along the way. 18 months on - she ran across the finish line of the London Marathon, setting a new Guinness World Record as the fastest female with an ileostomy.
Personal Best is the story of those months but it's also a tremendously valuable, life-enhancing guide to surviving and thriving through life's challenges and setbacks, illuminating a path that anyone can follow to get back on track, go further than they thought and achieve their personal best in the marathon of life - punctured with inspirational quotes and playlists along the way. Personal Best will help you to take on whatever challenge you may be facing with enough resolution to give yourself the strongest possible chance of success.
- GenresNonfictionAudiobook
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2024
23 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 18, 2024
I read this as an audiobook and I loved listening to Adele tell her story. I laughed, I cried, and I might even take up running. She's an inspiration with some great take-home messages.
April 20, 2024
Amazing uplifting story… which resonates with me as I went through same as Adele a month or so before her… I wld like to think I have been similarly positive on my journey but Adele has inspired me further for which I can only thank Adele for sharing her story. Keep going Adele!!! You’re a star!! Huw
July 4, 2025
I'm so glad I was able to get my hands on a copy of this from my local library. What a brilliant, inspirational and entertaining read from Adele Roberts (and her co-author, her longterm partner Kate Holderness). This was exactly the type of book I needed to read to help get me pumped for half marathon training, which I'm doing to raise money for a breast cancer charity. I'm in awe of Adele, and so if she can run a marathon in a truly fantastic time 18 months post chemotherapy, with a colostomy bag, I better be able to at least finish a half marathon in completely average heath 🙈
September 14, 2024
Read as an audiobook and used up all of my spotify audiobook hours so had to wait a week to finish this one.
Ever since watching her smash the london marathon in 2023 i’ve been intrigued about her story. It was beautifully read by Adele and just felt like a lovely uplifting read/listen.
Ever since watching her smash the london marathon in 2023 i’ve been intrigued about her story. It was beautifully read by Adele and just felt like a lovely uplifting read/listen.
December 28, 2024
This book is absolutely brilliant. Highly recommend listening to it on audible to hear Adele’s beautiful voice and humour shine through. A story of triumph, resilience and perseverance with humour and light and the mess of real life sprinkled throughout.
September 29, 2024
Audiobook. I loved listening to Adele tell her story. Inspirational, funny & sad at times too. Her attitude to what she has had to deal with is just incredible.
April 18, 2024
5* is not enough, it needs all the stars. Adele and Audrey’s story amazing and hearing her voice so raw made it even more special!
May 3, 2024
I am wholly disappointed with this book, I really wanted to love it but there was a few things I just couldn’t see past:
- the glorification of cancer as a whole. (Particularly the way it’s been worded, I could understand what she was trying to say but saying it the wrong way, having lived and supported others through bowel cancer I found it insulting)
- the naming of her stoma and constantly referring to it as a naughty child. (Again I understand some people name their stoma’s as a way of coping however I feel Adele has really gone far too to town with this and the way she refers to it as a third person in the relationship I didn’t like)
- constantly saying ‘Audrey is kicking off her bag’. (As a nurse your stoma bag shouldn’t have this many leaks, it shouldn’t be expected and one leak is one leak too many, please do not think this is normal, stoma bags should not constantly leak, you are using the wrong product)
I could go on further I really could, I wanted to love it but the glorification and the statements such as ‘I feel lucky to have got cancer’ I really can’t see past, I think it can be so wrongly interpreted by someone who’s vulnerable and the words are wrongly chucked around in this book.
PLEASE READ WITH CAUTION.
- the glorification of cancer as a whole. (Particularly the way it’s been worded, I could understand what she was trying to say but saying it the wrong way, having lived and supported others through bowel cancer I found it insulting)
- the naming of her stoma and constantly referring to it as a naughty child. (Again I understand some people name their stoma’s as a way of coping however I feel Adele has really gone far too to town with this and the way she refers to it as a third person in the relationship I didn’t like)
- constantly saying ‘Audrey is kicking off her bag’. (As a nurse your stoma bag shouldn’t have this many leaks, it shouldn’t be expected and one leak is one leak too many, please do not think this is normal, stoma bags should not constantly leak, you are using the wrong product)
I could go on further I really could, I wanted to love it but the glorification and the statements such as ‘I feel lucky to have got cancer’ I really can’t see past, I think it can be so wrongly interpreted by someone who’s vulnerable and the words are wrongly chucked around in this book.
PLEASE READ WITH CAUTION.
May 19, 2024
Following on listening to her interview with Jeni Falconers runpod 2 days ago I downloaded her audible and have just finished her book, Personal Best.
I only knew Adele from Big Brother years ago. Never listened to her radio show or known anything constructive about her. Just thought she was a one hit wannabe. But in the last few months / year I’ve learnt more about her through insta and various interviews as she’s been so candid about her cancer diagnosis and treatment, but mainly from when she ran London marathon 2023 and broke the record for the fastest time with a stoma. To boot she seemed quite a likeable person. This book cements those thoughts.
An honest, sometimes funny but a very positive memoir of the last few years with ‘Audrey ‘ ( her stoma) with some backdrop of her life pre BB & radio sprinkled in of life in Stockport.
Shining throughout is the love for her mum and siblings but most of all her for her gf Kate. Kate sounds perfect. We all need a Kate in our lives.
A really good listen. Thankyou Adele and wishing you all the best in your recovery. X
I only knew Adele from Big Brother years ago. Never listened to her radio show or known anything constructive about her. Just thought she was a one hit wannabe. But in the last few months / year I’ve learnt more about her through insta and various interviews as she’s been so candid about her cancer diagnosis and treatment, but mainly from when she ran London marathon 2023 and broke the record for the fastest time with a stoma. To boot she seemed quite a likeable person. This book cements those thoughts.
An honest, sometimes funny but a very positive memoir of the last few years with ‘Audrey ‘ ( her stoma) with some backdrop of her life pre BB & radio sprinkled in of life in Stockport.
Shining throughout is the love for her mum and siblings but most of all her for her gf Kate. Kate sounds perfect. We all need a Kate in our lives.
A really good listen. Thankyou Adele and wishing you all the best in your recovery. X
May 17, 2024
Adele absolutely captured my heart! As someone facing the 50/50 chance of needing an Ileostomy Adele’s book has taught me so much, not only about Stomas and their mischief (looking at Audrey! 👀) but she’s taught me about life, and the importance of taking it one step at a time.
It doesn’t matter if that’s one step down the hospital corridor or one step in the London Marathon, all that counts is that step.
Adele, I just wanted to say a thank you, your book has been an absolute joy to read, and I love your writing style! I’ve burst into fits of laughter whilst sitting in the garden - the neighbours must be wondering what I’m up to! But seriously, you have a way around making things light and whole hearted, whilst still maintaining the seriousness of situations.
Could not recommend Personal Best more, definitely a fantastic read for anyone who like biographies, running, or health/medical related things ❤️
It doesn’t matter if that’s one step down the hospital corridor or one step in the London Marathon, all that counts is that step.
Adele, I just wanted to say a thank you, your book has been an absolute joy to read, and I love your writing style! I’ve burst into fits of laughter whilst sitting in the garden - the neighbours must be wondering what I’m up to! But seriously, you have a way around making things light and whole hearted, whilst still maintaining the seriousness of situations.
Could not recommend Personal Best more, definitely a fantastic read for anyone who like biographies, running, or health/medical related things ❤️
June 9, 2024
What an inspiring story.
As a fellow ostomate it is incredible to see someone with a visible stoma on the front of a best selling book - I had to buy it and to read about her incredible PB so soon after life changing surgery.
Adele is honest about life with a stoma and the challenges and incredible opportunity it brings by saving your life.
She is incredible - as I sat reading it I felt grateful for what my stoma has done for me, and with a relative who has also had bowel cancer I was grateful for her honesty.
Adele is such a force of nature and you'll finish the book wanting to sign up for your own marathon.
Thank you for writing this and raising awareness of stomas and of bowel cancer.
As a fellow ostomate it is incredible to see someone with a visible stoma on the front of a best selling book - I had to buy it and to read about her incredible PB so soon after life changing surgery.
Adele is honest about life with a stoma and the challenges and incredible opportunity it brings by saving your life.
She is incredible - as I sat reading it I felt grateful for what my stoma has done for me, and with a relative who has also had bowel cancer I was grateful for her honesty.
Adele is such a force of nature and you'll finish the book wanting to sign up for your own marathon.
Thank you for writing this and raising awareness of stomas and of bowel cancer.
June 21, 2025
An incredible inspiring story. Adele’s perspective on life and everything she has been through is wonderful to read. The book chapters are set up as songs, and you can download the playlist. A beautiful reminder that we can always grow, and change, and be better, and overcome obstacles, and even turn those obstacles into blessings.
“There are angels and heroes all around us, we just need to take the time to notice them.”
“No matter what your struggle is, no matter how big or small your challenges seem, you can do it. It all matters. It all counts.”
“There are angels and heroes all around us, we just need to take the time to notice them.”
“No matter what your struggle is, no matter how big or small your challenges seem, you can do it. It all matters. It all counts.”
June 21, 2025
A very uplifting and motivating story of Adele’s journey through cancer. She portrays cancer in a different light to most, using it as her driving force rather than something that holds her back.
Yes, the writing could’ve been better in some parts and there is quite a bit of repetition at times, however it does read in a way that is fitting of the conversational tone Adele uses regularly to connect with the public.
Yes, the writing could’ve been better in some parts and there is quite a bit of repetition at times, however it does read in a way that is fitting of the conversational tone Adele uses regularly to connect with the public.
July 24, 2024
Wow. If I “can’t do something”. I can do anything !
Personal, beautiful and true.
Personal, beautiful and true.
December 4, 2024
What a positive, uplifting and inspirational read. I could hear he voice in my mind as I worked my way through that chapters. The ups and downs and an insight into the world of cancer.
May 9, 2024
This was such an inspiring story! Adele Robert's is a warrior and after seeing her on dancing on ice and being in awe of her positive attitude I had to listen to her story! Adele takes us through her diagnosis and recovery from cancer as well as her training of a marathon that she did post recovery and all the battles she overcame in between! I loved how strong and determined she was all the way through! This one is not to be missed!
September 21, 2024
Fantastic self growth book. I've always liked Adele and have championed her achievements so there was no hesitation I was going to be purchasing her book when it came out. It's funny,sentimental and REAL! There's no pretending that everything's hunky dory which is what I loved. A real life cancer journey on paper - inspiring!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews