In My Stride: Lessons Learned Through Life and Adventure

by Helen Skelton

Helen Skelton is no stranger to doing hard things, from kayaking the entire length of the Amazon to competing in a boxing match for Sports Relief. Her ability to dig deep and find the inner strength and to carry on no matter the challenge—physical, mental, or emotional—is nothing short of remarkable.

Helen grew up on a farm in Cumbria and credits her deep connection with nature and family for grounding her throughout the experiences in her life. In My Stride explores the lessons Helen has learned through life and adventure, sharing how getting out in nature can help us heal, grow, and find the resilience to move through challenging times in our lives. It tells stories of finding confidence, authenticity, courage, resilience, acceptance, community, and freedom against the backdrop of life's peaks and troughs and through the power of the natural world. Helen shows us how putting one foot in front of the other—whether that's on the Strictly dance floor or in the great outdoors—can help us to journey back to ourselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography, Biography

304 pages, Hardcover

Published October 12, 2023

About the author

Helen Skelton is a popular television host in the UK. She is the second woman ever to complete the Namibia 24-Hour Ultra Marathon, she solo-kayaked two thousand miles down the Amazon River while breaking two Guinness World Records in the process, and she was the first person to reach the South Pole on a bicycle. She lives in England.

Reviews

[Rachael Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. What a humble, down to earth and resilient woman Helen is. Her life story told with dignity and Helen speaks about just how grateful she is for everything that she has been able to do during her career.

[Jackie Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this candid and inspiring look into a life lived to its fullest. Helen has worked hard to be where she is and just gets on with it!! A true northerner not afraid to try it all. But at the same time being a mum and public figure juggling life and work. Her dance on strictly to Mein Herr definitely is the perfect metaphor to that moment in her life and I applaud her for it.

[Marie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Love this amazing woman. What shes achieved is unbelievable. She is so inspiring. Loved reading about her life, her highs and lows. Shes honest and wears her heart on her sleeve. Would definitely recommend.

[Una Cottrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What saves this memoir was Helena's honesty and humility for the last 3rd of the book. The other two thirds are full of "haven't I had a wonderful career" and "aren't I brave and driven". Yes, she's done what a lot of people wouldn't, but she says herself it thrills her and drives her forward. I didn't like the sycophantic celeb mates where she talks all about her famous network. However, that goes out of the window when she talks about her marriage breakdown and the struggle with maintaining a high profile career as a single parent. Her tone changes and becomes far more likeable. I borrowed this book from the library but I may actually buy a copy to have on my bookshelves. I only allow books on my shelves that offer me something. in this case, honesty and inspiration in the last 3rd of the book.

[Georgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Helen Skeleton, I think she's a good presenter especially on On The Farm series. I also voted for her on Strictly, so I was particularly gutted for her when things turned sour for her after she had her third child. I knew Helen wouldn't be using this book to reveal all about her ex, as she doesn't come across as that type of person. And she didn't. So if anyone was hoping she'd dish the dirt you will be disappointed. But she does say a lot by what she doesn't say! Apart from this i was very surprised just how much Helen has done over the years, and I found it interesting. All in all I enjoyed this book very much, it was interesting and well written, by a single working mother juggling her work with being a mother.

[Christine Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Helen explains how she pushes herself; taking on extreme challenges and how she copes under the immense pressure that this brings. Following her marriage breakdown, she manages life as a working mum of three: juggling parenthood and her career to find the right balance. Really easy to read and enjoyable. I did, however, find the number of typos in this book really surprising. They should have asked me to proof-read it for them!

[Dr Samantha Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great eye opener and inspirational read

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Watched Helen on strictly and knew she had a lot going on personally but she never used that to get votes. Her determination and refusal to give up is so admirable, and inspiring. Thank you for sharing this Helen.

[Laura Finbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved listening to this audiobook. I've always been aware of Helen as a TV personality and been impressed by the incredible challenges she has done, but I had no idea how brilliantly inspirational she actually is. I feel like this may be one I go back to every now and again when I need a little push to put myself out there and face my own challenges

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really interested in Helen Skelton's life as I see her as my Blue Peter era of presenter. Hearing about her adventures and challenges on Blue Peter reminded me of how in awe I was of her as a child! I enjoyed reading about those parts of her life.

Other areas of her life I didn't feel such an afinity to read on about and found myself skim reading.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the content - 4.5 ⭐️
Easy read, nice message and inspiring stories.
For the writing- 3 ⭐️
Not well written and felt a bit rushed/thrown together. Definitely wasn't proof read- multiple mistakes in regards to spelling and grammar, which just became annoying.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite blue Peter presenters when I was a kid. So inspiring to read about her life! I will always remember watching her walk across a tight rope suspended between Battersea power station. Amazing!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one - can hear her voice as I was reading. Felt like an honest and frank account of her life - and made some interesting points about how to carry on when life gives you a curve ball. Entertaining.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an emotional read, especially the chapters about the Amazon and Strictly. Some elements felt a bit rushed and I felt she could have probably written a whole book about her Amazon trip alone. But still, really engaging and thoughtful

[Janet farrow1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved , loved this

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really inspiring stuff! Not especially well written hence 4 stars not 5 but what a life!

[Jenna Grewcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, such an inspirational women!

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story of Helens life, agree northern girl full of determination. Good luck to her in where ever life takes her

[MRS ANGELA J WALLACE · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about a strong woman

Helen Skelton what a book loved reading this.
A very easy read full of motive and emotion written beautifully with thought

[Sue White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every chapter , I could hear her saying the words x

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous read, what an inspiration Helen is. I wish I had read a book like that 20 years ago when my marriage ended.

[Chris Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*. I enjoyed this book. I watched her on strictly and after the first week or two she hid her nerves well was great to read how she felt about it all.

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring read.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about Helen's life and how she navigated herself and her family through heartbreaking times with the help of her wider family.

[Megan Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted a light non fiction to breeze through and I have had this on my shelf borrowed from my mum for a while. I enjoyed it but the editing errors really distracted and annoyed me.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Not as much on her adventures as I would have liked. More focus on motherhood. Decent book.