Joy encourager, beach cleaner & midlife adventurer
J O M O S E L E Y
Tell me a little bit about you…
My name is Jo Moseley, I’m 56 and live on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. I have two sons, 24 and 20, and have been a single Mum for 14 years. I have a regular day job and also teach aqua fit on a freelance basis, when we are allowed to! I am also a speaker, writer and have a podcast about the joy of paddleboarding. Frit Tam of Passion Fruit Pictures and I recently released a film called Brave Enough – A Journey Home to Joy about my coast to coast adventure in 2019.
I call myself a joy encourager, beach cleaner and midlife adventurer. These are my goals and hopes for how I live my life now and in the future.
Do you consider yourself to have any mental health issues?
I have always been an anxious person and this was exacerbated by my perimenopause. In the past I have had episodes of depression when my life was incredibly stressful.
Now that I am post menopausal my levels of anxiety have eased hugely. I can also think more clearly! I also take a lot of care to look after my mental wellbeing on a daily basis.
How do you think getting outside improves mental health?
Moving really helps me – my body feels less tense and my mind brighter
It gives me perspective – the world is bigger than me and my problems
It allows me to breathe deeply and calms my mind
I often meet people out and about which is lovely and makes me feel connected
I appreciate nature and notice the joy of tiny things
I pick up litter which makes me feel I’m making some small difference to the world and have a lovely community of litter picking friends
I feel grateful which improves my wellbeing
Has someone ever initiated a conversation about their mental health and if so can you tell me a bit more about this?
Yes, since I have shared quite openly about my own mental health issues around the menopause -writing blogs, articles in newspapers, speaking events, in magazines and on podcasts - quite a few women have shared their own anxiety and mental health issues with me. I have also spoken to friends who have lost loved ones as they know I am willing to listen and be there for them and share openly about my own grief. I find this a huge privilege and honour that people can trust me.
On my podcast The Joy of SUP – The Paddleboarding Sunshine Podcast we talk about mental health and how being on the water helps my guests. The concept of blue and green gyms are things I am researching a lot at the moment.
Do you have a favourite place to go for some downtime and where is it?
My favourite place is the beach and sea. During lockdown this has been tricky as I live 2.5 hours away and have not been able to visit. Instead I go the hills, woods or canal.
What two items would you take to a deserted island?
Journal and pencil to write with
My paddleboard! If that was too big, a mask, snorkel and fins!
Twitter @healthyhappy50
Instagram @healthyhappy50 and @thejoyofsuppodcast_
Email: healthyhappy50@yahoo.com
Facebook: Jo Moseley and The Joy of SUP Podcast
