Jog On: How Running Saved My Life

How Running Saved My Life

By: Bella Mackie

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

‘Bella’s brilliant love letter to running turns into an extraordinarily brave and frank account of her battle with anxiety. A compassionate and important book’ Joe Lycett

‘Perfect for resetting a glum January mindset’ Alexandra Heminsley

‘My kind of role model’ Ben Fogle

Divorced and struggling with deep-rooted mental health problems, Bella Mackie ended her twenties in tears. She could barely find the strength to get off the sofa, let alone piece her life back together. Until one day she did something she had never done of her own free will – she pulled on a pair of trainers and went for a run.

That first attempt didn’t last very long. But to her surprise, she was back out there the next day. And the day after that. She began to set herself achievable goals – to run 5k in under 30 minutes, to walk to work every day for a week, to attempt 10 push-ups in a row. Before she knew it, her mood was lifting for the first time in years.

In Jog On, Bella explains with hilarious and unfiltered honesty how she used running to battle crippling anxiety and depression, without having to sacrifice her main loves: booze, cigarettes and ice cream. With the help of a supporting cast of doctors, psychologists, sportspeople and friends, she shares a wealth of inspirational stories, research and tips that show how exercise often can be the best medicine. This funny, moving and motivational book will encourage you to say ‘jog on’ to your problems and get your life back on track – no matter how small those first steps may be.

Critic reviews

‘Bella’s brilliant love letter to running turns into an extraordinarily brave and frank account of her battle with anxiety. This is a compassionate and important book which presents running as a simple but effective antidote to an anxious world’ Joe Lycett

‘An insightful take on what it's like to experience, and confront one's mental health while joyfully celebrating the fact that just being an everyday runner can be enough to change your life. Warm, accessible and perfect for resetting a glum January mindset’ Alexandra Heminsley, author of Running Like a Girl

‘A heartfelt and joyous ode to the strange, wonderful pull of a pair of ugly trainers, tight fitting Polyester, the rainy, windy open road and the peace and clarity it brings. Anyone that runs will love this book’ Dermot O’Leary

‘I don’t know that I will ever become a runner but this book is an inspiring start to the year’ Nigella Lawson

‘My kind of role model’ Ben Fogle

‘A very relatable book’ Philippa Perry

‘Sport and exercise are important for both body and mind. Jog On is one person’s brutally honest and insightful account of how running had a positive impact on their mental health’ Jimmy Anderson

‘A brilliant, compassionate insight into both mental illness and exercise, Bella Mackie’s Jog On will act as a comfort – and a spur – to so many. It is kind, it is honest and it will make you finally pull on those trainers and get moving. It will also – and this is so important – help you to understand what those experiencing anxiety endure’ Lynn Enright

‘Timely and empathetic… an insightful take on what it’s like to experience, and confront one’s mental health… warm, accessible and perfect’ Grazia

‘A book of real hope and one that will truly inspire you’ Stylist

Bella - you’re fabulous

I loved every word. It’s wonderfully written, inspirational and emotional. Thank you for sharing Bella!

Calling herself a mediocre or bad runner. Thank you

Love reading books about running. They keep me motivated to keep trying despite my bad knees and fear of falling. This one was on after a long time and it’s very inspirational that she says she’s not actually a great runner.. plus the reason why she started running was also very relatable. Thank you 🙏🏽

Amazing

If you read any book this year, it has to be this! Honest, charming and hilarious at times.

A wonderfully candid and clever read

Bella brilliantly draws light to the shade by generously sharing her story and knowledge from a life tightly interwoven with anxiety, speaking to her highs, lows and running progress with such raw and witty candour.
It’s a wonderfully motivating, smart and chord striking read, sure to be enjoyed by all and treasured by those unaware of how much they needed it.

Maybe I will go for a run.

The only thing that annoyed me was the repetitive bringing up of Trump. Some of us, especially those like me that are not political, read to escape the world's madness. It brought the vibes down and made me cringe. The book was engaging and educational for those struggling with mental illness.