Show notes
Lisa Jackson is a hypnotherapist, running writer, Runner's World columnist, and the author of three bestselling running books, including Your Pace or Mine?, Running Made Easy, and her deeply personal latest release, Still Running After All These Tears – A Runner's Journey Through Grief. Originally from South Africa and now based in Worthing, UK, Lisa is a veteran of over 100 marathons and two 56-mile ultramarathons — despite often coming last. A proud reminder that endurance sport isn't about talent or speed, but about showing up, again and again. In this powerful and emotional episode, Lisa shares her journey into running, from hating sport as a child to rediscovering running at 30, navigating disastrous races, and learning to reset expectations through walk-run strategies. She opens up with raw honesty about her husband's terminal lung cancer diagnosis, how running helped her survive the darkest moments of caregiving and grief, and what it means to lose — and slowly rebuild — your running mojo. We dive into running through trauma, comfort eating and wine, the power of a ten-minute run, and why sometimes one mile is more than enough. Lisa also speaks openly about death and dying, dignity at the end of life, writing living wills, DNR decisions, death doulas, and how facing mortality can bring clarity, purpose, and peace. This is a conversation about resilience, realistic goals, choosing hope over fear, and why tenacity will always beat talent. Lisa's story reminds us that running doesn't need to look impressive to be meaningful — especially when it helps carry you through loss and into hope. *** New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries. Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lisa Writer and Author of 3 running books Her latest book: Still Running After All These Tears – A Runner's Journey Through Grief Being based in sunny Worthing Her early years and coming from a running family Hating sports at a young age Doing a 5k fun run when she was 10 Not running again for 20 years Turning 30 and realising her life was at a crossroads Wanting to walk in the footsteps of her parents Being invited to a Race for Life event Being supported by other women Entering the Great North Run Everything that went wrong! Being offered a place in the London Marathon Wanting to do another marathon…. Running the Edinburgh Marathon and having an horrendous experience Trying a walk run strategy Her recovery after the Paris Marathon Writing her first book: Running Made Easy Jeff Galloway Book: Your Pace or Mine? Having her husband diagnosed with terminal lung cancer Learning a lot about cancer, mindset and dealing with medical professionals Turning wounds into wisdom How running played an important role during her husbands illness Dealing with her loss of running mojo Giving people a roadmap; through trauma, grief and through terminal illness Life lessons for help in a challenging situation Running through trauma and grief Being a goal orientated person Wanting to run 100 marathons and visit 100 countries Throwing her goals out of the window and focusing on keeping her husband alive for as long as she could Turning to comfort eating and drinking wine The power of a ten minute run Running mojo - "Running will be your salvation" Being told to stop running Needing to reset and recalibrate her expectations for herself Setting the target of running 1 mile Running a park run Running her first marathon in 7 years Peter Rook Being a cancer thrivers partner Writing her book - running after all these tears Why it was the most difficult book she's written Feeling drained by the writing Why the tears were healing and necessary Being a supporter for Dignity in Dying The realities of death What stage the bill (Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill) is at Talking about death and dying Making peach with our lives Anything that needs to change with our lives going forward Making the decision to live in hope not fear Marie Curie Writing a living will Signing a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) for her husband while he was in hospice. How to have a good death Living her life with a sense of purpose Wanting to have someone hold her hand at death Having a death Doula Wanting to die at home in her own bed Future plans in relation to running and travel The importance of goals Why its the journey and not the destination Heading to visit Libya Running the Brighton Marathon in 2026 Wanting to 100 Park Runs Wanting to run 100 Half Marathons Doing a half ironman….. Being inspired by IronGran Writing her bucket list Being very good with money Running a 100 mile race….. Not being a naturally talented runner The triumph of tenacity over talent! Wanting to preserve her body as much as possible Treating her body with respect Coming last in 25 marathons How to connect with Lisa on social media Funny moments in the book! Final words of advice Start every run with a 5 minute walk Make it as fun as you can Enjoy youself as much as you can Don't live your life with regrets Why a 10 min run will make you feel like a new person Why running can be your salvation to Social Media Instagram: @lisaflamingojackson Facebook: @LisaFlamingoJackson