Second Act
Take a Leap
Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for happiness. Read our inspiring stories from people who took a leap of faith - and felt happier than ever.
The BBC's Louise Minchin: 'How I finally found my sense of adventure after 45'
The former BBC Breakfast presenter has been embracing thrill-seeking for ten years
My mum's shock death inspired me to change my life
Sam Grice shares how the death of his mum inspired him help others plan for what happens after
I took a 'grey gap year' at 51 – here's what I learned
After a hectic few years, Michelle Feeney, 60, took a break for the first time in her life. She shares her story with HELLO!
How a major life change reset my world view
Laura Bunting left her life in the UK to move to Kenya – here's how being in nature helped her overcome stress and embrace a different pace of life
How a solo holiday helped me reset
Writer Leo Bear indulged in the ultimate self-care in Marrakech, mixing stepping out of her comfort zone with total relaxation
I feel stronger and more empowered than ever after one hour of jiu-jitsu
HELLO!'s Bryony Gooch attended Alliance Jiu Jitsu's flagship London studio
Why 'life-changing' transformation retreats are set to be 2024's biggest travel trend
More than yoga and massages, transformational retreats encourage rejuvenation, introspection and the opportunity to redefine one's life – sign us up!
How a five-week solo holiday changed my entire life
Amy Chapman, 36, travelled alone to Australia – and discovered a passion that took her in a new direction
Lorraine Kelly talks embracing new challenges in her 60s as she celebrates major career move - Exclusive
The ITV star spoke about the inspiration behind her new book, The Island Swimmer
Hearing loss changed my entire life – here's what I wish I'd known
Amanda Philpott was diagnosed with hearing loss at 52 – and it changed her life
Postpartum depression made me change my life – here's what happened
After struggling following the arrival of her baby, Hannah Burton took her life in a new direction. She shares her inspiring story
Taking up horse riding in my 30s gave me a new sense of freedom
After a move from London to the countryside, 30-year-old Lotty Campbell Bird felt inspired to step further out of her comfort zone
Sadie Frost's second act: 'I'm the best version of me'
At 58, Sadie Frost is living her best life. She tells HELLO! how she reprioritised and found herself happier than ever
I'm 48 and I have never felt more alive
Joyologist Donna Easton shares how she found happiness in midlife by ignoring her inner critic
I went through a trainwreck divorce - here's what I learned
My disastrous experience in divorce sent my life in a new and fulfilling direction, says Kate Daly
A shock diagnosis changed my entire outlook on life – here's what happened
Emily Williams left her career as a bridal hair stylist after her son was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour. Here she shares how her whole world changed
I'm doing my first ultramarathon at 46 – and I've never been a runner!
'I wanted to remind myself I'm grateful to be alive', says two-time cancer survivor Deborah Ward-Johnstone
Our first family cruise was a surprisingly relaxing, fun and bonding experience
Parenting Editor Sophie Hamilton and her family travelled with Celebrity Cruises around Italy, Croatia and Montenegro
I found a sense of freedom at 49 through a challenging new hobby
Jude Palmer took up an extreme hobby which helped ease the stress of daily life
This empowering workout reframed my attitude to exercise
Martial arts workouts are more popular than ever. HELLO! spoke to fitness experts about why punching and kicking boosts our confidence
I'm a senior citizen gamer – and gaming changed my life in ways I'd never imagined
Novelist Richard Sparks is a 72-year-old gamer. Here he describes how computer games have helped him grow more confident and make new friends
How setting up my own business made me happier than ever
Harry Potter star Emma Watson and her brother Alex launched their gin brand, Renais, in 2023. Here Alex shares what working with his sister has taught him about happiness
A near-death experience made me change my whole life
Sarah Aspinall took a leap of faith, quitting her job as a lawyer to become a ballet teacher specialising in midlife
I tried therapy despite thinking I didn't need it – and it was eye-opening
After booking a 90-minute MOT session at Self Space, I've realised my mental health is just as important as my physical health
I tried online dating as a widow in my 50s - here's what you need to know
After losing her husband, Nicky Wake turned to online dating to meet someone, but soon found dating as a widow to be a different experience
I'd lost my spark but a total life reset helped me find it again
After a breakup, Justy Chlopecka overhauled her whole life. Here's what happened
I went to the Maldives on my own - here’s why the romantic destination isn’t just for couples
It turns out the Maldives isn't reserved for honeymooners
I went on holiday by myself for the first time aged 30 – here's what I learned
Fancy a dose of luxury all to yourself? Iberostar is the place to go…
I travelled the world alone at 50 – here's what I learned
At a crossroads in her life after a frightening health scare, Kim Rix overhauled her whole life.
My world shrank after a brutal car crash – here's how I rediscovered my confidence
Jasmine Prince was registered disabled after a car crash. Five years later, she sailed the world to prove she could still be adventurous Here's what happened
A shock diagnosis changed my entire life – here's what happened
Urvashi Agarwal was diagnosed with a rare health condition – here's how it changed her life for the better
I've only ever done Pilates – here's what happened when I tried a 6-week HIIT challenge
I took on the F45 challenge to tone up and make new friends - these are my honest thoughts
How I found true happiness at 45
Transformation coach Charlotte Carter realised at 45 that she'd never been truly happy. Here's how she turned her life around
I totally changed my life in 30 days - here’s how
Writer Jennifer Barton embarked on a 30-events-in-30-days challenge
I went on my first wellness retreat at 69 – here's what happened
Joanne Macleod shares how a retreat, complete with sunrise yoga and a gong bath, changed her long-held opinions on wellness
I changed my entire life at 54 – here's what happened
Fed up with ageist beauty standards, Mia Maugé set about making a change, jumping into a modelling career at 54
How facing my phobia in my 40s completely changed my life in an unexpected way
Writer Jennifer Barton faced her fears and discovered that stepping out of her comfort zone became a passion in itself
LET'S BE FRANK: How taking on a terrifying new challenge completely remotivated me
In her exclusive HELLO! column, Frankie Bridge shares how starring in 2:22 A Ghost Story came about – and how it pushed her out of her comfort zone
A favour for a friend totally changed my life – here's what happened
An unexpected request from a close friend saw Sarah Clarke, 39, overhaul her life, leaving her happier and more fulfilled than ever
I quit my job at 44 and rediscovered my sense of self – here's what happened
Paul Webb of Black Bee Honey quit his career of 20 years to become a full-time beekeeper, finding happiness and confidence along the way
Annabel Croft shares how stepping out of her comfort zone keeps her feeling upbeat
Wimbledon champ and Strictly contestant Annabel Croft is taking on her biggest challenge yet this autumn