Jo Whiley has shared that she has been "just trying to get through each day" as her family navigates ongoing health issues. The 60-year-old BBC Radio 2 presenter, who maintains a successful career with her radio show and two podcasts, detailed the personal difficulties she has faced in a recent interview.
Whiley revealed in the September issue of Woman & Home that "things have been hard on a personal level lately," though she noted they are "better than they were." Her mother underwent back surgery over the Christmas period, requiring Whiley to spend significant time at the hospital.
"My mum had a back operation over Christmas, and for a long time, all I was doing was going to the hospital and sitting with Mum and Dad. That became my whole world," Whiley said. Her father, Martin, is living with Parkinson's disease.
Whiley also spoke about the challenges of discussing her sister, Frances, who has a rare genetic disorder called Cri du Chat syndrome. She acknowledged the importance of talking about the practicalities of having a sibling with learning disabilities, noting that her parents listened to her podcast where she discussed the realities of their Christmas.
Reflecting on the concept of manifestation, Whiley expressed skepticism, stating her belief that "life just happens." She argued that focusing on medical science and hard work is more practical than relying on manifestation, especially when facing difficult situations. "Sometimes terrible things happen, and life is hard," she commented, expressing concern that manifestation might lead individuals to feel like they have failed if outcomes aren't achieved.
Elsewhere in the interview, Whiley discussed her return to exercise after finding herself in "crisis mode." She described how exercise and seeing friends were the first things to go when life became busy, leading to noticeable changes in her physical appearance. "I could see myself losing muscle tone and I remember looking in the mirror and thinking, 'Whose body is this? I don't recognise it.' That really shocked me," she stated.
Whiley emphasized the importance of self-care, noting that exercise helps maintain mental well-being. "When you're in crisis mode, you stop noticing those things because all your energy is focused somewhere else," she explained. "Self-care is so important. Friends say that exercise keeps them sane, and I agree."
She recently completed a half marathon, an endeavor she described as "stupid" given her lack of training, but it reinforced her dislike for not exercising and how it negatively impacted her mood. Whiley is now back to incorporating weights and swimming into her routine, finding it beneficial for her mental state.