Jessica Hepburn
Email: jessica@jessicahepburn.com
I am an Author, Arts Producer and Adventure Activist inspiring people to live big and bravely when life doesn’t go to plan. Formerly CEO of the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith in London, for most of my life I was called ‘the arty one’. But in my forties I turned to adventure as my way out of personal heartbreak, and in my early fifties I became the first woman in the world to swim the English Channel, run a road marathon (London) and climb Mount Everest, all fuelled by listening to every episode of my favourite radio programme Desert Island Discs –an adventure in itself. I’ve written three books all of which I describe as ‘alternative adventure stories’ – 'The Pursuit of Motherhood' (2014); '21 Miles' (2018) and most recently 'Save Me from the Waves' (2024) – a Stanfords Travel ‘Book of the Month’ and described in Wanderlast magazine as ‘classic unlikely hero territory’ and in the Observer as ‘a reminder to live each day with meaning’. My books are currently being developed for the screen by Erebus Pictures and I also give inspirational talks across the UK for conferences, festivals, schools, corporates and community groups. www.jessicahepburn.com
What is your interest or experience of adventure for mental health or wellbeing?
In my forties I started to use adventure as my way out of heartbreak after a decade of hard and harrowing life experiences which included an infertility diagnosis; multiple miscarriages; an ectopic pregnancy which almost took my life; and 11 rounds of unsuccessful IVF. I’ve now become an advocate for the power of adventure to change your life for the better, particularly when you’ve been through dark and difficult times. I have a specialist interest in the mental and physical health of women and girls, but my story as an unlikely-athlete-turned-record-breaker resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. For me an adventure is 1/doing something new 2/ doing something that requires effort (for you) and 3/ doing something where the outcome is unknown, and I am equally passionate about micro and everyday adventures, as big ones that are high and far away. I spread the word through my books and public speaking engagements as well as appearances on podcasts and in the press and media.
How can you help us spread the word about AdventureMind’s mission?
Social Media: Substack / Instagram / Facebook are my current platforms of choice. I also have an extensive personal mailing list. Press and media articles and appearances. Public speaking engagements – I’m currently giving around 50 public talks a year in schools / community groups / corporate events / festivals / conferences and other events