JO WHILEY—legendary BBC Radio 2 DJ, music curator, and now, a powerful voice redefining what it means to age with vitality. From the euphoria of festival stages to the quiet discipline of weightlifting, Jo’s journey through fitness, menopause, and self-reinvention is a masterclass in confidence earned, not given. In this candid conversation, she reveals how strength training rebuilt her identity, why ‘looking good for your age’ misses the point, and how she’s crafting a life where energy, not numbers, defines her.
How fit, healthy, and vibrant do you feel now compared to previous years?
“I feel incredibly fit, healthy, and vibrant now, much more than I did a few years ago and more than 30 years ago when I was going out a lot, drinking, and only occasionally going to the gym. It wasn’t a major part of my life back then, but now it’s central to everything I do. There are certainly aches and pains as I age, but overall, I feel fit, I eat well, and I’m in a good place.”
You look absolutely fantastic. Do you get told that you look good for your age? How do you feel about that compliment?
“I’d much rather be told that I look good, not for my age, but just overall. It’s a lovely compliment, and I take good care of myself. I’m aware that I’m getting older, and it’s definitely a lot of work to maintain this level of health. When you’re younger, you take things for granted, but as you get older, you have to work harder at it. It’s an investment in how you feel, which then trickles down to boost your confidence and happiness.”
When you feel confident, what’s going on in your body and mind?
“It’s about being strong. I’m really keen to feel strong and powerful. A few years ago, when I started to feel my age, especially after menopause, I went through a tough time. I felt fragile and vulnerable. Exercise, particularly strength training, really helped me feel stronger and more confident.”
Many women experience a sense of identity loss during menopause. Did you go through something similar?
“I definitely felt like I lost myself a bit. I had always been strong and knew who I was, but then everything changed. I felt more fragile and vulnerable, and I cried a lot. I went through all the symptoms—brain fog, emotional ups and downs—and just felt disconnected from myself. I began HRT, which has really worked for me, and I also started focusing on my fitness more. I gave myself new challenges, like running and triathlons, which helped me regain a sense of purpose. Now, I feel like I’ve reinvented myself into a new version of who I used to be.”
Do you feel like you’ve become a new version of yourself?
“I feel like a wiser version of myself. The wisdom that comes with age brings perspective and clarity. I don’t feel exactly the same as I did in my 20s, but I do feel like I’m a more experienced, clearer version of the person I used to be.”
How did you imagine life in your late 50s compared to how you live now?
“I never thought about being in my late 50s. When I was younger, I saw older people—like my mum and grandma—and thought they were older and a bit ‘fuddy-duddy.’ But now, my mum is 79, and she looks amazing. There’s been such a shift in how women can present themselves as they age, and what they can achieve. I never imagined I’d still be on the radio, doing TV, and still playing gigs like Glastonbury at this age. I don’t feel any different now than I did when I was 27.”
What’s your life motto today?
“Live the life you love and love the life you live. It’s something that becomes more relevant as the years go by.”
Jo Whiley’s story isn’t about defying age—it’s about refusing to let it dictate terms. Whether through barbells, HRT, or sheer determination, she’s proof that the second act can be your fiercest. Her motto—‘Live the life you love and love the life you live’—isn’t just a mantra; it’s a battle cry for anyone who believes vitality is non-negotiable. Because as Jo shows us: ageing isn’t a decline. It’s an upgrade.
“This article is based on an interview with Jo Whiley, originally published in Women’s Health.
