14. Charlie Mackesy: Filling my lungs with air

The UK’s favourite fitness coach is back with series two of his podcast. This summer, Joe is speaking to inspirational friends and some of his favourite people to ask them what single thing they do to keep themselves feeling mentally and physically strong in the face of life’s little challenges. It might be going for a new personal best on the running machine, or cosying up with a good book; every guest will share the one thing that works for them in the hope it might inspire you to try something new.

In this episode Joe speaks to artist Charlie Mackesy, author of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Charlie's best-selling book has sold more than 3.3 million copies worldwide to date, and his illustrations struck a chord with people of all ages during the 2020 lockdown, including Joe and his daughter Indie.

Charlie joins Joe from the barn in Suffolk where he has been working on new illustrations over the last year. They discuss Charlie's very personal inspiration for his art and the emotional impact of his book on his readers; from school children to soldiers. And when he's taking a break from the easel, Charlie tells Joe he finds solace in exercising in nature.

This is sunshine in a podcast. Joe Wicks is here for you, and he won’t stop until you’re fit and happy.

Producer: Clare Salisbury Editor: Dimitri Houtart A BBC Audio Bristol production for Radio 4