How rock climbing gave me a new perspective on the world – and myself

Spending time high above the ground allowed me a unique view of the land and my relationship with it

Skateboarding in middle age: ‘It helps me switch off’

It’s good for mental health, a study found, but what’s it like being an older person at the skatepark?

Lost your get up and go? Here’s how to get it back

After a lifetime of loving exercise, Martin Love lost his motivation. But where had it gone? And could he get it back? Plus, five experts on how to maintain your mojo

I’m heartbroken to miss Christmas with my family – but want to inspire girls with this huge challenge

While my husband and two children celebrate Christmas without me, I will be rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic

Bucket lists: are they really such a good idea?

These ‘must-do’ itineraries people feel the need to undertake before they die can come with a heavy cost

Fit in my 40s: I suck at table tennis. Instead, here are my final seven fitness lessons

My last observation – of everything from boxing to circus skills – is that competition between beginners is a mug’s game

The power of no: how to build strong, healthy boundaries

When we find it difficult to say ‘no’ at work or at home, our responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming. For good mental health, focusing on our own needs and capabilities is crucial

Emma Beddington tries … sword-fighting: ‘I have the upper body strength of cooked spaghetti’

The first rule of swordfight club is: don’t die! The second involves aggression – tricky if you’re used to expressing disapproval through quiet tutting and snippy emails

Tonight’s TV: Champion sprinter Jonnie Peacock mentors young Paralympic hopefuls

As we prepare for Tokyo’s Paralympics, the athlete puts some youngsters through their paces. Plus: trouble in the tapir enclosure at the zoo … Here’s what to watch tonight

Readers reply: which sport gives you the best all-round skill set?

The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts