1 week Ago By [email protected] (Owen Hughes)
When Dr Michael Mosley died in June while holidaying in Greece he was working on a TV version of his hit radio series and podcast Just One Thing. The TV doctor had been working on those other formats since 2021 but this was his first TV programme under the same title. As with the podcasts the idea was that Dr Mosley would propose one "easy" shift in habits that could improve people's health.
These have been changes in diet or exercise and have proved immensely popular with the UK public. Due to his untimely death he only filmed enough for two episodes of the Just One Thing TV series which is now on BBC iPlayer. The first took him to beautiful North Wales.
READ MORE: Famous attraction to close until 2026 for massive £21m revamp READ MORE: 'Iconic' nightclub in North Wales has been put up for sale Here he met single mum Jayne, whose busy work and home life had left her burnt out. She had endured a "challenging" year with time off work due to ill health and a struggle to find a work/life balance. The 'Just One Thing' put forward by the doctor was cold water therapy - with a daily cold shower lasting at least 30 seconds.
She enlisted some of her friends to take part and help inspire each other through the challenge. Dr Mosley took Jayne and two friends to Colwyn Bay beach - using the cold shower next to Porth Eirias to give them a taste of what they were in for. It was also a good advert for the stunning seafront.
They confirmed it "jolted" them although it was definitely more pain than gain to start with. They were not deterred though and agreed to take on the challenge. The programme brought in the research and science behind why this does work for many to help reduce anxiety and improve well-being.
They were also taken water tubing in Llangollen - where they were warned they could feel a "shock" as they hit the water of the River Dee. Jayne said she didn't like "fast water, deep water, or being cold" but later admitted it was "really good fun". As time went on the benefits really started to be felt and as their bodies adjusted the 30 second cold showers weren't quite the ordeal they were at the start.
Jayne, who also went with her friends for a dip in a chilly local lake, said: "It is like bad medicine, it tastes awful but you know it is doing you good." She reached a stage of looking forward to cold water experiences, saying it goes from "pure panic to feeling relaxed". It has been "transformative", she said, "I would very rarely entertain cold water, if at all, but now I literally can't wait for the next time I'm in cold water.
" She added: "My energy levels are through the roof, I have more energy than my dog now." It proved a winner, with them all agreeing to carry on with this particular Just One Thing. Despite his premature death it is hoped Dr Mosley will continue - through the podcasts and short TV series - to inspire people to take small steps to improve their physical and mental health.
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