You’re Not Too Old and It’s Not Too Late

Award winning author Jo Moseley brings together inspiring adventurers and writers Debbie North, Nikki Love and Johnny Hartnell to discuss how being outdoors enhances their lives in their 50s and 60s. From the worlds of record breaking long distance running, accessible hiking, paddleboarding and cold water swimming, this will be a rich and engaging conversation about ageing well and finding joy and courage in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of midlife. We hope you’ll be uplifted, informed and encouraged to create your own adventures and know for sure that you’re not too old and it’s not too late to follow your dreams - big or small.

Meet The Speakers

Jo Moseley - Host

Jo Moseley is a bestselling award winning author of three gorgeous books about paddleboarding, a podcast and festival host and award winning short filmmaker.

After finding herself crying in the biscuit aisle of her local Tesco overwhelmed, anxious and desperate for a good night’s sleep in her late 40s, Jo rediscovered her love of the outdoors she’d had as a little girl.

She credits her adventures - from becoming to the first woman to paddleboard coast to coast aged 54 to learning to Nordic ski aged 61 - with helping her navigate grief, menopause, empty nesting, a heartbreaking plot twist at 60 and now the joy and responsibility of living with and looking after her Dad.

Jo is a passionate researcher and champion of how outdoor adventures - big and small - can help us age well and lead a healthier, happier and longer life.

SHAFF holds a special place in her heart after being inspired and encouraged at the 2019 festival ahead of her 162 mile coast to coast litter picking, fundraising SUP adventure. She is also so proud that the film documenting this challenge - Brave Enough - A Journey Home to Joy by Festival Director Frit Tam was screened at SHAFF in 2021.

You can find her on Instagram @jomoseley and Facebook Jo Moseley, and website: www.jomoseley.com 

Johnny Hartnell

Hi I’m Johnny

I live in Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales and have been deep rooted here for over the last 50 years.

From swimming in the river as a child, I’ve always been attracted to the water.

I try to swim most days and until recently I’ve spent most of my time swimming alone, or with a small group of friends, in our local rivers the Twiss and the Doe, with the odd foray into the Lake District. I started dipping in my wheelie bin full of cold clear Yorkshire water during lockdown when was unable to get to the river, since then I’ve upgraded to a 500 litre whisky barrel, which is much more aesthetically pleasing in the middle of the garden.

I find the experience of being submerged in cold water unlike anything else, it’s a place where I can clear my mind and for that moment, when I’m fully immersed, it’s just me and nature. The benefits are immeasurable, whether it’s the complete reset you get from a solo dip or sharing the experience with other like minded people.

You can find him on Instagram @Wildswimmingyorkshireman

Debbie North

Debbie North is a motivational speaker, writer, presenter and countryside accessibility campaigner dedicated to creating a countryside that’s open to everyone. 

After being diagnosed with spinal degeneration and becoming a wheelchair user, she turned her own challenges into a mission to break down barriers for disabled people in the outdoors. 

Debbie is the founder of the charity Access the Dales, a Get Outside Champion with Ordnance Survey, and was appointed Disability and Access Ambassador for the countryside by the UK Cabinet Office.

Find her on Facebook and Instagram: @debbieNorth @accessthedales

Nikki Love

Nikki Love is an endurance adventurer, author, and speaker who began her biggest challenges after turning 50. At 56, she set the women’s record for running across Australia — covering 4,044 km in 76 days — building on feats including 63 marathons in 63 days and multi-country runs across the UK, Ireland, and Europe.

Now 59, Nikki is passionate about challenging the idea that performance has an expiry date. Alongside her adventures, she studies Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University, exploring confidence, identity, and belonging in sport. Her work — and her running — ask a simple question: what might be possible if we stopped seeing age as decline and started seeing it as potential?