Gemma Hillier-Moses on Surviving Cancer, Resilience and Becoming a Pro Trail Runner

What the Health

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Tuesday, 10 November 2026 - 50 minutes

This week, Claira is joined by Gemma Hillier-Moses, professional trail runner, cancer survivor and founder of Move Against Cancer, to talk resilience, mental health and the power of movement.Gemma opens up about being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, Burkitt lymphoma, at just 24 years old. After initially being misdiagnosed, she discovered the cancer had spread throughout her body and was just weeks away from becoming fatal. She shares the physical and emotional challenges of undergoing six months of intensive chemotherapy, how running helped her regain a sense of control and why learning to listen to her body and advocate for her own health was so important.Gemma tells us how her experience inspired her to set up Move Against Cancer, a charity helping people living with and beyond cancer improve their physical and mental wellbeing through movement. She discusses why exercise can be such a powerful tool during recovery and how even small amounts of movement can make a difference.She also reflects on her remarkable return to competitive running, going from cancer treatment to representing England and becoming a professional ultra trail runner in her late thirties. Gemma shares what running 100km through the mountains has taught her about mental strength, positive self-talk and pushing beyond what you think is possible.Guest: Gemma Hillier-Moses. You can follow her on Instagram here.You can find out more about Gemma's charity Move Against Cancer at www.moveagainstcancer.org.Producer: Monica Lillis

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