Julia Bradbury embraces her 50s with newfound confidence and wisdom, despite a breast cancer diagnosis. “I love being in my fifties, bar a cancer diagnosis,” she shares. “There is a confidence and wisdom that comes with being a little bit older. I feel I know how to handle life’s challenges a little bit more.”
The former Countryfile presenter, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and undergoing a double mastectomy shortly after, recently shared an Instagram video hugging a cherry blossom tree. “Here’s what I always try to come back to, especially during the hard stretches,” she captioned. “The small wins. The tiny moments of unexpected joy.”
Navigating Life’s Challenges
At 55, Julia notes that challenges often pile up. “Sometimes everything seems as though it’s happening at the same time,” she says. “In an ideal world, all the tough times would come one at a time, with lovely spaces in between them, so you could recalibrate. But life doesn’t work like that.”
She focuses on mindset shifts during tough days. “Sometimes, on heavy days, it’s like: ‘Oh, just give me a glimmer.’ What’s been life-changing for me is to shift my mindset, so that I’m always on the lookout for good things.”
A recent full-body preventative MRI scan detected a brain cyst, which follow-up confirmed as benign and small. “It’s nothing to worry about,” Julia states.
Wellness Routine and Family Life
Mother to Zephyr, 14, and 11-year-old twins Xanthe and Zena with partner Gerard Cunningham, Julia prioritizes health to prevent cancer recurrence. She emphasizes small, incremental changes like healthy eating, eliminating the home sweets drawer, and starting days with bone broth. On a recent work trip, she packed mackerel and blueberries.
These habits demand sacrifices. “It makes socialising harder. If I’m going to meet someone, I really have to consider: ‘Is there going to be something there that’s healthy enough for me?’ ” she explains. “It’s tough, and it does take planning. I’ve sacrificed a lot of things; I don’t drink alcohol any more. I do allow myself treats. I think I’m devoted – I don’t think I’m obsessed.”
Adventures and Environmental Advocacy
A wildlife enthusiast, Julia recently explored Antarctica for ITV’s Wonders of the Frozen South, witnessing humpback whales up close. As an eight-year patron of Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), she champions marine life.
Julia supports Big Give’s Earth Raise 2026, aiming to raise over £10 million for more than 330 environmental charities, including WDC. Public donations through the platform are doubled by champion funders, backed by £5 million in match funding. “Whales and marine life are a massive passion of mine, and I’ve been lucky enough to have filmed with whales throughout my career. There’s nothing more spectacular. I’m just sad that we still have to say ‘save the whale,'” she says.
The campaign runs until April 29, 2026. Donations can be made at donate.biggive.org/earth-raise-2026.
