The typical mid-life crisis is now happening earlier… to people aged aged 35 to 45. That’s what a new piece of research has suggested. So Fred Macaulay decided to give the topic some consideration on his BBC Radio Scotland show this morning. Thanks to a kayaking pal (he knows who he is!) who put the radio show’s researcher in touch with me I was asked if I’d like to offer my views and experiences on the radio. Gosh, I wasn’t at all sure about being on the radio… but the researcher persuaded me.

I’m not so sure it’s a mid-life crisis; more a kind of disillusionment. You’ve been doing the same job for 20 years. Your kids are growing up and need you less. For many of us, including myself, there are marriage break downs. And then, wham, you suddenly find yourself wondering what life is all about. Is this it? What about the next 20, 30 or 40 years?

I knew that exercise was a good re-motivator and re-energiser. I’ve always found running to give me that mental and physical boost. But for some reason it stopped working so well for me. So I knew I needed to find a new challenge. One activity that I became more focused on was Munro bagging. I‘ve written a lot about Munro bagging in this blog. And the other pursuit was cycling.

I have become something of a cycling addict over the last six months. Anyone who reads this blog will know that! I’ve achieved goals I never imagined possible. I’ve met new people and made new friends. And I’ve discovered the delights of cycling with my new partner, the G-Force. This summer we went to the Pyrenees to cycle some of the great Tour de France cols. We also took part in the epic sportive the Bealach Mor. And a couple of weekends ago we did a two-up time trial on the Isle of Bute.

Thanks in part to the Munros, the cycling and the G-Force (as well as family and friends) I’ve found a great new love for life. Listen here to the Fred MacAualay show that was broadcast this morning. FionaOutdoors on Radio Scotland The section is from around 6 mins until 15 mins. (I hate listening to my own voice on the radio so I hope I didn’t come across as posh or ridiculous!)