Nita started running about ten years ago at the age of 48. At the time, she was severely depressed and found it difficult to even summon energy to get dressed or clean her teeth. It took Nita 20 weeks to complete the nine-week Couchto5k programme, but she did it! Since then, Nita has gone on to complete many long distance events, including half-marathons, marathons and ultra-running events.

Nita is diagnosed with  bi-polar disorder and and she now describes running as one of the key elements in her self-care "toolkit". The other elements are: meditation, writing and medication.

This week, Nita has published her second book  Make Every Move A Meditation - Mindful Movement for Mental Health, Well-Being and Insight (2022). The book brings together Nita's running, writing and meditation practices.  For too long, she says there’s been a focus upon the need to take time out to meditate, whereas in reality, meditation on the move really does make sense. Particularly when it is applied to daily activities and fitness – including running.

Like Why Run? host Diane Church, Nita loves to run with her Labrador dog, who is called Scarlet. He has his own hashtag #ninetyninepercentgooddog . Nita Sweeney's first book is Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running With My Dog Brought Me Back From the Brink (2019).

In today’s interview, Nita talks about a lonely childhood, a successful career in law that didn’t ultimately fulfil her, her bi-polar and how running and meditation help her manage life today. “I’m not cured” says Nita, "but running definitely helps keep me alive".

Trigger warning - please note that there are references to suicide in this interview.

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Check out Nita's full story here   

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