Active NAtion

#HaveAWord

REAL PEOPLE, REAL STORIES ABOUT HOW SMALL CHANGES CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.

What is Have A Word?

Have A Word is ACTIVE NATION’s campaign to understand what barriers real people have overcome to leading healthy active lives. By understanding these barriers we can then provide relevant resources that will hopefully inspire others to make small positive changes to their lives.

As a campaigning charity on a mission to inspire the nation to improve their health and well-being, we believe making positive lifestyle changes starts with a conversation. That conversation may be had with a health professional, a family member, friend or with ourselves but by talking about the challenges we face,  change becomes possible.

As we talk to more inspirational people and share their stories, we will continue to build up the available resources.

READY TO MAKE A CHANGE?

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#HaveAWord - Real People - Real Stories

Meet Chris

  • Couch to 5k

Chris Bartlett, 33, is an electrician from Southampton who enjoys the NFL, Formula 1 and watching live bands perform. Chris’s story will resonate with many of us – Previously...

Find out more about Chris >>

Meet Harj

  • Working mum

Harj, a 41 year old solicitor, moved to Southampton from Brighton with her husband and 2 1/2 year old son, a week before Dillon was born. Finding time to...

Find out more about Harj >>

Meet Mike

  • Mental health

63 year old Mike Stoddart from Southampton has struggled with depression and comfort eating on and off for the last 30 years.

Find out more about Mike >>

Meet Nick

  • Weight loss

I decided to make the change after turning 30 years old and hitting the dreaded 300lbs mark, which would be fine if I was a heavyweight wrestler but I...

Find out more about Nick >>

Meet Ramona

  • Diabetes
  • Weight loss

We think you’ll agree that Ramona Mulligan, from Chorley, is a true inspiration and a fantastic ambassador for the Active Nation charity. Ramona shares her story below to inspire...

Find out more about Ramona >>

Meet Julian

  • Mental health

Julian, 55, from London, had struggled on and off with depression for most of his adult life until one day a friend introduced him to cold water swimming.  

Find out more about Julian >>

Meet David

  • Mental health

David Parker, 53,  is a veteran from Lincoln who suffers from PTSD. He truly believes that exercise saved his life.

Find out more about David >>

Meet Jo

  • Menopause

I’m Jo Moseley a 54, mother of two – we live on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales in the north of England. One day in May 2013, I...

Find out more about Jo >>

Meet Erica

  • Mental health

Erica Booth, 40, is a triathlete who got back into fitness in her twenties. Although she initially struggled with confidence, she managed to face her fear and is now loving...

Find out more about Erica >>

Meet Stuart

  • Mental health

Stuart Murphy, 42, has recently regained his fitness mojo. When he was in his thirties, he was very inactive, but noticed how a lot of older men had tummies...

Find out more about Stuart >>

Meet Peter

  • Disability

Peter Hull MBE was born without legs or forearms but has not let anything stop him from excelling in sport. Since taking up swimming at the age of 5,...

Find out more about Peter >>

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