Ironman despite fitness and cancer challenges
Meg Stevenson, a 23-year-old who overcame childhood cancer and the loss of her mother, has successfully completed a half-Ironman triathlon. Her journey from struggling to run for 30 seconds to competing in endurance races highlights her resilience in the face of significant personal adversity.
Why it matters
The story serves as an inspirational human-interest piece regarding mental health, physical recovery, and overcoming trauma.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Charlie Stubbs in Albrighton Charlie Stubbs / BBC Meg Stevenson says she has plans for more races in the future The odds on 23-year-old Meg Stevenson completing a half-Ironman less than two years after starting the NHS running programme Couch to 5k were stacked against her.
When she was aged eight, she had a kidney removed and intensive chemotherapy "reducing her lung capacity by 70%", due to a kidney cancer diagnosis.
At 19, her mother Lucy died from cancer, leaving her in charge of the family home and caring for her younger brother Will.
She added: "It was tricky, especially when I look back. I think it was harder than I let myself realise. Starting that and learning on my own effectively… was very tricky."
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