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She says: \u201cThere were several occasions where I just choked up and I was crying. I had to walk away and take some time out.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt surprised me actually how those emotions regurgitate and how strong they still are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two years after her cancer diagnosis and a mastectomy, Julia, 53, is speaking as part of the Men In Mind podcast spin-off, Outdoors In Mind.<\/p>\n
The series, backing GO Outdoors and mental health charity Mind\u2019s Hats On For Mind campaign, encourages people to talk about mental health and embrace the benefits of getting in the open air.<\/p>\n
Julia has now overhauled her lifestyle \u2013 from sleep and food to exercise \u2013 and insists: \u201cCancer saved my life because it made me rethink my own health.\u201d<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> Four red flag symptoms of prostate cancer for men to look out for when they pee<\/strong><\/p>\n But she admits the mental and emotional scars are taking longer to heal. She says: \u201cA cancer diagnosis changes you forever. You do inevitably look death in the eyes and then start to think, \u2018How many days do I have left on Earth?\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s something that you have to work through emotionally constantly, but I don\u2019t let it gnaw away at me.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d rather work on thinking and focusing on the things that I do have, not the things that I don\u2019t have, and enjoy every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Mind has found 94% of people who tried outdoor exercise said it helped their mental health.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Julia has often sought solace in nature at tough times. They include having endometriosis and, while filming in Iceland, finding out she was not pregnant and fearing she\u2019d never be a mum.<\/p>\n She says: \u201cWalking is my therapist.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd when we finished the trek, I reassured myself \u2018You know what? My body is capable. I\u2019ve managed this\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Julia now has son Zephyr, 12, and twin daughters Xanthe and Zena, eight, with husband Gerard Cunningham.<\/p>\n
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Former Man U scout gets cancer all clear thanks to pioneering trial[HEALTH] <\/strong>
Eating red meat and dairy could help to fight cancer, suggests a new study[HEALTH] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/11\/590x\/secondary\/5081572.jpg?r=1700750808088\")
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