Lorraine Lewis: Author of Dare to Dream, Ultra Runner, and Co-founder of The Lewis Foundation

Lorraine Lewis is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Lewis Foundation, an award-winning cancer charity providing free gift packs and ongoing support to adult cancer patients across 17 hospitals in the Midlands. Founded from lived experience, the charity has become a lifeline for thousands of people diagnosed with cancer. Beyond her role as a charity leader, Lorraine is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, inspiring audiences ranging from school children to corporate professionals. She has delivered talks for organisations including The Eden Project, the European Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and AJ Bell, sharing powerful messages of resilience, purpose and hope. Lorraine's remarkable journey has captured national attention. She has been featured in publications such as The Sun and HELLO! Magazine, and has appeared on Channel 4 News, highlighting her work and personal story. Her dedication to community service has been recognised through numerous accolades, including the HELLO! Magazine Inspiration Award, Great British Entrepreneur Award, and the prestigious Prime Minister's Point of Light Award. In recognition of her services to cancer, Lorraine was recently invited to meet Their Majesties The King and Queen. In addition to her charitable work, Lorraine is an author, with her memoir Dare To Dream chronicling her journey from lawyer to charity founder. She also hosts the podcast "See Through The Big C", amplifying the voices of those living with cancer, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals. A passionate artist, Lorraine discovered her love for art in her forties and continues to explore creativity alongside her enthusiasm for fitness, including HYROX competitions, running, and ultra-distance challenges—living proof that it's never too late to dream, create, and push beyond perceived limits. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lorraine Being based in Northampton Co-founder of The Lewis Foundation which supports cancer patients in hospital   Writing her book, 'Dare to Dream'  Her early years growing up  Not being sporty and always trying to get out of PE Being into reading and writing  Her dream of wanting to become a barrister Being supported and encouraged by her parents Her determination and resilience  Not knowing how she would achieve her goals  Doing old school research by heading to the library Creating her own opportunities to gain the experiences she needed  Doing the Bar Vocational Course  Not having time for sport or physical activity  £50k of student debt…. Being determined to make it happen Dealing with challenges and changes How it changed their life Starting to question everything and why there must be more to life What can be done? Wanting to make people feel better Dealing with cancer, death and grief Supporting people with cancer Bringing joy to peoples days Getting into fitness and ultra running to raise funds for the charity Deciding to sign up to do a Tough Mudder (Obstacle Run)  Wanting to push herself more physically and step outside her comfort zone  Running out of money for the charity How Mike supported the charity with a £50k donation  The kindness of strangers  Deciding to take on the 3 Peaks Challenge  Taking on more and more running challenges Being consumed by the Lewis Foundation and starting to neglect herself Rat Race  The Wall  Discovering Hyrox  Getting back on her feet and being more active and more healthy  Starting to feel stronger mentally and more resilient to handle challenges January 2025 - and doing her vision board and goals for the year Deciding to sign up for the 70 mile race Not training for the ultra in the best way… Being at the start of the race  The struggle during the race and crossing the finishing line Feeling physically broken but knowing it was her mental resilience that got her across the finish line The mental side of running 70 miles Setting a big challenge for 2026 Taking on a 100 mile ultra! The Rat Race Castle to Castle  The Lewis Foundation will be celebrating it's 10th Anniversary in 2026  Starting to follow a specific running program  Being pushed in her training Making sure to eat better  The challenges of fuelling while being coeliac  Feeling in a much better place physically  Needing to exercise at 6am Training about 35 hrs a week What is the race strategy…. Breaking down the training  Fuelling her training and needing to eat more  Not being afraid to consume food—especially carbs Taking supplements to help with iron levels  Creatine and omega-3 The benefits of hiking poles/sticks Rotating trainers The financial impact of taking on challenges/runs etc How to connect with Lorraine on social media Podcast: See through the big C  Final words of advice  The importance of living your life  Make the most of the time we have on this planet   Social Media Website: www.lorrainelewisbcah.co.uk  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-lewis-bcah  Youtube: @Seethroughthebigc  Instagram: @lorraine_lewisbca Book: Dare to Dream