The Topless Runner: How Louise Butcher turned cancer into courage

from Project Possible with Rich Leigh · host Rich Leigh

When doctors told Louise Butcher she had lobular breast cancer, her world collapsed.But instead of hiding, she chose to strip away the stigma - literally.Known online as The Topless Runner, Louise runs marathons, half-marathons, and 10Ks topless, using her body as a living message of strength, survival, and self-acceptance.In this raw and powerful interview, Louise opens up about:- Her lifelong struggles with anxiety, OCD, and health fears- The trauma and turning points that shaped her life- Why she chose not to have breast reconstruction- What running topless really represents - and why it’s not about shock- How losing control helped her finally find peaceThis episode isn’t just about cancer - it’s about courage, control, and what it means to truly live free from shame.Follow Louise on Instagram @louisebutcher39Buy her book Going Topless on Amazon here.=====We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.The question is: how?Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.Possibilists, pull up a pew.=====Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.=====Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com

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This episode is 2 hours and 12 minutes long.

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This episode was published on November 17, 2025.

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