Rachel Ann Cullen

Non-fiction Author / Mental Health / Fitness / Outdoors

United Kingdom

Usually down the gym, walking the dog or out running in the Yorkshire hills when not on a beanbag writing ✍️

Author of the following non-fiction books:

Dear Tilly ... A Survival Guide for Womanhood (2023)
Running For Our Lives 📖 (2022)
A Midlife Cyclist 📖 (2020)
Running For My Life 📖 (2018)

Passionate about:

> Fitness and mental health
> Empowering women
> Honest conversations around prevalent issues including body image, mental health awareness, and promoting physical and mental wellbeing.

In January 2020 Rachel was awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of Hull for significant personal achievement and contribution to the discussion around mental health.

"We all have 'mental health issues' of some kind or another. It's time to talk openly and honestly about those, and to support each other as we grow in our understanding of mental well-being and self-care."

Rachel's 4th non-fiction book will be published in October 2023.

Portfolio

Non-fiction Books

Vertebrate Publishing
05/05/2022
Running For Our Lives

A book sharing stories of ordinary people overcoming extraordinary adversity who have been helped by running.

Literary Agent and Publishing House biographies

Thebookseller
08/05/2021
Vertebrate races in for Cullen's 'powerful' running book

Sheffield-based adventure publisher Vertebrate has signed Rachel Ann Cullen's Running For Our Lives, a "powerful" book about how running can help ordinary people to overcome struggles and challenges in their lives. Commissioning editor Kirsty Reade signed world rights from Jo Bell of Bell Lomax Moreton, for publication in April 2022.

Blinkpublishing
Rachel Ann Cullen

Rachel Cullen is a writer, blogger, author and runner. She is also a reformed ex-commercial litigation solicitor. Amongst other things, she has abseiled off Table Mountain, jumped out of a plane at 11,000ft, climbed Mount Fuji, worked on a game reserve in

Rachel Cullen | Non-Fiction | Bell Lomax Moreton
09/07/2017
Rachel Cullen | Non-Fiction | Bell Lomax Moreton

Rachel Cullen is a writer, blogger, author and runner. She is also a reformed ex-commercial litigation solicitor. Amongst other things, she has abseiled off Table Mountain, jumped out of a plane at 11,000 feet, climbed Mount Fuji, worked on a game reserve in South Africa, qualified as a scuba diver and ridden an ostrich.

Awards and Accolades

Ambassador brands

Coast to Coast Packhorse
03/07/2023
Running For My Life

By Rachel Cullen - Runner / Writer / Non-fiction Author / Mental Health / Outdoors.It's early March and I can already feel myself getting excited. Excited about what? I hear you ask. I'm excited about the prospect of... doing something different!

This Girl Can
Rachel's Story | This Girl Can

I was an unfit teen - overweight and lacking in self-confidence. Frequently coming last in school cross country events and never picked for team sports, I was under the impression that sport and fitness wasn't for me. I used to binge and comfort eat as a way of hiding my sadness during my mid-late teenage years.

Saucony
The Runner's Blog | Saucony Blog

At the heart of Saucony is 'Run For Good'. Every day we think about this in order to challenge ourselves ... Read More Nine days ahead of New York 2018, I received a phone call from Spencer White, Saucony's head of innovation. "We have ... Read More

Trees Not Tees
05/12/2022
A conversation with Dr Rachel Ann Cullen, runner and author - Trees Not Tees

We spoke with Dr Rachel Ann Cullen about her latest book Running For Our Lives which looks at running and its positive effect on mental health. Rachel's first book, Running for My Life , described her own marathon journey through depression, and her discovery that running could transform her physical and mental wellbeing.

Women's Magazine Articles

Cosmopolitan
03/21/2022
Can you run while pregnant? All you need to know about running during pregnancy

If the idea of spending your pregnancy lying on the sofa fills you with dread, you're not alone. While many pregnant women take comfort in resting up ahead of baby's arrival - and with some women having to do so for medical reasons, such as pre-eclampsia - others prefer to keep active during pregnancy, including the likes of celebrities such as Kate Hudson and Miranda Kerr.

F R A N K Magazine Dec '20-Jan '21
12/08/2020
The Power of Yet vs The Curse of Enough

When does our quest for progress, self-improvement and perfection tip over into something damaging? When is enough ever enough...

Radio and Podcast Interviews

The Write Space
10/23/2023
How to write a book

Which publishing method is right for me? Rachel discusses her experience within the publishing industry, including being traditionally published twice by the BIG guys, published once by a smalller, independent and her most recent experience of cutting out the gatekeepers and going it alone - self-publishing her 4th non-fiction book nad taking back control.

Apple Podcasts
05/18/2022
‎Further. Faster. Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Welcome to the Further. Faster. Podcast, brought to you by Montane. This podcast asks adventurers, ultra-athletes, mountaineers, photographers, and filmmakers the why and how of what they do. Join presenter, Daniel Neilson, in each episode to hear stories from inspiring people and explore their moti...

Apple Podcasts
03/26/2022
‎What Next Mum on Apple Podcasts

Welcome to the Podcast! Each episode I speak to an active and inspiring Mum to talk about life before babies, staying active during pregnancy and how life has changed post baby. These women are really inspiring and I am honoured to share their stories with you. Happy listening.

The Women's Running Podcast
09/02/2021
Rachel Ann Cullen - runner, author and mental health advocate

In this week's episode, Esther meets runner and writer and author of Running For my Life, Rachel Ann Cullen. She speaks openly and honestly about her mental health struggles, and how determined she is to get better for the sake of her daughter. She also talks tech and tells us how her Polar Vantage watch has changed her running game.

Listen Notes
12/01/2020
Runner Mother And Author Rachel Cullen

The last month of 2020! We are starting this month with an incredible guest... In today's episode, we have the lovely Rachel Ann Cullen, she is a runner, a writer, a mother, and the author of "Running For My Life".

ofmountainsandminds
10/17/2019
Episode 44: Rachel Cullen

Meet the incredible Rachel Ann Cullen. A talented writer, runner, personal trainer, influencer and mother, Rachel has her own unique story with mental health and passionately champions the power of the outdoors for recovery.

Marathontalk
01/17/2018
Episode 419 - Rachel Cullen

We talk gender equality in XC races, Mo pulls out of Doha, there was an American record at the Houston Half, GB win the Edinburgh XC relay, and Tom speaks to runner and author Rachel Cullen, Non-itunes users can subscribe via Libsyn Intro News Interview - Rachel Cullen Close Martin will be messing up the intro Tom will be hanging out with his Dad

Running Commentary Podcast
08/18/2018
A Run in the Country with Rachel Ann Cullen | Running Commentary on Acast

Rachel Ann Cullen, author of Running for my Life, joins Paul and Rob for a beautiful loop in the Peak District. Featuring high-level trails and in-depth chat - listen for Rob trying to make a complicated point on a serious climb, and Paul just getting his head down, as Rachel makes spurious claims about her lack of fitness whilst leaving them both behind.

Running Stories Podcast
11/03/2018
Running Stories Podcast interview

Running Your Stories welcomes Rachel Ann Cullen. Rachel is the author of "Running for my life" which tells Rachel's story of a lifelong battle with mental health issues. Finding running changed Rachel's life forever. This chat introduces the book, catches up on Rachel's story since and delves into some of the lessor talked about topics in life and how running has helped.

Newspaper Articles

Evening Standard
05/09/2022
Best running books to inspire and motivate you

Shopping ES Best Home Health & Fitness Running Get the knowledge about how to run for your body and your mind The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. R unning. We all have to start somewhere.

the Guardian
03/19/2021
Running in lockdown: 'It's an adventure down mysterious rabbit holes'

I run 5 or 10k three or four times a week. I find it really relaxing: I come back physically tired but mentally energised. Running is a great release, a stress reliever, especially during lockdown. It is more than a pastime; it is part of my wellbeing routine - it's vital for mental health.

Yorkshire Post
01/11/2018
Mum reveals how marathon running helped save her life

It was standing at the start of the London marathon in 2015 that Rachel Cullen decided she was going to write a book about her life. "People kept saying to me 'oh but you are lucky, you're a born runner.'

Online Content

Adventure Books by Vertebrate Publishing
Rachel Ann Cullen on 'Running Free'

Rachel Ann Cullen, author of Running for Our Lives, shares how running without technology and having a record of her performance brought the joy of running back.

Femalefirst
02/08/2020
How cycling helped my mental health by Rachel Ann Cullen

I never imagined I would be writing this article, let alone a book about how riding a bike has played any significant part in my life - and my mental health. I was never a cyclist. It just wasn't a thing for me, nor did I particularly want it to be...

University of Hull Alumni Association
02/16/2018
Running For My Life: Rachel Cullen discusses running, mental health and her new book

Rachel Cullen came to study Law at the University of Hull, where she did the first two years of her degree, before completing her studies in Leeds. As a student Rachel was diagnosed as bipolar, and even though after graduation she had a relationship, a career, a home, and a "normal" and successful life, something...

Outdoor / Fitness Magazines

Lifestyle Magazines

Living North Magazine
05/09/2020
A Midlife Cyclist

Finding the balance between mental and physical health