‘I want to change the conversation about mental health’

Sally Orange MBE is an inspirational speaker, adventure athlete, and avid mental health campaigner. She has completed over 85 marathons worldwide, using her platform to highlight the importance of mental health. Sally’s path to success is defined by resilience, determination, and a commitment to health and well-being.

An unconventional path to success

Sally’s journey to getting her university degree wasn't straightforward. Initially aiming to become a physiotherapist, her plans changed after failing to achieve the required A-level results. “At the age of 16, I broke my leg quite severely, needed to have a month in hospital and several surgeries, meaning I lost a lot of time at school and in my studies.” This setback deeply impacted her academic journey. Her grades dropped, leading her to enrol in a radiography course, which she quickly realised wasn’t the right fit. This led her to reconsider her options and apply for a spot at Leeds Metropolitan University (now Leeds Beckett University), where she eventually secured a place in the BSc Health Studies course through clearing.

Life at Leeds Beckett and beyond

Sally’s experience at Leeds Beckett turned out to be a pivotal stepping stone. Though she initially hoped to transfer to the physiotherapy course, she completed her degree in Health Studies.

Her time at Leeds Metropolitan University provided not only academic growth but also personal development. Although she missed Freshers' Week due to joining a few weeks late, Sally quickly adapted and thrived during her three years at the university. She recalls her journey with fondness, crediting the course and the university experience with shaping her later achievements.

Upon graduating from Leeds Beckett University with a 2:1 in Health Studies, Sally immediately began applying for physiotherapy programs—a goal she had relentlessly pursued for nine years. After receiving numerous unconditional offers, she chose to study at the University of Nottingham, finally graduating as a physiotherapist in 2000.

Overcoming setbacks and advocating for mental health

Sally’s career has included military service, where she worked as a physiotherapist in the Royal Army Medical Corps for 22 years, treating injured soldiers and officers. Her mental health challenges with severe depression and chronic anxiety led to her medical discharge from the Army, but it also opened a new chapter in her life—one where she found strength and healing through sport. Sally participated in the 2016 Invictus Games and took up marathon running as part of her recovery.

Sally’s entry into marathons came at age 34, long after she had left university. "I wasn’t in any sports teams or anything at university. It wasn’t until I was 34 that I ran my first marathon," she recalls. Her decision to run marathons evolved into something much bigger. Wanting to add a unique twist to her races, she decided to dress as a piece of fruit, earning her a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon dressed as a fruit.

"I thought, why not dress as a slice of orange? And I ended up getting the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon dressed as a piece of fruit," she explains. Her fruity marathons caught on, and Sally took her mission further by using her quirky costumes to raise awareness for mental health.

"People always smile when you’re dressed up, and it’s nice to make people smile. But then they ask why, and I say I want to change the conversation about mental health," Sally said. By turning her marathons into a platform for mental health awareness, she found a way to break the stigma surrounding mental illness in a light-hearted yet impactful manner.

A story of inspiration and adventure

Sally’s story is one of resilience, turning personal challenges into opportunities. From struggling academically to becoming a global advocate for mental health, she encourages others to keep pushing forward, no matter the setbacks. Through her speaking and athletic achievements, Sally continues to inspire people worldwide to prioritise mental health and well-being. 

Her most notable accomplishments include running the world’s highest marathon, the Everest Marathon, and setting the record for the world’s deepest underground marathon in a mine in North Yorkshire. “The underground marathon was to symbolise how you never know what’s going on beneath the surface,” she explained, linking the metaphor to mental health struggles.

Sally has also leveraged these events for broader campaigns, such as organising a Guinness World Record attempt for Army cadets to complete an online mental health awareness training course, merging athleticism with advocacy.

From NHS physiotherapist to Army Officer, Sally now describes herself as an inspirational speaker, adventure athlete, and avid mental health campaigner. Her career, which began with a focus on physical health through physiotherapy, has transformed into a mission to champion mental health. “Having experienced both a broken leg and a mental breakdown, I want to champion how the two go hand in hand,” she emphasises.

Her physical accomplishments are not restricted to marathons. Recently, she completed a swim from Asia to Europe and then back. She has cycled across America and the length of New Zealand, skied across the Arctic Circle, and climbed several 6000m+ mountains.

As a freelance expert in health and well-being, she travels the world sharing her personal experiences and advocating for mental health awareness. A successful business owner, Sally has built a respected reputation for her ability to connect with audiences through her powerful personal stories of perseverance.

Sally has raised close to one million pounds for over 50 charities. As well as being a National Ambassador for the Army Cadet Force, she is also an ambassador for several charities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  Sally completed her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award whilst studying at Leeds.

She recounts some significant milestones in her career as some of her biggest successes. “Until a few years ago, my biggest success was becoming a physiotherapist. That was a marathon in itself! But the journey since then has led many more successes. Being recognised with an honorary doctorate from the University of Nottingham was one. And then receiving an MBE in 2023 from Her Royal Highness Princess Anne is another,” she says.

Future plans for Sally

Sally is planning to up her marathon game over the next year with plans to run them in Greenland, and at the North Pole and also completing one in every continent dressed as a vegetable!

She doesn’t believe in running marathons to win. “I've never won a marathon, and never will. But I always say everybody gets a medal whether you come first or last. And I've actually told my young nephews that my MBE stands for ‘marathon babe extraordinaire’ because I tell them that every time I finish a marathon I've won in my own special way”

Sally’s path may have taken unexpected turns, but her story serves as a reminder that success is not defined by a single outcome but by the persistence to keep moving forward. Her journey exemplifies this, making her a powerful ambassador for mental health.