The TV and radio presenter on her contempt for bullies, embracing ageing and what she’s realized from many years of intense ache
My morning ritual is …
… to get up to 5 alarms. My first – for BBC Breakfast, three days every week – goes off at about 3.45am. I don’t get up simply. I’ve to bathe and clear my enamel earlier than I may even perform. I don’t eat breakfast till at the very least two hours after getting up. For the remainder of the week, I prefer to sleep with my curtains open, so I get up with pure daylight. So long as I’ve slept effectively, it’s all good.
I really feel optimistic about …
… folks studying to embrace getting older. I’ve simply turned 50 and so many individuals stated: “Ooh, are you OK about it?” I’m so grateful to be right here. I simply suppose life will get higher: you get to know your self higher. I want I’d been much less afraid of what I assumed was ‘previous’ after I was younger.
What makes me indignant
Bullies. I can’t stand anybody who takes benefit of somebody they understand as weaker and exploits that. I can’t bear individuals who use their perceived power to intimidate others and to make others smaller. I’ll name it out after I can.
If I wasn’t a TV presenter, I’d have favored to turn out to be …
… a veterinarian. I really like animals. The explanation I didn’t do it’s as a result of I don’t suppose I might address seeing abused animals. I’m a wimp and coward in that sense, as a result of clearly the work to assist these animals is extra vital than how you’re feeling. If I received copious quantities of cash, I’d have a sanctuary the place I might have all of the animals folks didn’t love and I’d make use of individuals who needed to like them.
The behavior that has served me finest in life is …
… not being shy of telling the reality, whether or not somebody needs to listen to it or not. It hasn’t at all times gone down effectively with family and friends or at work, however 99% of the time it’s one of the best technique.
The behavior I’ve efficiently kicked is …
… saying “sorry” after I don’t must, which is a reasonably British factor. And doubting myself after I actually shouldn’t in occasions after I ought to belief my intestine intuition.
My sources of pleasure are …
… nice meals, nice wine, golf and laughing with pals.
When issues get robust I …
… the dangerous factor I do is retreat. I’m like a wounded animal: barely defensive, and I hunker down and shut myself off. However the good factor I do is draw alone strengths and beliefs that issues will get higher. I’m not afraid to get assist, I’ve realized to do this. With my adenomyosis [a painful womb condition], which I’ve had since my late 20s, I don’t take ache as flippantly now as I did. I’ll go and get myself seen by a physician.
I had a little bit of a well being scare lately and went and acquired myself seen by a specialist. I didn’t wait and I acquired the reassurance and therapy I wanted. Through the years, it’s been a studying curve, however now I don’t hesitate to guard my well being.
The factor that motivates me most of all is being one of the best I can. I don’t do something except I can do it to one of the best of my capacity
The e-book I want everybody would learn is …
… A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. It’s the e-book I used to provide to folks as presents. I really like seeing folks’s response to it. It’s about 4 boys who develop into males, who all have very completely different journeys, centred round the principle character, Jude, who’s horrifically handled. It’s a love story of friendship, and it’s heartbreaking.
The massive factor I’ve modified my thoughts about in life is …
… that nonetheless a lot somebody annoys you otherwise you don’t like them, they’re prone to have their very own points. It sounds trite to say: “Be sort”. However I’ve stopped myself being so dismissive of people that I believe are arses.
What retains me awake at evening
There’s an extended checklist however I’ve managed to worth sleep greater than issues I can’t change: that occurs if you become older. That stated, I’m starting to essentially really feel dangerous for younger folks and the stresses they’re going through, reminiscent of not with the ability to go away dwelling and hire or purchase their very own property, to really feel financially safe and to not have the strain of social media.
All youngsters have it robust, however we didn’t have the shit of social media to take care of. I fear about youthful folks feeling extra hopeless and fewer optimistic than I used to be in a position to be in my teenage years and early 20s.
‘I’ve simply turned 50 and I’m so grateful to be right here. I simply suppose life will get higher: you get to know your self higher,’ says Naga Munchetty. Picture: Rachel Joseph/BBC Archive
The factor that motivates me most of all is …
… being one of the best I can. I don’t do something except I can do it to one of the best of my capacity. I’m ridiculously aggressive, so I wish to be one of the best. Even when I’m sweeping the ground, I sweep it ridiculously effectively.
My dad and mom taught me …
… to work for onerous, that nothing comes free of charge and if you’d like one thing you’re employed onerous for it. Being drained will not be an excuse.
I’ve this idea that …
… each one that is vulnerable to stopping nonetheless in the midst of a busy pavement will cease in entrance of me.
I’ve simply turned 50 and I’m so grateful to be right here. I simply suppose life will get higher: you get to know your self higher
I’d like to inform my youthful self …
… that the loudest voice within the room will not be essentially the wisest. Simply because they’re shouting their opinions and ensuring they’re being heard, don’t ever overlook that you simply shaped your opinion by means of thought and it’s simply as legitimate. Simply since you’re not shouting and dominating the room, doesn’t imply your opinion isn’t value listening to.
That was a large deal for me after I was youthful, at college and newsroom conferences. I’d sit and listen to folks scream and shout, and generally I assumed they had been speaking utter bollocks, however I by no means stated something. They had been so assured about shouting their nonsense and different folks sat there actually receptively, as if it was actually sensible, so I simply thought to myself: “I don’t suppose that in any respect.” I’d suppose the precise reverse. Most of the time, I believe I used to be proper – I simply wasn’t assured sufficient to talk up.
Naga Munchetty is the chair of judges for the 2025 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting. The longlist shall be introduced on 17 April, adopted by the shortlist in June, with the profitable performs introduced at an awards ceremony in Manchester on 21 July
Munchetty can also be an everyday presenter on BBC Breakfast and has a present on Radio 5 Dwell from Monday to Wednesdays at 11am-1pm
Primary picture: Steve Schofield/BBC Archive
