Jo Whiley, 59, strips off for racy shoot as she reveals she achieved her six pack after turning to the gym to ‘save’ herself from debilitating menopause

As the host of a long-running BBC Radio One show, she’s used to doing all the heavy lifting with her voice.

But Jo Whiley achieved an impressive six-pack and toned arm muscles after turning to strength training at the gym to ‘save’ herself from debilitating menopause.

The 59-year-old said: ‘I really lost myself when the menopause hit. I cried all the time. I mean, I cry a lot anyway, but I cried all the time. I just felt very weak.

‘And going to the gym and getting myself strong has played a really, really big part in helping me be the person I am today. It really saved me.’

Jo Whiley achieved an impressive six-pack and toned arm muscles after turning to strength training at the gym to ‘save’ herself from debilitating menopause

The 59-year-old said: ‘I really lost myself when the menopause hit. I cried all the time. I mean, I cry a lot anyway, but I cried all the time. I just felt very weak

Whiley, who shares four children – India, Jude, Cassius and Coco – with her music executive husband, Steve Morton, flexed her toned torso on the cover of Women’s Health in a red sports bra and underwear.

The full Jo Whiley interview is available to read now on the Women’s Health website or in the magazine from 17th September

The BBC Radio Two presenter also revealed that life was not so sex, drugs and rock’n’roll for her in the 90s as she suffered from anxiety when DJing on stage to large crowds.

She said: ‘I remember doing one gig and I was just so scared, I thought I can’t go on like this. This is ridiculous. It’s ruining my life because I’m just such a ball of anxiety.

‘But then I realised how happy it was making people when I do these gigs and that was a game changer.’

Posing in underwear, Ms Whiley took the opportunity to speak out against the culture of ‘lad mags’ – lifestyle magazines from the 90s and early noughties aimed at men and typically featuring a woman also in her underwear.

The BBC presenter said: ‘There was so much objectification and judgment of women and their bodies. 

‘And going to the gym and getting myself strong has played a really, really big part in helping me be the person I am today. It really saved me.’

‘It was a ludicrous time to be a woman, but I just kept my head down and weathered the storm.’ 

‘I think [the current generation of girls] is still dealing with a lot.

‘There are so many crises and so much pressure and so much to worry about in the world. 

[But] there’s an army of [young] women who are fearless, absolutely fearless, and they take no prisoners, and they will be who they want to be. And it’s much healthier.’

Whiley, who shares four children – India , Jude, Cassius and Coco – with her music executive husband, Steve Morton, flexed her toned torso on the cover of Women’s Health

Back in the summer Jo breathed a sigh of relief as she completed another year presenting Glastonbury, after losing her voice.  

The presenter lost her voice just two hours into the five-day festival but continued to soldier through – despite BBC viewers expressing their concern. 

Jo took to Instagram to summarise her experience and praised the festival medic for helping her to continue in her role as Glastonbury host, which she has held since 1997. 

The Radio DJ wrote: ‘Oh My!! Glastonbury 2024 was a bit of a rollercoaster. Such happiness to be there and to be bringing the festival to you all as part of the @bbcglasto team. 

The BBC Radio Two presenter also revealed that life was not so sex, drugs and rock’n’roll for her in the 90s as she suffered from anxiety

Posing in underwear, Ms Whiley took the opportunity to speak out against the culture of ‘lad mags’ – lifestyle magazines from the 90s and early noughties

‘Something I will never take for granted and I hope you enjoyed watching. So much joy and talent on those stages. The next week will be divided between watching all the performances on @bbciplayer and @wimbledon.

‘Losing my voice two hours after arriving at Glastonbury was NOT what I expected and made things a *bit* tricky & I’m so grateful to everyone for the advice, remedies and honey & lemon. Special mention to Jim the festival medic who came to my rescue yesterday mid radio show!

‘Saw two of my kids for a quick squeeze which was heaven and have seen photographic evidence that the whole WM crew & friends covered most corners of the festival. Not so much looking forward to the post-Glasto blues and laundry… anyone else??!!!

‘Special thanks to my Glasto radio & TV family for your hard work, love, support, producing, co-ordinating, driving, face painting & dressing up.

The full Jo Whiley interview is available to read now on the Women’s Health website or in the magazine from 17th September