Skip to content

Running Stories: 'Epilepsy was a blessing in disguise'

Ellie-May is a runner in East London who was diagnosed with epilepsy only a few years ago.

She had her first attack during a night out in a club. The situation quickly escalated and she found herself regularly experiencing seizures at the end of nights out.

"I was living a lifestyle that I don't really recognise now," she says. Today, she's left that behind and is now "focusing on her happy place - which is running".

Running Stories is a Radio 1 Newsbeat video series to tie in with the renewed interest in fitness that January brings.

These are tales of how running has changed people's lives.

Video journalist: Woody Morris

Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.

16 January 2020

Explore More

Demonstrators in Dublin holding signs thanking Nikita Hand

'It's important that we come together and stand for Nikita'

Jonah Fisher standing on a bridge in a Welsh town.

Storm Bert: How climate change causes wetter winters

Players heading football in flooded pitch

Storm Bert: Football team swims in flooded pitch

Gloucestershire

The White House Christmas tree arrives in a festive cart pulled by horses

First Lady receives White House Christmas tree

A Tom Holland doppelganger and Tom Holland himself are on the left and right of a split screen

Crowds crown Tom Holland and Glen Powell lookalikes

BBC News

East of England weather forecast

An elderly lady being helped out of a dinghy by two firemen in rescue gear

Emergency crews tackle flood waters in rescue operations

President Joe Biden pardons Peach, one of two National Thanksgiving Day turkeys.

President Biden pardons turkeys at White House

Aerial footage of Cwmtillery showing the damage caused by the landslide

Aerial footage shows damage after coal tip slide

Gillian Smart wears a pink shirt with black and turquoise pattern. She presents the weather in front of a green screen which shows low pressure over Scotland.

Scotland weather forecast as Storm Bert brings high winds

Sabrina Lee at desk with screen behind with weather map

Wales 'not out of the woods' as more rain forecast

BBC Newsline

BBC Newsline signed summary

A man sitting on a chair in a barbershop and surrounded by water

Barber devastated after second shop flooded

An aerial shot of a playground in Bradford-on-Avon submerged in floodwater

Wiltshire town submerged in Storm Bert flood water

A red and yellow child's car on it's side surrounded by water

'I could have lost my grandchildren in landslide'

A man in a hi-vis in a red boat in a flooded field. There is also a man with his dog in the boat.

Couple and dog rescued from flooded field in dark

Tractor driving through flood water in Tenbury Wells in a flooded village street with metres-high water

Onlookers shocked as tractor driven through floodwaters in Worcestershire town

Hereford & Worcester

Charlie Elphinstone looks in a mirror to put on black bowler hat, he wears glasses, a white shirt, dark tie and suit and is surrounded by a military uniform and antique ornaments

My interest in antiques is a comfort from ear pain

NE, Orkney & Shetland

Smoke billowing as flames engulfing closely built houses next to water

Drone footage shows huge fire engulfing Manila shanty town

A firefighter in a khaki uniform with luminous yellow patches holds a cat that is partially stuck inside a piece of piping

Cat 'doing fine' after rescue from drainpipe

Alexia Putellas, a Spanish footballer wearing a red jersey, holding a golden trophy

Spain's Putellas on the magic of the Olympics

After World Cup glory, Spain's Alexia Putellas is hoping to dominate the Olympics too.

Olivia Dean surprised with BBC Introducing Award

The singer was handed the Artist of the Year prize straight after her Radio 1 Live Lounge show.

Aitch mid-skydive

Rapper Aitch makes skydive from 15,000ft

The rapper made the jump in honour of his little sister Gracie, 13, who has Down's syndrome.

Teddy

'How testosterone is changing my singing voice'

Trans man Teddy is a musical theatre performer recording differences in his voice as he transitions.

Claudia

Helping others with autism after my late diagnosis

Claudia, who was 19 when diagnosed with autism, works with neurodivergent pupils on their schooling.

Reece Parkinson

1Xtra DJ gets special leaving surprise

Newsbeat gives Reece Parkinson the best goodbye gift a massive Fulham FC fan could wish for.

Keyframe #6

Singer's drunken video message to Lewis Capaldi

Rachel Chinouriri has shared a drunken DM she sent Lewis Capaldi before she was invited on his tour.

Kaitlyn

'I thought I'd be at university, not homeless'

Kaitlyn was kicked out of her home last year and feels there needs to be more support for under 25s.

Big Zuu

Big Zuu's budget cooking secrets

The TV chef and rapper shares his big three tips for making the most of your weekly food shop.

Levi Davis

Missing rugby player's last message to mum

Levi Davis' mum has shared the last video the missing rugby player sent her as he travelled to Spain.

Joe Powell-Main

'Redefine ballet to include everyone’

Joe Powell-Main has been championing a new form of ballet for differently abled dancers like himself.

Abbi Pulling

'Lewis Hamilton loves watching our races'

Abbi Pulling is being helped on her way to achieving her racing dreams by the Alpine F1 team.

Ava White

'I feel like I'm living my life for Ava now'

Mia White has described the moment she found out her 12-year-old sister Ava had been fatally stabbed.

Anna and Vilena

Ukrainian medical trainees continue studies in UK

A partnership between Cambridge and Kharkiv universities means students can keep learning key skills.

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds

'I want Wrexham to be the first club in space'

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney star in a documentary about their first season as football club owners

Tays

'Radio 1Xtra inspires young artists like me'

Young Manchester rapper Tays speaks to Newsbeat about the 20th anniversary of BBC Radio 1Xtra.

Jags and D-Lish

'I was stopped from going in - but I was the DJ'

DJ D-LISH talks about the prejudice she's experienced as a female DJ in a male-dominated field.

Laura Nuttall and mum Nicola at Wembley

Bucket list grad ticks off magical night at Wembley

Laura Nuttall, 22, who has terminal brain cancer, saw the Lionesses win the Euro 2022 final.

Debra

'Some girls can't identify with the Lionesses'

Euro 2022 has made the Lionesses household names - but some young want more diversity in the squad.

Leah Williamson and Laura

'You've inspired us' - Lionesses surprise fan

Laura Nuttall, who has terminal brain cancer, got a message from England captain Leah Williamson.