When I Thought I Was Going To Die… I Realised I’d Never Lived For Myself | Dearbhla Mescal

Begin Again with Davina McCall

FlightStory

Mental Health, Education, Society & Culture, Self-improvement, Health & Fitness

4.6 • 971 Ratings

🗓️ 19 February 2026

⏱️ 76 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

One mother’s journey to self-love, resilience, and reinvention. In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Dearbhla Mescal, mother of Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal and singer-songwriter Nell Mescal, shares how a life dedicated to her children’s dreams transformed into a life of self-discovery and strength after a life-changing cancer diagnosis. For over three decades, Dearbhla prioritised her children's needs, guiding them through their own ambitions while silently putting herself last. But when cancer entered her life, everything shifted. Through her personal battle, Dearbhla explains how facing mortality became the catalyst for her to finally embrace herself, her body, and her own dreams. From navigating motherhood with three children chasing their dreams, to witnessing the highs and lows of a 30-year marriage, Dearbhla reflects on the lessons of love, sacrifice, and resilience that have shaped her journey. This episode reveals the profound transformation that can happen when we start prioritising ourselves , even after years of putting others first. This is a beautiful testament to the power of reinvention, the strength of family, and the importance of loving yourself, no matter what life throws your way. 🌟 Comment, and follow us for more inspiring stories of strength, transformation, and growth. Finding Joy out now: https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-joy/dearbhla-mescal/steve-doogan/9781804442876 Follow Dearbhla:https://www.instagram.com/dearbhlam/ Follow us here: 📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain 🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod (01:32) Intro to Dearbhla Mescal, Her New Book and Her Kids(03:46) How to Finding Joy in the Everyday(08:11) Dearbhla on Her Time in the Police Force and Finding Her Voice(11:40) Authenticity and Finding Joy in the Small Moments(15:25) Becoming a Parent and Facilitating Your Kids’ Dreams(27:59) Airbnb Ad(29:00) Lind Ad(30:06) The Turning Point(30:53) Discovering Her Cancer Diagnosis(38:24) Telling Her Kids About Her Diagnosis(42:54) Facing Cancer and Having Deep Gratitude for Life and Love(47:07) How Cancer Brought Loneliness, Grief, and a Gift(53:00) Beginning Again After Cancer(55:58) The Greatest Gift We Can Give Our Children(01:02:25) Learning to Take Up Space and Pursue Your Passions(01:05:23) Discovering Anxiety in Midlife(01:07:12) Paul, Nell and Donnacha's Reaction to Her Book(01:09:12) An Emotional Rendition of 'The Kiss' by Her Daughter Nell(01:13:46) A Special Gift for Dearbhla Sponsored by: Airbnb: Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.co.uk/Host Lint: Discover Lindt Excellence… Expect Delicious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Life is so precious and I have cancer.
0:03.0	I remember thinking, going to die?
0:05.0	It's really hard.
0:06.0	How did you do it?
0:07.0	Well, I think, um...
0:08.0	Today I am joined by the incredible Derbler-Mescal, a brilliant author and mum of Nell,
0:15.0	Donica and Paul Mescal.
0:17.0	As much as cancer was happening to me, it was happening to them.
0:19.0	Oh, my kids are pretty brave.
0:21.6	She shares how we often find ourselves growing smaller just to survive in a world that doesn't always make space for you.
0:28.6	My voice rattled inside me for a long time. I think it's what we want for our kids that their voice is heard.
0:34.6	I've got something for you as well. Just brace yourself, okay?
0:38.3	We talk about falling in love and how life has got an unrelenting way of really testing
0:44.3	your strength together as a couple.
0:46.3	When you're in a couple, it's about your dreams and my dreams.
0:49.3	And if you're blessed and you get a baby, suddenly nothing else matters.
0:53.3	You've been married. How many years now?
0:55.8	32. The hardest job I have ever done.
0:58.5	And she talks really honestly about some of her darkest moments.
1:01.7	This is the body that was in the battle of my whole life.
1:06.3	I had to love her.
1:11.1	That was the gift of cancer for me.
	...

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