How one woman got her life back — one step at a time

Checking in at a tiny 5 foot and a massive 23 stone in weight, Irish broadcast journalist Teena Gates was staring death in the face, when a doctor’s grim diagnosis shocked her into a decision that would change her life.

If she continued to take the path she was on, she would die.

One year later Teena had lost a massive 12 stone — more than half her body weight. She had climbed to Everest Base Camp and reached the icy summit of Island Peak in the Himalayas. She had gone from finding it difficult to walk to the shops — to being on top of the world.

One Foot in Front of the Other is the story of realising that you can change your life against all odds. It’s the inspirational journey of a woman who was resigned to living life imprisoned in her own body, until a spark lit up a desire to break free. It’s a story of pain, of hope, of friendship, and of how far you can really go — by putting one foot in front of another.

Teena Gates is 98FM Head of News and has spent two decades as a working journalist in Dublin. Two years after her dramatic weight loss, Teena has a passion for rock-climbing and horse riding. She cycles 15k to work, goes to the gym at least twice a week, swims in the Irish Sea most weekends, and is currently learning to sea kayak. This is her first book.