Introducing... The Walkers: The real Salt Path
1/7/20263 min
Raynor Winn’s memoir The Salt Path was a bestseller and literary phenomenon with millions of people captivated by this true story of financial ruin, terminal illness, and healing through nature. Raynor Winn has since published two more books and The Salt Path has been adapted for the big screen, starring Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson.
At its heart it is a simple tale, of a couple embarking on a 630 mile trek in the face of stark adversity. When faced with nothing, they chose to walk.
But when reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou received a tip...
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsChloe Hadjimatheou· Host0:00
[gentle music] In early 2025, a member of the public sent me a tip-off that the bestselling author of The Salt Path, Raynor Winn, wasn't exactly who she said she was. Her memoirs about her and her husband, Moth, told the life-affirming story of walking to wellness, and the books were a literary phenomenon. They sold millions worldwide.
Speaker 1· Soundbite0:24
Can I welcome to the stage Raynor Winn.
Speaker 2· Soundbite0:26
So please, everyone, give another warm welcome to Raynor Winn.
Chloe Hadjimatheou· Host0:30
[audience applauding] Year after year, The Salt Path's success has grown. The couple have become national treasures, and Raynor Winn's written two sequels.
Speaker 3· Soundbite0:40
It is a proper phenomenon.
Speaker 4· Soundbite0:41
Yeah.
Speaker 3· Soundbite0:41
I mean, one of the big sort of 10 books of the last five years or so.
Speaker 5· Soundbite0:44
Spent more than 90 weeks in The Sunday Times bestseller lists.
Chloe Hadjimatheou· Host0:48
The thing that had made so many people around the world fall in love with this story was that this couple, battered by bad luck, had survived so much through their own grit and determination.
Speaker 6· Soundbite0:59
You know, anybody who's read the book, I mean, you can't fail to be touched by it.
Speaker 4· Soundbite1:03
I think you've helped a lot of people in terms of having hope.
Speaker 7· Soundbite1:06
But the real gift is this book. It will change your life.
Chloe Hadjimatheou· Host1:09
Then, last year, the book was turned into a Hollywood film.
Speaker 8· Soundbite1:15
Are you walking the path?
Speaker 9· Soundbite1:16
Yes, we are.
Speaker 8· Soundbite1:17
[gentle music] That's a long old hike.
Speaker 9· Soundbite1:20
Yeah.
Speaker 8· Soundbite1:21
Retired, are you?
Speaker 10· Soundbite1:21
Open up. It's the bailiffs.
Speaker 1· Soundbite1:23
[door knocking] Hello.
Speaker 9· Soundbite1:25
Homeless, actually.
Speaker 1· Soundbite1:26
We lost everything.
Speaker 10· Soundbite1:28
Look me in the eye.
Chloe Hadjimatheou· Host1:29
But