In conversation with amputee and athlete, Milly Pickles

Milly Pickles does not see her glass as half-empty. In fact, from the smile on her face and the determination in her eyes, you could safely assume it was practically spilling over. 

And why shouldn’t it be? The 26-year-old TikTok star and fitness fanatic has a thriving online following and an impressive collection of athletic triumphs under her belt - most people who achieve that level of success are smiling too. 

But Milly Pickles isn’t your average influencer. After being electrocuted at just 20 years old, Milly is also a leg amputee survivor who has turned a potentially debilitating incident into a driving force behind her success; and she’s showing no signs of slowing down. 

I had the privilege of asking her about her journey, and what lies ahead.

When you look back on the Milly you were before the amputation, what do you feel?

 “Honestly, I feel a bit sorry for her! I am so grateful now to be here and to be alive. I don’t know if I believe in a God as such, but I believe that everyone is saved for a reason. 

“I believe my reason is to help people, and building my audience has played a key role in allowing me to find those people who need it.”

Today, we know Milly Pickles as a disability advocate and fitness fanatic. Was fitness a big part of your life before the accident?

“Absolutely. I’ve always been a fitness girl - I was part of my university lacrosse team and I just loved team sports. 

“Funnily enough, I was always a bit scared to go to the gym before my accident. Ironically, the first day that I went to try my local gym was the day before I was electrocuted. Looking back, I don’t know why I was afraid! My motto now is if you’re afraid of something, then do it.”

When it comes to achieving your fitness goals, how much of the challenge is mental power, and how much is physical? 

“That’s an interesting question because before my accident, I think I’d have said it’s 100% physical strength. But now that I’ve gone through what I have, and completed so many goals like the Red Bull 400, I’d say it’s all about mindset. You have the mental power to push yourself to the next level, you have to tell yourself you can do it, and really believe it.”

The Red Bull 400 is the world’s steepest global 400-metre uphill sprint. You became the first amputee survivor to complete it. How did that feel? 

“When Red Bull originally reached out to me, I just thought there was no way could I do this. And that’s exactly why I knew I had to do it - you’ve got to push yourself when you’re afraid. 

“The day of the event was crazy - my race turned out to be earlier than I’d originally thought, so I had to rush to the starting line and the only thing I had pushing me through was my own voice in my head. I didn’t look up - I think looking at the huge hill ahead of me would have made it impossible. 

“I just looked down at my feet, tried to find dents in the ground where other people had been before me, and just took it one step at a time. But once I’d completed it, I realised that I could do more, and how much committing to a goal could help me. That’s why I’m doing the London Marathon this year!”

Tell me more about the London marathon. Are you supporting a charity? 

“I am - I’m raising money for Legs4Africa. When I first became an amputee, I remember finding it really hard because there was no one I could talk to who had gone through the same thing. A friend found and showed me the charity Legs4Africa. It was incredible to see the work they are doing. Not only do they collect prosthetic legs from all over the UK, recycle them and make them bespoke for amputees in Africa but also provide counselling for those in need. More recently, they have helped individuals in Africa become prosthetists too. They do a lot, aren’t too well known and need a lot more funding so that’s where I step in ”.

Your social media followers often turn to you for advice and inspiration. If someone reading this has just gone through life-altering surgery, what would you say? 

“The advice would be completely subjective based on the person, and their individual needs. However, I try to be positive and supportive whilst maintaining a realistic mindset. I remember when I went through the amputation, it helped just to have someone there to listen and talk to, even if they couldn’t relate to my experience. 

“I want to be there for other people to talk to, and I hope my social media platforms help to inspire amputee survivors to realise what they’re capable of physically and mentally.”

How do you feel about your marathon this April?

 “Good! I managed my first 10k today. I really think running is all about mindset. Everyone asked me why don’t start with a half marathon, but I thought well - if I do a full marathon, then I’ll be doing a half marathon too! If you set your expectations beyond what you want to achieve, you’ll definitely find it easier. Like when you get used to running 10k, a 5k feels so much easier.”

Talk me through your morning routine. How do you start the day feeling good? 

“I love affirmations. I really believe in the power of talking to yourself in a positive way, so I like to do that every morning. Honestly, it’s quite busy - so once I get out of bed I usually get outside for 5 to 10 minutes to get my body working. Then I like to journal, write my affirmations for the day, set my goals, and do a workout too.”  

What’s on the cards for Milly Pickles in 2024? 

“I think wellness. I usually come in with very big goals and expectations for myself, and while I am training for the marathon, I’d like balance to be the word for this year. Taking time for myself, relaxing, and having a good time.”

Do you think the Paralympics could ever be in your future? 

“Honestly, I don’t think so. I actually trained for two years for it, but then I decided that it wasn’t for me. I think the Paralympics are amazing, but I’d like to see more representation out there for disabled people who don’t become Olympians or professional athletes. It’s a lot of pressure, and it’s great to see people who have gone through what I have just being allowed to exist and enjoy life as they are.” 

To learn more about Milly Pickles, you can follow her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

If you’d like to support her in the London Marathon by raising money for Legs4Africa, you can donate here. 

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Maisie is a writer from London, and has previously written for HELLO! Magazine, HELLO! Fashion and Stylist. She can be found in various wine bars, hot yoga studios, and bookshops across London - and always with a podcast plugged into her ears. She loves discussing hormonal health, workplace dilemmas, and the latest beauty trends; find her on Instagram @maisiepeppitt