Lewis Moody on His MND Battle and Charity Challenge: ‘I Feel a Sense of Hope’
As he prepares to embark on a gruelling seven-day cycling challenge, former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has spoken candidly about his life since being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. In an exclusive interview, Moody reveals the emotional support from former teammates, his current symptoms, and the profound reasons for optimism he holds regarding future treatments.
The Gesture That Stopped Him in His Tracks
It is when recalling a recent gesture from Martin Johnson that the emotions truly hit Lewis Moody. With characteristic warmth and courage, the 71-cap England international has faced probing questions about his MND diagnosis head-on, even as he unveils a major new charitable endeavour. However, the memory of Johnson’s supportive words during the Race to the Slater Cup—an event supporting another MND-afflicted former rugby player—momentarily leaves him speechless.
“Johnno was fantastic when we did the Ed Slater ride,” Moody begins, before pausing. “He was really aware and saw the level of fatigue that hit me as we were going along, and was able to say, ‘mate, it’s ok, take a rest…’ Just him saying, ‘don’t worry, we’ve got it from here.’”
Moody admits with a chuckle that it is likely the only time in his life the formidable Johnson, captain of the 2003 World Cup-winning side, has ever told him to ease off. Recognising that he can, or may need to, take his foot off the gas at times is one of the significant adjustments the former flanker has had to make since his diagnosis in September.
A New Challenge with Deep Personal Meaning
True to his nature, Moody’s mind turned almost immediately to how he could help the MND community of which he is now a part. Within months, he and Kenny Logan—a close friend of the late Doddie Weir and a key figure in the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation—began strategising on how best to raise awareness and vital funds.
The result is the Lewis Moody & Friends Cycle Challenge: a 500-mile, seven-day ride from Newcastle to Twickenham in June 2026, timed to conclude ahead of the Gallagher Premiership final. He will be joined by his teenage sons, Dylan and Ethan, and a host of rugby legends including Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, and Mike Tindall.
The circuitous route will take in the grounds that shaped his career—from Bracknell RFC, where he began aged five, to Oakham School, with emotional stops at Leicester Tigers and Bath. The sheer number of former teammates and rivals committing their time is a testament to the man.
Finding Purpose and Navigating Symptoms
“There's a weird sort of satisfaction that comes from discomfort,” Moody explains, reflecting on the upcoming challenge. “I have to be more mindful now. With MND, specialists were cautious: be wary of extreme exertion, you will fatigue quickly. There are different boundaries in place for me, but 100% there's nothing like having the opportunity to get together and feel a bit of discomfort together.”
The haste in organising the event is deliberate. Moody, never one to sit idle, wanted to be an active participant while he physically can, uncertain of how his degenerative disease will progress.
“Being in a privileged position of having a platform to use, I want to have the biggest impact possible,” he states clearly. “I don’t know how many challenges I have left to do, so the reason for it being so soon is to make sure that physically I feel like I can contribute and get through it.”
Currently, his symptoms remain reasonably stable. “I’m good at the moment. The only significant noticeable change is still in my hand. The shoulder strength is diminished, but not significantly reduced since diagnosis. Without a shadow of a doubt, the hardest thing is noticing little things every day.”
He describes the mental challenge of small changes, like opening a bottle or holding a fork, but emphasises focusing on what he can do functionally.
A Privilege and a Source of Hope
Moody speaks with deep admiration for the work of Doddie Weir, Kevin Sinfield, and others who have raised millions to fight MND. He sees himself as “picking up the baton,” channelling the drive that took him to rugby’s pinnacle into this new venture.
“In some ways I have found it a privilege,” he reflects. “It is a remarkable space you enter, this MND world. Weirdly, that news gives you certainty because it allows you to focus on the things that are important in life. Being a part of this campaign gives me purpose.”
Most strikingly, Moody expresses a tangible sense of hope for the future—a sentiment he believes differs from the landscape when others were first diagnosed.
“I think the space I’ve arrived in is vastly different. I feel a sense of hope. When I speak to specialists, they speak about hope. There is genuine hope a cure will be found.”
He notes that a treatment has already been found for the genetic form of MND, affecting about 3% of patients, and the focus is now on the remaining 97%. “The old competitive, fighting spirit… this little platform has given my teeth a little bit more sharpness. But hope is one thing—we need to turn hope into genuine actions that lead to outcomes.”
The Lewis Moody & Friends Cycle Challenge represents one such action—a powerful fusion of personal resilience, communal support, and unwavering optimism in the face of a daunting disease.
