Personal anecdote but I started with the couch to 5k app, wasn't working for me. I ended up switching to the Nike Run Club app and initially used their Guided Runs to help get started (They have a massive amount). The host of the run talking really took me out of the run and made it easier.

Also, going super slow at the start to warm up, picking up speed gradually. I look as the distance as the goal and not the time. After about 10 months I recently hit a 27:30 PR at 35 (quit smoking 2 years ago). There's hope out there.

It might be better for your joints to walk on the incline (treadmill) until you are lighter. Might be worth building a program with a personal trainer and mixing in some weight training. Apologies in advance if you've already done all of the above

Barefoot running (or extremely minimalist shoes) helped me. Build it up slowly! Your muscles will likely be degraded from a lifetime of low mobility footwear.

Consider: how could humanity have survived millennia walking and running around before Nike and orthotics?