Book Review: 31 Days – A Zero Bullshit Mindset Masterclass for the Modern Runner by Allie Bailey

This is a book I’ve been sitting with — and not just because it’s intense, but because it asks a lot of the reader.

31 Days is brutally honest.

At times, it feels like a slap in the face — or like someone has grabbed you by the shoulders and is trying to shake some sense into you. There were moments when I physically had to hold the book away from me because what Allie was saying was so direct, so confronting, and so uncomfortable to read.

And that’s kind of the point.

One of the most eye-opening aspects of this book for me was seeing just how unkind people can be to themselves. The inner dialogue that so many runners — and humans — live with every single day is shocking, harsh and relentless.

Allie doesn’t shy away from this.

She names it, challenges it, and asks you to take responsibility for it.

The book is incredibly readable — I read it in one sitting — although, in hindsight, that’s probably not how it’s meant to be read. Allie is very clear about this from the start.

The book is split into seven sections and includes worksheets designed to be worked through slowly and intentionally. This isn’t surface-level journalling. It requires deep thinking, reflection and emotional honesty. It’s real work — and it’s not easy work.

If you genuinely want to understand your mindset, your values, your self-talk and what drives your behaviour, you have to be willing to put the time and energy in.

This isn’t something you can rush through in five minutes with a pen and a worksheet. The work continues — and Allie reinforces that message throughout the book.

Reading this from my own perspective was interesting. I feel like I’ve already done a lot of this work — through leaving my job, starting Tough Girl Challenges, travelling, taking on big physical challenges and spending long periods alone with my thoughts. Because of that, my self-worth and self-esteem are strong, and many of the concepts around acceptance, failure, gratitude, motivation and responsibility were familiar to me.

That said, I still loved having all of this information in one place.

There is huge value in revisiting these ideas.

Mindset work isn’t something you “complete” — it’s ongoing.

And even if you’re in a good place, reminders around consistency, imposter syndrome, confidence, resilience, acceptance and failure are incredibly useful. There’s always more to learn, and Allie shares these concepts clearly, practically and without fluff.

If you are completely new to this way of thinking, this book could be genuinely life-changing — but it may also feel overwhelming.

It asks you to look at yourself honestly, and that can be scary. Allie does talk about the importance of support, whether that’s a therapist, life coach or running coach, and I think that’s important. This type of deep internal work doesn’t have to be done alone.

Allie’s writing is unapologetically direct. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything. Some readers may find it too aggressive or “too much.” I don’t agree. Sometimes people don’t need things softened — they need clarity.

If you want to achieve big goals, push yourself physically or mentally, and grow both as a runner and as a person, then understanding your mindset is essential.

The practical worksheets in this book are excellent, and I actually think this book could work brilliantly if done with others — whether that’s with a trusted friend, a training partner or a small group. Working through one chapter a week, sharing reflections and supporting each other could make the process more manageable, more accountable and more powerful.

You do need space in your life to read this book properly. You need to be ready. As Allie says, it’s never too late to change — but you are the one who has to do the work.

Massive respect to Allie for writing this book and putting it out into the world. She shares what many people are afraid to say out loud, and that honesty and vulnerability is where the real power lies. It’s confronting, challenging, uncomfortable — and incredibly impactful.

You can listen to Allie on the Tough Girl Podcast