Here is a raw and unedited interview I did with Ali, where we discuss some of the big challenges I’ve faced in my life, from deciding to leave my job, coping with summit night on Mount Kilimanjaro, to training for and running the Marathon des Sables this April.
Ali will also be writing a blog post about our interview and this will be available on www.ithinksport.com.
Helping to raise awareness for Women’s Sport Week - organised by Women in Sport. #WSW2016
Take a listen NOW!! Click the play button below!
Show notes
Discussing the challenges of writing a book!
More about me, my background and how I ended up leaving my job
Why I decided to leave my job
Having to deal with change
Why I felt so lost when I didn’t have a job
How I decided on what I wanted to do next
Why I needed to get away from friends and family to help me decide what I wanted to do next
Coming up with Tough Girl Challenge and what it’s goal is
Where my mental strength comes from
Summit night on Kilimanjaro
Why you have a choice over your attitude
The power of “self-talk” - "you can either be your own best coach, or your own worst enemy"
How the Marathon des Sables came about
The responses of friends and family when I told them about the race.
Why you have to be careful of who you spend time with
Dealing with fear before the race
How I took training to an extreme level
Thinking I was mentally weak!
Being told by a Doctor that I couldn’t do the MDS in 2015
What I learned from all the negative experiences
Building my physical strength and mental strength back up
Trying to get balance in training
The power of visualisation, and why I always thought about crossing the finish line
Creating my own certificate of achievement!
Being overwhelmed by trying to pack everything
Trying to stay calm and why yoga helped me
Dealing with the long stage during the marathon. Running 52 miles in a day.
The benefits of breaking down challenges into smaller chunks
Why the final stretch on the long day was so, so hard!
Why I thought I could keep on going
Coping with pain
The final day, and just being over the whole race
Why gratitude can play an important part of mental strength
Seeing the finish line and how I was feeling!
The anti climax of finishing the race
Why it was all about the journey and what I learned along on the way
Crying at Euston Train Station
What’s next for me and why I struggle when I don’t have a goal
Stepping into the boxing ring
Why you have to know your reason
Learn more about ithinksport.com
Learn more about - Women’s Sport Week
Follow along on twitter #WSW2016