Get Inspired

Six books to spark your next big adventure, plus some personal ramblings on inspiration 📚

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Nothing could be further from the truth

This weekend was bursting with adventure—but not the kind you might expect. No, I wasn’t off galavanting through far-flung lands on my bike. Nor was I covering any kind of meaningful distance by foot. Instead, I was perched politely on a chair inside Islington’s Business Design Centre, ears pricked and brain spinning, soaking up inspiration from an incredible lineup of speakers at The Adventure Travel Show.

The day’s itinerary offered a whirlwind tour across all four corners of the globe, showcasing journeys that spanned every imaginable distance and purpose. From epic transcontinental bike rides to soul-stirring treks through remote wildernesses, each story was a testament to the many reasons why people seek adventure. Whether driven by a thirst for exploration, a desire to push personal limits, or a mission to connect with diverse cultures, they all shared one thing in common—they had me absolutely buzzing!

I love this feeling. Inspiration has to be one of the most exhilarating sensations in the world—that prickly excitement and buzz of possibilities. It’s like a million ideas bouncing around your head, each one opening the door to a new possible future, a new possible life.

Time spent inspired is never time wasted.

I get similar bursts of this feeling during energising chats with friends. Just last week, I caught up with Ella in a cosy little wine bar in East London. Over a couple of drinks, we excitedly shared visions for our futures: our big plans, impossible aspirations, daunting challenges, and suffocating fears. I left feeling electric.

One of the many topics on the proverbial table was the idea of creating space for opportunities—and how the steps we take now can shape the future. It’s something I wrote extensively about in a previous post. Think about it: if we commit to doing just one thing each week that could open a new door, avenue, or direction, that’s fifty-two new possibilities over the course of a year. Sure, there’s no guarantee that any of those doors will open, or that they’ll lead to somewhere worth exploring, but having those doors in front of you has to be better than staying stuck bashing your head against four walls, wondering why nothing has changed.

Create the space for opportunities.

Needless to say, I’m pumped. This week I decided that my just one thing would be reaching out to the organisers of North Cape 4000 to float the idea of becoming an official event ambassador. I'm not quite sure where the idea came from, but thinking about it makes me feel all kinds of excited which can only be a good thing.

I know that one of the event's goals is to try and make itself more accessible and increase the number of female participants. For 2025 they’ve even extended the time limit (so the minimum you need you cover is 150km/day), as well as introduced a new 'intermediate' start in Berlin for those who want to ride to North Cape but might not have the full 4,000km in their legs.

And for me, it’s all about inspiring more people—especially women—to push their boundaries and experience the freedom and joy that comes from adventuring by bike. A huge part of why I share my own journey is to empower others, so having the chance to play a role in getting more people to the start line of such a life-changing event would be an absolute dream come true. So fingers crossed—I’ll report back when / if I get a response!

✨ But I digress ✨

This newsletter was actually supposed to be about all of the adventure-related books that have ignited that prickly excitement in me over the past few years and played a part in shaping my own journey. The stories of others who have taken the leap, conquered their fears, and accomplished some incredible feats of courage, resilience, and determination, then packaged them into a neat tale of wanderlust for the rest of us to enjoy from the safety of our sofas.

Listening to all the extraordinary talks at The Adventure Travel Show not only had me buzzing to plan my next trip, but also added about seven new memoirs to my “to-read” list.

We’re still only two weeks into 2025 (that’s insane) so it felt fitting to share some of my favourite reads to (hopefully) help get you in the mood for planning some soul-stirring trips of your own. Before I get distracted again, let’s dive in…

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1. Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall

I first read this book back in July 2020 and it is single-handedly responsible for my subsequent dally into trail running and ultra-endurance. The book explores the world of long-distance running, with a particular focus on the Tarahumara, an indigenous people renowned for their extraordinary ability to run hundreds of miles with seemingly little effort (if only).

The book weaves together captivating stories of endurance athletes, ancient running cultures, and the science behind human endurance, all whilst challenging conventional ideas about shoes, training, and the way we approach running all together—ultimately advocating for a return to a more natural and joyful way of moving.

McDougall shares his own experiences and personal discoveries while training for ultra-races, culminating in a race between some of the best ultra-runners in the world and the elusive Tarahumara. The book is both an inspiring adventure and a thought-provoking exploration of human potential.

To all runners and non-runners alike, I can’t recommend this book enough. Who knows, it might just be the push you need to dust off those old trainers and finally head out on that run you’ve been putting off for the past six months…

2. Where There’s a Will, by Emily Chappell

The book that changed everything. I remember reading this whilst on a long-haul flight to the US—although perhaps ‘read’ is too passive a word, I devoured it—and feeling so incredibly inspired that I took off on my first ever bikepacking trip, and first time cycling solo, only a handful of weeks later.

The book is a memoir about Chappell’s experiences as an ultra-distance cyclist (you can see where this is going) and chronicles her journey from the early days of discovering cycling to pushing herself through some of the most gruelling long-distance races in the world, including the infamous Transcontinental Race.

Chappell is an absolutely incredible writer, and somehow succeeds in being both humorous and reflective, documenting the highs and lows of endurance cycling, while also exploring themes of personal growth, identity, and resilience. The book delves into the mental and physical challenges of ultra-cycling, as well as the profound sense of freedom and empowerment that comes with pushing your boundaries (this sounds familiar).

In short, if you haven’t read it: read it. It’s honestly one of the greatest books I’ve ever had the pleasure of putting in front of my face.

3. Shifting Gears, by Meaghan Hackinen

Another memoir written by an ultra-cyclist (I’m sensing a theme) and another stellar piece of writing to really get your gears turning (see what I did there). This book is focused on Hackinen’s unforgettable, twenty-five-day journey during the Trans Am Bike Race, a self-supported, coast-to-coast cycling race across the United States. The race covers over 4,200 miles and is known for its gruelling nature, where cyclists must navigate through extreme weather, difficult terrain, and the challenge of managing everything on their own, from repairs to nutrition.

Hackinen reflects on her intense and transformative experience, documenting the highs and lows of the race, the physical and emotional toll, and the moments of profound insight she gains along the way. The book explores her personal journey of self-discovery, perseverance, and the complex relationship between pain, endurance, and freedom.

I found this a particularly inspiring read because it offers a raw, honest look at what it really takes to tackle such a monumental challenge—physically, mentally, and emotionally—while reflecting on the larger themes of personal growth, resilience, and the pursuit of adventure (my fave topics).

4. Coffee First, Then The World, by Jenny Graham

I promise that not all of these recommendations will be about women riding bikes insane distances and kicking ass whilst doing so, but this one will be.

‘Coffee First, Then The World’ is an intimate and candid memoir about Jenny Graham’s journey as the first woman to cycle around the world in under 125 days. Taking on a journey that would see her traverse diverse continents and encounter extreme conditions, Graham set out to break a record, but the book is much more than just an account of her physical accomplishments. It’s a story of grit, perseverance, and the mental and emotional challenges that come with such an extraordinary feat.

Graham’s writing is both brilliantly raw and honest, whilst laced with just the right amount of humour. I inhaled it in two days flat. You should do the same.

5. Solo, by Jenny Tough

This one isn’t about bikes! Instead, we’re back to running. This time, across mountain ranges.

Solo chronicles Jenny Tough’s journey across some of the world’s most remote and rugged mountain ranges, including the Tien Shan (Asia), High Atlas (Africa), Bolivian Andes (South America), Southern Alps (Oceania), Canadian Rockies (North America), and Transylvanian Alps (Europe).

The book focuses on her personal mission to complete a solo crossing of each of these mountain ranges, without support, relying entirely on her own resources and skills. Each mountain range provides a different set of challenges, from harsh weather conditions to high altitudes, unpredictable terrain, and long stretches of solitude. Throughout the book, Tough shares her experiences of isolation, fear, self-doubt, and the triumphs of overcoming those struggles

But what makes Solo truly compelling is Tough’s raw, unfiltered account of what it’s like to navigate these unforgiving landscapes alone. Her vulnerability and courage shine through every page, and you can’t help but be struck with a deep sense of respect and admiration for the extraordinary feats she’s accomplished.

Go get it.

6. Coasting, by Elise Downing

This is a personal favourite, probably due to Elise’s wicked sense of humour.

Coasting tells the story of how, after graduating and feeling miserable despite outward success, she decided to run 5,000 miles around the coast of Britain. Six months later, with no ultra-running experience, no map-reading skills, and no knowledge of how to pitch a tent alone, Elise embarked on her journey. Over the next 301 days, she battled the unpredictable British weather, developed a deep (and somewhat debilitating) fear of farmyard animals, and found herself crying on more than one beach. But along the way, she saw the wild and beautiful landscapes of Britain and encountered moments of unexpected kindness from strangers.

Through her adventure, Elise uncovers the power of taking risks, letting go of expectations, and ultimately finding joy in the process of putting one foot in front of the other.

It’s a heart-warming read, and a poignant reminder that (no offence to

Elise Downing

!) we don’t need to be superhuman in order to set ourselves impossible goals and achieve great things. If you’re looking for a success story that still feels relatable, then here’s where you should start.

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The list goes on, but I don’t want to monopolise too much of your Thursday morning. So, I’ll hit pause here and save the rest for a future newsletter.

Here’s to a new week of energising chats with friends, creating space for opportunities, and a shed load of new books to get your brains buzzing 🧠⚡

Until next time,

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