Endurance athlete, adventurer, Ted Speaker and award winning blogger, Sophie Radcliffe, is on a mission is to champion ordinary people achieving extraordinary things.
Driven by her philosophy “One Life Live It” Sophie quit her job in the city of London for years ago to create a new story. Since then she has become the only person in history to have climbed the highest mountains in the eight Alpine countries and cycled between them, climbing five times the height of Mount Everest in 32 days. She’s cycled 300km from London to Paris in 24 hours on nine occasions, completed multi-sport adventure races around the world, raced her bike coast to coast across the USA, completed 100km ultra-marathons, and is a two-time Ironman and World’s Toughest Mudder Finisher. Her message resonates with a global community of trailblazers. She gives people the inspiration to believe they can escape the ordinary, the tools to figure out how to do it and the support to make it happen.
I have followed Sophie for years, constantly being in awe of the challenges she completes and the motivation she has for living life to the full. I was thrilled when she agreed to be interviewed for my INSPIRE series. Here is what we got chatting about…
I am completely in awe of everything you do. Firstly, what motivates you?!
For me, what motivates me is the challenge of trying something new. I meet someone, read something, see something on Instagram and a thought pops into my head “I wonder if I could do something like that?” It’s that “I wonder if…” that inspires me and motivates me to challenge myself. Since starting adventuring, blogging and building ‘Challenge Sophie’ I was always motivated by how I learn and grow during my adventures and how I can pass that on to help other people build confidence, courage and get the most from life. This is what my “One Life, Live It!” philosophy is all about.
You have completed some of the most gruelling challenges on earth. What pushed you to follow the path of fitness and endurance challenges?
Fitness and endurance sports are a super fun way to explore the world, try new things and meet some truly unbelievable people. On a personal level, any opportunity I get to push myself, redefine my limits and develop confidence is something I take with both hands.
I feel like I am on a journey of self-discovery at the moment, with both my mind and body. Throughout your personal journey, what do you think you have learnt about yourself?
Out of everything I’ve learnt about myself since my journey started, the most important thing was knowing that I had what it takes to leave everything behind and live life on my own terms. It’s an empowering feeling when you prove to yourself that you can do something you previously felt was impossible.
Your challenges take you all over the world, to some amazing places! What are your five top travel or challenge experiences to date?
Tough question! I’ve been lucky enough to go to some beautiful places… in no particular order:
1. Exploring Maui, Hawaii
2. The Outer Hebrides, Scotland
3. Adventure road trip in Iceland with my brother
4. Mountain biking through the Bolivian jungle
5. Hiking Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia
You are always on the go! Where will your trip next trip be taking you?
I’m dying to get back up to Scotland – my fave place in the world! Beyond that, Austraila and NZ are on the cards soon and I’d love to team up with female adventurers over there.
I love a gadget, and I know you do too! What is your favourite gadget when you are on your travels?
It would have to be my GoPro, as that’s how I capture and share my adventures with people. Getting the best quality content makes your message so much stronger, and GoPro’s are the best bit of kit for that without a doubt.
For someone whose New Year resolution is to get back on the fitness hype and improve their overall fitness throughout the year, what top tips would you give?
Go for it! Don’t wait for someone else to come with you or give you permission. It’s very easy to have a great January / February but slow down with your progress in Spring time; my advice would be to keep a consistent level of fitness and healthy living until March, where you can step it up before Summer comes around.
Are you a coffee or a tea kind of girl?
Herbal Tea, hands down! I don’t drink caffeine
What mantra do you live by?
“A ship in a harbour is safe, but that’s not what the ship was built for. Go Sailing” Said to me the night before I quit my job in the city of London and set out to live my dreams.
What’s next for you?!
At the moment, one of my main focuses is my youth empowerment initiative, which I am coordinating alongside the Youth Sport Trust. The aim of the initiative is to encourage young people to be confident in an increasingly judgemental society, and its something I am hugely passionate about. Exciting times!
And finally, I ask everyone this, who is your ultimate travel partner?
It would have to be my Mum – she’s my main source of inspiration and is brilliant to travel with.
Thank you Sophie for chatting with me, I am yet again inspired by everything you do! To read more about Sophie’s upcoming challenges visit her website, or follow her on Twitter.
Photo credit: Challenge Sophie – www.challengesophie.com
