In this raw and deeply personal conversation, Sarah Lister talks with ultra-runner and endurance coach Allie Bailey about the intersection of life, career, and running, shaped by the format of her new book. Allie shares her journey from a high-pressure career in the music industry to hitting rock bottom through alcoholism, and eventually rebuilding a life centered on her core values. This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling "stuck" in a career or life path that doesn't feel like their own.
Sensitive topics
Alcoholism: Allie speaks candidly about her history as a "raging alcoholic". She describes reaching "the bottom of the barrel," losing her home, partner, and money due to her addiction.
Mental Health Struggles and Depression: Allie talks about her struggle with depression and mentions having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Suicide: Allie mentions trying to kill herself and talking to her sister about killing herself.
Toxic Work Environments and Exploitation: The conversation touches on the harsh realities of the music industry, where Allie witnessed artists having "nervous breakdowns" and described the culture as one that "exploits you basically for your talent and makes you frightened to leave".
Body Image and Self-Esteem: Allie mentions common insecurities she hears from athletes she coaches, such as "I'm not a real runner," "I'm too big to be a runner," and "I'm not good enough".
Trauma and Difficult Family Dynamics: There is a brief mention of how some women "grow up miserable and pass that trauma down" , and Allie notes that for some people, "family isn't everything".
Strong Language: The whole interview contains frequent swearing throughout the conversation.
Core Content & Key TakeawaysValues are the Compass for Change:
- Allie emphasizes that unhappiness often stems from working against your personal values.
- She identifies her own core values as kindness, authenticity, and honesty.
- Success is redefined not by status or money, but by whether your decisions align with your value system.
Breaking the "Lucky" Narrative:
- Allie rejects the idea that her career change was due to luck. Instead, she attributes it to belief, doing the work, and manifestation.
- She encourages listeners to stop "giving their magic away" to companies or people that don't deserve it and to start investing that energy in themselves.
Thoughts are Not Facts:
- A central theme of Allie’s coaching and her new book is challenging the stories our brains tell us to keep us "safe".
- She discusses "fear storyboarding"—taking a fear to its logical conclusion to realise that reality is rarely as catastrophic as our imagination.
The Myth of the Quick Fix:
- Real change requires active participation. Allie notes that reading a book or listening to a podcast won't change your life unless you do the work consistently.
- She highlights that "confidence comes from doing what you say you’re going to do".
Navigating "The Dip":
- Allie discusses the inevitable emotional and physical drop that happens after achieving a major goal (like finishing the 268-mile Spine Race or completing a big project).
- The key to surviving the dip is accepting it as a natural human process and setting up a support system of "your people".
A Question for the ListenerAllie leaves the audience with a powerful prompt for self-reflection:
"How do you feel when you wake up every morning going into the job you're doing, and how do you want to feel? Can you make yourself feel that way in your current position? If the answer is no, how are you going to make yourself feel like that?"
Links & Resources MentionedReferences
The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
The Spine Race
Northern Traverse
Nicky Spinks
Links
31 Days: A zero-bullsh*t mindset masterclass for the modern runner - by Allie Bailey
There is No Wall - by Allie Bailey
Allie’s website
Follow Allie on Instagram
Running Won’t Save You Podcast - by Allie Bailey
Final notes
Visit About The Adventure website to contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Or email directly: [email protected]
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