About

Hello!

My name is Sophie Rooney and in 2016 I quit my day job and ran the length of Scandinavia (2927km) to raise money for charity and to challenge people’s perceptions of normality. Now that I am home, I am keen to share my experience with as many people as possible, and hopefully inspire one or two to challenge themselves a little more than they have done previously.

A lover of the outdoors, I like to explore the planet and share its beauty with others – whether through writing, photography or public speaking.

Theodore Roosevelt famously said,

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”

This to me, is something everyone can relate to. It’s about taking risks, having fun, and never giving less than 100% to the things you are passionate about (although being as competitive as I am, I tend to apply this rule to everything I do, passionate or not).

Throughout my life I have set a number of challenges for myself, some of which I have achieved, and others which have taught me that sometimes giving everything you’ve got is enough, even if you don’t quite reach what you were aiming for at first.

I have two Geography degrees (BSc, MSc), I’ve represented our country in a sport which I love (Flatwater Kayaking) and I have run further in 3 months than a lot of people will run in a life time. I’ve met incredible people along the way and I’ve learnt a lot about myself too.

I’ve gained strength, knowledge, confidence and character.

I’ve done these things mostly for me (and for charity too) but now I want to do something for others by showing them that these things are out there, waiting for us to embrace them, we just have to have the courage to challenge ourselves to do so.

If this sounds like something you or your group/school/organisation would be interested in pursuing further, please have a read of my blog and perhaps consider getting in touch to arrange a talk or workshop.

If nothing else – I hope you enjoy some of the stories I have to tell!

🙂