Humans have always looked to the horizon and wondered what lies beyond it, driven by a desire to explore and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Here we celebrate some remarkable individuals who have overcome physical, mental and political barriers to achieve their dreams of circumnavigating the world – whether by boat, on a bike, or simply using their own two feet.
Movie: True Spirit (2023)
Movie: True Spirit (2023)Where: Netflix
About: True Spirit is a biographical drama based on the true story of Jessica Watson, who, at just 16 years old, became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world. After a practice run goes wrong, her many critics spread their scepticism. However, with the support of her family and sailing coach, she embarks on a journey testing even the most experienced sailor.
Why: The film doesn’t shy away from showing the raw emotions and mental challenge of being alone and vulnerable at sea for 210 days, or the concern of those responsible for monitoring her safety on land. It also tackles the political logistics of letting a child be so independent, and the family support Jessica needed to make such a life-changing experience possible at such a young age. The film balances the scenic ocean views with the harsh, dramatic storms that Jess encounters – if you didn’t respect the ocean, you certainly will now. Not only is the film an excellent feel-good watch, but it is also an inspiring, motivating story leaving you ready to jump on a boat yourself.
Book: Around the world in 80 days
About: Inspired by Jules Verne’s adventure novel Around the World in Eighty Days, Mark Beaumont set out to create his version of the book, by bike. This 18,000-mile endeavour pushed the limits of human physiology: 240 miles of cycling a day, 16 hours in the saddle, on only 4 hours of sleep… for 80 days. The book begins with Mark’s lengthy preparations for the challenge, including route planning, financial logistics, building his support team, and getting the miles in his legs. The details of this bike ride are meticulously planned, from border crossings to nutrition, to health and safety precautions – including a ban on handshakes for fear of illness. Yet, as much as one can practice and prepare, learning how to manage unexpected challenges is an essential skill, particularly when you crash your bike and lose a tooth on day nine in Russia.
Why: This autobiographical account touches on the harsh reality of endurance sport, a part we often miss when celebrating great accomplishments. It helps readers understand the importance of the support team required for a challenge this big, and how to navigate inter-team dynamics, especially after two and a half months on the road. The book also explores how to spot signs of injury before they happen, for example, analysing uneven cleat wear to identify compensatory movement from injury. On Mark’s practice run – a lap of Great Britain – he developed a hamstring injury from simply wearing 2 pairs of bib shorts. Medicine is often about pattern recognition, and paying attention to the finer details can be key to spotting and preventing injury. I think this book is worth the read for anyone keen to take on a sporting challenge of their own, or simply to better understand what goes into endurance achievements.
Podcast: Marie “Lootie” Leautey – Solo, Unsupported & Fastest Woman to Run Around the World
Where: Tough Girl Podcast, Spotify (2026)
About: This episode of the Tough Girl Podcast features Marie “Lootie” Leautey, who became the fastest woman to run around the world solo and unsupported. The conversation explores her motivation for running, her experience overcoming the constraints of travelling during COVID (a casual 15,000km detour in Europe), and how she handled the comedown after completing such an immense endeavour. Her routine was simple: wake at sunrise, run a marathon before midday, have lunch in the local town, and recover in the afternoon. This rhythm kept her in good stead for 30,000km, and led to extraordinary experiences along the way, including running a marathon at 4000m above sea level! Inspired by her grandmother, Lootie ran in aid of Women for Women International, keeping her promise of a dollar for every km she ran.
Why: The podcast explores the personal growth Lootie experienced throughout her running journey. Her story began with a moment of introspection: swapping a pack of cigarettes for a daily run; only a couple of years later, becoming the 2nd woman to run around the world. She is a truly inspirational example of being the change you want to see, encouraging listeners to ask how what we do aligns with who we are. Lootie’s drive and motivation are refreshing, particularly because her ‘why’ was so simple. She wanted to see the world, have fun doing it and enjoy every step of the way. Throughout the episode, she comments on the generosity and kindness of locals she met along her journey. Her stories of human connection remind us that an adventure of this scale is about far more than kilometres covered or records broken.
