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When I was 19, choosing a career felt like a decision I was not ready for.  Back then, I played football out in the USA and that was my main passion and focus, but unfortunately I was a decade too early for that to be a career choice.  I went with the sensible option, the thing I was good at was numbers.  Numbers were logical, and it seemed like a sound path.  As I’ve grown older, my values have shifted.  It’s not just about what I’m good at anymore, it’s about who I am, what drives me and how I want to live my life.

I joined David Allen in 2009 after completing my degree in business and accounting in the US, where I was on a football scholarship.  Coming back to the UK, I found the perfect graduate role here.  Over the years I have worked across different offices, most recently in Penrith, focusing on accounts and audit, and I enjoy the client and colleague relationships that come with the job. 

But cycling has always been the other half of me.  What started as rides in the Lakes grew into record attempts and races that took me across continents.  In 2015, I took a career break to fulfil a dream of riding my bike around the world.  Over three years later, I had come full circle arriving back in Cumbria after having cycled over 60,000 kilometres through almost 50 countries.  That decision to lean into something daring, uncomfortable and uncertain, shaped everything that came after. 

After three years on the road, I came back to David Allen.  Walking back into the office felt both familiar and new.  Some colleagues were old friends, others I met for the first time.  The flexibility and support I received to pursue those years away was huge.  It’s not often you find an employer who not only tolerates but actively encourages you to push yourself outside of work.  That trust means a lot, and it’s why I feel so committed here.

After so many years on the road I craved the simplicity and connection to the outdoors, myself and other people and quickly threw myself into ultra distance cycle races.  Over the years I have spent my time outside of work dedicated to the training and planning of what it takes to race your bike thousands of miles across countries and continents as quickly and efficiently as possible including the Trans-Continental Race No.9, which I finished in 11 days, 7 hours and 39 minutes, first woman, 24th overall.  Racing is about more than numbers: often riding hundreds of miles to the start line, racing through very distinct countries, feeling the chaos of the unique countries, experiencing mind-blowing landscapes, unforgettable people, overcoming obstacles and discovering strength.  Those are the things that stay with me long after the finish line. 

The races since then have been big ones.  The Transibérica Ultra Race in 2022 was 3,600km with over 45,000 metres of climbing, more than five Everests stacked on top of each other.  I finished second woman, ninth overall, in 11 days, 16 hours and 22 minutes.  The Monaro Cloudride in Australia was over 1,000km with over 23,000 metres of elevation, which I wrapped up as first and only woman, third overall.  What stays with me are the small things: lying flat on the ground outside a stranger’s gate in a village of 11 people and being offered food, a bed, and kindness.  Or eating the biggest pomegranate I’ve ever seen on a hill at sunset and realising that even when you think you have achieved your dream, you still carry that slight sense of wanting more.  Those are the moments that last, more than the rankings.

The Transcontinental Races are another story.  In 2023, I rode 4,125km from Roubaix to Istanbul in just under 13 days.  I came away a little disappointed with my placing, second woman, 31st overall but the truth is, it reflected my preparation.  Before heading into the 2024 Transcontinental Race, I wanted to make sure the challenge reflected more than just endurance.  I travelled to the start in Spain without taking a plane, doing what I could to cut down my carbon footprint.  I’m passionate not only about cycling but also about sustainability, and I try to bring that mindset into work too.  With the team at David Allen, I have found real value in thinking big and seeing what we can do to make a difference.  Whilst it isn’t always possible to go big, taking little steps together towards sustainability, small changes that, over time, can add up. 

Then, this summer, 2025, I set out on TCRNo11, nearly 5,000km from Santiago de Compostela in Spain to Constanta in Romania.  After two weeks of riding through mountains, storms and everything in between, I rolled into the finish in 14 days, 12 hours and 27 minutes,  48th overall, 4th woman.  That one meant a lot, not because of the placing but because of the journey. 

For me, it isn’t just about endurance cycling or accountancy in isolation, it’s about the balance between work and play.  Cycling strips life down to its simplest form: keep moving, eat, sleep, ride.  Work, on the other hand, gives me structure, community and the chance to use the other side of my brain.  I value both.  And I value that David Allen allows me the space to do both. 

Looking back, I don’t think my 19-year-old self could ever have imagined this path, juggling a professional career with pedalling across continents.  But I’m glad it’s turned out this way.  I’ve learnt that achievement isn’t just about crossing finish lines; it’s about resilience, humility, the people you meet along the way and the support you get from those around you.  And for me, that includes my colleagues at David Allen.  The same determination and focus that carry me through long races are what I bring to my work, making sure others feel supported, that they understand their numbers and that they know someone is with them for the long ride.