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How can passion and purpose fuel resilience through challenges and setbacks? What role does compassion play in building a meaningful career and life? How do we push past doubt and discomfort to reach our full potential?
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Fiona Oakes, who holds the Guinness World Record for being the fastest woman to run a Marathon on all 7 continents, plus the North Pole!
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Meet Fiona Oakes
Fiona Oakes is a British endurance runner, vegan advocate, and founder of Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary in Essex. Despite undergoing 17 knee surgeries and being told she might never walk properly, she went on to set multiple Guinness World Records, including fastest woman to run a marathon on all seven continents and the North Pole.
A vegan since childhood, Fiona has dedicated her life to compassion—caring for hundreds of rescued animals while using her running to raise awareness for animal welfare. Her story is captured in the documentary Running for Good, showcasing her resilience, purpose, and commitment to making change through action.
Visit Running For Good and connect on Facebook and Instagram.
In This Podcast
- Pairing a passion for running with animal care
- Building the future from a passionate core
- Going into the “dark zones”
- Fiona’s advice to private practitioners
Pairing a passion for running with animal care
A consistent and large part of Fiona’s ethos in her work, as well as her running, is being an advocate for animals.
I started by being vegan at a very young age, and none of my family were even vegetarian at the time. I didn’t understand the word ‘vegan’, I had never heard it, but I did understand the concept of compassion and empathy for animals. (Fiona Oakes)
Apart from hosting what could be called a “sanctuary” and a safe place for animals, Fiona continues to advocate for animal welfare for all the animals across the world that she is not able to personally help.
Part of her work is therefore to encourage others to pick up the baton and carry on the work of caring for those who are at the behest of human beings.
Why did I choose running? Well, it chose me! … In my formative years as a teenager, I had a lot of orthopedic surgeries, and the outcome was that I was told I would never walk properly, let alone be able to run. (Fiona Oakes)
From Fiona’s experiences and passion for helping other living creatures, she takes any and every opportunity that she can to pursue her dreams.
Building the future from a passionate core
At Fiona’s fundamental core, where she makes her decisions and takes action, she holds her passion and belief in what she does. This helps to fuel her on good days and bad days to keep moving forward and toward her dreams.
If I see an opportunity, and they are very rare, like tiny lights in the darkness, I will grab it and go with it. I don’t think of the negative side of things; I’ll only think of the positive side, the good I can possibly do. It’s also like that with my running career, which has developed organically. (Fiona Oakes)
Fiona started running marathons and then began combining her great running fitness with advocating for veganism and animal care, both at the starting and finishing lines of the races.
Going into the “dark zones”
You are suffering, and you’re doubting yourself, but you are still pushing on … If you don’t train hard, you are not going to race hard, because … in a race, you are pushing yourself to the maximum, and if you’re not used to pushing yourself to the limit in training, you’re going to falter and you’re going to doubt [yourself] in the race. (Fiona Oakes)
To win, Fiona enters into “dark zones” during her training. She is pushing herself to the limit, doubting, and in fear, but still pushing on.
By reaching and surpassing her limits in training, she can handle the pressure of the race and know that she can get through it.
Even though there is doubt during a race, they are less severe because she’s come and gone through these doubtful “dark zones” during training to know that she has what it takes to finish what’s in front of her.
You’re on autopilot [while running the last part of the race], always with that goal in mind: the animals. You’re doing this for the animals … I remember why I’m out there: I’m out there for them and the pain that they’re suffering. My pain is transient; it’s going to pass. Theirs is never going to pass unless we change our mindset as a species. That’s what fuels me. I think you always go that much harder if you are doing something for someone else than if you are doing it for yourself. (Fiona Oakes)
Fiona’s advice to private practitioners
The world is a strange place, and we have to adapt. Your opinion and perspective can be changed in one conversation, and allow it to be. Move forward, don’t stand still. Be adaptable and compassionate, try your best, and be open to changing for the better.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Fiona Oakes – Running for Good: The Fiona Oakes Story
Sponsors Mentioned in this episode:
- Get your ticket today for the MHM conference in October! Use the discount code JOE to get 10% off any ticket!
- Use the promo code POTP for a free trial. You’ll receive waived credit card fees for your first $2500 in charges. Time to thrive with Thrizer in 2025!
Useful links mentioned in this episode:
- Visit Running For Good and connect on Facebook and Instagram.
Check out these additional resources:
Why Instant Gratification Is Undermining Your Health – with Dr. Megan Lyon | POP 1247
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Meet Joe Sanok
Joe Sanok helps counselors to create thriving practices that are the envy of other counselors. He has helped counselors to grow their businesses by 50-500% and is proud of all the private practice owners who are growing their income, influence, and impact on the world. Click here to explore consulting with Joe.
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