BOOK REVIEW – AN INSPIRING MEMOIR

BOOK REVIEW – AN INSPIRING MEMOIR

Kate Dzienis • July 28, 2020

Review by Donna Urquhart, AURA member

Finding My Feet is a memoir by Hanny Allston in which she courageously shares her personal journey from an idyllic childhood growing up on an organic farm in Tasmania, through the rigours of competitive swim training, the heights of being crowned a World Orienteering Champion and becoming an elite ultra-runner, to ultimately exploring and discovering her own identity.


Allston is a high-performance coach, successful business owner of Find Your Feet Outdoor stores, and elite marathon and ultra-runner with multiple trail running records and fastest-known-times and author, keynote speaker and Podcast host.


In Finding My Feet Hanny shares her life journey in a raw, honest and intimate way. 


She explores her experiences related to running, wild adventures, ambition, and womanhood but at the same time does not shy away from delving into the hard topics such as overtraining, anorexia, suicide, grief and identity.


While Allston admits she was nervous about how her writing on these controversial topics would be embraced, she felt strongly about sharing her story honestly and opening up important conversations around these themes.


Allston hopes that in sharing her journey she will give others comfort in being able to say me too, and provide a window into how she has moved through adversity.


As a woman, wife, mother, professional and athlete writing this review Finding My Feet drew me in, made me laugh, cheer, cry, and gasp and gave me the opportunity to think about my own experiences, life adversity and how I see myself.


It reminded me that through significant setbacks and struggles, if we harness perseverance and courage, then we can reach our life goals.


If you enjoy reading about people’s life journeys and experiences, particularly those in the sporting domain and/or within the ultra-running tribe then I would highly recommend Finding My Feet. 


Rating: 4 out of 5

Publisher: Booktopia Publishing

RRP: $34.95

Available: Currently available at hannyallston.com.au


*DISCOUNT CODE FOR AURA MEMBERS*

Hanny Allston and Find Your Feet stores, together with AURA, are offering AURA members a 25% discount off the purchase of Allston’s new book. Simply enter AURARunners at the checkout here.

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