This woman will either inspire or enrage you

Another day at the office?

Not for Sophie Radcliffe. Tired of the slog of working life in London, the 29-year old walked away from her job last year to take on a string of endurance challenges. The most recent of these involved her undertaking an epic journey across the Alps.

What did that involve?

She travelled 1,600km from Slovenia to Monaco by bicycle, taking in eight countries on the way and climbing the tallest peak in each, including Mont Blanc. On the go for eight to 12 hours a day, she completed the challenge in 32 days. Impressive stuff. What got her through? “I wanted to create a new story for myself; so I quit my job and took on the world,” she told the Independent yesterday.

“It’s taught me about confidence and resilience: if you focus enough, you can get through anything.”

What else is on her CV?

She’s been adventure racing in Borneo, completed an Ironman competition and cycled from London to Paris in 24 hours. She also conquered the Three Peaks Challenge – climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – in just three days. Unlike most people, however, she cycled rather than travelling the 430 miles between the peaks in a car.

All well and good, but what about the bills?

A child of the digital age, Radcliffe fits working as a business development consultant to start-up firms between these challenges – and even takes her work with her, wifi permitting. “I found the office so restrictive,” she said. “I wanted to be in an environment that inspired me.”

So what now?

Radcliffe plans to bring the lessons she learned back to the UK through motivational speaking. The Alps challenge was her most ambitious yet and while she says she’s unsure where she will next set her sights, she’s been thinking about “a world record attempt, maybe”. As you do.