In this candid and uplifting memoir, Amy takes readers on a journey through the intricate landscape of her anxiety-ridden mind. With a touch of humour and a lot of heart, she recounts her battles with intrusive thoughts, the grip of an eating disorder, and the overwhelming fear that plagued her every day. As she navigates the twists and turns of her mental health journey, Amy discovers an unexpected cycling. The two-wheeled adventure becomes a metaphor for resilience, providing a pathway to joy in the darkest corners of her mind. "Finding Happiness Pedal by Pedal" is a testament to the strength within, offering hope to those grappling with mental health challenges. Amy's story reminds us that, even in the depths of anxiety, there is a possibility for growth, healing, and the rediscovery of happiness.
Amy Hudson has written an honest and open account of her struggles with mental health issues and how discovering a passion for cycling has helped lead her towards recovery. How the simple pleasure of pushing pedals has helped restore balance and remove the intrusive thoughts, lessen the negative voices and reduce the debilitating anxiety that have impacted her life. Her story resonates with me. Two of my daughters passed away at 17 days and 10 years of age. I suffered from depression and crippling anxiety. I was a cyclist before we lost our daughter at 10 years old. But it was cycling that gave me clarity, freedom and space to grieve. To cycle and escape my thoughts or to engage with them. Cycling is not a cure all. Yet the very act of exercising, being in nature, fresh air, pushing up a hill, enjoying an exhilarating descent, a coffee and cake, joining friends for a ride is curative, restorative. It resets the mind and allows you space to breathe, to realise you are alive, life is for living and we only have one life. Thank you Amy for sharing your life and the ride towards better mental health.
I have recently started watching Amy Hudson on YouTube and watched her cycle the full Tour de France men’s course and the transfers. I ordered her book after discovering she had written about her struggles with mental health and why and how she started to cycle. She had chosen to ride this route in order to raise money for mental health charities. I would recommend finding her on YouTube (Amy Cycling Adventures) and also making a donation.
The book is a little memoir about her life up to date, of her personal struggles with her mental health, how she found cycling really helped her and how she has progressed with longer and harder rides. I found the book well written, very honest and very moving. I really hope that she writes another book with details of her impressive Tour de France journey and her own mental health journey so far.
Finding Happiness Pedal by Pedal is very well written and brought out lots of emotions in me. I love how Amy has found a love of cycling to help her with her mental health. Her enjoyment of riding her bike and finding new challenges is inspiring. Amy's descriptive accounts of her bike rides make you feel like you are riding along with her and sharing in her happiness.
I think this is a brilliant little book. As someone who has experienced lesser but similar to Amy, she succinctly describes the emotions and thoughts you experience. I’ll be recommending it to everyone so that they can hopefully understand what it can be like. Probably could have done with a more thorough proofread though.
Only found Amy’s YouTube channel a few months ago and she really is a ray of sunshine, so was looking forward to reading this.
It’s a great read not only about Amy’s cycling adventures, but also about mental health. Was touching to read about what Amy has been through and how cycling has changed her life.
She gives some great tips and advice on how anyone can improve their mental health.