The Power Within: Record-breaking, ultrarunning and fighting for change

by Sophie Power

The inspiring story of ultra-runner and campaigner Sophie Power's achievements and the transformative power of endurance.

In 2018 a photograph of Sophie Power breastfeeding her three-month-old son during the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc went viral. This powerful image not only changed Sophie's life but sparked global conversations about motherhood, endurance and the barriers women face in sport.

The Power Within delves into the key life lessons Sophie has learned through lessons on resilience, self-belief and female empowerment. Her journey is from coming second to last in the school cross country to reaching her peak in her forties when she not only ran for Great Britain in the 24-Hour World Championships but also broke two Guinness World Records in ultra-running.

Sophie shares how she built resilience through life's toughest moments, learned to prioritize herself beyond motherhood, and discovered the power of both saying no and empowering herself in male-dominated spaces.

Through deeply personal reflections and practical insights, The Power Within offers a roadmap for women to reclaim space — in sport, in life and within themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Maya Hurst-Mayr]

Loved this one and didn’t want it to end. Such a badass lady.

[Marnie Johnston]

"We all have another chapter to write. Our lives until now have just been preparing us for it. Crossing a finish line isn't always the end. It can be just the beginning."

This was such an inspirational read! I've been familiar with Sophie's amazing feats through Women's Running Magazine, and to read her first hand account at her running journey was incredibly motivating. Hearing the voices of other women, and mothers, in the running world - and the extra hurdles we face because of those two facts - was wonderful. Bravo, Sophie - on all of your achievements, and on this fantastic book.

[Michelle]

Sophie Power was never an athlete at school and entered her first ultramarathon intending to hike it. She soon discovered a talent to endure and has now represented Team GB at the 24 hour Trail Running World Championships 3 times.

In the process of immersing herself in the very masculine world of ultra trail running, she found not much thought or respect given to women, and she has been campaigning - since THAT viral UTMB photo of her breastfeeding and pumping milk on the trail - for equity.

A really fascinating read of the story behind the photo, and everything that came afterwards.

[Danib]

An incredible story of willpower, discipline and the power of clear goals and strategies for success. The deep authenticity around body limitations, women’s challenges and balancing multiple parts of oneself because nobody can truly having all is refreshing. Her ability to succeed in such extraordinary feats are inspiring, not just in pushing one to consider what can be accomplished through focus, clear goals, discipline and meticulous planning, but also in her ability to transport the reader to this incredible places and adventures

[Rachel C]

Thoroughly enjoyable. Sophie Power has a great story to tell. Inspirational, but at the same time her narrative goes to show the priorities you have to have, the natural drive and the aptitude for hard work required to achieve all she has.

[Amy Hardwick]

Inspirational!

[Joanna Cheetham]

Sophie is just incredible!

[Aileen]

Incredibly inspiring, couldn't put down and really shone a light on the work still to be done in the world of running for everyone to have a 'fair race'. 5🌟

[Sol]

I am fascinated with ultra running and as soon as I saw that Sophie Power, a female ultrarunner was coming out with a book I knew I wanted to read it. Ultras are a fascinating sport as it takes both physical and mental strength to finish them. Sophie Powers was the athlete that was photographed while she was breastfeeding while running the Ultra trail du Mount Blanc because the race managers refused to give her a deferral despite the fact that she would be 3 months postpartum during the race. Her photogram because viral and and she then used her platform to shine a light into how the ultra running world doesn’t accommodate for women in the sport. They don’t provide deferrals when someone gets pregnant, they don’t provide menstrual products, cutoffs are very aggressive, etc.
I appreciated her insight into the sport and all the crazy races she went on to do afterwards. Def this is a book that includes a lot of things you shouldn’t do.. like keep training despite getting injured, doing a strength class while actively in labor, drink a lot of water without electrolytes and getting brain edema.. and so on. She also mentioned at some point taking hormones to sometimes modify her cycle as she does better during certain phases and I wished she had gone a little deeper on that.
It is also important to note (and she does acknowledge it) that she is incredible privileged and was able to have money, a supportive partner, and nanny to help her for her children while out running for 3-4 days. This is not something that can be easily replicated but I do appreciate her message that there needs to be more effort on including women in the sport and supporting them as needed.
Overall an interesting listen