Beyond the Bike: How Adventure and Memoir Transformed Leah Day

In this episode of the Helping Channels Be Happy podcast, host Christopher Robbins interviews Leah Day, a former clinical social worker turned cycling enthusiast and shop owner. They delve into Leah's journey from counseling to cycling, her family adventures, and how these experiences culminated in her decision to write a memoir. Listeners will get a glimpse into the transformative power of pursuing one's passions and the unexpected paths life can take. 

Episode Highlights

00:00:09 - Christopher Robbins introduces the podcast, its goals, and today's guest, Leah Day. Robbins outlines his background and sets the stage for an engaging conversation about the intertwining paths of family, love, relationships, and personal growth through Leah Day's experiences.

00:01:00 - Leah shares her transition from a clinical social worker to opening Lighthouse Bikes, reflecting on how her previous career and passion for cycling merge to create unique experiences for her and others. Her story underscores the theme of finding new avenues for personal and professional fulfillment. 

 

00:01:58 - The discussion turns to Leah's extensive biking journeys, including her acclaimed bicycle ride across the United States with her youngest son, Oakley. She touches on the impact of adventure and challenge in fostering growth and transition, highlighting her contributions to adventure cycling publications and other media. 

 

00:02:38 - Leah opens up about recent biking adventures in Morocco and Spain, bringing to life her experiences in the Riff Mountains and the unique situations she found herself in due to the locales she chose to explore. 

 

00:03:49 - The conversation shifts to Leah's memoir, "Changing Gears," focusing on the motivation behind documenting her and her son's cross-country cycling journey. This segues into a deeper discussion on the therapeutic aspects of writing and journaling. 

 

00:06:04 - Leah and Christopher discuss the process of writing a memoir, including the initial challenges, the role of blogging and journaling, and the importance of making personal stories public for broader impact. 

 

00:08:14 - Leah reflects on the feedback from readers of her memoir and how sharing personal stories can inspire and support others in their own life journeys. 

 

00:11:31 - The episode culminates with Leah sharing her favorite part of her memoir, a profound moment of role reversal with her son, which encapsulates the theme of growth and the deepening of their relationship through their shared adventure. 

 

Key Takeaways 

• Transitions in career and life can lead to fulfilling new paths that weave together personal passions and professional experiences. 
• Documenting journeys, whether through blogs, journals, or memoirs, can be therapeutic and offers a reflective insight into personal growth and understanding. 
• Stories hold power, and sharing them can inspire, connect, and impact others in meaningful ways, encouraging everyone to explore their own adventures and challenges. 

Tweetable Quotes

• "Part of the journey is becoming the kind of person who could take care of somebody else." - Leah Day 
• "Writing about it really helped me figure out what was exciting to me for the next chapter of my life." - Leah Day 
• "If we tell each other our stories, we're actually helping each other. We're not just talking about ourselves." - Leah Day 

Show Notes by Barevalue.