EP.66.1 From Prison to Purpose: John McAvoy’s Alpine Run Project 🏔️ - Part 1

The Mettleset Podcast

In this special two-part episode, we’re diving deep into the incredible story of The Alpine Run Project—a transformative trail running initiative designed to empower young people from inner cities in the UK through nature, community, and sport.

In this, Part 1 of 2, we chat with John McAvoy the founder of The Alpine Run Project and a Nike-sponsored athlete. John’s own journey from a notorious armed robber to an endurance athlete is nothing short of remarkable. Having broken eight British and three World indoor rowing records while serving a double life sentence, John has transformed his life through the power of sport—and now, he's paying it forward.

In this episode, John shares:

• His personal transformation story, including his time in prison and how he discovered his natural aptitude for endurance sports.
• What inspired him to start The Alpine Run Project and how it offers inner-city youth the opportunity to explore their potential through trail running.
• How the project, now in its second year, has grown with the support of Nike, JD Sports, and Strava—and how it’s making a lasting impact on the young people involved.

We also discuss the larger themes of this episode, including the transformative power of sport, the importance of mentorship, and the profound influence relationships can have on our lives. John's journey is proof that no matter how dire your circumstances, it’s possible to rewrite your story.

Make sure to tune in to Part 2, where I’ll be talking to Elena and Nimrah, two incredible Alpine Run Project alumni, along with Darren Davis, the former prison officer who played an instrumental role in John’s transformation and the creation of the project.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about The Alpine Run Project: https://www.ybb.agency/alpine-run-project
• Watch the ARP documentary on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Streets-Peaks-Andy-Ashworth/dp/B0D4YT7S9B
• Listen to more podcasts featuring John’s story:
• The Rich Roll Podcast
• The High Performance Podcast

Follow John McAvoy on Instagram: @jonnymac83

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I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn