Records. Recovery.
A Promise to My Father.

My name is Pippa Earley, founder of PACE.

I established myself as one of Britain’s most accomplished junior athletes. I achieved No.1 UK rankings and British records across multiple disciplines including the hurdles, long jump and multi-eventing indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon.

These achievements earned me selection to represent England. I competed against some of the world’s best junior athletes, winning medals at major international youth championships.

My performances later secured me a full athletic scholarship to Kansas State University (Division 1), where I hoped to progress my athletic career in a world-class performance environment.

I was featured by the Olympic Channel as the athlete expected to follow in the footsteps of previous Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill.

I was also described as “Britain’s newest heptathlon hope” in Athletics Weekly, one of the leading magazines in the sporting world.

Behind the medals, records and performances was a battle very few people ever knew about.

During my athletic career I developed severe anxiety attacks and a serious eating disorder that became life-threatening. For four years I was in and out of hospital, fighting for something far greater than accolades: my life.

Throughout it all, my father, Aidan Chad Earley (ACE), never left my side. He reminded me my worth came from who I was, not what I achieved. His strength carried me through the darkest moments and gave me strength to keep going when I had nothing left.

Whilst I was fighting to recover, I received devastating news: he had suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away. Lying in that hospital bed, I remembered the promise I had made to him: that when I recovered, I would dedicate my life to helping others avoid the suffering I had faced, just as he had helped me.

That promise became my determination: to recover and to make him proud. PACE was born in his memory.

Today, I combine my experience as an international athlete with the perspective gained through overcoming adversity. As a Level 3 England Athletics Coach, my mission is not only to develop faster, stronger and fitter individuals but to support the person behind the athlete, helping them to achieve longevity within their sport or fitness endeavours.

Whether an athlete is taking their first steps into athletics or striving for national competition, my aim is always the same: to help them become the best version of themselves — as athletes and as people — while preparing them for the challenges life and sport may bring.