An Autoethnography beyond Academia

The Embodiment of Motorcycle Maintenance

Bibliographic Data

ID3016798
AuthorsHelen Owton (0000-0002-5233-960X, Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume54
Issue6
Pages707-726
Publication date2025-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Contemporary Ethnography (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0891-2416 • E-ISSN: 1552-5414
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/08912416251370260
OpenAlexW4413877599
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited40

This autoethnographic account explores the challenges and revelations of cultivating a life outside academia. Through reflections on professional rejection, personal recalibration and the rediscovery of joy and connection through motorcycling, the narrative reveals how stepping away from academia's relentless demands fosters resilience, creativity, reconnections and a renewed sense of self. Balancing professional identity with meaningful personal pursuits offers a pathway to holistic well-being, challenging the pervasive culture of overwork in academia. By embracing intentionality and valuing life beyond measured targets, this journey highlights the power of reclaiming meaning by bringing the "lived" body back into focus

Autoethnography · Sociology · Gender Studies · Innovative Education and Learning Practices · Posthumanist Ethics and Activism · Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access