Josephine Collingwood - Middle-Aged Mother of Three. Former Mountain Rescuer, Wilderness Addict, Lover of Nature. Embracing Adventure, Inspiring Others, and Capturing Life's Beauty Through Photography.
Release Date: 11/28/2023
Carol Devine: Researcher, writer, artist, climate activist and humanitarian professional. From Antarctica's Ice to Scotland's Seas, A Journey of Activism and Adventure.
Tough Girl Podcast
Carol Devine embodies a diverse array of roles, seamlessly intertwining her work as a researcher, writer, artist, climate activist, humanitarian professional, and explorer. Her pursuits range from spearheading groundbreaking ecological expeditions to championing causes such as combating plastic pollution and empowering women in adventure sports. She spearheaded the first civilian volunteer ecological expedition in Antarctica, collaborating with the Russian Antarctic Expedition. Additionally, Carol has actively participated in and documented environmental initiatives, such as Clean Up...
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Gráinne Moss: Navigating Open Waters - Expert Advice from arguably Irelands most accomplished female open water swimmer. First Irish woman to swim Cook Strait (2001) Foveaux (2022), Lake Taupō (2021) and the Channel of Bones in Hawaii (2023).
Tough Girl Podcast
Gráinne Moss is arguably Irelands most accomplished female open water swimmer. At 16 she was the first female to represent Ireland in open water swimming at the World Championships. At 17 she became the first Irish woman to swim the English Channel. She has continued to achieve many firsts including the first Irish woman to swim Cook Strait (2001) Foveaux (2022), Lake Taupō (2021) and the Channel of Bones in Hawaii (2023). Gráinne holds three Triple Crowns of Open Water Swimming (awarded when a swimmer has completed three of the toughest swims in any nation) - including...
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Fatima Haidari: Shattering Stereotypes, Embracing Opportunities, and Pursuing Dreams as Afghanistan's First Female Tour Guide.
Tough Girl Podcast
In this episode of Tough Girl Podcast, we explore the incredible journey of Fatima, from her early years in Afghanistan to her pursuit of education, independence, and empowerment in Italy. Fatima's childhood was marked by challenges, but her curiosity and determination to learn led her to secretly educate herself. As Afghanistan's first female tour guide, she defied expectations and empowered herself economically. Threatened by the Taliban, Fatima made the courageous decision to flee to Italy, where she faced new obstacles but persisted in pursuing higher education. Now, as a refugee with a...
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Dr. Kaz Williams - Performance Psychologist, Certified Running Coach and Ultra Runner. Striving to help people discover their mettle.
Tough Girl Podcast
Listen to Kaz on the Tough Girl Podcast as she shares her passion for running and helping individuals discover their inner strength. Kaz founded Mettle—a platform dedicated to empowering runners to conquer personal challenges, chase personal records, and train for specific distances. Mettle isn't just about running; it's about equipping runners with coaching plans, mental strategies, and unwavering support to thrive both on the track and in life. Drawing from her extensive academic background—holding a PhD in human behaviour and an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology—Kaz delves into...
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Emma Hull - Unleashing Confidence, Embracing Change, and Fearlessly Pursuing Adventure and Dreams with Life Untethered
Tough Girl Podcast
In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Emma Hull, a confidence coach who discovered her true potential in her 40s and embarked on a transformative path towards self-empowerment. From grappling with anxiety and self-doubt to embracing a life of purpose and fulfilment, Emma's story is one of resilience, courage, and unwavering determination. Emma's journey to confidence began with a desire for change, fuelled by a reluctance to rely on medication for anxiety and depression indefinitely. With a commitment to self-improvement, she gradually introduced yoga into her routine,...
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Dr. Meera Velankar - Scientist turned tandem cyclist. Exploring India since 2015. First woman to complete India’s Golden Quadrilateral, which connects Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata, on a tandem bike (6,000km in 41 days).
Tough Girl Podcast
Dr. Meera Velankar, a mother of two with a doctorate in life sciences, embarked on a transformative journey over a decade ago. Feeling unfit and discontent, she turned to cycling, becoming a seasoned endurance athlete since. Her achievements include completing numerous running and cycling events, earning the title of an Ironman 70.3 finisher, and conquering the Super Randonneur norm three times, with a podium finish at the Tour of Nilgiris. In 2022, Meera made history by setting a Guinness World Record for a self-supported cycling journey from Agra to Umlingla, covering a distance of...
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Arlette Laan aka “Apple Pie”. First woman to hike all 11 National Scenic Trails in USA. 35,000+ miles hiked!
Tough Girl Podcast
Join us for an exhilarating journey into the world of long-distance hiking with Arlette Laan, affectionately known as "Apple Pie." In this episode, Arlette shares her awe-inspiring tale of becoming the first woman to hike all 11 National Scenic Trails in the USA, covering over 35,000 miles on foot. From her childhood adventures in Holland to navigating the rugged terrains of America's most iconic trails, Arlette's story is one of perseverance, passion, and the sheer joy of exploration. Tune in as she delves into the essence of long-distance hiking, the challenges she faced along...
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Lauren Beihoffer: Biochemist, Ultra-runner, Coach, and Mom of Three. Passionate About Helping Women Over 40 Feel and Perform Their Best.
Tough Girl Podcast
In this episode, we embark on a journey with Lauren Beihoffer, a trail and ultra-running enthusiast residing in Tennessee, USA. As she prepares for a 100-mile race in the rugged mountains of Virginia, Lauren shares insights into the physical and mental challenges she faces and offers valuable advice for fellow runners, particularly women over the age of 40. Lauren's love for running runs deep, having discovered it in her 30s and gradually progressing into the world of trail running. Through trial and error, she has gained valuable knowledge, emphasising the importance of self-compassion and...
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Shirin Gerami - Trailblazing Triathlete & Advocate for Change who made history as Iran's first female triathlete to compete in a world championship.
Tough Girl Podcast
Shirin made history as Iran's first female triathlete to compete in a world championship. On 15 September 2013, Shirin represented Iran at the triathlon championship in London, wearing full Islamic dress. Growing up, Shirin discovered her love for movement through activities like yoga, swimming, and running. Her passion for sports blossomed further during her university years when she decided to pursue triathlon. Despite initial fears, she pushed through, embracing the challenge with determination. After graduating from Durham University, where she studied Philosophy,...
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Beth Whitman - completed the Grand Slam Plus with Racing the Planet. This included running 5 separate events, each 250K, across Georgia (the country), the Namib Desert in Namibia, the Atacama in Chile, the Gobi in Mongolia and Antarctica.
Tough Girl Podcast
Beth is a traveler first and foremost. With 35 years of travel experience, each year she spends three to four months abroad, combining her love of adventure with vacation and business. For 15 years she has been running WanderTours, focusing on women-only tours, where she encourages and inspires women to dive deep into cultures and to challenge themselves by getting out of their comfort zone. She recently discovered running and, at age 50, ran her first marathon. She then discovered ultra-running and has been using these as an excuse to explore remote destinations around the globe that...
info_outlineJosephine in her own words:
“I’m a middle aged mother of three. Also, adventurer, rock climber, former Mountain Rescuer, wilderness addict, lover of Nature, doer. Oh, and professional author and award-winning photographer.
Many hats, but a common thread of being outdoors, helping people and sharing a love of wild places.
Having moved on from the confines of Mountain Rescue, I am on a journey with Mountain Training Association to get qualified so that I can introduce people, and especially women, to the indescribable benefits of outdoor adventure.
Too many women feel that it is beyond them. I want to show that it is not.
I love polar adventure and have been to Norway many times and skied across Svalbard on a 9 day expedition.
Mountains, moors, wilderness, old mines and rock faces all vie for my time so that it feels there is never enough!
My mantra is: “Do it now. Life is too short.”
I am not one for “ests” the longest/fastest/highest etc. To me, it is all about being there, in that moment.
My work as an author and publisher includes the Dartmoor Tors Compendium, the Official Visitor Guide to Dartmoor National Park and the Geology of Dartmoor. I also design unique infographics and poster art about Dartmoor in particular. My photography, when not illustrating books, is photographing architectural properties and interiors. Mainly though, photography is about showing how beautiful and amazing our world is.”
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Show notes
- Who is Josephine
- Wearing lots of hats
- Her love for going out and exploring and spending time in wilderness
- Studying geo-physics at university down in London
- Making the move to Devon
- Deciding to re-train in photography
- How her career focuses on photography, design and being outdoors
- Having 3 grown children
- Her love and passion for the outdoors
- Growing up in Acton, London
- Spending more and more time in Dartmoor
- Age 14, having the opportunity to do an outward bound course (3 week residential)
- Discovering different possibilities and wanting to live a life outdoors
- Meeting her husband at the Officer Training Core at University
- Making the decision to move to Devon to raise her family
- Asking herself the question - what does she really want to do
- Buying an old barn to renovate, while raising 3 children and going back to college for 3 years to study photography and media production
- Why we have to take a risk and make things happen
- Not doing any adventures for 20 years while raising the kids
- Starting to do more solo activities at 52
- Booking to do a polar training course with Newland Expeditions
- Spending time walking on Dartmoor
- Losing her mum to Ovarian Cancer
- Skiing across Svalbard on a 9 day expedition (being the only woman and one of the oldest there)
- Camp life, dealing with Polar bears and why it’s so challenging
- Imposter Syndrome?
- Feeling like an explorer and an adventurer
- Cycling the Hebridean Way, Scotland 2022
- Being inspired by watching the Reality TV Show Castaway (2000)
- Dealing with the tough days while on challenges
- Suffering from covid
- Challenges with mental health and seeking therapy
- Dealing with setbacks and failure
- Spending time in the Cairngorms, Scotland and going exploring
- Doing her Hill & Moorland Assessment
- Wanting to train for her Mountain Leader (ML) Award
- Her healing process and wanting to learn new skills
- Trying to identify what you want to be
- Doing what’s achievable first
- Signing up for the Rock Climbing Instructor Course in 2022
- Wanting to share her love for the outdoors and encourage more people to spend time outside
- Mountain Rescue and the training program
- Hitting a glass wall and dealing with bad people management
- Deciding to resign from Mountain Rescue
- Advice and tips for other women who are in a similar situation
- Not wanting to rock the boat and what she would do differently now
- Why the old school way of thinking has to change
- Why we don’t have to put up with bad behaviour
- How the ML training is going
- How you can connect with Josephine
- The meaning behind the name ‘Tavicinity’
- Using Instagram in the old fashioned way - black and white photos
- The importance of learning how to navigate
- Why you shouldn’t compare yourself to other people
- Why you should try something new
- “Make it happen and do it for you”.
Social Media
Website: www.
Instagram: @tavicinity