Audrey Payne - Long-distance backpacker, writer, and nature nerd. Overcame a debilitating back injury to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail and recently published a memoir about it!
Release Date: 06/06/2024
Sarah Perry - INOV8 Ambassador: Setting Records on the South West Coast Path (630 Miles) with a Fastest Self-Supported Completion
Tough Girl Podcast
Sarah Perry is an ultra-runner, dedicated educator, and INOV8 ambassador with a passion for the outdoors and pushing her limits. On this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Sarah shares her journey from her Yorkshire roots to breaking records on the South West Coast Path (SWCP). Living in Cumbria and working in adult education, Sarah balances her career with her love for long-distance running. Growing up with family holidays in the Lakes, Wales, and Scotland, she developed a love for the hills. After lockdown, Sarah sought a healthier balance, moving to a greener environment and embracing...
info_outline
Kelly Smith: Founder of The Black Tri Tribe, UK's First Triathlon Club for Black People
Tough Girl Podcast
Kelly Smith is a trailblazer in the UK triathlon community, known for her pioneering work as the founder of The Black Tri Tribe (BTT), the first triathlon club specifically for Black people in the UK. On this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Kelly shares her inspiring journey from a private triathlon enthusiast to a public advocate for inclusivity in sports. Kelly's initial foray into triathlons was a personal endeavour, but her passion for the sport soon evolved into a mission to break down barriers and create a supportive community for Black athletes. She first spoke about her...
info_outline
Erin Leider-Pariser: From Celebrity Trainer to Global Adventure Leader - Insights and Principles from Her New Book, "Get Lost: Seven Principles for Trekking Life with Grace and Other Life Lessons from Kick-Ass Women’s Adventure Travel”
Tough Girl Podcast
Erin Leider-Pariser is a trailblazer in the realm of wellness and adventure travel. Beginning her career as a fitness instructor in Los Angeles and later becoming a trainer to the stars in New York City, Erin's journey has been defined by a passion for adventure and a commitment to empowering women. After earning a master’s degree in exercise physiology at Columbia University, Erin founded Sports Travel Adventure Therapy (STAT), leading women on transformative journeys around the world for over 30 years. In 2023, she authored "Get Lost," a memoir and manifesto articulating her Seven...
info_outline
Rachel Durchslag: Finding Freedom on the Trails - From the Camino de Santiago to Hiking in Nepal. A Story of Healing, Hiking, and Personal Growth. Discover the Transformative Power of Solo Travel.
Tough Girl Podcast
In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Rachel Durchslag, an avid hiker and healing professional who has spent the last five years trekking some of the world’s most magnificent mountain ranges. Rachel shares her transformative experiences and the profound lessons she's learned along the way. Rachel’s story begins in downtown Chicago, where she grew up and later founded the nonprofit Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation. As the executive director, she dedicated herself to ending the abuse of sex trafficking and sexual assault. However, after years of self-sacrifice...
info_outline
Audrey Payne - Long-distance backpacker, writer, and nature nerd. Overcame a debilitating back injury to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail and recently published a memoir about it!
Tough Girl Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Audrey Payne, a long-distance backpacker, acclaimed writer, and nature enthusiast who calls Boulder, Colorado, her home. Audrey's incredible journey from overcoming a debilitating back injury to thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) forms the heart of our conversation. Raised in Upstate New York and inspired by her transformative experiences abroad in New Zealand and Madagascar, Audrey has always had a deep love for the outdoors. Her passion led her to pursue environmental science and journalism, but the pressures of her studies and early career eventually...
info_outline
Mireille Siné: Pushing Boundaries - From Lupus to Long-Distance Running, Tackling the Speed Project with Unlimited Women.
Tough Girl Podcast
Mirelle in her own words: “My name is Mireille and I’m a certified run coach, autoimmune athlete, and podcast host based in Los Angeles, California. I have been an athlete all my life but I found myself in distance running while in college. As an exercise science major, I was immersed in the world of bio-mechanics, physical performance, and health. However it was also in college where I was diagnosed with Lupus; an autoimmune disorder that left me sidelined from physical activity for 1.5 years. Luckily after treatment, I was able to use running to gain back my health and...
info_outline
Carly Fillis - Living a Freestyle adventure lifestyle. Tour leader in the Middle East. Running horse riding trips in Mongolia and hiking in Jordan while creating her own fast packing adventures in-between.
Tough Girl Podcast
After many years of adventure Carly found work as a Tour Leader in the Middle East for a couple of years and Syria became her home, immersing herself in to the community and culture she lived in Aleppo, Syria until March 2012. Adventure, solitude, nature, and love for the deserts draw her back to the Middle East again and again. Gaining further knowledge and experience she worked as a freelance guide and led horse riding tours in Jordan and Georgia, and hiking and adventure tours in Sudan, Pakistan, Algeria, Oman, aswell as guiding in the ‘No go’ areas of Southern Iraq and finally...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineIn this episode, we sit down with Audrey Payne, a long-distance backpacker, acclaimed writer, and nature enthusiast who calls Boulder, Colorado, her home. Audrey's incredible journey from overcoming a debilitating back injury to thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) forms the heart of our conversation. Raised in Upstate New York and inspired by her transformative experiences abroad in New Zealand and Madagascar, Audrey has always had a deep love for the outdoors. Her passion led her to pursue environmental science and journalism, but the pressures of her studies and early career eventually led to burnout and a severe back injury. Undeterred, she found inspiration in Bill Bryson’s "A Walk in the Woods" and set her sights on the AT, a journey she chronicles in her newly published memoir.
Throughout our chat, Audrey shares the highs and lows of her trail life, from the supportive community she found to the physical and mental challenges she faced. We explore her trail name ‘Glowstick,’ her trail family dynamics, and the lessons learned from her trek. Audrey also opens up about the post-trail depression she experienced and how writing her memoir helped her process the journey. As she plans future hikes, including the possibility of tackling the Pacific Crest Trail, Audrey’s story is a powerful reminder of resilience and the joy of embracing life’s adventures. Tune in to hear her inspiring story and gain insights into the life of a dedicated thru-hiker and nature lover.
***
Don't miss the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 AM UK time! 
Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women. 
This episode of the Tough Girl Podcast is proudly sponsored by INOV8, pioneers in cutting-edge sportswear. 
Use code TOUGHGIRL15 to get your 15% discount. 
Click here: https://www.
***
Show notes
- Who is Audrey
- Being a hiking and backpacking enthusiast
- Living in Boulder Colorado, USA
- Growing up in Upstate New York
- Her early years and her passion for the outdoors
- Spending a summer abroad in New Zealand at 16
- How it changed her life
- Spending time in Madagascar for a semester abroad during college
- Staying environmental science and journalist with a minor in anthropology
- Dealing with burnout and how it happened.
- Moving to Washing DC to study for a Masters Degree in Public Relations.
- Working for an entertainment communications firm
- Dealing with a back injury while having to work all the time
- Starting to think about the Appalachian Trail (AT)
- Getting inspired by Bill Bryson and his book; Walk in the Woods
- Making the decision to start taking the first steps towards achieving her goal of walking the AT
- Getting to the start line
- Landing her dream job at World Wildlife Fund
- Connecting with an old friend from college who also wanted to hike the trail
- Having a good boss
- 1 month before the start!
- On the start line of the Appalachian Trail in 2018
- Loving every moment and feeling so happy and grateful
- Getting her trail name, ‘Glowstick’
- Day to day life on the trail and being part of a trail family
- Food and nutrition on the trail and eating on a budget
- Craving and what it’s telling your body
- The ice cream challenge…
- Key lessons learned from taking on this challenge
- Dealing with conflict on the trail and the break up of the trail family
- Being anaemic
- Wear and tear on your body on a thru-hike
- Writing her book 5 years after the hike
- Post Trail Depression/Post Trail Blues
- Getting the urge to write and writing non stop
- Hiking on a regular basis and making it apart of her life
- Future hiking dreams and planning to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the future
- Hiking the John Muir Trail and why the PCT might be the wrong trail for her
- Taking the time to figure out which trail to walk in the future
- How you can connect with Audrey and follow along with her future journeys
- Why you should keep an open mind
- Grab the opportunities when they arrive
Social Media
Website: sunstrucksite.
Instagram: @audipayne
Facebook: @audipayne
YouTube: @AudreyAdventures
Book: Where the Rhododendrons Bloom: A Thru-Hiking Adventure on the Appalachian Trail