Theresa Frost: 68-year-old Ironman, European Aquabike Champion, smallholder, wife of over 40 years, mum of 2, and grandma to 3. Proving age and a double hip replacement are no reasons to slow down.
Release Date: 08/20/2024
Miriam Lancewood: A Life Beyond Civilisation – Wilderness Living, Global Adventures, and Lessons from the Wild
Tough Girl Podcast
Miriam Lancewood is an adventurer, author, and modern-day nomad who chose an extraordinary path far removed from the comforts of modern life. In 2010, Miriam and her husband Peter left civilisation behind, venturing into the high mountains of New Zealand with nothing but a backpack, a bow and arrow, and a tent. For seven years, they lived as nomads, hunting wild animals, foraging for plants, and embracing a primal existence in the wilderness. Since then, Miriam’s journey has continued to evolve. Together with Peter, she has roamed the wilderness of Europe, braved personal challenges...
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Claire McCall: Hiking the Hexa – A Memoir of Adventure, Fear, and Finding Joy in Midlife
Tough Girl Podcast
Claire McCall is a Kiwi journalist, author, and self-described "not-so-tough" adventurer who took on a life-changing challenge in her 50s. Born in South Africa and now based in New Zealand, Claire didn’t grow up sporty, but in her 40s, she discovered a love for hiking and new physical challenges, including climbing Kilimanjaro with her son. In 2022, Claire and her partner James set out to hike selected stages of the Hexa Trek, a newly established long-distance trail through France. Covering just a portion of the trail, the journey became the inspiration for her book, Hiking...
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Dr. Susannah O’Sullivan: Teacher, Writer, Activist & Adventurer – From Solo Cycling Across Continents to Empowering Women in Palestine and Beyond
Tough Girl Podcast
Teacher, writer, activist and adventurer. Susannah quit her job as a university lecturer in 2017 to cycle solo and unsupported from the UK to the Middle East. She camped all along the way, in olive groves, in peoples’ garages, next to motorways, by rivers and lakes, and in caves. She faced many of her own fears on this trip and wants to share her experiences to encourage other women to wild camp safely. In the Middle East she spent 6 months in the West Bank, Palestine, teaching yoga to women in a refugee camp, working as a climbing guide and becoming a solidarity activist with victims of...
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Naomi Rumble: Leading by Example – Overcoming Barriers and Redefining What an Athlete Looks Like
Tough Girl Podcast
In this inspiring episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Naomi Rumble, a passionate triathlete, dedicated swimming coach, and advocate for breaking down barriers in sport. By day, Naomi works as a senior market researcher in London, but outside of her 9-to-5, she’s fully immersed in the world of swimming, cycling, and running. While sport has always been a part of Naomi’s life—from childhood swimming lessons and taekwondo to dabbling in netball, boxing, and archery—her relationship with consistent training truly solidified during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a...
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Caroline Soubayroux - 2024 Guinness world record holder for fastest couple circumnavigation by bike. Wife and mother working full-time and striving to inspire the next generation.
Tough Girl Podcast
In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Caroline Soubayroux—Guinness World Record holder, full-time project manager, wife and mother. Caroline takes us on a journey through her life, from her early days learning to ride a bike in France, to cycling 18,000 miles around the world alongside her husband, and finally navigating the challenges of balancing fitness, family life, and a demanding career. You’ll hear about the highs and lows of life on the road, the realities of cycling over 100 miles a day, and how Caroline transitioned into running after...
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Sarah Williams: Reflections on the South West Coast Path, Health, Money & Future Plans for 2025
Tough Girl Podcast
At the end of 2024, I wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect, and share some personal insights from the past six months. In this special solo episode, I open up about my experiences hiking the South West Coast Path, the lessons I’ve learned about health and fitness, and how I’m approaching financial planning and future adventures. From the challenges of dealing with health setbacks to the triumphs of completing tough hikes, this episode is an honest and raw look at my journey. I also delve into thoughts on ageing, longevity, and the exciting plans I have for 2025,...
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Prue Young: Triathlete and Critical Care Flight Paramedic Sharing Her Journey as an MS Warrior and Competing in the Ironman World Championships in Kona
Tough Girl Podcast
In this episode, we’re excited to welcome Prue Young, a remarkable triathlete and critical care flight paramedic who exemplifies resilience and determination. As a proud warrior living with multiple sclerosis (MS), Prue has not only faced personal challenges but has also triumphed in the world of endurance sports. From her journey as an athlete to competing in the prestigious Ironman World Championships in Kona, Prue shares her inspiring story of perseverance. As a New Zealand representative, she has pushed through the barriers of her diagnosis to achieve incredible feats, including...
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Linda Blakely - The Inspiring Journey of an Ironman Athlete Who Summited Everest and Lhotse and Rowed the Atlantic Ocean Solo!
Tough Girl Podcast
Linda Blakely is a remarkable athlete and adventurer, known for her extraordinary accomplishments in the world of endurance sports. As an Ironman competitor, she has completed 25 full Ironman races, including three World Championships, achieving an impressive ranking of 19th in her age group worldwide. Linda proudly represented Great Britain as an age group athlete at long-distance triathlon events, earning a silver medal at the European Championships in 2015. In 2018, Linda achieved an incredible feat by summiting both Everest and Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world, within...
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Xian Goh: Climber, Coach, and Author of ‘Smooth: Movement Principles and Techniques for Climbing’
Tough Girl Podcast
In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Xian, an accomplished climber, climbing coach, and writer. With over 20 years of experience in the climbing world, Xian's journey has transformed from an enthusiastic gym rat to an international competitor, and now she focuses on outdoor performance, coaching, and writing. Climbing has been a powerful force in Xian's life, helping her uncover her true self and shape her aspirations. Her passion for the sport culminated in her recently published book, Smooth: Movement Principles and Techniques for Climbing, where she shares valuable...
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Heidi Beierle: Author, Artist, and Slow Traveler on Biking Across America, Accessible Outdoor Adventures, and Finding Creativity on the Road
Tough Girl Podcast
In this episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Heidi Beierle—author, slow traveler, and artist—who shares her incredible journey across America by bicycle. Back in 2010, Heidi pedaled solo across the U.S., studying bicycle tourism and rural economic development. That life-changing journey became the foundation for her memoir, Heidi Across America – One Woman’s Journey on a Bicycle Through the Heartland. With over 15 years working at the crossroads of transportation, tourism, and recreation, and 17 years without owning a car, Heidi brings a unique perspective on the...
info_outlineIn this episode, we have the privilege of chatting with Theresa Frost, a remarkable 68-year-old athlete who shatters stereotypes and redefines what it means to stay active and competitive at any age.
Theresa's list of accomplishments is as impressive as it is diverse, including:
- European Aquabike Champion 2023
- Team GB Athlete
- Barcelona Ironman Finisher 2022
- 70.3 World Championships Competitor 2016
Theresa's journey is a testament to her incredible resilience and determination. A retired teacher and smallholder living in Cornwall, UK, she balances her athletic pursuits with her family life, being a wife of over 40 years, a mother of two, and a grandmother of three.
In this episode, Theresa shares her fascinating life story, from her active childhood on a farm in Gloucester to her impressive achievements in the world of endurance sports. She talks about her initial foray into running after the birth of her daughter, Harriet, and how this led to her participation in multiple London Marathons and ultimately, Ironman competitions.
Listeners will hear about Theresa's triumphs and challenges, including overcoming double hip replacements, her rigorous training schedule, and her philosophy on staying active and healthy.
Whether you're looking for inspiration to take on a new challenge or tips on staying fit and motivated at any age, Theresa Frost's story is sure to captivate and inspire.
Tune in to learn how Theresa continues to defy expectations and live life to the fullest, proving that age and obstacles are no barriers to achieving greatness.
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Show notes
- Who is Theresa
- Retired teacher and small holder
- Being a GB athlete and competing in standard, middle and long distance Aquabike (Swim and bike of a triathlon)
- Being European Distance Champion for the 65- 69 age group
- Based in Cornwall, UK
- 68 years young
- Reflecting back on her childhood and growing up on a farm in Gloucester with her 3 siblings
- Doing all of the team sports at school, from hockey, netball, rounders, tennis and gymnastics.
- Outside of school, doing Judo, fencing and sub-aqua
- Spending time outdoors exploring, and playing in the woods
- Being inspired by her sports teacher at school in both sports and education
- Becoming a PE teacher and meeting her husband at work
- Being married to Peter for 41 years, having 2 children and 3 grandchildren
- Not being active during her pregnancy's
- Getting into running after her daughter, Harriet was born
- What her running journey looked like
- Starting with 10ks and half marathons and entering the London Marathon in 1990
- Running London Marathon 5 times
- Deciding to take on a Ironman and not knowing if she had the potential to achieve it
- Doing an Ironman with Harriet
- Having 2 hip replacements 14 years ago - August 2010
- Doing the London Triathlon in 2013 at 57
- Getting more confident and training better
- 2015 doing an half ironman
- Finishing first in her age group to go to the World Championships in Australia
- Being retired and working on her smallholding
- Speaking with and working with a coach in 2021
- Deciding to commit and do a full Ironman in October 2022
- What a typical training week looks like
- Training 13 out of 14 days (not always taking a day off)
- Strength and conditioning class with Ruth
- Not being a fan of stretching
- Being a member of a running club
- GLL Better Leisure Centres, Cornwall
- SNUGGs Wetsuits
- Liking the thought of running
- Feeling pain while running
- Running on her terms
- What is Aquabike? https://www.aquabike.world/
- The European Aquabike Championships in Portugal
- The mental side of races
- Being inspired by the Eileen’s in her life
- The distances involved and fuelling during the race
- Maurten
- Food and meat from the small holding
- Needing to eat more protein
- Being a baker but not a cooker
- Food before a race and after
- Recovery and not being a fan of stretching
- Dog walking and active recovery
- Not being good at sitting down and doing nothing
- Turning 70 and looking forward to it
- How to connect with Theresa on Instagram
- Final words of advice for other women who are in their 60s and want to try new things
- Starting with one thing and why moving is so important
- Take opportunities and try new things
Social Media
Instagram: @theresa.frost