Gina Atkinson: From Royal Signals Engineer to Inspirational Fundraiser and Adventurer

Join us on this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast as we delve into the extraordinary life of Gina Atkinson, a former Royal Signals engineer with a remarkable story of service and resilience. Gina's military career took her to 30 Signal Regiment, where she visited  35 countries during her first five years of service.

Following a deeply personal loss in 2019, Gina embarked on a mission to honour her brother's memory by running/cycling 100 miles a week for a year, raising £10,000 for a local cancer charity and establishing an Art Foundation in his name. Her dedication did not stop there; Gina continued to raise over £250,000 for veterans' charities through a series of inspiring challenges and initiatives, including ultra races and solo adventures across Scotland.

In this episode, Gina shares her journey of coping with grief through fitness and adventure, her experiences in the military, and her passion for supporting veterans and cancer patients alike. From riding across Death Valley to planning her next challenge of running from London to France in 2024, Gina's story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of adventure to heal and inspire.

Learn how Gina's adventures and fundraising efforts have made a significant impact, and gain insights into her motivations, challenges, and the importance of mental health advocacy in her journey. 

Join us as we explore Gina Atkinson's inspiring story on the Tough Girl Podcast.

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Show notes

• Who is Gina
• Being based on the Wirral, UK
• Being a fundraiser for Veterans Charities 
• Combining her fundraising with crazy adventures 
• Growing up on the Wirral and why it’s an amazing location
• Her early years spending time hillwalking in Wales
• Joining the army cadets at 13
• Deciding to join the army as an electronica engineer in the Royal Signals 
• Being posted to 30 Signal Regiment nicknamed the ‘globe trotters’ 
• Visiting 35 countries in the first 5 years 
• Military memories from peace keeping missions
• Volunteering at the orphanage in Bosnia 
• Making the decision to leave the army
• Wanting to make a second career and experience something different 
• Starting fundraising for veterans charities almost straight away
• Riding across Death Valley in America 
• Getting involved in ultra races and going to see places at the same time
• The Wall Ultra Race across Hadrian’s Wall 
• Dealing with covid and losing her brother at age 52 to stage 4 bowl cancer
• Coming up with the idea of doing 100 miles a week for 52 weeks - 5,200 miles in memory of her brother. 
• Dealing with grief and needing a distraction
• Coping with stress and trauma by fitness and adventure in nature
• Not knowing the next steps
• Getting post adventures blues at the end of the challenge/adventure
• Backdoor adventures
• Raising funds for ssafa the Armed Forces charity  
• Meeting veterans and sharing stories and memories
• Being an advocate for mental health 
• Raising over £250K for veterans charities and winning multiple awards
• 300 mile solo adventure across Scotland (3 bucket list challenges in one) walking the West highland Way, paddling the Great Glen, and then walking back on the Great Glen Way to Fort William
• Getting injured and needing to return in 2024 
• Not taking a dip in lock ness
• The planning behind the challenge ideas
• Taking it from the idea to getting to the start line 
• Sticking to the plan 
• Using YouTube as a resource 
• Testing your kit and making sure your food is nutritious and tastes good
• Keeping positive while on adventures 
• Motivation and discipline why you need both
• Quote by D.H. Lawrence, “I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.” 
• Going back to your WHY
• Motivation from the GI Jane movie and Legally Blonde
• Being inspired by the Queen 
• The next challenge in 2024 - running to France from London!
• Maintaining fitness levels while not on adventures 
• How to connect with Gina on social media 
• Final words of advice for other women who want to do more adventures 
• Starting on your own fitness journey 
• Why consistency is the key for training for endurance events
• Try and enjoy it and remember why you are doing it

 

Social Media

Instagram: @goliveit.onelife

Facebook: @GinaGinelli

Military Memories is an anthology of poems from the force’s community.Profits go to Military Charities SSAFA & Sporting Force.

Instagram @Militarymemories2021

Twitter @militarymemos

Book: Military Memories: Military Memories is a anthology of poems written by the forces community. The poems illustrate the journey taken by those who join ... families’ lives and also the trauma we face.