Amanda Harris: Overcoming Adversity with Adapted Cycling, Fundraising, and Inspiring Resilience After a Life-Changing Spinal Cord Injury.
Release Date: 10/08/2024
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_outlineJoin us on this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast as we explore the remarkable journey of Amanda Harris, an adapted cyclist and dedicated fundraiser who has embraced life's challenges following a spinal cord injury. Living in South Wales with her husband and two teenage children, Amanda's story is one of resilience, determination, and breaking down barriers.
Originally from Devon and a law graduate from Cardiff University, Amanda has spent over 30 years in Wales. Her life took a dramatic turn after a serious bike accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury. Despite the life-altering event, Amanda's spirit remained unbroken. She spent nine months in the hospital, relearning basic skills and adapting to her new reality.
Amanda's love for cycling was rekindled when she was gifted a recumbent bike, allowing her to take on new challenges and raise funds for charity. Her journey includes the ambitious goal of completing the Wales Coast Path (WCP) using a trike, wheelchair, and occasionally walking with crutches. Amanda's determination and adaptability shine as she navigates accessibility issues and relies on friends and family to assist with sections that are not accessible.
In this episode, Amanda shares her experiences, from her early years in Devon to her life in Wales, her passion for cycling, and the various challenges she has undertaken. We delve into her methods for staying positive, setting tiny goals, and focusing on what she can achieve. Amanda's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of embracing life's challenges with a positive attitude.
Tune in to hear Amanda's inspiring journey and her advice for women facing their own challenges. Discover how she continues to push boundaries and inspire others with her remarkable story of overcoming adversity and loving life.
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Show notes
- Who is Amanda
- Living in South Wales with her husband and two teenage children
- Originally growing up in Devon
- Studying Law at Cardiff University
- Living in Wales for over 30 years
- Meeting her husband at University
- Bringing her children up in Wales
- Still learning the Welsh Language
- Her early years and spending lots of time outside
- Not being particularly sporty or competitive
- Making walking plans for retirement
- Getting into cycling before her 40th birthday
- Signing up for a charity cycle ride
- Being in a bike accident which caused a spinal cord injury and multiple other injuries
- Not being able to feel her legs and knowing something serious had happened
- Spending 9 months in hospital
- Having to learn everything again
- How it changed her life
- What’s happened since
- Deciding to complete the Wales Coast Path (WCP) by trike, wheelchair and occasionally a few steps
- Being able to walk a few steps with crutches
- Why can’t I do this now
- Accepting that there are some parts which are’t accessible
- Asking friends and family to walk that sections that aren’t accessible
- Accessibility on the Wales Coast Path
- Research before taking on new sections
- Why everyone has different needs when it comes to access and accessibility
- The need for planning
- Needing to walk the path around work and needing support from other people
- Completing approx 500 miles needing to do the North Wales Sections
- Raising funds for charity
- Getting back into cycling and being gifted a recumbent bike
- Being involved in different cycling challenges
- Winning a competition with - Spinal Injuries Association
- Heading out to Portugal in May 2024 to ride 200 miles over 3 days!
- Having moments of doubt
- Not going into the dark place
- Focusing on the positives and what she can do
- Giving things ago and saying yes to more things (such as doing this interview!)
- Wanting to take the tandem bike over to America to do a big ride with her husband
- How to connect with Amanda on line
- Final words of advice for women who are going through a challenging time
- Not wanting to preach to people
- Try and stay positive
- Setting tiny, tiny goals in a notebook and how this helped during rehab
- Find out what works for you and focus on that
Social Media
Instagram: @amandah_trike
Instagram: @amandascoastalchallenge