Risa August - Removing limiting beliefs, shifting her perspective, and embracing an expansive life…. Author of 'The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike’.
Release Date: 10/29/2024
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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 delve into the extraordinary life and inspiring journey of Risa August, a multifaceted individual based in Colorado, USA. Risa wears many hats - she's a Gestalt practitioner, a captivating speaker, an author, and a passionate patient advocate. Her story is one of resilience, marked by her decade-long battle with a pituitary tumour and a rare disease, Acromegaly.
Risa shares candidly about her experiences, offering profound insights into overcoming adversity and embracing life with unparalleled vigour.
Risa's journey into the realm of personal transformation began with her participation in Ironman races, a testament to her fierce determination and love for physical challenges. However, her path took an unexpected turn when she started noticing troubling symptoms, eventually leading to a diagnosis that altered her life trajectory. Despite facing daunting health challenges, Risa's spirit remained unyielding as she navigated through surgeries, treatments, and the complexities of managing a chronic condition.
In her book, The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike, Risa eloquently chronicles her courageous cross-country bicycle journey, symbolising her refusal to let adversity define her.
Throughout our conversation, Risa reflects on how her perspective on life and adventure has evolved, emphasising the importance of embracing new experiences and pushing beyond perceived limits. Her insights into removing limiting beliefs and fostering a positive mindset resonate deeply, offering profound lessons for anyone navigating their own challenges.
Join us as Risa shares her story of resilience, adventure, and the transformative power of embracing life fully, no matter the obstacles. Get ready to be inspired by her unwavering spirit and her profound wisdom gained through living a life unleashed.
***
Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women.
By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/
Thank you for your invaluable support!
***
Show notes
- Who is Risa
- Based in Colorado, USA
- Working as a gestalt practitioner, speaker, author and patient advocate
- Her passion for learning
- ‘CANI’ - Constant And Never-ending Improvement
- The connection with Tony Robbins
- Growing up in Cleveland Ohio and her early years
- Taking herself on adventures
- Being inspired by her dad and a buffalo head nickel
- How the meaning of adventure has changed over the years
- Why adventure means - learning and experiencing something new
- Setting out a timeline
- 2011 - completing her first Ironman race
- Starting to notice changes in her body
- Fast forward 7 years and training for another Ironman.
- Not being able to recover and not being able to keep the weigh off
- Plus dealing with severe headaches and lack of sleep
- Pushing for an MRI of her brain
- Being diagnosed with an enlarged pituitary and a brain tumour
- Looking at brain surgery and being diagnosed with a rare disease - Acromegaly.
- Processing and working through the diagnosis
- Having a mindset of getting it done and moving on with her life
- Waiting 3 months for surgery
- Acromegaly is a rare condition where the body produces too much growth hormone, causing body tissues and bones to grow more quickly.
- Being very conscious of what goes into her body
- Radiation or medication?
- Feeling very lonely even while being supported
- Battling orthorexia in her 20s
- Not being able to exercise and spend time in the outdoors
- Deciding to ride her bicycle down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
- Looking back on her adventurous life and remembering what it felt like
- Starting to paint and how it became an outlet
- Instead of focusing on what she couldn’t do - focusing on what she could do
- What can I do now?
- Small steps, one thing at a time.
- Stopping judging herself and blocking out the noise from other people
- Getting back to the CrossFit gym
- Acceptance around her identity and how it’s changed
- Signing up for a semi supported tour on the PCH
- SAG - Support And Gear
- Book: The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike
- Reflecting back on the ride and some of the magical moments
- Trying to control situation and outcomes and how the universe has a completely different plan for you
- Being open to what’s possible
- To be open to letting go of limiting beliefs
- Why it was a massive learning experience
- Being present and spending time in the moment
- Naming her brain tumour and the reason behind it
- Being kind to her body
- Louise Hay Book: Heal Your Body: The Mental Causes for Physical Illness and the Metaphysical Way to Overcome Them.
- Adding humour to her situation and how it can change perspective - especially during dark moments
- Her prognosis and being on medication to control the tumour
- Dealing with the uncertainty of her future
- Making big changes in her life
- Divorcing after an 18 year marriage
- Letting go of people and things in her life, that no longer felt in alignment
- Creating a list of all the things she wanted to do, or try
- Stepping more into who she wants to be
- Being unpolished, unapologetic and unleashed
- Getting up, getting back in the saddle and doing it.
- Taking it each day at a time
- Choosing to cycle the Camino de Santiago in Spain
- The realities of the camino and why it wasn’t like she imagined
- Why it was a spiritual journey
- Challenges on the journey and wanting to quit
- What do I need to do, to make this work
- Finding moment of joy even through she physically struggled
- Wanting to be alive
- Being realistic about adventures and challenges
- Handing the frustrations and challenges
- The next adventure…. And having multiple options
- Recovery after the camino
- How to connect with Risa
- Final words of advice and wisdom for other women who are going through a tough time
- Ask yourself ‘what CAN (Capable - Able - Now) I do’
Social Media
Website: www.risaaugust.com
Instagram: @risaunleashed
Facebook: @risaunleashed
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/risaaugust
Substack: @risaunleashed
Book: The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike.