Jane Kanizay: Climbing Mt. Everest, Advocating for Consent, and Building Resilience in the Death Zone—A Mother’s Journey of Strength, Survival, and Purpose.
Release Date: 11/19/2024
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
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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_outlineJane Kanizay is an adventurer, educator, activist, speaker, artist and mother of four who on 14 May 2022 successfully climbed Mt. Everest with her 19-year-old daughter. Jane enjoys sharing the highs and lows of her Everest experience and the journey of resilience required to take on such an immense challenge as a survivor.
Jane climbed with the message of @teachusconsent to campaign for holistic consent education in school education curriculum and to advocate for the prevention of violence against women.
To have a message to take to the summit provided additional strength on the days Jane had reached her physical or emotional limits.
High altitude mountaineering is one of the deadliest sports in the world. Jane successfully summited mountains above 6000m plus an 8000m summit of Cho Oyu, Tibet, to prepare her for the extreme environment of Everest, considered to be in the ‘death zone’ above 8000m where oxygen content is only 34% compared with sea level.
Listening to Jane on the Tough Girl Podcast offers a rare insight into the mental and physical fortitude it takes to summit Everest, but also the deeper purpose behind her journey.
Through her incredible story, Jane not only inspires adventurers but also advocates for change, sharing how carrying a message of consent and empowerment gave her the strength to push through her limits.
Her story will resonate with anyone looking to overcome challenges, build resilience, and find purpose in their own lives.
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Show notes
- Who is Jane
- Mother of four, living with one child
- Mountain climbing with her eldest daughter, Gabby
- Being motivated by Gabby's dream to climb
- Completing several trips to the Himalayas
- Reaching Everest's summit together on 14 May 2022
- Becoming the second mother-daughter pair to summit Everest
- Growing up in an athletic family
- Having siblings achieving high levels in sports
- Discussing her childhood experiences with athletics
- Her belief in ordinary people achieving extraordinary things
- The importance of family support in sports and life
- Starting running marathons at 33 after having four children
- Transitioning from marathon running to trekking and climbing in her late 40s
- Remembering her 40s as an empowering period, winning races in her age group
- When Gabby's interest in climbing started
- The mother-daughter duo's plans evolved into larger climbing goals over time
- Gabby reflecting on her experience, appreciating the timing of climbing at age 19
- Climbing experience which fostered a unique friendship
- They relate differently outside of typical family roles
- Maintaining their bond while balancing parenting responsibilities
- Initially planned to finance their climbs through a mortgage and potential scholarships
- Selling their house and funding the majority of the trip
- Adapting to unexpected financial changes
- Gabby's focus on balancing her love for climbing while pursuing an income in the industry
- Jane's reflections on the dynamics among her children regarding climbing adventures
- How she has navigated potential feelings of jealousy among her children
- Sharing her experience of climbing Everest with Gabby
- The dynamic of being both mother and climbing partner
- How they communicated effectively at base camp
- Gabby often acted as a mentor, helping Jane to regain confidence during tough moments
- A pivotal moment at Camp Four where she doubted her strength to continue
- Getting encouraged by Gabby to persevere
- Reflecting on precious time spent with her children
- Prioritising family over personal ambitions
- Societal concerns about young climbers tackling high peaks
- Jane's internal struggles regarding the ethics of taking Gabby on such a dangerous expedition
- Engaging with other young adventurers and parents
- The meticulous preparation and strategy leading up to their summit attempt
- The challenging conditions they encountered
- The summit push filled with historical significance and personal reflections
- Jane leading the ascent, following in the footsteps of climbing legends
- A heartwarming moment for Jane spotting Gabby approaching the summit
- The "Teach Us Consent" campaign
- Jane's desire for her sons to be good allies and her daughters to be safe
- The pyramid of abuse
- Advocating for calling out disrespectful behaviour
- Creating a safer environment for women
- Experiencing vision problems while descending
- Hallucinating due to altitude sickness
- Dealing with laryngitis and media attention after her climb
- Building a supportive network among women
- Final words of wisdom
Social Media
Website: janekanizay.com
Instagram: @jane_kaniz