Frankie Forzoni: From Mental Health Struggles to Norseman Xtreme Triathlon Finisher.
Release Date: 11/21/2024
Dee Anna: From Survivor to Disabled Adventuress – Finding Strength in Nature.
Tough Girl Podcast
Dee Anna's story is one of resilience, adventure, and refusing to let society define her limits. Born with a genetic mutation that affected her mobility, she faced a lifetime of challenges—from intensive physiotherapy as a child to being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2022. Along the way, she also navigated severe autism, trauma, and life-altering setbacks that could have stopped her in her tracks. But instead, she turned to the outdoors. In this episode, Dee shares how thru-hiking the South West Coast Path became the turning point that changed everything. With no home, no job,...
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Sherry Cardona: Ultra Endurance Cyclist and Content Creator – Tackling the Toughest Bikepacking Races
Tough Girl Podcast
Sherry Cardona is an ultra-endurance cyclist, content creator, and adventure seeker who thrives on pushing her limits. Born in Colombia and raised in Spain, Sherry’s journey has been one of exploration, self-discovery, and resilience. From long-distance running to cycling, she’s always been drawn to endurance challenges—finding freedom and peace in the process. In this episode, Sherry shares how she transitioned into ultra-cycling, taking on some of the toughest races in the world, including Race Around the Netherlands, the Transcontinental Race, and the Transibérica. We dive into the...
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Zoe Langley-Wathen: 630 Miles Braver: Mid-lifing on the South West Coast Path. The reality of imposter syndrome, facing solo adventures and the warmth of personal connections.
Tough Girl Podcast
Zoe Langley-Wathen is a writer, speaker, and adventure seeker who has spent over a decade inspiring others to embrace the outdoors. From solo-walking the South West Coast Path in 2011 to becoming the first woman to walk the Wales Coast Path in 2012, Zoe has continually pushed her boundaries—while navigating the realities of midlife, imposter syndrome, and solo adventures. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Zoe shares the journey behind her latest book, 630 Miles Braver: Mid-lifing on the South West Coast Path, which chronicles her transformative experience walking the iconic...
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Shannon Hogan: Ultra Endurance Athlete & Author of The Unforgiving Hours: The Grit, Resilience, and Perseverance at the Heart of Endurance Sports
Tough Girl Podcast
Shannon Hogan is no stranger to pushing physical and mental limits. A seasoned ultra runner, mountain biker, and open-water swimmer, she has conquered some of the toughest endurance events on the planet. From setting records at the Pigtails Challenge 100K to tackling the gruelling Leadville Trail 100 and the Javelina Jundred, Shannon thrives in the world of extreme endurance sports. She’s even braved the icy waters of the Escape from Alcatraz swim and finished ten consecutive Boston Marathons—proving time and again that she’s built for the long haul. In this episode, we dive into...
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Dr. Caitlin Massone: Overcoming Eating Disorders Through Endurance Sports, Neuroscience & Nature – Author of Running from Perfection
Tough Girl Podcast
Dr. Caitlin Massone, ultra-runner, mountaineer, neurologist, and first-time author, sharing the story of her 14-year battle with eating disorders, and how she recovered in an unconventional way through finding endurance sports and nature. Her book, "Running from Perfection," comes out this spring (April 26th 2025). Part memoir, part neuroscience, her story delves into the neurobiology of eating disorders, how our brains form habits and addictions, and how nature and exercise can help us heal from mental health disorders such as eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Since regaining...
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Sophie Etheridge: Breaking Barriers in Open Water – World Record English Channel Swim, Ultra Challenges & Disability Advocacy
Tough Girl Podcast
Sophie Etheridge is redefining open water swimming. A marathon swimmer, coach, and disability advocate, she made history in 2023 by becoming the first person with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome to swim the English Channel solo—setting a World Record for the longest English Channel Swim at an astonishing 29 hours and 4 minutes. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Sophie takes us behind the scenes of her record-breaking swim, sharing the physical and mental challenges she faced during nearly 30 hours in the water. From training and preparation to the unexpected obstacles that...
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Dr. Elisabeth Ogbonmwan: Championing Female Athlete Health – A Doctor, Triathlete & New Mum Balancing It All
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Dr. Elisabeth Ogbonmwan is a powerhouse—sports and exercise medicine doctor, triathlete, and new mum. Just nine weeks postpartum, she joins me on the Tough Girl Podcast to talk about the realities of balancing training with a busy career and family life. Lis shares her journey into sports, from loving swimming as a child to discovering running in her late 20s and ultimately embracing triathlon. She opens up about training while pregnant, navigating body image changes, and how she’s approaching her return to sport after giving birth. We also dive into her passion for female athlete...
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Sahir Permall – Cycling 2,800 miles Solo from Glasgow to Istanbul & Empowering Women Through Biking
Tough Girl Podcast
Sahir Permall is an adventurer, writer, and senior leader in the third sector who is passionate about getting more women on bikes. As the head of a Glasgow-based cycling charity, she is dedicated to making cycling more accessible and empowering women to experience the freedom of two wheels. In 2024, Sahir was named one of Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling after completing an epic solo ride from Glasgow to Istanbul, covering over 2,800 miles across 10 countries. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Sahir shares the story behind her journey—what inspired her to take on...
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Dr. Kerri Andrews – Author of Pathfinding, Exploring Walking, Motherhood & Freedom
Tough Girl Podcast
Dr. Kerri Andrews is a writer, academic, and passionate walker whose work explores the deep connection between women, walking, and storytelling. She is the author of Wanderers: A History of Women Walking and editor of Way Makers: An Anthology of Women's Writing about Walking. Her latest book, Pathfinding: On Walking, Motherhood and Freedom, is a deeply personal and thought-provoking exploration of how motherhood reshapes a woman’s identity, freedom, and relationship with the outdoors. Having developed a love for walking in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, Kerri...
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Ali Mahoney: Turning 50 with Purpose – Adventure, Motherhood, and the Hike Across Malta
Tough Girl Podcast
Ali, at 50 years young, is a dedicated mother, wife, and part-time Civil Servant from South Wales. With a lifelong passion for sport and adventure, Ali transitioned from competitive athletics to human-powered challenges after knee injuries redirected her path. To mark her milestone 50th birthday, Ali embarked on a deeply personal adventure: hiking across the island of Malta, the place where she took her very first steps as a toddler. While not her longest or most physically demanding challenge, this journey proved to be one of her most meaningful. In this episode, Ali reflects on her evolving...
info_outlineFrankie is a Women's Endurance Coach and Nutritionist, helping busy women achieve their endurance goals in the most holistic way possible.
From severe mental health struggles in her early twenties, to being hit by a car in 2020, Frankie is now a Norseman Xtreme Triathlon finisher and 4 x Marathon runner.
Founded in 2016, Pretty Strong Coaching was created to support and coach women struggling with their mental wellbeing. Having faced depression, chronic pain, and panic attacks, Frankie understands the struggles of mental health firsthand. After trying therapy, sleeping pills, and anti-depressants, she found healing through movement, nature, and nutrition.
Frankie provides a space where women can reconnect with their bodies, achieve their running and triathlon goals, and embrace a balanced, healthy lifestyle within a supportive community.
Through her coaching, Frankie empowers women to overcome mental barriers, conquer self-doubt, and tackle burnout, helping them become their strongest, healthiest selves.
This episode is a must-listen for those seeking motivation, practical insights into holistic health, and a reminder that with the right support and determination, it's possible to transform adversity into triumph. Tune in and be inspired to embrace your own journey toward strength and wellness!
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Show notes
- Who is Frankie
- Growing up with an active childhood in London
- Doing dance lessons and tennis with her sister
- Going into university in Leeds to study graphic design
- Stopping fitness, focusing on a busy social life
- Experiencing poor mental health at 24
- Signing off work due to stress
- Exploring ways to improve her wellbeing
- Studying happiness and health
- Recovering through moving the body and nourishing it
- Signing up for the London Marathon despite not being a runner
- Taking on the London Marathon after being told she couldn't do it
- Following a book to guide her training
- Meeting friends, seeing family, and enjoying the event
- How running has helped with her mental health
- Believing small victories help manage mental wellbeing
- The importance of consistency, endorphins, and alone time during runs for mental clarity and self-discovery
- Moving to Singapore for work
- Obtaining personal training qualification
- Growth of Frankie's coaching career
- Helping others achieve fitness goals and mental resilience
- Enjoying living in Singapore, having access to pools and sunshine
- Facing the challenge of extreme heat
- Having an air-conditioned indoor gym setup to handle the heat
- Participating in the annual event, The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
- Coaching 30 clients through the 2018 Singapore Marathon
- Designing the "Mind Over Marathon" programme to help women with mental health struggles prepare for the race
- Offering a safe space for women dealing with various issues
- Her challenging recovery process after being hit by a car in Singapore
- How cycling and swimming aid her healing
- Regaining her physical strength over a four-year period
- Applying for The Norseman Xtreme Triathlon
- Weighing the challenge of competing in the extreme triathlon in Norway while living in Singapore
- Partnering with Performance Bike Fitter for altitude training equipment
- Working with Trapeze Recovery Centre, providing ice baths, to acclimate to cold temperatures
- Travelling to Australia to train on actual hills
- Training on the Sunshine Coast with her support team and triathlete friends
- Growing anxiety and self-doubt as race day approaches
- The importance of her support crew to her success
- Finding peace and determination, pushing forward despite fears
- Driving the Norseman route backwards to familiarise themselves with the course
- Observing other experienced athletes, feeling a mix of intimidation and inspiration
- What was her race day morning like
- Swimming conservatively, following the coastline
- Swelling and loss of dexterity due to cold
- Transition from swim to bike (T1)
- Frankie's climbing challenges
- Facing a gruelling 35-kilometre climb with steep gradients
- Mental and physical strain on the bike
- Alone, battling wind, hail, and fatigue
- Pushing through some of the darkest moments of her race
- Transition from bike to run (T2)
- From flat to "Zombie Hill"
- Being joined by her support crew on the hill for safety
- Continuing to walk despite torrential thunderstorms
- Nutrition and hydration on the run
- Final words of advice
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