Naomi Rumble: Leading by Example – Overcoming Barriers and Redefining What an Athlete Looks Like
Release Date: 01/14/2025
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
Tough Girl Podcast
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_outlineIn 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 challenge to cycle from London to Brighton evolved into a love for endurance sports and, eventually, the bold decision to pursue triathlons.
Naomi shares her journey of overcoming self-doubt, learning to embrace running despite initial resistance, and finding strength through community and connection. As the first sponsored triathlete for Fund Her Tri UK, she’s not only pushing her own boundaries but also paving the way for others to step into the world of triathlons with confidence.
From cold-water swims and marathon struggles to managing self-talk and celebrating small wins, Naomi’s story is a testament to perseverance, courage, and the power of showing up for yourself.
Tune in as Naomi opens up about her experiences, shares invaluable lessons learned along the way, and offers advice to anyone looking to start their own sporting journey. This episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and actionable takeaways—you won’t want to miss it!
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Show notes
- Who is Naomi
- Working in market research as a 9-5 job
- Supporting running and cycling clubs
- Teaching swimming twice a week
- Growing up in London as a city girl
- Being in sports from a young age
- Starting swimming at age 4
- Doing taekwondo until 10 years old
- Trying to figure out what she likes; netball, basketball, shot-put, discus, boxing, archery, scouts.
- Never being fully consistent with sports all the way through
- Being willing to try new things and wanting to have new challenges
- Role models and the women who have inspired her
- Leaving university and starting work and how sport drifted off
- Not liking running
- How things changed during covid
- Cycling from London to Brighton
- Getting involved in sport in a more regular way
- How her view expanded on what’s possible
- Having the confidence and self belief to sign up to new challenges
- Being inspired to sing up for a Triathlon
- Women of Colour Cycling Collective
- Meeting Bianca Fernandez-Clark @biancatriathlon
- Fund Her Tri UK
- Becoming the first sponsored triathlete for Fund Her Trip UK
- Working towards a full distance triathlon
- How training took a toll on her body
- Needing to rest more and eat more protein
- The discipline needed to do the training
- The importance of discipline and dedication
- Cold water swimming/open water swimming
- Not liking the cold
- What happens when things fall apart and everything goes wrong
- Needing to stop in the water and just breathe
- Concerns and fears before taking up triathlon
- Not being a runner and not liking running
- Not calling herself a runner and finding running difficult
- Not being a fast runner
- Struggling with the breathing and overheating
- Jeffing (run/walk/run)
- Running the London marathon and what the experience was like
- How new opportunities can change your thinking
- Wanting to do an ironman
- Persevering though the tough moments
- Changing her tactics
- What her self talk looks like
- Managing negative thoughts
- The power of reflecting back
- Being her own worst critic
- Learning to celebrate the small wins
- Goals for 2025
- Team Outlaw
- Fitting in exercise and training
- Turning training into social events
- How to connect with Naomi
- Final words of advice
- Find your group and your community
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
- Figure out what works best for you.
Social Media
Instagram @nay.aminah