loader from loading.io

Renee McGregor – World Renowned Expert in Athlete Health & Performance, Ultra-Runner, and Women’s Sports Advocate

Tough Girl Podcast

Release Date: 02/27/2025

Dee Anna: From Survivor to Disabled Adventuress – Finding Strength in Nature. show art 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,...

info_outline
Sherry Cardona: Ultra Endurance Cyclist and Content Creator – Tackling the Toughest Bikepacking Races show art 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...

info_outline
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. show art 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...

info_outline
Shannon Hogan: Ultra Endurance Athlete & Author of The Unforgiving Hours: The Grit, Resilience, and Perseverance at the Heart of Endurance Sports show art 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...

info_outline
Dr. Caitlin Massone: Overcoming Eating Disorders Through Endurance Sports, Neuroscience & Nature – Author of Running from Perfection show art 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...

info_outline
Sophie Etheridge: Breaking Barriers in Open Water – World Record English Channel Swim, Ultra Challenges & Disability Advocacy show art 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...

info_outline
Dr. Elisabeth Ogbonmwan: Championing Female Athlete Health – A Doctor, Triathlete & New Mum Balancing It All show art 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...

info_outline
Sahir Permall – Cycling 2,800 miles Solo from Glasgow to Istanbul & Empowering Women Through Biking show art 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...

info_outline
Dr. Kerri Andrews – Author of Pathfinding, Exploring Walking, Motherhood & Freedom show art 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...

info_outline
Ali Mahoney: Turning 50 with Purpose – Adventure, Motherhood, and the Hike Across Malta show art 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_outline
 
More Episodes

Renee McGregor is a world-renowned sports dietitian, ultra-runner, and advocate for women in sport. With over 20 years of experience working with elite athletes, she’s passionate about helping individuals fuel their adventures, align with their core values, and thrive in both sport and life. As a trustee of Black Trail Runners, Renee is also dedicated to making the outdoors more inclusive.

In this episode, we dive deep into Renee’s journey—both professionally and personally—since we last spoke in 2016. From launching her own consultancy and leading a team of eight, to navigating life changes, an autoimmune diagnosis, and the challenges of peri-menopause, Renee shares her honest and insightful perspective on resilience, performance, and wellbeing.

What to Expect in This Episode:
🔥 How Renee’s career has evolved over the years
🥗 The truth about carbs, sugar, and fuelling for endurance
🏃‍♀️ The impact of running on mental resilience and stress management
📖 Her latest book, Fuel for Thought, and why nutrition should be accessible for all
🎥 Unfiltered—a powerful and deeply personal film following Renee’s journey through endurance sports, advocacy, and resilience.

💡 Why trusting your body is key and the myths around glucose monitoring
🙌 Creating a supportive community in sport and beyond

Whether you're an athlete, outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for inspiration on navigating life’s challenges, this conversation is packed with wisdom, practical advice, and powerful storytelling.

🎧 Listen now and get inspired!

***

🎙️ Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, dropping every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women.

💪 Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.

🙏 Thank you for your amazing support!

***

Previous TGP episodes with Renee

Jul 26, 2016 - A Leading sports and eating disorder specialist dietitian with over 15 years experience working in nutrition. Renee works with elite athletes, coaches and sports science teams to provide nutritional strategies to enhance sports performance. 

Dec 1, 2016 - Talking about how to get the balance right between periods, health, and performance.  

***

Show notes

  • Who is Renee
  • Being known for her work and how it has changed over the years
  • Living in Cumbria 
  • When we first spoke back in July 2016 and then in Dec 2016
  • Book: Fast Fuel Food for Triathlon Success 
  • Book: Fast Fuel Food for Running Success
  • What’s being going on over the past 9 years?
  • Carbs and sugar
  • How her life has changed since 2016 
  • Starting up her own consultancy and working with a team of 8 people
  • Going through a divorce and focusing on her girls
  • Continuing to build on her running
  • Writing 2 more books
  • Her adult daughters
  • Working with different types of teams
  • Wanting to help athletes
  • Wanting to align with her core values
  • Having a high tolerance for distress
  • How her running has helped her to manage stressful situations
  • The running community and feeling supported
  • Being diagnosed with an auto immune condition 
  • Creating a strong community on social media and using her platform to educate
  • Wanting people to find the joy in running and eating 
  • NEW Book: Fuel for Thought A practical guide to fuelling for your adventures 
  • Wanting food to be accessible for everyone
  • Her personal journey and what she’s learnt along the way
  • Wanting people to thrive 
  • Wearing a personalised glucose monitor?
  • Why food is not the only thing that affects glucose levels
  • Why there can be false reading
  • Having a shot of cider vinegar before a meal…. 
  • The fear of glucose spiking 
  • Being able to trust your body and losing site of that
  • Our genetic blueprint
  • Tracking periods and training 
  • Her journey with peri-menopause
  • Changes in mood and dealing with anxiety
  • HRT?
  • New film - Unfiltered 
  • How the film came about
  • Jenny Tough - SOLO film
  • Wanting to make a film about women and mothers
  • Suffering from racial abuse and not feeling welcomed
  • Wanting to help women to stop feeling so much pressure
  • Going on tour with the film
  • Kendal Mountain Film Festival 
  • Fort Williams Mountain Film Festival 
  • London Mountain Festival - 15th March 2025 - Riverside Studios, Hammersmith
  • How you can connect with Renee
  • Thinking about starting a substack?
  • Final words of advice - “There will be something to learn even from the pain”

 

Social Media

Instagram @r_mcgregor

Unfiltered website - to find out where you can see the film

www.unfilteredfilm.com

Book:  Fuel for Thought A practical guide to fuelling for your adventures

Fuel for Thought by leading sports dietitian Renee McGregor is a practical guide to sports nutrition. Cutting through the jargon and misinformation, Renee draws on over twenty years’ experience of working with sportspeople from a range of disciplines to provide straightforward, accessible advice about how you can fuel your adventures.