Ali Mahoney: Turning 50 with Purpose – Adventure, Motherhood, and the Hike Across Malta
Release Date: 03/06/2025
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,...
info_outline
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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_outlineAli, 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 identity as an adventurer, the struggles of balancing motherhood, work, and the pull for personal time in nature. Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and finding space for adventure amidst life’s many demands.
***
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 Ali
- 50 years old
- Living in South Wales with her wife Amy and her son Ollie
- Farm- life and working in the civil service
- How life has changed since we last spoke in 2016
- Speaking with Ali in 2016 - Sport Psychology Coach who rode a bike 767 miles from South Wales to Chamonix!
- Riding her bike from South Wales to Chamonix
- Going on more mini adventures
- Knowing each other for 10 years
- Seeing each other over the years
- National Outdoor Expo
- Being older mums
- Getting married
- Celebrating their 10 year anniversary
- Fitting adventure and sport into life now
- Deciding to have a child
- The process of adaptation
- Peri menopause and menopause
- What her 40s were like
- A new chapter
- Celebrating turning 50 and what it was like
- Thinking up new ideas and challenges
- Wanting it to be meaningful and significant
- The connection to Malta
- Planning to walk across the island
- Deciding to apply for the Tim Moss Adventure Grant - “The Next Challenge”
- Have a go, you never know!
- No adventures is too small
- Being granted £150 for the cost of the challenge
- Telling her wife Amy about the challenge
- Is is practically possible? How can we make it work?
- Balancing the family dynamics
- The logistics for the hike and training for the hike
- Being in the worst shape of her life
- Figuring out the accommodation as she went
- Dealing with the heat and humidity in Malta during August!
- When the doubt started to creep in
- Mentally getting in the zone and being ready to start confident
- Being sensible in the heat
- Planning her own route on google maps
- Starting on the most easterly point
- Having time to herself to reflect and look back on life and plan for the future
- The lessons learned from the walk
- Figuring out the balance between solo time and family time
- Dealing with feelings of guilt and “mum guilt”
- Looking towards the next decade
- Penrhys Pilgrimage Way
- Glamping pods on the farm
- Living Life Differently Podcast
- Getting into a new routine
- We need more women sharing their stories!!
- Celebrating the end of the challenge and how it compares to other challenges done previously
- Why it felt so meaningful
- Don’t compare your challenge to anyone else and what they are doing
- How to connect with Ali on the socials
- Advice and top tips to motivate and inspire you
- Linking ability and belief together
- Build your belief
- Build your confidence
- Unlock the power of belief
Social Media
Facebook: www.
Instagram: @themahojos
YouTube: @TheMahoJos