Sophie Etheridge: Breaking Barriers in Open Water – World Record English Channel Swim, Ultra Challenges & Disability Advocacy
Release Date: 03/27/2025
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_outlineSophie 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 tested her resilience, Sophie’s story is a testament to determination, adaptability, and the power of a strong support team.
She also speaks about her work in making swimming more accessible, advocating for better opportunities for disabled swimmers, and why she believes everyone should have the chance to experience the freedom of open water.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation about overcoming adversity, pushing boundaries, and the true meaning of endurance.
***
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/
Thank you for your amazing support!
***
Show notes
- Who is Sophie
- Ultra marathon swimmer and adaptive athlete.
- Previously peaking to Sophie on the Tough Girl Podcast (TGP) in August 23rd 2022
- Being the founder of ADOWS - Adaptive and Disabled Open Water Swimmers
- What we talked about the first time we spoke on the TGP
- What was happening in 2022
- The English Channel Relay Swim
- Marathon Swimming Federation
- Thinking about doing a solo English Channel swim
- Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Conference
- Wanting to complete the original swimming triple crown as a disabled person
- Getting sponsored to swim the English Channel
- What changed going forward
- Needing to have a medical and do a qualification swim
- Wanting to learn as much as she could about swimming the English Channel solo
- Going on a swim camp in Wales by herself and travelling solo
- Why 2023 was a very quick year, but took a long time
- Sharing her goal of a solo swim
- Having 8 months to train
- Starlight - shining a light on disability swimming
- Up-skilling swimming teachers and training them how to teach disabled people how to swim
- Having no doubts and the power of words and language
- Not being able to tread water and how that changed the feeding process
- The multiple challenges that Sophie would have to face during the swim
- Having a great crew and team around her
- Going on a spring tide and getting the last slot available to swim the channel
- The fear of getting out of the water at the end of the swim and not being able to use her legs…
- Expecting to do the swim in 18/19 hours
- The strategy and the plan for the swim
- Night swimming
- Swimming sideways for 7 hours and not being able to make any progress forward
- 29hrs 4 mins…. Swimming!
- Why it became more of a mental challenge
- Aiming to swim for 24hrs!
- Setting 3 world records and not knowing until back on the boat
- Reaching France
- Getting back on the boat and heading back to England
- Not celebrating straight away
- Getting a huge amount of press
- Raising over £6,000 for STA
- Fundraising for Level Water
- How to connect with Sophie and follow along with her challenges
- Final words of advice
- Find out the starting point
- Give yourself permission to let go and to try new things
- Why you never know where the journey is going to take you
Social Media
Website/Blog: sophie-adaptive-
Instagram: @sophie_adaptive_athlete
Facebook: @sophie_adaptive_athlete