Sophie Pierce - First person with Cystic Fibrosis to row an ocean

In this deeply moving and inspiring episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Sophie Pierce, a 32-year-old social worker from Pembrokeshire, West Wales, who made history in March 2025 as the first person with Cystic Fibrosis to row an ocean.

Diagnosed at just 3 months old, Sophie has lived with the challenges of a genetic condition that affects her lungs and digestive system and once carried a life expectancy of under 30 years. But Sophie’s story is not defined by limitation—it's a bold testament to resilience, courage, and the power of hope.

From working in fostering services to hiking the Welsh coast with her dogs, swimming in cold water, and sleeping in her campervan—Sophie has never shied away from living life on her terms. 

In this episode, she opens up about the life-changing impact of the Kaftrio drug trial, how she overcame mental health struggles, and what it truly meant to embrace life beyond the horizon by rowing across the Atlantic.

She shares the highs and lows of the row: the months of preparation, team dynamics, magical moments at sea, and how it feels to return to "normal life" after an extraordinary adventure. Sophie's message is powerful and universal—you are capable of so much more than you think.

If you're looking for inspiration, perspective, and an honest exploration of living—and thriving—with a life-limiting condition, this episode is not to be missed.

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Show notes

• Who is Sophie
• 32 years old
• Living in Pembrokeshire, West Wales 
• Working as a social worker in fostering service
• Living with a genetic health condition - Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
• March 2025 - becoming the first person with CF to row an ocean
• What is CF
• Being born with it and getting diagnosed at 3 months old  
• Having a shorter lifespan 
• How CF affects her lungs and digestive system 
• Living with reduced lung function 
• Her younger years and how she was treated 
• Why exercise and being out in the fresh air is actively encouraged
• Not liking exercise as a child
• Growing up knowing she had CF and why it was normal
• Being empowered with CF and how her parents encouraged her
• Her mum reminding her to stay as well as she could for as long as she could, so she could benefit from treatments in the future. 
• Learning about her shorter life expectancy and managing those feelings 
• Adopting a positive attitude - being determined to live her life and not letting CF hold her back 
• Wanting to make the most of her time 
• Understanding that time is precious 
• Not needing a pension, savings or need to put down roots 
• The help and support available to help manage the mental and emotional challenges
• Experiencing panic attacks while her health was declining 
• Working with a psychologist 
• Using tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Feeling frightened of letting the big feelings of sadness in
• Feeling so sad about living with CF  
• The drug trial - 5 years ago 
• Taking the Kaftrio drug 
• The challenges of winter for CF patients 
• ‘The Purge’ - coughing for 24 hrs
• How her life and lungs has changed 
• Trustee for CF Trust 
• Being asked to row an ocean 
• Forming a crew of 4
• Stumbling blocks and being told no - by the World’s Toughest Row
• Atlantic Dash 
• Securing the finances and managing the stress of getting to the start line
• Her biggest fear and worrying about staying well enough to do the row 
• Getting out on to the ocean.
• Having electrical issues with the boat 
• Name of the boat - The Spirit of Bluestone 
• Magical moments on the Atlantic Ocean 
• Day 46 coming to the end of the row 
• Rowing schedule and needing to get extra sleep during the night 
• The challenges of team dynamics
• Finding their roles within the group
• Being the social secretary and bringing fun to the boat
• The biggest lesson from rowing the ocean
• You can do so much more than you think you can 
• Being supported by the right people around you
• Dealing with the adventure blues
• How life in weird after rowing an ocean
• Being in a really exciting place
• Future challenges?!
• Words of advice from the CF perspective 
• Learning to life with CF
• How to connect with Sophie
• You are capable of so much more than you think you are
• Learn to reframe the negative voices in your head

 

Social Media

Instagram

@sophiefpierce 

@cruisingfree2025