Libsyn Directory

Sarah Williams - 800th Episode Special – 10 Years of the Tough Girl Podcast, 7,400 Miles of Adventure & What’s Coming Next!

Tough Girl Podcast

Release Date: 08/04/2025

Jenn Phillips - From Medical Menopause to Trail Leader: One Woman’s Journey to Outdoor Empowerment

Tough Girl Podcast

Jenn is a long-distance walker, community leader, and passionate advocate for women’s wellbeing in the outdoors — especially during menopause. From battling endometriosis, PCOS, and the trauma of an early medical menopause in her 20s, she was once told she couldn’t live the active, adventurous life she craved. She’s spent the last few years since proving otherwise — one footstep at a time. What began as a personal outlet for healing has evolved into something much bigger: being able to connect women to their strength through hiking, movement, and community. Whether she’s leading...

Hilde Dosogne – Marathon Woman 366: Running 366 Marathons in a Year at Age 55 to Break a Guinness World Record

Tough Girl Podcast

At age 55, Belgian runner Hilde Dosogne set out to break boundaries — and did just that. In 2024, she ran 366 marathons in 366 days, earning her the title of Guinness World Record holder for most consecutive marathons in a year. What makes Hilde’s journey so extraordinary is not just the distance she covered, but the relentless dedication she showed while working part-time and managing her daily life with laser-focused discipline. Known as Marathon Woman 366, Hilde didn’t grow up in a sporty family. In fact, she didn’t seriously take up running until her 40s....

Dr. Rosa Vasquez Espinoza – National Geographic Explorer, Amazon Scientist & Advocate for Indigenous Wisdom and Biodiversity

Tough Girl Podcast

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we journey into the heart of the Amazon and the mind of a remarkable woman pushing the boundaries of science, culture, and conservation—Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza. Rosa is a Peruvian chemical biologist, National Geographic Explorer, UN Harmony with Nature Scientist, and the founder of Amazon Research Internacional. Splitting her time between Bath, England, and the Peruvian rainforest, Rosa blends cutting-edge research with ancestral knowledge to protect biodiversity and uplift indigenous communities. Her...

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

Tough Girl Podcast

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...

Emma Wilkinson – Freelance Health Journalist, Ultra Runner & Co-Author of Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport

Tough Girl Podcast

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, we welcome Emma Wilkinson—a freelance health journalist, ultra runner, mother of three, and co-author of the empowering book Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport. Emma’s journey into ultra running didn’t begin until her 40s, but once she discovered the joy of going long and slow, there was no turning back. In this honest and motivating conversation, Emma shares how she went from half marathons and road running to self-created 100K adventures in the mountains of Snowdonia. Alongside fellow runner and friend Lily...

Lily Canter – Ultra Runner, Women’s Running Coach & Co-Author of Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport

Tough Girl Podcast

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Lily Canter—an ultra runner, women’s running coach, journalist, and passionate advocate for gender equality in sport. As co-author of the groundbreaking book Ultra Women, Lily is helping to challenge outdated narratives and spotlight the women redefining endurance running. Lily didn’t grow up considering herself sporty, but after joining a triathlon club in her 30s, she discovered a love for running that quickly evolved into a passion for ultras. What began as a spontaneous 30-mile run turned into a deeper journey into...

Tania Carmona – First Mexican Athlete to Complete the 5 Deserts Grand Slam: Ultrarunner, Coach, and Podcaster

Tough Girl Podcast

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Tania Carmona—a trailblazing ultrarunner, endurance coach, entrepreneur, and the first Mexican athlete to complete the 5 Deserts Grand Slam. From swimming as a national-level athlete in Mexico to conquering some of the toughest environments on Earth, Tania’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity. Based in Dubai and previously living in Scotland and the U.S., Tania shares her path into ultrarunning—from a reluctant marathon finisher to tackling self-supported races across the Gobi,...

Dr. Sarah Ruggins – Record-Breaking Endurance Cyclist on Pushing Limits, Managing Pain, and the Power of Aggressive Patience

Tough Girl Podcast

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Sarah Ruggins—a high-achieving investment professional, academic powerhouse, and now a record-breaking ultra-endurance cyclist. From her early days as a national-level track athlete in Canada to surviving complex PTSD and rebuilding her life, Sarah’s journey is one of transformation, resilience, and radical self-belief. In 2023, Sarah competed in the Transcontinental Bike Race, and in 2025, she took on her most audacious challenge yet: cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End and back...

Sarah Williams - 800th Episode Special – 10 Years of the Tough Girl Podcast, 7,400 Miles of Adventure & What’s Coming Next!

Tough Girl Podcast

I can’t quite believe it, but here we are — the 800th episode of the Tough Girl Podcast! In this special solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes for a personal catch-up and reflection on everything that’s happened so far in 2025 — from January through to August. I talk about what life has looked like lately (yes, still living at home with my parents!), working part-time at AIM Health, the adventures I’ve been on, the challenges I’ve faced, and the exciting things coming up next. This episode is a bit of everything: gear chat (flat-lay photos and a new...

Tia Banks – From Pro Athlete to Mountaineer: Climbing the 7 Volcanic Summits and Teaching Resilience Through Adventure

Tough Girl Podcast

In this powerful episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Tia Banks—a former professional basketball player turned mountaineer and certified resilience expert. Based in Texas, Tia is on a bold mission to climb all seven volcanic summits, one on each continent, using her journey as a platform to inspire strength, courage, and mental resilience. Her love for adventure began with Mount Kilimanjaro in 2021, where she faced illness, doubt, and the ultimate test of her mindset on summit night. But for Tia, mountaineering is more than reaching the top—it’s about how we...

More Episodes

I can’t quite believe it, but here we are — the 800th episode of the Tough Girl Podcast!

In this special solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes for a personal catch-up and reflection on everything that’s happened so far in 2025 — from January through to August. I talk about what life has looked like lately (yes, still living at home with my parents!), working part-time at AIM Health, the adventures I’ve been on, the challenges I’ve faced, and the exciting things coming up next.

This episode is a bit of everything: gear chat (flat-lay photos and a new Atom Pack!), health updates (peri-menopause, gut health, strength training, and more), financial planning (Patreon, pensions, broken laptops!), plus reflections on my time walking the English Camino, Snowdonia Slate Trail, and tackling the GR20 in Corsica — which was honestly tougher than the Marathon des Sables.

I’m also talking about my motivations for taking on the GR10, what I’ve learned in 10 years of podcasting, and why the mission — to increase the amount of female role models in the media especially in relation to adventure and physical challenges— is stronger than ever.

Thank you for being here with me on this journey. Whether you’ve listened from the start or are just finding the show now, I’m so incredibly grateful. This is a celebration of us — of consistency, resilience, growth, and dreaming big.

🎧 Tune in to hear what I’ve learned over 10 years, what’s changed (and what hasn’t), and where I see the podcast — and my adventures — heading next.

Let’s go!

🎙️ New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.

💪 Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.

🙏 Your support makes a difference. 💖 Thank you x

Show notes

Intro to the podcast - solo reflections episode with me - Sarah Williams
800th episode!
Reflecting back from January 2025 - to August 2025
Setting the scene - chaos in my room - kit and gear everywhere
Taking photos for the flat lay gear post
New backpack - atom pack - needing to go on a test hike
Agenda and plans for this episode
Behind the scenes and what’s been going on
Living at home with my parents since 2014
Working at AIM Health - structure, regular hours, income, access to therapies
Aim Health therapies - Cryotherapy, compression trousers, red light, HBOT, rebalance bed
Impact on my wellness and recovery
Saving money, emergency funds, breaking my laptop, spending money…
Saving money for my pension
Funds from patreon - paying for the website, music, search function, auphonic, Zoom costs
Root canal - and teeth looking good
Health - consistent with training, mobility and strength with Franco
Not trusting my ankles - needing to strap them up
Adult ballet
Yin yoga - not being as consistent as I would like (Kassandra Yin Yoga - Youtube)
Reflecting back - longevity - turning 44 - big jump in aging
Peri-menopause and menopause
Bioresonance, OligoScan
Feeling slightly fatigued - anaemic again? Blood test coming back normal
Too much cryotherapy? And stopping for the summer so as not to loose my heat adaption
Feeling everything is coming together and feeling strong and well
Gut health issues; belches, bacteria overgrowth, wheat free
October focus will be gut health and working with a nutritionist and Dr Cath
Home based for 7 months.
Adventures
April - Walking The English Camino with Gemma Smith - stats and filming and not having time to share online
Snowdonia Slate Trail - 5 day practice hike - getting back into the mountains again
Watch the Snowdonia Slate Trail - vlogs on YouTube
Why I recommend the Snowdonia Slate Trail
Public transport back from the trail
Wanting to get mountain fit
Hiking the GR20 with Alex Mason end of June, beginning of July
Cicerone Guidebooks
Abbie Barns Vlogs on the GR20
Meeting at Gatwick for a super early flight to Corsica
Watch the Tough Girl GR20 Vlogs on Youtube
Harder than Marathon des Sables
Mentally wanting to quit the challenge every day
Starting to doubt myself
Why I didn’t quit
Never quit on a bad day
The challenges of the first 3/4 days
The early starts - 5am starts
Not eating and feeling rough
Double stages….
Having the same goal to finish on the Friday
Needing more recovery at the start of the challenge
Always being able to push it on the final day
Change the plan, not the goal.
Why I’m taking on the GR10
The incredible trails in Europe, UK
Wanting to walk trails and spend time in the mountains
FKT website for GR10
BMC Women’s Adventure Film Competition - ‘Make a Difference Award’
Kendal Mountain Film Festival
Get involved in the film! Send in your clips! Has the tough girl podcast inspired you to take on your own adventure? (Filmed Horizontal)
YouTube Channel- update - slow growth
Being behind with editing the South West Coast Path Vlogs - 40 days of footage - 40 mins per day
Needing to get into flow with film/vlog editing
Are you an editor?! E-mail me!
Podcast update and next recording date in October
Tough Podcast Extra
Tough Girl Tribe - 1,600 strong
Shout out to Patrons - thank you so much for your support.
What I have learned in 10 years of podcasting
Why you need to start
Showing up and being consistent
Being a learning and continuing to learn and getting better
How quickly has the past 10 years gone
How has the mission changed? - It hasn’t! Still the same mission
Being more motivated than ever before
Feeling more pressure in relation to getting older
Being proud of the women who listen to the podcast, being proud of the guests and the women who are going through tough times.
Website changes and updates!
Thank you to Rebecca ‘Beck’ Mcpherson for creating the new artwork
The next 10 years - the Purple Decade
Over 7,400 miles of hiking and cycling, 13 countries and doing 31 challenges - Pink Decade
Putting all my goals out there
What’s going to happen?!
Would you want to go mega viral
Founder Marketing and why it’s good for your business
Goal - 10 Million Downloads
Goal - 100k followers on Youtube?
Awards? Film Festivals?
What’s going to happen?!
Loving my life and wanting to continue to travelling and going on adventures
Questions from listeners
How easy was it wild camping on the South West Coast Path
Wild Camping Principles
Bucket List Goal or challenge?
Pacific Crest Trail
Group/Team Challenge
Responsibility and stress
Repeating any hikes?!
Appalachian Trail in 100 days now? Easier or Harder?
Favourite country for camping and free hiking
Safety and managing the fear on trails.
Things you can control in advance
Things you can do while on the trail
GR10 - I’ll be sharing daily updates
Thank you for everything you are doing
10 years!!!
Time for you to think about what you want to achieve over the next 10 years
Have you created your list of goals, your vision board?
What excites you? There is no right or wrong.
I believe in you!