Tough Girl Podcast

The Tough Girl Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration from women who dare to dream big, push boundaries, and redefine what’s possible. Hosted by adventurer and speaker Sarah Williams, the podcast shares the raw, real, and remarkable stories of women from around the world who have taken on extraordinary challenges — from climbing mountains and crossing oceans to running ultramarathons and biking across continents. Each episode dives deep into the journeys behind the achievements: the grit, resilience, setbacks, and triumphs. These conversations aren't just about finish lines — they’re about courage, growth, and what it truly means to step outside your comfort zone. Whether you’re seeking motivation for your next adventure, training for your first race, or simply want to be uplifted by stories of women doing extraordinary things, the Tough Girl Podcast is here to show you that you are capable of so much more than you realise. Be inspired. Get motivated. Feel empowered.

Clare Dyson: Mountain Leader, Slow Adventure Advocate and Creating Space for Women in the Outdoors 07/21/2026

Clare Dyson: Mountain Leader, Slow Adventure Advocate and Creating Space for Women in the Outdoors Clare Dyson is a Mountain Leader, outdoor facilitator, and founder of the Women’s Adventure Academy, based in the Lake District where she has spent over 20 years guiding people through the mountains and valleys she calls home. With a deep passion for slow adventure, Clare is dedicated to helping people reconnect with nature, move at their own pace, and build confidence in wild spaces. Her work blends outdoor leadership, education, and storytelling, creating opportunities for others—especially women—to step outside, explore remote places, and feel at home in the outdoors. In this episode, Clare shares her journey from growing up with a love of sport and horses to becoming a Mountain Leader, working across the Lake District, and shaping a life rooted in nature, freedom, and connection. She opens up about the challenges and opportunities of working in the outdoors, and why slowing down can often lead to the most meaningful adventures. We also explore the creation of the Women’s Adventure Academy, how it came to life, and why building confidence, community, and skills in the outdoors is so important for the next generation of women adventurers. Listen to this episode to hear how Clare has built a life around slow adventure, why nature can be a powerful space for healing and growth, and how you can start creating your own outdoor adventures—no matter your pace or experience. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Living in Kendal in the Lake District for the past 22 years Living with her dog and partner Working in the outdoors as a Mountain Leader and Gardener Enjoying life in her mid-forties Being a freelancer for Doing a Masters in outdoors experiential learning The Setting up the Women’s Adventure Academy with Being sporty and outdoorsy from a young age Starting horse riding in her teenage years Having her family home burn down during her teenage years and how the outdoors helped Her journey into the outdoors and how it evolved Going to university and getting into rock climbing Heading over to New Zealand Moving up to the Lake District after graduation Gaining experience in the outdoors and being surrounded by brilliant people sharing their knowledge Becoming a Not knowing where to start What adventure looks like now Slow adventure and being in tune with the natural world Working with young people Being asked - what do you really want to do? Wanting to ride a horse around the Lake District Heading off in May Meeting incredible people on the way Pushing the boundaries in a slow and different way Why it’s ok to go slow in the outdoors The Women’s Adventure Academy and how it came together Making a film called ‘Thriving’ with Fjall Raven Building confidence and skills Deciding to run the Women’s Adventure Academy on her own Why setting a date is so helpful The BBC making a 1 minute film and it going viral! The Lake District is like an ecological desert Starting to celebrate the farmers who are doing a lot Deciding to do a second journey and visit the regenerative farmers Having the film premiere at The next slow adventure Doing an 8 day adventure across the Lake District with the Big Hoof Charity Figuring out her masters dissertation topic How to connect with Clare on social media Final words of advice Set a date Find your tribe Social Media Website: Instagram: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/42141270

Catherine Breed – From the Pool to the Pacific Ocean: Swimming the Length of California and Redefining What Adventure Looks Like Today 07/14/2026

Catherine Breed – From the Pool to the Pacific Ocean: Swimming the Length of California and Redefining What Adventure Looks Like Today Catherine Breed is an endurance athlete, ocean explorer, and visionary storyteller redefining what modern adventure can look like — where human performance, environmental connection, and community impact meet. Drawn to the water from an early age, Catherine’s journey began in elite competitive swimming, representing UC Berkeley and the U.S. National Team. Years of disciplined training shaped her understanding of resilience and focus, but her true evolution began when she stepped beyond the structure of the pool and into the vast unpredictability of open water. In 2016, Catherine found her home within San Francisco’s historic open-water swimming community at the Dolphin Club, where cold water, powerful tides, and a culture of bold exploration challenged her to redefine limits. Surrounded by legendary swimmers and lifelong adventurers, she began pursuing ambitious endurance swims that transformed swimming from competition into exploration — and ultimately into a platform for storytelling and impact. From this transition emerged a guiding philosophy: Beyond the Blackline — a mindset rooted in stepping beyond certainty, embracing discomfort, and forging new paths without predefined boundaries. What began as a personal journey evolved into a broader vision: using human-powered adventure as a catalyst for connection — between people, between communities, and between humanity and the ocean. Today, Catherine’s work extends far beyond individual achievement. She is the founder of purpose-driven initiatives that combine endurance sport, storytelling, and ocean advocacy to inspire meaningful engagement with the natural world. Her projects invite audiences to rethink what is possible — not only physically, but emotionally and collectively — demonstrating how bold goals can spark curiosity, resilience, and environmental stewardship. At the heart of her mission is a belief that access to the ocean should be inclusive and transformative. Catherine advocates for greater equity and representation in ocean spaces, particularly for women and underrepresented communities, while championing the protection of marine ecosystems through experiential storytelling and community engagement. As a speaker, expedition leader, and storyteller, Catherine brings audiences into the raw realities of exploration — the uncertainty, the risk, and the profound clarity found when we step beyond familiar boundaries. Her work challenges conventional ideas of endurance, shifting the focus from records alone toward purpose-driven adventure that leaves lasting impact. Going beyond the black line was never just about swimming. It was about choosing a life guided by curiosity, courage, and connection — and creating pathways for others to do the same. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Catherine ‘Cat’ 33 years old living in California, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge Identifying as ultra endurance athlete Loving to push herself, especially doing big marathon swims Her early years growing up in the middle of nowhere, but next to a lake Starting to get into age group swimming at 4 years old Sailing and spending time in and around the Pacific Ocean Her love for the water The discipline and commitment to swimming and why it is such a gruelling sport The sacrifice and not seeing it as a sacrifice at that age Being surrounded by like minded people Body issues and dealing with periods Building self confidence Breaking records in the marathon swimming space and how that builds confidence in her ability Transitioning into longer swims , San Francisco Swimming the length of Lake Tahoe (21 miles) Moving from speed to endurance Having a great mentor Training from a place of failure Being dedicated to the process Fitting training into her schedule and work life Recovery - sleep and massage Advice for good sleep Night time and morning routine Nutrition and supplements for training and during races Oatmeal, eggs and olive oil! Having a strong stomach Feeling like death after 12 hour swims What Swim California is Story telling though sport Founding a non profit to get more girls and women into the ocean The logistics behind the challenge attempt and why it’s a team effort The physical training and focusing on putting on muscle mass Wearing a wetsuit for the swim Having a director of logistics Getting the community involved Working with 10/13 non profit organisations The dangers of the swim Media Partner How people can support Final words of wisdom to motivate and inspire women and girls to take on their own adventures and challenges Don’t be afraid to start - Don’t be afraid to be a beginner You are braver than you think - you are tougher than you think Surround yourself with people who will build you up Go after the scary thing! You can do it! Social Media Website: Instagram: Linkedin: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/42064415

Ria Xi - Running 20,000km Across the Silk Road to Redefine What's Possible 07/07/2026

Ria Xi - Running 20,000km Across the Silk Road to Redefine What's Possible Two years ago, Ria was burnt out from her tech career in Silicon Valley, coming out of a difficult relationship, and struggling with mental health issues. Running became her way out. Within a year, she went from struggling to finish a half marathon to setting ultramarathon records on world-renowned routes. The Via Francigena: 1,014 km in 21 days The Camino de Santiago: 780 km in 12 days And now she has just started her journey to become the first human to run across Eurasia on the silk road, or what she calls: the 20000km Experiment. In this episode, Ria shares how running helped her rebuild her life, the mindset shifts that enabled her to go from beginner to record-breaking ultrarunner, and the enormous logistical challenge of planning a 20,000km expedition through 17 countries. Listen to this episode to learn about resilience, finding purpose after burnout, taking bold leaps into the unknown, and why sometimes the most "delusional" dreams are the ones worth pursuing. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Ria? Trying to run across the Asia and Europe on the Silk Road Currently being in her support vehicle in the northeast of China, approx. 17 days into her journey Calling in from the road after running 50km Growing up in China as a child figure skater Trying to make the Olympics Living on the edge of Beijing Moving to the USA at 14 for school Suffering from some knee injuries and not being into running Her final year of high school and trying out running in nature Going through a significant breakup Starting to run everyday for 30 days Struggling with depression and reaching the point where nothing made sense Having no control over the situation of her life Not knowing what to do with herself Being in Chamonix and being inspired by the humans running the Going to Egypt to become a free diving instructor in Egypt Going from a half marathon to running 539km Deciding to run across the length of the silk road Continuing to challenge herself in daily distances Running the Sinai Trail and what the experience was like The logistics and planning behind the trail Running in Egypt The logistics of the Silk Road Journey and pulling it all together Planning for over a year and a half Visa’s and being able to run through 17 countries Being supported by her crew and how it works day to day Paying for the running, the crew and the gear Being supported by internet strangers and creating a “It’s only delusional until it’s not." Running day after day The power of sleep and feeling more refreshed mentally Finding motivation in many different ways Rest days Dealing with a car accident and food poisoning Connecting with Ria Daily updates…. Planned! Planning on starting a Patreon, YouTube channel and podcast! Words of advice for women Social Media Website: Instagram: Youtube: GoFundMe: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41966390

Dr Irene Molina-Gonzalez - Running Beyond Burnout and Finding a New Purpose 06/30/2026

Dr Irene Molina-Gonzalez - Running Beyond Burnout and Finding a New Purpose Irene is a sports scientist, endurance coach, and ultra-runner originally from Spain, now based in the UK. She moved to the UK in 2013 to pursue a Master’s degree, intending to stay only briefly, but quickly fell in love with the country and never left. Her journey into ultra-running was entirely unplanned. She only started running consistently in 2017 during her PhD in Neuroscience, initially as a way to cope with academic stress. Distances gradually increased, and without even realising ultramarathons existed, she found herself constantly curious about how far she could go. Once she ran beyond 21 km, something clicked—and she never looked back. Running became both a coping mechanism and, at times, a source of imbalance. A combination of PhD stress, under-fuelling, disordered eating, and overtraining led to injury after her first ultramarathon in 2021. While challenging, that injury marked a turning point. Although her academic career appeared highly successful from the outside, Irene was experiencing severe burnout and quietly drifting away from neuroscience. In January 2023, she left academia altogether after a period of profound burnout. Ultra-running remained a constant during this time and ultimately helped her rebuild. By then, she had already completed coaching and sports rehabilitation qualifications, and the transition into applied sport felt natural. She founded Train4BodyMind, combining science, performance, and a more holistic approach to endurance sport. Later that year, Irene began a second MSc in Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine, while simultaneously building her coaching business and working in a physiotherapy clinic. Throughout this journey, she became increasingly aware of a major gap in sports science: the lack of research and evidence-based guidance for women. While searching for answers about her own body, she realised how little research existed on female endurance athletes—particularly in ultra-running. This led her to investigate how the menstrual cycle affects performance in female ultrarunners, an area that had been largely overlooked despite the extreme demands of the sport. Today, Irene is passionate about supporting women in endurance sports through evidence-based coaching and education. She is particularly focused on countering the widespread misinformation surrounding women’s physiology and rigid cycle-based rules, which often create fear rather than empowerment. Her work aims to help women understand their bodies better, train with confidence, and use their physiology as a strength rather than a limitation. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Originally from Spain, now living in Edinburgh, Scotland in the UK Working as a running coach for women, specialising in ultra marathons Being a sports scientistic and science nerd Her early years growing up in Spain Developing an eating disorder and spending time in hospital Not being able to get involved in sports Getting into running when she moved to the UK Starting her Neuroscience PhD in 2017 Wanting to do an ultra marathon Becoming addicted to the ultra distances Experiencing burnout Deciding to do a shift in her career and move into coaching Getting into running to be able to disconnect Being an ultra runner before she knew about ultra marathons Using running to help manage stress Not fuelling enough during running and dealing with niggles and injuries Being very alone and not having support around her Getting injured and having to stop running The turning point in her life Working with a physiotherapist Starting to study coaching ultra marathons Losing the attachment with her career and starting a different path Leaving academia, her job and becoming unemployed at 33 years old Learning how to coach herself Going deep into the science of ultra running Studying for her masters in Sports Science Researching into the menstrual cycle and ultra runners Why the menstrual cycle is a health marker Dr Stacy Simms - Tough Girl Podcast episode Coaching women on an individual basis The importance of educating women about periods and menstruation Racing in Snowdonia Getting the balance right with training and work Being organised and the importance of knowing what you are doing Doing strength training and why it’s non negotiable for a runner Breaking down the training into different phases and periods The final phase and tapering Making training work for her Visualising what can go wrong and right during the race Helping to prepare your mind Magical moments from UTS after DNF’ing the race previously Why it was one of the best races of her life Training your body and your mind The mental preparation- advice and tips for other runners to train their brain for success Her coaching philosophy Focusing on longevity How to connect with Irene Being most active on Instagram and Strava Social Media Website: Instagram: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41856175

Helen Spencer – Vet, Polar Explorer & South Pole Ski Adventurer 06/23/2026

Helen Spencer – Vet, Polar Explorer & South Pole Ski Adventurer Meet Helen Spencer, a veterinarian from Kent who swapped clinic life for the extremes of the world. From hiking in Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Yemen to caring for orangutans in Borneo, Helen has chased adventure across the globe. In this episode, she shares her journey to ski the last degree to the South Pole, including: Training, kit prep, and polar skills courses The physical and mental challenges of long polar expeditions Coping with loss, vulnerability, and finding strength on the ice Lessons in perseverance, confidence, and small steps toward big dreams Helen’s story is a testament to courage, resilience, and pursuing your goals—even when the journey is long and demanding. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Helen Being based in Kent Growing up on a farm and having a lot of freedom Becoming a vet Wanting more adventure Working for the charity: World Wide Veterinary Service In her free time loving to travel Leaving school and travelling with her backpack, and staying in hostels Starting to do a few solo and group expeditions Hiking in Afganistan, Madagascar, Mongolia, Yemen, Palestine, North Korea Recently skiing the last degree of the South Pole Building her confidence with travelling Earning enough money to go f Having a budget of £10 per day Spending time in Borneo looking after Orangutans Being a shy, farm kid growing up and being better with animals than people Having 5 years at university Having a neighbour who had a zoo and spending time helping out at the zoo Knowing what she wanted to do when she was 5 Building internal confidence Hiking in Afganistan’s Wakhan Corridor Why expedition are about the people you meet as well as where you go Getting the balance right between being social enough but also having time for herself Needing time out and making sure she has her own tent Having a 10 day tolerance on expeditions Her goal to ski to the the pole in Antarctica and where the dream came from Being fascinated by polar history A week long polar skills course in Finse, Norway Needing a challenge - being in bad mental and physical health Taking some time out after selling her veterinarian clinic in London Having a year to get in shape Training at the in London Not being able to test her kit Receiving a lot of help and advice Heading to to have her fitness tested Heading over to Antarctica and what it was like Being out on the ice and why it was like being out on the open ocean Pulling the pulk at altitude on the ice Why it was a physical challenge but also a mental challenge Her way of coping with difficulties Wanting to feel small Being there mid summer, when the sun never sets. Rainbows and halos forming around the sun Being able to move forward after the challenge Trying to cope with the loss of her parents in an accident, 2 weeks before she was due to be married Being in a dark place Coping by being on her own and doing physical endurance Wanting to be broken down and feel vulnerable Getting to the pole and why it was hugely emotional Why it meant everything to her Kick on Fundraising £20K in memory of her mum who had Parkinson’s Gaining confidence, a bit more self assurance and pride. Spending 3 weeks in Antarctica, and skiing for 8 days Tent life… Going to the loo! Code Brown! Pooing in a bag and packing out your poo. The worst bit of the expedition and having to leave your warm sleeping bag How to connect with Helen on Social Media Final words of advice Some dreams can take time Taking small steps and trying the thing you want to do Her mantras in life…. “Don’t be a dick to yourself”, “Don’t be a dick to others” and Don’t be a dick with our environment” Social Media Instagram: Justgiving: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41473085

Dr. Shawna Pandya – Canada’s First Named Female Commercial Astronaut & Space Medicine Pioneer 06/16/2026

Dr. Shawna Pandya – Canada’s First Named Female Commercial Astronaut & Space Medicine Pioneer Meet Dr. Shawna Pandya, Canada’s first named female commercial astronaut and a leading figure in space medicine. From emergency medicine to aquanaut missions and suborbital research flights, Shawna has trained to thrive in some of the most extreme environments on Earth—and soon, in space. In this episode, she shares her journey from a childhood inspired by Dr. Roberta Bondar, through neuroscience and medical training, to testing spacesuits in zero gravity and completing multiple NEPTUNE aquanaut missions. We dive into: The challenges of spaceflight on the body and mind The “RIDGE” framework Radiation, Isolation, Distance, Gravity, Environment Using emergency medicine, diving, and piloting to build operational readiness Maintaining balance, avoiding burnout, and living a life aligned with values Preparing for her upcoming flight with Virgin Galactic Shawna’s story is a masterclass in perseverance, curiosity, and aiming for the stars—literally. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Shawna Being Canada’s first named female Astronaut Her early years and growing up in the 90s Wanting to be an Astronaut since she was a child and being inspired by Dr. Roberta Bondar Simplifying things Wanting to follow in her footsteps Doing a neuroscience degree The influence of her parents of Canada Doing outdoor education during junior high and building her spirit of adventure Inheriting her work ethic from her parents - thinking the normal work day was from 7am to 10pm Sharing her goal and telling people what she wanted to achieve Taking a family trip to Australia at 12 years old and being obsessed with the Southern Night Sky Not knowing if it will work out or not - Having to love the grind and the journey Keeping focused on the goal Not letting other people opinions stop her Her parents wanting her to have a realistic career ambition The roadmap included medicine After doing her undergrad in neuroscience and applying for medical school Having a back up plan - just in case International Space University - Masters Program Asking medical school for a deferral Doing an internship at the European Space Agency European Space Centre and making a meaningful contribution to space medicine Dealing with criticism Having balance in her life and not suffering from burnout Pursuing the trajectory as a research astronaut - and still maintaining her clinical hours in emergency medicine Work life balance Why she does’t burn out Living her life according to her values Having complete control over her schedule Being surrounded by good people Finding fulfilment and loving what she does Being inspired to be a better version of herself everyday Fitness and health in space Bone density and muscle mass Space Medicine The challenges of space flight environment and why it’s trying to kill you The “RIDGE” Framework short for Space Radiation, Isolation and Confinement, Distance from Earth, Gravity fields, and Hostile/Closed Environments. Altered day night cycles - 1 sunrise/sunset every 90 mins - 16 sunrise - sunset cycles per 24hr period every and how it interferes with your sleep cycle Micro-gravity and how it affects your bodily systems Physical activity as therapy and using it as a way of investing in herself. The days she doesn’t make it to the gym Needing to change something up - or end up burning out Learning diving skills and spending time underwater Looking for transferable skills Being operational good and a good team mate Operational environments: - emergency medicine, diving, sky diving and piloting The importance of having aqua-naught experience Going on 2 NEPTUNE Missions NEPTUNE (Nautical Experiments in Physiology, Technology and Underwater Exploration) Building her space flight readiness Learning to handle stress in challenging situations Why there is no room for ego Using emergency medicine as an example Escalation patterns of communication Question - Suggestion - Statement - Command Why there is a time and place for everything If everything is urgent - nothing is urgent! Urgency fatigue - not knowing what do first Being aware of what tools you have at your disposal High risk - high reward scenarios The countdown to flight Since 2021 - the launch of private companies into space Going to space for research What kind of astronaut do you want to be? Being a research astronaut Training flights as a team - and getting to fly with her good friends Figuring out research priorities The outreach aspects of what they do Science diplomacy The lead up to the space flight Managing fears and concerns Having a job to do Being aware of the need to be prepared Deciding on the final payloads Dealing with periods in space Quick Fire Questions Being an evening person Not scheduling early morning meetings Starting her day at 9am Favourite movie and favourite space movie 2007 movie - Sunshine Book inspiration - Chris Hatfield - An Astronaut’s guide to Earth Music inspiration - liking high adrenaline workout play lists Liking the John Wicks Soundtrack Beach or mountains.. Favourite food at home and in space High RPM skipping Rest and relaxation Her love for birds - having a 56g Lovebird - ‘Jules’ Mantra and words she lives by - ‘You’ve got this” Words from mum - “Keep going” - “Keep moving” Words from dad - “What’s the difference between success and activity? Success is eating tomato soup with a spoon, activity is eating tomato soup with a fork” How to connect and follow along on social media Final words of advice and wisdom for other girls who want to pursue Pick what you want to do, aim to be really, really good at it. Aim to become the hardest working person in the room. Because the work ethic is free. Work really hard to get to where you want to be and then act like you belong there, because you do. You just need to make space for yourself. Social Media Website: Linkedin: Instagram: Facebook: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41472975

Jeannette McGill: Everest at 52, Leadership at Altitude & The Truth Above 8,000m 06/09/2026

Jeannette McGill: Everest at 52, Leadership at Altitude & The Truth Above 8,000m Jeannette McGill is a seasoned mountaineer and executive leader who, at 52, became the oldest South African woman to summit Everest in May 2025. With more than 30 years of global climbing experience—including leading expeditions across four continents—she knows deeply that the summit is never just about standing on top. Jeannette’s journey is a testament to patience, resilience, and the quiet power of backing yourself, no matter how many setbacks you face. Beyond her personal achievements, she is passionate about demystifying the modern-day myths of Everest and advocates instead for the very real challenges mountain terrains face through climate change globally. Having been there herself, she brings an informed, honest perspective on what is truly happening above 8,000m. Today, Jeannette combines her love for high-altitude adventure with leadership on Boards and helping others explore their own limits. She also supports future generations through leading snow camps in the Victorian Alps and mountaineering scholarships, believing that mountains are powerful teachers of courage and humility. Her story is not just about conquering peaks but about becoming the kind of person who dares to try. We first spoke with Jeannette on 7th January 2021 - *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Jeanette Corporate executive, board director and most importantly a mountaineer South African by origin, located in Melbourne and spending up to 5 months in Nepal TGP Episode - Her Mt. Everest dream A one day - someday project… How climbing Mt. Everest came to the forefront of her mind To be a real mountaineer you needed to tick Mt. Everest off the list Deciding to go in a different direction in 1995 The pivotal moment - university and having a career or entering the climbing competition Pursuing her career Was Mt. Everest a realistic goal? Growing into the project Adding Mt. Everest to the bucket list after covid Going through a back surgery and perimenopause and deciding that 2023 would be her Mt. Everest year Using Mera Peak as an acclimatisation strategy Getting sick and not recovering well, getting to camp 2 and not being able to continue. Heading back to Australia and deciding to go back in 2024 Deciding to gift herself the power of a mid-life sabbatical Exciting her role in December 2023 and starting to train properly for Mt. Everest in 2024 Joining a small team Mechanical failure on the mountain - her jumar not working and getting word that her house in Australia had burnt down. Getting to the South Col and not being in the right head space. Knowing she was making the right decision to turn around and head back down the mountain Dealing with the frustration and disappointment and why it was difficult Not being in a good head space. Needing to pivot and become nomadic during the winter Floundering and not knowing what was next Deciding that she would regret it if she didn’t back herself one final time. Pivoting and making the best of the situation Having flexibility and deciding to do Mt. Everest one last time Figuring out where to do the winter work - in either Scotland or New Zealand Packing up and heading over to New Zealand to do training Doing more mountain work, on the NZ Alps in the South Island How it became a more personal/internal objective/goal What training looked like Working with a mental and physical coach Using Returning to Manaslu in the fall of 2024 Muscle endurance - steep hills in NZ out of Queenstown carrying 20kgs Following a structured gym program Her ‘A’ Team Figuring out through processes and what could derail her Having cheat sheets e.g. a mopey list to keep her focused on her goal and what she needed to do Heading back to Mt Everest in 2025 and wanting to do the Everest - Lhotse Double (having 2 permits) Acclimatising on Mt. Mera Peak Being an older climber and the changes she made Sleeping at camp 3 on her rotation Heading up to the balcony The challenge of the 2025 season Dealing with extreme winds and not being able to stand up Having to turn around - returning to her tent on the South Col and being hit with disappointment. Maybe climbing Mt. Everest just isn’t going to happen again - shedding a tear Having her main sherpa needing to head back down to camp 2 Having the opportunity to go for the summit of Mt. Everest the following night Now or never!!!!! Starting to prepare, getting herself together and heading back to the balcony before reaching the summit Reaching the summit - A surreal, glorious moment. Crying on the summit and why she will never forget it The descent back to base camp - dealing with fatigue Being able to look after herself on the descent The afterwards - Relief? Adventure blues? The pressure on herself to achieve the goal Being at peace with herself Needing to rest this calendar year and savour her summit Wallowing in the peace and knowledge of achievement How to connect with Jeannette Final words of advice for other women who want to take on their own mountains and challenges Keep stretching your fear muscle Social Media Website: Instagram: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41472865

Lauren Burnison – Pioneering the Sober Travel Movement and Adventures of a Single Mum 06/02/2026

Lauren Burnison – Pioneering the Sober Travel Movement and Adventures of a Single Mum Lauren Burnison is the founder of We Love Lucid, the UK’s first alcohol-free travel company, and a trailblazer in the sober travel movement. From couch-surfing with nomads on the Mongolian steppe to snorkelling with sharks in Oman, Lauren has spent her life seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures—and this year, she took a two-month road trip through Spain and Portugal in a micro camper with her four-year-old daughter to celebrate ten years of sobriety. In this candid conversation, Lauren shares her journey from self-destructive habits to sobriety, how travel became her school of life, and the joys and challenges of being a single parent exploring the world. She talks about starting We Love Lucid, the lessons learned while traveling solo and with her daughter, and how adventure can transform the way we see ourselves. Explicit content: We touch on drugs, drinking, and addiction. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lauren Coming from Northern Ireland Originally 41 years old Founder of We Love Lucid - The UK's First Alcohol-free Travel Company Being a single mum to a very energetic 4 year old girl Being an aspiring writer Reflecting back on her early years Being very creative, loving animals, and growing up in the countryside Where her love of travel came from Starting to learn Spanish in school and how her teacher inspired her Having a knack for learning languages Finding a diary entry from when she was 15 years old Having an ambition to learn Spanish and French and wanting to live in Spain Getting to visit Spain at 16 on a sports camp Having her eyes opened and feeling invigorated while travelling on the road Why A’Levels were such a slog and hated being told what to do Being confident about travelling Deciding to travel around South America Getting into drugs and going down a self destructive path Heading back home to go to university Spending 6 months in Barcelona - working in a pizza restaurant and living in a tent Getting her degree Being taken further down the path and still being self destructive Making changes at 32 Wanting to explore and see more of the world - spending time in South Africa Getting in more and more trouble Turning 30 and heading to South Korea to work as an English Teacher Having the best and worst moments of her life Hitting rock bottom and deciding not to drink ever since Getting in trouble, and having the fear of losing her life Partying with Chinese Dwarfs Seeing how bad her behaviour had gotten Feeling and being alone on this part of the journey Drinking 4 nights a week The hardest part - being faced with this situation of not knowing who she was Who is Lauren? Having to deal with difficult emotions. Feeing so vulnerable The night she decided to quit drinking Creating ‘We Love Lucid’ and how it helped her stay connected with the sober community Visiting the vast empty spaces in Mongolia Growing up with horses and riding horses Wanting to ride horses in Mongolia and how it turned in to a trip of self discovery Trying to figure out the next steps Why life is not just good or bad - it’s a mixture of everything Heading to the South of Spain and doing a workaday experience over there How the idea for - We Love Lucid came about Not having a positive view of sobriety Thinking about her experiences as a sober person travelling Starting to run the trips Why the trips are all about connecting with sober people Cycling from Beer to Soberton…. Why not all projects turn out how you want them to Not wanting to be a quitter Getting to 70 miles….. Why it was a bit of a failure, but also a valuable lesson at the same time Riding up the East Coast of Korea on a bike to North Korea The goodness of people How travel and adventure changed after having her daughter Feeling as though her world has been shrinking How it affected her mentally - with not being able to travel The realities of being a single mum in Scotland How her life seems so normal Starting to go away with her daughter Being on a road trip in Portugal for 1/2 months Trying to escape the winter in the UK Needing to stay in the UK and going with that Starting to accept the reality Wanting to start her blog - “Adventures of a single, sober mum” Being able to afford a micro camper Why trips are a condensed school of life The beauty and joy of the quiet moments Walking with 12 women on the Santiago de Compostela - Sober Coach How to connect with Lauren The stigma around being a single parent Wanting to feel more empowered Final words of advice for other women Change is possible Being inspired by Try something hard, push yourself out of your comfort zone. Social Media Website: - The UK's First Alcohol-free Travel Company Instagram: Substack: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41472640

Helen Dainty – First Woman to Cycle Across Libya & 9 Years Living on £50 a Week by Bike 05/26/2026

Helen Dainty – First Woman to Cycle Across Libya & 9 Years Living on £50 a Week by Bike In this Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode, we catch up with Helen Dainty — solo female cyclist, self-described “full-time global hobo,” and one of the most committed long-distance bike travellers you’ll ever meet. For the past decade, Helen has spent nine years on the road, travelling exclusively by bicycle and living on around £50 a week. She’s cycled across Australia, ridden from London to Nordkapp and back, travelled extensively through the Middle East and North Africa — and in 2025 became the first woman to cycle across Libya. When war in Sudan forced her to abandon an overland route into East Africa, Helen adapted and rerouted — because that’s what life on the road demands: flexibility, resilience, and the ability to trust the process. In this episode, we dive into what’s happened since we last spoke in January 2022. From navigating complex visa systems (including Algeria and Libya), to travelling with police security details, being detained in Libya, and accepting incredible hospitality through the Warm Showers community — Helen shares the raw, practical realities of long-term cycle touring. We also talk about: The logistics of visas with a British passport Working with visa agents and last-minute plan changes Cycling in Algeria and Libya Budget travel (sticking to AUD $100 per week) Her bike setup — switching from chain to belt drive Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and long-distance reliability Not collecting souvenirs and living with less Documenting her journey on YouTube (and the time spent editing!) Saying yes to unexpected opportunities Helen also opens up about going through perimenopause and menopause while cycling through deserts — dealing with extreme sadness, brain fog, hot sweats in the middle of the night, and coming out the other side feeling stronger and more balanced. At 47, she believes she has another strong decade of adventure ahead — and she’s not slowing down. Looking forward, Helen plans to spend the next two years cycling down the west coast of Africa in an attempt to circle the continent, before eventually heading back towards Australia through Asia. Her advice for women wanting to do something different? Say yes to the opportunity — you can work out the details on the way. Accept without hesitation. Raw, honest, practical and deeply inspiring — this is a powerful catch-up with a woman who has built her entire life around two wheels. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Helen Catching up since we last spoke Cycling through the Middle East and Africa TGP Episode - January 2022 - TGP Extra Episode - What’s changed?! Going back to the start of 2022 Taking the ferry from Turkey to Lebanon Flying home to surprise her family for Christmas Setting off toward Iran in 2022 The practical side of travel - visa’s, entering and leaving countries (with a British Passport) Saudi Arabia and Oman using a E-visa system Getting a visa for Algeria - paperwork, needing to be in your home country while applying for the visa, face to face visit to the Embassy in London Visa’s for Libya - not being issues and needing to work with a contact to get a visa Using a visa agent - Last minute change of plans and trying to extend a 2 week visa while in the country - which proved impossible Booking accommodation to get the visa Cycle touring being a little stressful at times Cycling in Algeria for a few days and what the experience was like hosts Accepting hospitality Having an Algerian security detail (police) and what that entails Needing to trust the process Having her passport taken off her… Arrested/detained in Libya by the police Finding affordable accommodation Tourist sites in Algeria and Libya Not meeting other bike packers in Libya How it all happened…. Saying yes to opportunities as they present themselves Libyan Cycling Centre Starting to share videos on Youtube and documenting her trips Working on improving the sound quality Aiming for 8 min vlogs The time spend editing…. Sticking to her budget of AUD $100 a week The bike, the bike set up and new gear Changing from a chain to a belt drive Getting a new saddle - What is a belt drive and needing a specific frame for it and how it works Why it’s popular with long distance tourers Marathon Plus tires Not collecting souvenirs Day to day emotions and loving life on the road Not having any plans to stop cycling Heading into Western Africa - and taking 2 years to cycle down the coast Planning to cycle back to Australia through Asia 47 years old - another good decade ahead of her Going through menopause 3/4 years ago Not knowing what was happening in 2021/2022 and not undertaking that she was going through perimenopause Experiencing extreme sadness and brain fog Feeling more balanced and having less brain fog, and less depression bouts Having hot sweats in the desert, in the middle of the night Feeling glad to be on the other side of it Starting to think about bone density Cycling down the West Coast of Africa Using this downtime over winter to plan out her route and sort out visa’s. Taking her dad to Ethiopia How to connect with Helen on social media and follow along with her journey 9,570 subscribers on YouTube - wanting to reach 10k! Final words of advice for women who want to do something different and take on new challenges Say yes to an opportunity -you can work out the details on the way Accept without hesitation! Social Media All links: Instagram: Facebook: Youtube: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41418720

Chloe Stead – From Navy Life to Nomadic Living, Caminos, Grief & Choosing a Simpler Way 05/21/2026

Chloe Stead – From Navy Life to Nomadic Living, Caminos, Grief & Choosing a Simpler Way In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Chloe Stead — 42 years old and currently living in a rustic tiny shack in the bush in Tasmania with her husband — but her journey to this simple life has been anything but ordinary. Since 2008, Chloe has been living a travelling, nomadic lifestyle. After leaving school at 18 to join the Navy and later working in health and safety in Perth, Australia, she reached a quiet breaking point while staying at the Whim Creek Hotel in 2006. A simple but powerful thought surfaced: There has to be more to life than this. Within a week, she sold her house, packed up a shipping container, took her dog, and began driving solo around Australia with just $500 AUD — despite being petrified of sleeping in a tent. That leap of faith set the course for the next chapter of her life. But Chloe’s story is not just about adventure — it’s about grief, reinvention, and learning to live on her own terms. After the sudden death of her partner Willy in 2013, everything stopped. In the depths of grief, Chloe stepped away from social media, let go of her old life, and slowly began again. Meditation, yoga retreats, and eventually walking the Camino de Santiago in 2014 became turning points. Carrying everything on her back, she discovered a deep love for minimalism, simplicity, and self-reliance. Over the years, Chloe has: Walked multiple Caminos including the Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo and Via de la Plata Hitchhiked and walked along the beaches of Uruguay Taken a 10,000km road trip with her dog Dexter Lived off less than $100 AUD per week Worked seasonally to fund months of adventure Cycled from Alaska to San Francisco (86 nights in a tent!) Walked the Wales Coast Path and the Portuguese Camino Chosen to stay off social media to be fully present on trail Now married, Chloe continues to design a life built around freedom, movement, and intentional simplicity. With big adventures planned for 2026 — including walking the South West Coast Path and the GR10 — she shares honestly about navigating partnership on trail, managing knee issues, strength training gains, and why getting to the start line is often the hardest part. This conversation is about: Letting go of possessions and expectations Living with uncertainty Processing grief through movement Creating “trail life” off-trail Why you don’t need technology to experience adventure Trusting that the universe conspires to keep you going And why you should “give it a crack and get to the start line.” Chloe’s message is simple but powerful: Life is uncertain. Don’t put things off. If there’s something you want to do — take the plunge. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Chloe 42 years old, currently living in Tasmania in a rustic tiny shack in the bush with her husband Living a travelling lifestyle since 2008 What was the lead up to making changes in her life Leaving school at 18 and joining the Navy 2006 living in Perth, Australia and having a job in health and safety Starting to feel different when staying at the Whim Creek Hotel Thinking that there has to be more to life 100 things to see and do in Australia before you die Selling her house within a week, filling up a shipping container Taking her dog and starting to drive solo around Australia Being encouraged by a friend - to just do it! Not being in tune with herself Highlights from spending time on the road, driving around Australia Starting off with $500 AUD and getting a job Spending the trip just driving around Being petrified of staying in a tent Pitching her tent and staying in it for the first time Meeting a boy, Willy (which wasn’t part of the plan!) Deciding to move to New Zealand (2009 - 2010) Backpacking around Europe for 3 months Planning every day and having a very tight schedule Feeling disheartened with her experience Needing to do something spontaneous Backpacking around Cambodia for 3 weeks with no plan Seeing a flyer about yoga and meditation Struggling with mental health and things in life Doing a yoga retreat in Australia and doing a deep dive into meditation Starting to work in farming around Australia 2013 and the year of her 30th birthday Deciding to go to South America to visit Machu Picchu Willys death and how it stopped everything Not knowing how to cope The funeral and not wanting to live where she was living or work where she was working Getting rid of her phone and getting off social media Starting again and wanting to forget Needing to deal with the grief Going back to mediation and doing a workshop which helped Learning about the Caminos in Spain Walking the camino in April 2014 (The way of st James) Not knowing what she was doing and carrying far too much stuff Learning a lot on the way Not being very open on the French Camino Learning a lot from Willys death and making a promise to him Doing what she wanted to do with her life - no excuses Falling in love with a minimalistic, simple way of life Waling with everything on her back and how it agreed with her Finding her passion and purpose Living this simple life Needing to create trail life, while off trail 2016 - waling the Camino del Norte and the Camino Primitivo 2017 - hitchhiked and walked along the beaches in Uruguay Feeling safe and not feeling alone 2018 - ten years since starting her nomadic journey and taking a 10,000km road trip with her dog - Dexter Needing to sort out her stuff in the shipping container Feeling so much lighter without all of her possessions Losing Dexter in 2019 Doing a silent retreat in Bali Wanting to do a 5 year walk around the world Not having any more responsibility and having ultimate freedom Working in Tasmania in 2020 and dealing with Covid and why it was so difficult Buying a block of land and a 1976 Volkswagen Kombi Van Self reliance and simplicity 2022 and the world starting to open up again Starting to work again to make money and giving up on the idea of the 5 yr walk around the world Her 40th birthday and wanting to walk 2,000km to celebrate it Meeting Will 2023 - Walking the Wales Coast Path and the Portuguese Camino Discovery the Tough Girl Youtube Channel! Buying the Cicerone - Wales Coast Path Guidebook Trying to plan the first few days Wild camping on her first night How things just kept working out Heading to Bali in 2024 Doing some backpacking in 2025, throughout Vietnam, Laos and Thailand Needing to thru hike these caminos by herself Finishing the Camino Via de la Plata. Getting married! Being the planner in the relationship Deciding to do a bike trip in America - cycling from Alaska to San Fransisco (86 nights in the tent) The challenges of adventures with a partner and navigating them together Needing to focus more on recovery and needing to put more effort into training before adventures Adventures booked for 2026 - Walking the SWCP and the GR10! Starting 1st June! Thinking this is crazy and how am I going to do this! Why you just need to start and the rest will unfold Why getting to the start line is always tricky - mentally Noticing her improvements in running at park run after strength training Having some knee problems Starting on the creatine and having more energy during the summer Not being on social media and being in the moment. Final words of advice for other women who want to live life differently and live life on their own terms Life is pretty uncertain, and definitely our time here is uncertain. Don’t put things off to the future. If there’s something that you want to do, take the plunge. The universe conspires to keep you going Learning to live with less over the years and how money has become more abundant Working for 6/7 months of the year, and 1 month of earnings goes towards her future Living off less than $100 AUD a week Stopping working after earning $20,000 dollars and coming back to a $3,000 dollar tax cheque Give it a crack - get to the start line. Keep that dream at the front of your mind Don’t be afraid NOT to use technology on trails - walking the trails with just a guidebook or map Social Media None. /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41374145

Aisyah Rafaee - 2x Olympic Rower on Comebacks, Mental Strength & Redefining High Performance in Your 30s 05/19/2026

Aisyah Rafaee - 2x Olympic Rower on Comebacks, Mental Strength & Redefining High Performance in Your 30s In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Aisyah Rafaee – a two-time Olympic rower from Singapore who competed at the Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the single scull. After taking an eight-year break from the sport, Aisyah made the bold decision to return—qualifying for Paris 2024 as one of the oldest athletes in the field and redefining what it means to be a high-performing athlete in your 30s. Originally from Singapore and now based in Boston, USA, Aisyah grew up with four brothers and discovered rowing after being scouted during an indoor competition at school. With limited rowing culture and opportunities in Singapore, she carved her own path—training overseas in Sydney, qualifying through a fiercely competitive Asian selection process, and representing Singapore on the world stage. But her journey hasn’t been linear. From struggling with pressure at her first Olympics to working with mental skills coach Hansen Bay, from stepping away from elite sport to rediscovering her love for movement, from fracturing her ribs a month before Paris to qualifying with just six months to go—this is a powerful conversation about identity, resilience, vulnerability, and growth. Now working as a HYDROW Athlete and Mental Performance Coach with 3HP Athlete Coaching, Aisyah shares insights on: Building confidence and resilience Letting go of expectations Separating identity from performance The realities of returning to elite sport after time away Training and mindset during pregnancy Why rowing is a lifelong sport Her philosophy of the 3Hs: Happy, Healthy & High Performing This episode is about trusting your timing, embracing new chapters, and asking yourself: Is this smart for me? Aisyah’s story is proof that it’s never “too late” to chase a dream — and that high performance can evolve with you. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Aisyah Being based in Boston, USA Originally from Singapore Working as a Working as a Mental Performance Coach 2x Olympic rower in the single sculll Competing at the 2016 and 2024 Olympics Learning to live a normal life outside of sports Growing up in Singapore with 4 brothers 3 older brothers and 1 younger brother Being sporty and learning to be competitive Living a simple life and being raised by her mum after her parents got divorced Not knowing where her mindset comes from Wanting to be the best version of herself Not being surrounded by high performance individuals Starting rowing, Singapore not having much of a rowing culture Getting scouted at her secondary school during an indoor rowing competition The importance of hight in rowing 5’8 (173cm)and being tall for an Asian Woman Learning how to row on land with the ergo The challenges and continuing to show u to training Not enjoying it at first Getting out on the water and spending more time in the water than on the water The lack of opportunities in Singapore Why the Olympics was not on her radar Wanting to be the best at it and wanting to represent Singapore Team sport (Netball) V individual endeavours (Rower) The Rowing in a single scull Winning gold in 2013 and beating a 2x Olympian Quitting her job and training full time in Australian When the seed got planted about going to the Olympics Deciding to go and train over in Sydney, Australia Building confidence and winning competitions Qualifying for the 2016 Olympics - the Asian Qualification Criteria for that cycle 16 countries competing for 7 spots Dealing with the pressure of going to the Olympics and being able to perform at the highest level The weight of expectation and not being able to perform Working with the The power of letting go of expectations, facing the fear, how losing can tie into identity, building confidence and resilience The practical side of mental preparation Communication and trust Learning how to be vulnerable Why it took more than 1 session Taking an 8 year gap and what happened Trying to retire from sports and wanting to focus on her career 2018 and deciding to do some soul searching and heading to the USA to work as a rowing coach in Boston Meeting her current husband Getting into marathon running and thinking about trying out for the Paris Olympics 2023 - visiting Paris Thinking she was too old to row in the Olympics in her 30s Having 6 months to qualify for the Paris Olympics Qualifying in April 2024 and getting the last spot available The Paris Olympics and what it was like Fracturing her ribs a month before the games Having her family there to support her Handing the pressure the 2nd time around Motivation during training Keeping her eye on the prize Moving her body Being in a different chapter in her life Being a HYROW Athlete and how it works Advice for women who want to get into rowing Why it’s a lifelong sport How to connect and follow along with Ariesyah 3Hs - Happy, Healthy and High Performing Training for a marathon in 2026 and finding out she’s pregnant! Fitness and health during pregnancy Top tips and advice to listen to your body Is this smart for me? Think of the bigger picture Social Media Website: Instagram: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41237060

Lauren Roerick “Longway” – Thru-Hiking the World: PCT, HexaTrek & Te Araroa 05/12/2026

Lauren Roerick “Longway” – Thru-Hiking the World: PCT, HexaTrek & Te Araroa Lauren Roerick, known on trail as Longway, is a long-distance backpacker, filmmaker, and outdoor educator who has hiked across North America, Europe, and Oceania. From the Pacific Crest Trail to New Zealand’s Te Araroa, and becoming the first North American woman to thru-hike France’s 3,034 km HexaTrek, Lauren shares her adventures and the lessons they’ve taught her. In this episode, she talks about stepping into the world of long-distance hiking in her 30s, navigating challenges on remote trails, making decisions in the moment, and learning to trust herself. Through her storytelling and filmmaking, Lauren inspires women to build confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection with the outdoors—proving that it’s never too late to take that first step. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lauren Long distance backpacker and film maker Currently in California, but normally based out of Vancouver, Canada Her early year growing up in a small city in Southern Alberta called Lethbridge Not getting into backpacking until her 30s Playing a lot of sports, being a gymnasts, playing rugby and doing jujitsu What changed in her 30s A walk in the books by Bill Bryson - the classic thru-hiker read Having the courage to take the step to make her dreams come true Why the first step is the hardest You get one life…. Being willing to sacrifice the other things What’s really important to you Support from family March 2020 and being on the trail when the pandemic started Moving in with her mum in Southern California for 4 months Making the decision to leave the trail Why it wasn’t an easy decision to make Heading back the following year (2021) and not knowing if she would get the chance to hike again Being made redundant after 6 months Finding a southbound permit for the at the end of June Being drawn to hike on long trails Making life long friendships and building community while hiking Starting to document her hikes as soon as she started Vlogging for Being a documenter - but not having experience in vlogging Her biggest challenge while being on the The fires, the weather and needing to adapt to the trail Making the decision to fly to Colorado to hike the Doing back to back hiking since 2023 Wanting to make a career out of this Needing to go all in Deciding that it was ok to be tired Her love for the trails Taking things a little slower when you need to Finding a balance that works for her Deciding to hike the Choosing a trail off the beaten track Not speaking French HexaTrek is a 3034 km hiking trail, connecting 14 of the most beautiful nationals parks and crossing France from the Vosges to the Pyrenees. The people on the trail Wanting to make more solo decisions and building those skills Making decisions when you don’t have good options Trusting her gut and intuition Learning acceptance while on the trail Thoughts on the Hexatrek and why it’s not a beginner trail Spending 4 months on the trail (121 days) Feeling strong and fit at the end of the trail Having 3 months before heading out to New Zealand to hike the Heading NOBO on the TA - starting in Bluff and heading to Cape Reinga (the non traditional way) Highlights from the trail and why it’s such an interesting trail in New Zealand Why it’s not just about the hiking The logistics off the trail - and why it was frustrating The lessons learned from hiking the TA Changing from a purist hiker to a hike your own hike, hiker. Making it her own adventure, doing side quests and making the adventure unique to her Sharing her stories online and hiking while being observed People expectations of her while hiking Figuring out what works for you Hiking in Georgia - and loving it! Nutrition and food while on the trail Eating the same food day after day and being ok with it Wearing trainers on the trial Hiking Plans for 2026 Hiking with a group of content creators - Working with Being booked out until October Feeing excited about the future Advice and tips for new hikers - the tropics that should be talked about me Don’t get overwhelmed by the whole trail How to connect with Lauren online Final words of advice for women to step outside their comfort zone It’s okay to want things for yourself. It’s okay to prioritise yourself and your dream - even it that sometimes means putting them ahead of other people’s goals. Social Media Website: Instagram: Youtube: Patreon /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41236940

Paula McGuire – Stroke, Autism Diagnosis & Why She’s Still Saying Yes to Adventure 05/05/2026

Paula McGuire – Stroke, Autism Diagnosis & Why She’s Still Saying Yes to Adventure In this Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode, we catch up with Paula “Must Try Harder” McGuire — author, speaker, triathlete, wing-walker, double TEDx speaker, mental health ambassador… and proudly, a trier. Based just outside Glasgow, Paula has been adventuring since 2015 and has built a reputation for trying something new every day — including completing 366 new experiences in 2020. But the years since we last spoke have brought extraordinary challenges. Paula shares openly about being diagnosed as autistic at 44, having a stroke at the end of 2021 and developing epilepsy, going through a divorce after 15 years of marriage, losing her home to a flood, and navigating post-stroke fatigue — all while spending six months in enforced van life. We talk about how adventure supported her through the hardest moments, how her neurodivergent brain fuels her love of planning and trying, and why you don’t need to be the best at something to enjoy giving it a go. Paula also reflects on writing her book Adventures for Bored Adults (commissioned by Penguin), rediscovering her love of swimming, and learning acceptance in the face of uncertainty. Honest, funny and deeply human, this conversation is about resilience, identity, and continuing to say yes — even when life doesn’t go to plan. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Paula Being based just outside of Glasgow Being adventuring since 2015 TGP Episode Working as an electronic note taker and captioner for deaf people TGP Extra Episode 6 years since we last spoke How things have changed over the past few years in quite negative ways before eventually turning to a positive thing In 2020 trying something new every day 366 new things (leap year!) Starting off the year really positively How it became an adventure in creativity Feeling exhausted after the year was over What that the last few years have taught her Figuring out her place in the world of adventure Being ready to relax Social media not coming naturally to her Struggling with the negativity of social media Paula has tried hard enough - Paula is done. Being diagnosed with Autism at 44 6 months of enforced van life (November 24 - May 25) At the end of 2021 having a stroke and developing epilepsy Her husband leaving her after 15 years and going through a divorce Losing her house after a flood One thing after another Feeling that the universe had turned against her Feeling very lucky Brain tumour?? Start to prepare for Paula last Christmas Moving on with a stroke and the potential for more strokes in the future How the adventures from before really supported her Reminding herself of things she achieved, things that she’d failed at and survived Adventure and acceptance Continuing to do fun things A to Z of Adventure Post stroke fatigue Not sticking to things - buying all the gear Getting the most mental stimulation in the trying Wanting to be the person who tries it all Her love for swimming and going back to it again and again Her neurodivergent brain - the planning, the execution, the reflecting Being butterfly minded Why you don’t need to be the best at everything to enjoy having ago Coping with how your brain works How her entire life has become clear after her diagnosis Advent(ure) Writing a book commissioned by Penguin Book: Adventures for Bored Adults: Games. Challenges. Activities. Treats. How to connect with Paula on social media Supporting people with mental health Advice for women going through lots of challenges Social Media Website: Instagram: Facebook: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41129750

Rebecca Dent: High-Performance Dietitian for Ultra Runners & Mountain Athletes 04/28/2026

Rebecca Dent: High-Performance Dietitian for Ultra Runners & Mountain Athletes Rebecca Dent is a high-performance dietitian specialising in ultra runners and mountain sport athletes — from passionate recreational runners to world-class professionals. Based in the Chamonix Valley for the past 10 years, she combines her expertise in performance nutrition with a life immersed in ski touring, trail running, mountaineering, and the mountains she loves. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Rebecca shares her journey from the Forest of Dean to the French Alps, balancing elite-level training with everyday life, and the nutrition strategies that help athletes optimise performance, recovery, and health — particularly for women navigating hormonal changes and perimenopause. We talk race day fuel, strength training, managing limiting beliefs, and why it’s never too late to start a new adventure. Whether you’re chasing your first trail race or aiming to summit Mont Blanc, Rebecca’s insights will inspire you to push your limits while taking care of your body. New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time). Support the Tough Girl mission via Patreon: *** Show notes Who is Rebecca Working as a high performance dietician for 25 years Starting out in the NHS, before moving into elite sport Focusing on climber and ultra runners Moving to the Chamonix Valley in the French Alps, 10 years ago Training for an ultra race in Snowdon Being passionate about ski touring, trail running, hiking, climbing and spending time in the mountains Growing up in the Forest of Dean in a little village Spending a lot of time outdoors Starting trail running in her teenage years Always enjoying athletics and being inspired by the women on TV Doing GCSE PE and A’Level PE Having fun doing sports in a team environment Deciding what to study at university Niching down in her career Being exposed in the NHS to different areas of health care Starting to enter trail races and pushing herself physically Her running journey and progression in the sport Entering into races for fun Following a training plan for a 50k trail race in Snowdon Using Training Peaks and working with a coach Doing approx 7hr of training per week Using sports drinks, gels, kindle mint cake, chews and jelly sweets Needing to get good at running up hill Doing 2, 1hr gym sessions per week 46 years old and why it’s so important to strength train Perimenopause and changes in hormones Changes in body composition and carrying extra body fat Starting to work with a personal trainer once a week How a change in hormones can affect your confidence and mood Feeling stronger and lifting heavier How the extra’s were creeping in Eating well and focusing on things that were easy to change Focusing on the protein What a typical breakfast, lunch, and dinner looks like Keep things simple and nutritious Doing a recovery shake after the gym Race day nutrition - before, during and after Being guided (by her husband) up Mont Blanc - up and down in 1 day Struggling with acclimatisation The mental side of running and climbing Reflecting and working on her limiting beliefs Being able to regulate thoughts that are’t helpful Reframing thoughts Dealing with disappointment Being good at feeling your feelings Planning, logistics, and being organised Deciding to pull back and focus on resting and recouping Doing an ultra every 2 to 5 years Being a procrastinator Having to make training a priority Why it is hard sometimes Needing to have a balance with life Why some things do need to be delayed How to connect with Rebecca on social media Final words of wisdom and advice It’s not too late!!!! Find what it is you’re interested in Social Media Website: Instagram: Facebook: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/41042430

Manika Gamble – Racing 155-Mile Desert Ultras & Chasing Bold Adventures 04/21/2026

Manika Gamble – Racing 155-Mile Desert Ultras & Chasing Bold Adventures In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Manika Gamble — an Atlanta-based trail runner who thrives on testing her limits in some of the world’s toughest ultra races. Manika’s running journey started with casual neighbourhood runs, but soon she found herself racing 155-mile desert ultras in Africa, tackling Mongolia’s Gobi March, and pushing through multi-stage, extreme endurance events. She shares the highs, the lows, and the mental grit it takes to keep moving when every muscle is screaming. We dive into: Training by feel, without a watch or GPS Fueling, hydration, and surviving the desert heat Coping with pain, blisters, and fatigue without relying on painkillers Recovery strategies, sleep, and balancing life with training The mental challenges of multi-day ultra races Staying motivated and tackling new adventures outside your comfort zone Manika’s message is simple: don’t let fear hold you back. Find what excites you, lean in, and see what you’re capable of. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Manika Being based out of Atlanta, USA Trail Runner Currently training for a race our in Morocco Running every since she was a child but being new to long distance running Always being an active child Going out for the track team and how it became her whole life Focusing on 100 m and 400 m hurdles Wanting to run further Dreaming of the day she would be able to run casually Starting with 20 min runs throughout the neighbourhood Signing up for more and more races from 5k, up to Marathon distance Deciding to take on an ultra race Seeing a YouTube video of a man running in Namibia, Africa Signing up for the race and giving herself a 1 year time line to train for The running logistics and what her training looked like Being a laidback person when it comes to a training schedule Not running with a watch or gps tracking device Training based on feel and time Leaning about fuelling and nutrition and how to manage herself in the desert Carrying everything she needed on her back for 7 days while running through the desert Learning how to hydrate probably What worked well nutrition wise while racing Using The mental and emotional side of the challenge Why it was so tough Why it was such a beautiful race Issues with her feet and dealing with blisters Dealing with pain and not being able to block it out Not being able to take pain medication - due to the heat and potential damage to organs Telling herself - you’re not going to stop Trying to divert her mind from the pain Camp life Finishing the race and the thoughts running through her head Never Again…. Sprinting V Longer Races What does recovery look like? Incorporating creatine into her diet, resting more, prioritising sleep and taking on less races Taking 5g of creatine in the morning, and 5g in the evening Taking other supplements, Magnesium, potassium and starting to take athletic green in the future Trying to have a well rounded diet based on feel with a focus on protein, fibre and carbs Trying the carnivore diet but not having the energy to run Waking at 4am - but staying in bed till 6am Not napping during the day Heading over to Mongolia to race the Gobi March (250km across the desert) Racing the Planet Racing on green trails through the Mongolian Desert Getting very tired of eating the same food day after day How things changed mentally having done the Nambia Race previously Getting bored of the green pastures - being ready for it to be over Feeling mentally drained on her 2nd Ultra Too much too soon? Racing in Mongolia only 6 weeks after Nambia Racing the Planet - Grand Slam Challenge Trying to raise funds to race an ultra in Antarctica ($14,100) Fitting training into her life and work Having a pretty flexible schedule and stating to work with brand Using running as work , Atlanta Challenge (May 16th & 17th) Races for 2026 Training for a team relay 100k challenge Running a Marathon in Morocco Running a 3 day stage race through Utah How to connect with Manika on social media Advice and top tips for other women who want to take on new challenges Outside of just do it Don’t allow fear to rule you Find something that intrigues you and go with that Social Media Instagram: Youtube: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40812895

Lisa Jackson: Still Running After All These Tears — Grief, Running & the Triumph of Tenacity 04/14/2026

Lisa Jackson: Still Running After All These Tears — Grief, Running & the Triumph of Tenacity Lisa Jackson is a hypnotherapist, running writer, Runner’s World columnist, and the author of three bestselling running books, including Your Pace or Mine?, Running Made Easy, and her deeply personal latest release, Still Running After All These Tears – A Runner’s Journey Through Grief. Originally from South Africa and now based in Worthing, UK, Lisa is a veteran of over 100 marathons and two 56-mile ultramarathons — despite often coming last. A proud reminder that endurance sport isn’t about talent or speed, but about showing up, again and again. In this powerful and emotional episode, Lisa shares her journey into running, from hating sport as a child to rediscovering running at 30, navigating disastrous races, and learning to reset expectations through walk-run strategies. She opens up with raw honesty about her husband’s terminal lung cancer diagnosis, how running helped her survive the darkest moments of caregiving and grief, and what it means to lose — and slowly rebuild — your running mojo. We dive into running through trauma, comfort eating and wine, the power of a ten-minute run, and why sometimes one mile is more than enough. Lisa also speaks openly about death and dying, dignity at the end of life, writing living wills, DNR decisions, death doulas, and how facing mortality can bring clarity, purpose, and peace. This is a conversation about resilience, realistic goals, choosing hope over fear, and why tenacity will always beat talent. Lisa’s story reminds us that running doesn’t need to look impressive to be meaningful — especially when it helps carry you through loss and into hope. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lisa Writer and Author of 3 running books Her latest book: Still Running After All These Tears – A Runner’s Journey Through Grief Being based in sunny Worthing Her early years and coming from a running family Hating sports at a young age Doing a 5k fun run when she was 10 Not running again for 20 years Turning 30 and realising her life was at a crossroads Wanting to walk in the footsteps of her parents Being invited to a event Being supported by other women Entering the Everything that went wrong! Being offered a place in the Wanting to do another marathon…. Running the and having an horrendous experience Trying a walk run strategy Her recovery after the Writing her first book: Running Made Easy Book: Your Pace or Mine? Having her husband diagnosed with terminal lung cancer Learning a lot about cancer, mindset and dealing with medical professionals Turning wounds into wisdom How running played an important role during her husbands illness Dealing with her loss of running mojo Giving people a roadmap; through trauma, grief and through terminal illness Life lessons for help in a challenging situation Running through trauma and grief Being a goal orientated person Wanting to run 100 marathons and visit 100 countries Throwing her goals out of the window and focusing on keeping her husband alive for as long as she could Turning to comfort eating and drinking wine The power of a ten minute run Running mojo - “Running will be your salvation” Being told to stop running Needing to reset and recalibrate her expectations for herself Setting the target of running 1 mile Running a park run Running her first marathon in 7 years Peter Rook Being a cancer thrivers partner Writing her book - running after all these tears Why it was the most difficult book she’s written Feeling drained by the writing Why the tears were healing and necessary Being a supporter for The realities of death What stage the bill is at Talking about death and dying Making peach with our lives Anything that needs to change with our lives going forward Making the decision to live in hope not fear Writing a living will Signing a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) for her husband while he was in hospice. How to have a good death Living her life with a sense of purpose Wanting to have someone hold her hand at death Having a death Wanting to die at home in her own bed Future plans in relation to running and travel The importance of goals Why its the journey and not the destination Heading to visit Libya Running the in 2026 Wanting to 100 Park Runs Wanting to run 100 Half Marathons Doing a half ironman….. Being inspired by IronGran Writing her bucket list Being very good with money Running a 100 mile race….. Not being a naturally talented runner The triumph of tenacity over talent! Wanting to preserve her body as much as possible Treating her body with respect Coming last in 25 marathons How to connect with Lisa on social media Funny moments in the book! Final words of advice Start every run with a 5 minute walk Make it as fun as you can Enjoy youself as much as you can Don’t live your life with regrets Why a 10 min run will make you feel like a new person Why running can be your salvation to Social Media Instagram: Facebook: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40730700

Dr. Erin Ayala – Psychologist, Mental Performance Coach & Endurance Athlete 04/07/2026

Dr. Erin Ayala – Psychologist, Mental Performance Coach & Endurance Athlete Meet Dr. Erin Ayala, a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant from Minnesota, specialising in supporting female endurance athletes. With over a decade of research and clinical experience, she’s a published author, sought-after speaker, and advocate for mental health in sport. In this episode, Erin shares insights on: Building mental resilience for endurance challenges Strategies for coping with performance pressure and burnout Balancing high-level competition with wellbeing Lessons from her own journey as a competitive cyclist A must-listen for anyone looking to strengthen their mind while chasing big goals. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Dr Erin - Licensed Psychologist and certified mental performance coach Being based in the twin cities, Minnesota, USA Her love for working with female athletes Her backstory and being a multi-sport athlete in High School Getting to grad school and starting to get into running Joining a run club and getting the running bug Working her way up to marathons Meeting her spouse and getting into cycling, triathlons and doing Ironman Moving to Minnesota in 2016 Joining a cycling club and being encouraged to start racing bikes Gravel racing for the past 10 years Growing up in a small, midwestern town. Wanting to look after herself better Being a workaholic and not prioritising her health or wellness Stretching herself to thin and not feeling proud of what’s going on inside Being very achievement driven Needing to match the internal to external Being consistent with therapy since undergraduate Why running and riding can be therapeutic but it can never replace working with a licensed therapist. Thoughts while running and how they have changed over the years Being a smoker, waking up coughing and not feeling good Starting running to be healthy and fit again Why it became so much deeper so much quicker External motivation can only get us so far The internal motivation is what keeps us going How running helps her prioritise her “me” time Figuring out the WHY Wanting to get off Strava, not following anyone on it, and not worrying about the social comparison game Getting sucked into the world of social media Starting with your WHY and what does that actually mean What words do you want people to use to describe you as a person Setting herself up for success Why her favourite clients are women in their 50s Getting the balance right between going after your goals and managing a relationship Being supported on her bike adventures, both on and off the road Doing really long road trips and going back country hiking together Doing 2 big events per year Planning a race strategy and what the mental side of a race strategy looks like Nothing new on race day and why the same applies to mental work and mental skills It’s never too soon to start. Doing meditation every day via a free app 3/4 weeks out and getting series about her race goals Being ready to reassess her goals based upon life circumstances Taking into account- life - when setting race goals Life gives us training scores too Tips and tricks while being on the start line to get into the zone. The cognitive piece and psychological piece Here are my pre-race jitters Feeling anxious at the start line e.g. going to the bathrooms multiple times before the start. Take a deep breath? Breathing The importance of low and slow breathing and how it helps to balance out the nervous system. The concept of the pain cave Taking it to the next level- finishing strong - the final push over the finish line Figuring out - What is the most difficult or most important part of the race? Visualising success…. Toxic positivity How am I going to respond once the feeling hits? If - then - situation Responding and dealing with failure and set backs Letting the disappointment settle in Reminding yourself that just because you didn’t reach your goal didn't mean you are a failure and did anything wrong Doing everything right and still not hitting your goals Outcome goals are how we compare to other people Set process goals and why they are more effective than outcome goals Starting a new podcast with Fiesty Media Focusing on what she can do The noise on the internet The Feisty Women’s Podcast - January 12th 2026 was the launch date - with weekly episodes going forward. Women and sleep and why women are more efficient sleepers than men Focus on the basics Taking on the more taboo topics Book: The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells us about the Power of the Female Body. By Starre Vartan Sports psychology and why there is so much work to do in this space for women Research which is specific for women The lack of large scale studies in sports psychology for women How to connect with Erin online “Skadi”- The Norse Goddess of ice, snow and mountains Words of advice to motivate and inspire other women and girls Being willing to ask the hard questions around where our expectations are coming from Why it’s ok to make our own rules and break them Going back to your value system Does leaning into this experience make sense for me? Social Media Website: Instagram: Fiesty Media Podcast: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40730585

Jennifer Doohan – Founder of The Adventure Wellness Club, Helping Women Challenge Themselves and Connect in Nature 04/02/2026

Jennifer Doohan – Founder of The Adventure Wellness Club, Helping Women Challenge Themselves and Connect in Nature Jennifer is an adventurer, wellness professional, and founder of The Adventure Wellness Club, helping women connect with nature, challenge themselves, and build lasting friendships through experiences grounded in the 3 Cs: Challenge, Connection, and Community. She designs international hiking adventures and UK-based experiences that blend movement, mindfulness, and wellness. Her work spans everything from planning logistics and designing programs to facilitating group hikes, yoga, sauna and ice-bath sessions, and breath work. Jennifer lived in Trentino, Italy for four years, where she learned to speak Italian and fell in love with the mountains and the sports within them, including ski touring. Over time, she has also run ultra marathons and bike packed long distances. Adventure is what makes her feel alive! As a late-diagnosed ADHDer, her adventures are rooted in wellness and informed by research like the 3 Day Effect, showing that just three days immersed in nature can boost attention, creativity, and emotional resilience — benefits especially meaningful for neurodivergent women. Each international trip ends with a sauna experience, which she considers essential for physical and emotional wellbeing. Her experiences encourage women to step outside their comfort zones while feeling supported, mindful, and fully present. Through adventure, movement, and shared experiences, Jennifer helps women slow down, feel capable, and reconnect with themselves and each other. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x Show notes Who is Jennifer Original from Manchester, but now based in Sheffield When her running journey started Maintaining a good level of base fitness Running 50k in January Feeling the need to go for a run Getting into ultra running Supported a guy who did the Bob Graham Round and running one of the legs If he can do it - I can do it to Knowing that she was capable of achieving Breaking down the goal Seeing the behind the scenes of planning a run and how it inspired her Doing the next best thing - signing up to a race in Italy Being supported by people along the way Running the with Barefoot John Digging into the planning and learning new planning skills Being impulsive and spontaneous Being determined enough to do it Why it’s not just about the planning, but also about the execution Coming up with a rough plan Planning, hormones, structure Not having the energy for hill reps and feeling fatigued Beating herself up for not achieving it Having to reframe the situation The night before the race and doing a race strategy with Chat GPT Working with a coach - S&C and following a 12 week running plan Why there isn’t a right and a wrong - why it’s what works for you Looking at the training plan and listening to her body Running the ultra marathon while menstruating Fitting training into life and work Running to her cleaning job Starting a marketing contract for 4 days a week Having a rest day on Monday Being forced to find the time Combing running with life Starting with a running coach and training for a 50k in April in Wales The Ultra Race in Italy - being the only British women running Her aim for the race Why it’s not about the other people racing - it’s about you Treating it as a fun day out - chatting to people in the mountain huts, changing her top, taking things steady Teaching herself that she could do it Sprinting towards the end, just trying to get there Gaining new experience Wanting to build her confidence in her physical abilities Getting into plyometrics - for building bone density Founding the Adventure Wellness Club and what it’s goals are Wanting to bring people together to share her passion Being diagnosed with ADHD and starting to understand how her brain works and working on her self confidence Pushing herself out of comfort zone with travel and adventure Delivering her first trip in 2025 Teaching herself that you can make your idea a reality Ending each trip with a sauna and spa experience The “3 Day Effect” - spending 72 hours disconnected from technology and surrounded by nature has a breadth of benefits for your mind. Why adventure is key to wellness Looking at herself with more compassion Why it’s not just a focus issue Why a diagnosis does change everything Trying medication and working with a nurse practitioner Starting to realise how awesome she is Seeing yourself in a different way Issues with ADHD, perimenopause and mental health Her feelings with turning 40 Becoming more comfortable with not having children Being more comfortable with how her life is Wanting to age as strong as she can - keep pushing it, keep learning what it is capable of Wanting to go ski touring in New Zealand How to connect with Jennifer on social media Developing her website at the moment Final words of advice for other women who want more adventure in their life The thing that you’re thinking of doing that seems scary, follow the thread of that curiosity, it’s there for a reason. Social Media Website: Instagram: Facebook: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40706580

Marie “Lootie” Leautey – Solo, Unsupported & Fastest Woman to Run Around the World 03/31/2026

Marie “Lootie” Leautey – Solo, Unsupported & Fastest Woman to Run Around the World In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Marie “Lootie” Leautey, the second woman in history to run around the world solo and unsupported — and the fastest woman to do it. Lootie’s journey began in France, far from the running world. A former smoker and corporate finance professional, she swapped cigarettes for daily runs at 25, building up to her first marathon in just eight months. That spark turned into an audacious dream: to run across the globe — 26,000+ km, across four continents, relying entirely on herself. Starting her run in Europe in December 2019, Lootie faced deserts, mountains, and long stretches between resupply points, carrying only a 12–15kg stroller packed with her essentials. Along the way, she experienced the kindness of strangers, the thrill of new cultures, and the incredible mental discipline required to run a marathon every day for years. Beyond the physical feat, Lootie shares how her journey is rooted in purpose: raising funds for Women for Women International, honouring her grandmother’s legacy, and inspiring women to ask themselves, “Why am I doing this, and is it aligned with who I want to be?” This is a story of grit, adventure, and the extraordinary power of chasing your own path — a reminder that there’s very little you can’t achieve once you set your mind to it. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lootie Becoming the 2nd woman to run around the world - solo and unsupported Fastest women to run around the world Her early years growing up in France Coming from a sporty family but not being interested in running Her love for team sports Being a smoker Being out of shape at 25/26 years old Swapping her cigarettes for a run ever day Her wake up call in Greece while learning how to windsurf Building up to a marathon distance- 8 months later Leaving France when she was 20 - working in finance for big corporates Having the idea to run around the world Going on Google - has anyone run around the world before The Her route and the rules and how they gave her structure Needing to cross a minimum of 4 continents, and run in one continuous direction Running a minimum distance of just under 30,000 km (The runner must cover a total of at least 26,232 km on foot) Making the decision and the commitment Understanding her WHY and having it at the forefront of her mind Self financing the challenge Deciding to run a marathon per day Taking 2 years in the planning and preparation Running without time pressure The daily thoughts, the novelty of running Never thinking of giving up as this is exactly what she wanted Her running set up - and keeping it as light as possible (12 - 15kg) Researching with google maps - trying to figure out her location every 40km The longest distances without resupply - and knowing she would need to camp and to be self sufficient. Having a stroller with waterproof bags The mental side of the challenge while running Having a sensory experience while running Not being bored on any of the days - even while crossing the desert in Australia Speaking French, English, German and Greek Starting her run in Europe and why it was such a challenge (covid) Starting 6th December 2019 After leaving Europe and heading to America (Getting an exception from the WRA) Arriving in New York in Mid November 2021 What daily life was like on the road Starting running at dawn and being done by lunchtime What the afternoons would look like Carrying 2 GPS trackers - and updating the info daily (or as often as possible when wifi was available) Going to bed by 9pm and sleeping very well throughout the challenge - going from sleeping 5hrs a night to 9/10 hours of sleep at night Eating what you find, eat until you are not hungry anymore Not being dependent on certain types of food, drinks, gels, supplements etc Running in South America (her first visit was on the run), starting in Patagonia Running up to 4,000m of altitude Being inspired by her Grandmother who was the director of the first feminist library in France Being taught the differences between the treatment between men and woman Being encouraged to do what ever she wanted Wanting to use her voice to share that message with women Running for Wanting to rise $1 per km run The challenges of running in Australia: - road trains, distances between resupply points The kindness of strangers Running in Australia between May and August - which is Autumn time Finishing the world run in Sydney, Australia and coming to the end of the run and the experience. Feeling a little bit of satisfaction and also wanting the run to continue - a cocktail of strong and contradictory emotions Feeling at peace now - 3 years after the run The day after and not needing to run anymore Never missing the running, even though she enjoyed it everyday Struggling to run casually after the end of the world run Flying back to France and going back to the normal world Having a publishing contract in France and being ready after 2/3 months to start writing about the experience Feeling that the adventure was so rich - that she wanted to write the story in English and finding a publisher in the United States The next challenge…. Deciding to run across Africa Wanting to be a teacher How to connect with Lootie on social media Final words of advice for other women who want to take on their own personal challenge Whatever you’re doing — at work or in your life — pause and ask yourself: Why am I doing this? And how aligned is it with who I am, or who I want to become? There’s very little you can’t do once you set your mind to it. Her motto - Wanting to see the world, enjoy it and appreciate every step of the way. Social Media Website: Instagram: Facebook: Strava: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40550925

Stephanie Ho: Adventurer and Endurance Athlete Skiing Solo to the South Pole & Pushing Beyond Limits 03/24/2026

Stephanie Ho: Adventurer and Endurance Athlete Skiing Solo to the South Pole & Pushing Beyond Limits Stephanie Ho is a 24-year-old adventurer, endurance athlete, and exercise physiologist based on the Gold Coast, Australia. From rock climbing and ocean swimming to triathlons and mountain expeditions, Stephanie has always chased the outdoors — but her biggest goals lie in the polar regions. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Stephanie shares her journey from discovering hiking and camping as a teenager to trekking Everest Base Camp, running 43km a day for a week, and skiing 540km across Greenland. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of polar expeditions, the lessons she’s learned in extreme environments, and what it takes to keep motivation alive when the goal seems impossible. Stephanie is now preparing for a solo 1,200km expedition to the South Pole in 2026 — hauling a 100kg sled through temperatures as low as -50°C — a feat that, if successful, will make her the first Australian woman to achieve it. Along the way, she talks logistics, training, nutrition, dealing with fears and unsolicited advice, and the importance of listening to your body while chasing what sets your soul on fire. This conversation is a masterclass in mental toughness, gratitude, and stepping beyond your comfort zone. Stephanie’s story will inspire you to dream big, push limits, and embrace adventure — no matter your age or background. New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time). Support the Tough Girl mission via Patreon: *** Show notes Who is Steph Being based on the Gold Coast, Australia 24 years old Working as an exercise physiologist - both in the office and in a clinical setting Her love for any activity that is outdoors from rock climbing to hiking, cycling, ocean swimming, skiing and doing triathlons Her main goal is to train for big skiing expeditions and big mountain expeditions Her early memories and not being encouraged to be that active Growing up as an only child Wanting to do more running How things changed at 14 and going camping for the first time in her life Finding friends who wanted to go hiking and camping Heading over to Nepal to do the Everest base camp after graduating high school Wanting to spend some time alone reflecting on the past 18 years Having a good reset before starting university Why her trip to Nepal was so formative Trekking to Everest Base camp in Winter Getting up to 5,500 metres Climbing Kala Patthar, Nepal Enjoying being in the cold, remote environment Knowing that her next big adventure was going to be Antarctica Starting to plan her training trips to Norway and Greenland Having everything put on hold until 2023 Doing her Polar Training course in Norway Skiing across Greenland in 2023 Doing more solo expeditions in the polar regions Planning to head to the South Pole at the end of 2026 Polar training and the lessons learned Being part of a team to do the Greenland crossing in May 2023 30 days on the ice - starting on the west coast and heading to the East coast Learning how to cope in the cold and the wind Dealing with polar thigh Why the journey has been rewarding and feeling a lot of pride with what’s been achieved. Thinking about what’s next and struggling to be satisfied with the achievements Running for 43k a day for 7 days… Learning how to suffer mentally while out on the ice Staying positive and the other lessons learned to help mentally Practicing gratitude and being grateful for where she it Keeping the motivation alive The logistics and finances to pay for the expedition Working with Training and what that looks like Recovery and paying more attention to nutrition Being vegetation, but eating some white meat, such as chicken and fish Having cold showers Concerns and fears to mange before the trip Managing unsolicited opinions and advice How to connect with Stephanie Advice to motivate and inspire other women to step outside their comfort zone Don’t be afraid of what other people might think of you. Listening to your body and what you want to do Do something that sets your soul on fire Social Media Website: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40550475

Birgit Hermann – Turning Extreme Endurance into Bolder Leadership for People and Planet 03/17/2026

Birgit Hermann – Turning Extreme Endurance into Bolder Leadership for People and Planet Birgit Hermann is a global leadership coach, speaker, executive leader, ocean advocate, professional freediver, and extreme endurance athlete who translates lessons from the edge into meaningful impact for people and planet. She supports purpose-driven leaders to turn bold challenges into grounded, values-led action. She has raced the Marathon des Sables, run a marathon in Antarctica, freedived beneath Arctic ice without a wetsuit, and cycled across the African continent — often as the only woman on the start line. Alongside these edge-tested experiences, Birgit brings over 20 years of leading and coaching teams across marine conservation, climate resilience, international development, and peace building in more than 20 countries. Based between Timor-Leste, Germany, New Zealand, and Egypt, she is the founder of Inspired by Nature and the author of B.O.L.D.E.R.™ — a leadership framework forged at the edge and built for real-world change. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Birgit Growing up in Germany Spending a lot of her life in Asia- Pacific, specifically New Zealand Considering herself a change maker Working in management positions in relation to climate change adaptions, marine conservation, supporting livelihoods and communities to make changes for the better Growing up sporty and active Becoming an outdoor lover after moving to New Zealand Being a competitive swimmer for many years Trying all sports from judo, to volleyball and cycling Being interested in different cultures and travelling Deciding to do her Masters Degree in New Zealand Deciding to take on Cycling 12,000km from north to south Africa Feeing unsettled and wanting more from life Getting her courage together to sign up for the challenge Planning and training for a 4 month challenge Changing her perspective on what’s possible The physical achievement and trusting herself Realising how all the small steps accumulate over time especially at the end of the journey and looking back on what’s been achieved Knowing that there was more to what she believed she could achieve Deciding to spend more time in Africa Freeing herself up to be open to something new Testing herself in a new environment Making something close to impossible happen Starting to think and dream big Why the physical experience can change your mindset Knowing that the next step was the right step Why it wasn’t easy Deciding to head back to New Zealand Being a pioneer and looking to find a role model Continuing to take on big challenges Living in Timor-Leste in 2016 Wanting to share her experiences of traveling the world while doing endurance challenges Her experience in Antarctica and wanting to raise awareness and funds for climate change Learning how to free-dive and the benefits experienced The importance of relaxing - truly relaxing The journey over the last 3 years and putting all the lessons together Boosting her confidence and starting to work for herself Deciding to write her book Being a trail blazer, and shifting culture The lessons to be learned Inspire change, shift culture and build sustainable impact - without burnout! Who would benefit from reading from the book Wanting to make a positive change in the world Shout out for the Tough Girl Podcast! How to connect with Birgit Final words of advice for other women who want to live bolder Talk about it!! Why it’s the first step - talking about it out loud. There will be people who will support you. Social Media Website: Instagram: Facebook: Youtube: Linkedin: Direct link to the book: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40509065

Amanda Duling: Endurance Sport After Gastric Bypass — Grit, Fueling & Radical Honesty 03/10/2026

Amanda Duling: Endurance Sport After Gastric Bypass — Grit, Fueling & Radical Honesty Amanda Duling is an endurance athlete, writer, and founder of One Gear Short of Normal™. A post-bariatric, perimenopausal gravel cyclist and Ironman 70.3 finisher, Amanda uses grit, science, and unapologetic humour to tell the stories no one else is telling about endurance sports, women’s bodies, and doing hard things later in life. Through her writing and community work, she challenges the “suffer in silence” culture of endurance athletics and advocates for smarter fueling, better hygiene, realistic training, and radical honesty—especially for women navigating menopause, major weight loss, and endurance sport at the same time. When she’s not riding gravel roads or lifting heavy things, Amanda writes research-backed, laugh-out-loud essays on endurance life, parenting, and why choosing your hard matters more than perfection. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Amanda Living in Kansas City, USA Working as an IT professional during the day Mum to a special needs son Building a brand in relation to being a post-bariatric endurance athlete Publishing an e-book in relation to saddle sores Why reinvention is possible Growing up in a small rural community Being into reading, writing and art Having a lot of anxiety about her body and body image Enjoying being active Not having the confidence when she was younger Getting married and settling down Having gastric bypass surgery in her early 40s Having an Roux-en-Y gastric bypass - having a large portion of her stomach removed along with a large portion of her small intestines Having the surgery at the beginning of COVID and being stuck at home Her journey with food, health and fitness Going for walks with her husband Finding the motivation for the next step Feeling uncomfortable wearing shorts and form fitting clothes Starting to walk a little quicker Hiring a personal trainer at the gym to gain some of the lost muscle back Seeing her strength coming back Thinking about doing a half marathon Finding a couch to 5k program Not making a lot of progress due to not being able to eat a lot Starting to work with a dietician Having to re-learn eating Passing out after exercise and having no energy Dumping syndrome - when the body is not able to process sugar UCAN and Waxy Maize Finding support through community Joining a run club and meeting new people Being able to complete the half marathon Confidence and having confidence around her body Building her self confidence When things started to change Showing up to different races Doing hard things Wanting to encourage individuals starting out to volunteer at a couple of events Overcoming a challenge during a race Gravel cycling/racing, and why it’s the hardest disciple in endurance sports Breaking down the challenge into smaller and smaller steps and grinding it out Logistics of gravel racing in relation to hydration and fuelling Electrolytes UCAN Fuel— Running on sheer grit What training looks like and why she needed a lot of structure Learning about heart rate training Training in the morning and making training work for her and her family The importance of social interactions during workouts Being surrounded by the right people and how it can help with motivation How to connect with Amanda on social media Her love for writing and sharing her stories on Final words of advice to motivate and inspire you The importance of showing up Social Media Website: Instagram: Facebook: Substack: Youtube: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40376815

Lyla “Sugar” Harrod – Triple Crown Hiker & Appalachian Trail Record Breaker 03/08/2026

Lyla “Sugar” Harrod – Triple Crown Hiker & Appalachian Trail Record Breaker Growing up near Boston, Sugar discovered hiking in her early twenties while exploring the White Mountains of New Hampshire. After getting sober at 30, she found herself with the clarity, time and capacity to pursue the life she truly wanted. What followed was a decision to live authentically, prioritise long-distance hiking, and become what she proudly calls a professional dirtbag. In 2021, Sugar set out on the Appalachian Trail. While she knew she was a strong hiker, she also faced the uncertainty of what it would mean to walk the trail as a trans woman. Feeling the isolation of not seeing many stories like her own pushed her to begin writing, speaking openly, and becoming someone other queer and trans hikers could reach out to. Since then, she has become the first known trans woman to complete the Triple Crown of long-distance hiking, founded TrailQTs – a free mentoring programme supporting first-time queer and trans thru-hikers – and in 2024 pioneered the Divide to Crest Route, a 3,000-mile backcountry journey from the Mexican border in New Mexico to the Canadian border in Washington. In 2025, Sugar set a new women’s self-supported speed record on the Appalachian Trail southbound, breaking the previous record by more than a day and a half. In this episode, we dive into sobriety, transition, representation, burnout, post-trail blues, building community, and what it really takes to push the body day after day. Sugar also shares practical advice on training, fuelling on a budget, protecting your feet, and why big dreams are built through small, steady steps. This is a conversation about courage, visibility, and creating the path you wish had existed when you started. *** New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time). Hit subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries. 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lyla Using she/her programs From the North East of the USA Living in New Hampshire Working with kids and doing bar tending and other odd jobs Growing up just north of Boston, on the North shore, about 3 hrs away from the Appalachian Trail Playing team sports Getting into hiking in her early 20s, with the help of a friend Hiking in the White Mountains in New Hampshire Getting sober at 30 years old and being sober for over 8 years now How it changed her life, having more time and capacity to do more hiking Spending time exploring the local trails in the area Starting her gender transition Knowing she was trans in her late 20s but not having the capacity to do anything about it Getting sober and how it opened up lots of doors for herself Living her authentic life Deciding to leave her job, sell her car and go and hike the Appalachian Trail Hiking the Appalachian Trail in late March 2021 Spending the past 5 years making long distance hiking her priority Being a professional dirtbag Channeling all of her energy and resources into hiking Managing fears and concerns before taking on the Appalachian Trail Knowing she was a strong hiker Having concerns related to being a trans woman on trail and what unique challenges she would face Trying to learn more about other trans experiences on the Appalachian Trail Feeling a bit alone and not wanting others to feel the same way Deciding to write for an outdoor website called the trek Sharing more of her life online The power of seeing trans people in the outdoors Speaking publicly and telling her authentic story Trying to be someone queer and trans folk can reach out to Wanting to be accessible for other people Documenting and sharing her story while hiking Blog post - Magical moments while being on the trail Getting her trail name “Sugar” Suffering with burnout and adventure blues? Post trail depression and planning for it Mental health and the importance of spending quality time in nature Mental health habits and what’s worked for her Having a rich community of people in her support network Having people who understand where you’re coming from Having good friends Spending time along Self supported FKT SOBO on the Appalachian Trail Pushing yourself hard while on the trail Day 1 of the project and why it was a year before starting on the trail The first couple of weeks and the challenging terrain Why it’s fun for her The physical challenge for her body and thinking more about millage Wanting to know how much she could push her body The planning and preparation before the start of the hike The Divide to Crest route Trying to figure out how to make it financially viable Looking for sponsorship from outdoor brands Physically training and breaking it down into 3 separate chapters Why your feet are everything Using her home as basecamp Dealing with a little tendonitis at the start Getting hiker legs Food and nutrition while on the trail Taking a B vitamin supplement every day to help with energy Taking electrolytes especially with the hot weather Maple syrup and salt Doing the trail on a budget - salt, fat, carbs…. Eating foods that she can stomach while on the trail The importance of getting calories in The idea behind the Divide to Crest Route Getting into route creation Finding out more info about the Divide to Crest Route How to connect with Lyla on social media Finals words of advice for women who want to take on a new challenge and step outside their comfort zone Think about scaffolding Why you don’t need to do everything at once. Build your skillsets over time What can you do this year to move you closer to your goal. Social Media Instagram /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40350045

Sara Eydmann - Ultra-marathon runner on attempting to run 500 miles, mental health and changing the narrative 03/02/2026

Sara Eydmann - Ultra-marathon runner on attempting to run 500 miles, mental health and changing the narrative In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Sara Eydmann — ultra-marathon runner, counsellor and therapist based in Edinburgh, Scotland. At 30 years old, Sara is no stranger to pushing her limits. From attempting to run 500 miles to taking on the North Coast 500, her journey into ultra-running has been anything but straightforward. But behind the miles is a powerful and deeply honest story about mental health, identity, resilience and learning to change the narrative. Growing up as an only child, Sara was always active — until an eating disorder at 14 forced her to stop exercising completely. Years later, she found her way back to running, initially using it as a way to control her weight. During lockdown, her running became increasingly intense, driven and compulsive. With the support of therapy and a coach, she began learning how to train with more structure, balance and self-awareness — eventually making it to the start line of her first marathon in 2023. Shortly after, she signed up for her first ultra. In this episode, Sara shares her experience of being late diagnosed with Autism at 27 and ADHD at 29 (AuADHD), and how that diagnosis helped her better understand herself, her anxiety, and the way her brain works — particularly in high-stress, high-performance environments. We dive into: Attempting to run 500 miles — and the reality of getting injured 256 miles in Managing anxiety at the start line Working with a crew and handling the overwhelming admin side of big challenges Dealing with a stress fracture and the emotional fallout of stopping The mental battle of ultra-distance running — self-talk, fear, surrender and staying rational The financial and logistical realities of funding endurance challenges Having her dad there for support Trusting the process instead of fearing the outcome Sara speaks candidly about what it feels like to “lose your head” mentally during a challenge, the lessons she’s taken from injury, and how she’s learning to run from a place of curiosity rather than compulsion. Now preparing to move to France for a year to focus on training, immerse herself in the culture and learn French, Sara is continuing to explore what’s possible — on her own terms. This is an episode about endurance, identity, healing, and redefining success. Trust the process. Don’t fear the outcome. *there is mention of eating disorders and running for weight loss - we do not go into specifics *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Sara; 30 years old, Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Moving to France later on in the year Ultra runner and working as a counsellor and therapist as a day job Mum to 2 cats Late diagnosed with Autism (27 years old) and ADHD (29 years old) (AuAHDH) Growing up as an only child and doing lots of sports at a young age Needing to stop exercise at 14 due to an eating disorder Getting back into running over the past few years Training for her first marathon and managing the driven compulsion Listening to her coach, not overtraining and being more structured in her training Doing therapy throughout the years Only running to control her weight How running got very intense over lock down Making it to the start line of her first marathon in 2023 Signing up for an ultra distance on a loop course on the month after. Her journey with anxiety and getting to the start line of races Getting to a point of just wanting to do - wanting to try and see Shifting her mindset by surrendering to what could happen Reflecting on her first marathon in Scotland Being diagnosed with AuADHD and how it changed things Muddling through life and finding school really difficult Building her confidence to voice her needs Learning to understand herself more Running the North Coast 500 Dealing with a stress fracture in her knee Wanting to take on this challenge Dealing with the admin side of the challenge and why it was so stressful Making the best of the situation Road running and your bones… Getting injured 256 miles in…. The lessons from the experience Figuring out the financials to fund a challenge like this with AuADHD Wanting to focus on the running Being in a high stress, high performance situation Running strategy for the challenge Working with a crew and how it would work All of the issues and challenges that came along The mental side of the challenge and what’s going on inside her head Self talk - you’ve got this - keep going Not hitting the wall, but mentally losing her head and not being rational anymore Having her dad there to support Managing her fear and putting plans in place to manage them Making the decision to move to France for a year Spending time focusing on her training Being introverted and wanting to immerse herself in the culture and learn french How can people follow along and connect with Sara Trust the process and don’t fear the outcome Social Media Website: Instagram: Youtube: Substack: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40287360

Starre Vartan: The Stronger Sex — Women’s Bodies, Endurance, and the Science We’ve Been Missing 02/24/2026

Starre Vartan: The Stronger Sex — Women’s Bodies, Endurance, and the Science We’ve Been Missing In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, I’m joined by Starre Vartan — science and environment writer, author, and lifelong question-asker whose work sits at the powerful intersection of the human body and the natural world. With a background in geology and biology, Starre began her career as an environmental geologist before pivoting into journalism to tell the stories behind the science. Over the past 15+ years, she’s written for publications including National Geographic, Scientific American, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and New Scientist, becoming known for her ability to make science both rigorous and deeply human — especially when it comes to women’s bodies. We dive into Starre’s latest book, The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us About the Power of the Female Body, a myth-busting, research-driven celebration of women’s endurance, longevity, adaptability, and strength. From the messages girls receive about their bodies at a young age, to puberty, bone density, menopause, and why women often excel in endurance sports, Starre unpacks the science that has been overlooked — and what it means for women’s health, sport, and everyday life. We also talk about Starre’s upbringing between Australia and the U.S., the influence of her formidable grandmother, growing up active and outdoors, and how reconnecting with strength training later in life has left her feeling more powerful than ever. This conversation is about listening to your body, trusting its wisdom, and reclaiming strength — physically, mentally, and scientifically. If you’ve ever been told women are the weaker sex, this episode will change how you think about the female body forever. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Starre Working as a scientist journalist focusing on women’s health recently Being based in a beach town south of Sydney, Australia Growing up in NYC Being a dual citizen with Australia and America Book: The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells us about the Power of the Female Body The dedication to her grandmother -the strongest women’s she’s ever known Growing up with her grandmother Doing her age appropriate chores; stacking wood, working in the garden, being involved and active in the running of the house The messages that young girls receive about their bodies from a young age Heading off into the woods to go on adventures The lessons learned from her grandmother Muscles and bone density for women and why puberty is such an important age for girls Puberty in girls and athletics The knowledge gap for women in sports Women, endurance and the longer races Differences between all human beings The science and muscle and getting surprising results Women’s body fat and location Visiting Japan to research longevity How women’s body handle diseases The risks that men take Finding purpose in life and figuring out your life goal Making changes in her own life Starting to weigh lift 3 years ago Can you grown bone once you are at the stage where you have more extreme bone loss Bone loss in women during menopause Feeling empowered by lifting heavy weights Becoming a stronger runner and dancer Starre’s ultimate life goal and purpose Using AI in scientific ways Wanting to be as strong as her grandmother How to connect with Starre online Starting a new newsletter— Vodcast Words of advice and wisdom for the stronger sex Reflecting back on life in her 20s Listen to your body and the wisdom it holds Social Media Website: Instagram: Bluesky: Patreon: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40084315

Emma Karslake, FRGS, is an adventurer, writer and cycle tour guide who has spent much of the past eight years exploring the world by bike. 02/17/2026

Emma Karslake, FRGS, is an adventurer, writer and cycle tour guide who has spent much of the past eight years exploring the world by bike. From ultra-light hotel bikepacking on a road bike to six-month expeditions in remote regions on a heavily laden hybrid, Emma has experienced nearly every form of bike travel, including ultra-endurance racing. She is a passionate advocate for slow travel as a means to reconnect with nature, embrace minimalism, and discover alternative ways of living. Her travels have shaped a deep commitment to sustainability, wild camping with minimal impact, and challenging the idea of nature as a park or playground, separate from our everyday lives. You can sign up to her newsletter for monthly updates and tips. She is particularly keen to empower others, especially women, to embrace solo adventures, and she shares both practical guidance and philosophical reflections through her writing and events. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Emma Working as a cycling journalist and tour guide Moving around a lot and not really having a home base Currently writing a guidebook on French Guiana Having a normal childhood and not being particularly sporty Growing up in France and starting running at 16 Running and rowing throughout university Taking a gap year after university and heading to South America in 2016/2017 Fundraising for 6 months before starting from Ushuaia and heading to Lima in Peru. Having a very small/tight budget Wild camping as much as possible What it was like on the trip - starting in January and dealing with prevailing winds all the way Travelling in a group of 3 and what it was like Being totally tolerant for a month Doing a few more little trips, before heading with her partner on a European cycle trip Journaling on the trip and writing a little bit each evening Her bike set up and how it’s changed over the years Getting a vintage road bike, a carbon road bike, a gravel bike…. Dealing with saddle sores Brooks Leather Saddle Planning and logistics Spreadsheets…. Route planning and starting with google, to find official routes, or to see if other people have created a route Thoughts on being brave Managing personal fears Encountering risk in everyday life Following gut instinct Moving away from being a nice girl Travelling on your own Being allowed to change your mind Deciding to do more cycling competitions Ultra races and why the winners are the ones who sleep the least Trying out new challenges How expensive ultra endurance races can be The joy of long trips and how it can change your perspective of time The dream 6 month to a year trip Wanting to go back to South America or cycling from Europe to Asia Being content with taking her time on trips The cycling guidebook about French Guiana. How to connect with Emma online Final words of advice for other women who want to go on adventures and discover more of the world Do it in a simple and gradual way. The power of keeping it simple Social Media Website: Newsletter: Insta: Linkedin: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/40084170

Lorraine Lewis: Author of Dare to Dream, Ultra Runner, and Co-founder of The Lewis Foundation 02/10/2026

Lorraine Lewis: Author of Dare to Dream, Ultra Runner, and Co-founder of The Lewis Foundation Lorraine Lewis is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Lewis Foundation, an award-winning cancer charity providing free gift packs and ongoing support to adult cancer patients across 17 hospitals in the Midlands. Founded from lived experience, the charity has become a lifeline for thousands of people diagnosed with cancer. Beyond her role as a charity leader, Lorraine is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, inspiring audiences ranging from school children to corporate professionals. She has delivered talks for organisations including The Eden Project, the European Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and AJ Bell, sharing powerful messages of resilience, purpose and hope. Lorraine’s remarkable journey has captured national attention. She has been featured in publications such as The Sun and HELLO! Magazine, and has appeared on Channel 4 News, highlighting her work and personal story. Her dedication to community service has been recognised through numerous accolades, including the HELLO! Magazine Inspiration Award, Great British Entrepreneur Award, and the prestigious Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award. In recognition of her services to cancer, Lorraine was recently invited to meet Their Majesties The King and Queen. In addition to her charitable work, Lorraine is an author, with her memoir Dare To Dream chronicling her journey from lawyer to charity founder. She also hosts the podcast “See Through The Big C”, amplifying the voices of those living with cancer, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals. A passionate artist, Lorraine discovered her love for art in her forties and continues to explore creativity alongside her enthusiasm for fitness, including HYROX competitions, running, and ultra-distance challenges—living proof that it’s never too late to dream, create, and push beyond perceived limits. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lorraine Being based in Northampton Co-founder of which supports cancer patients in hospital Writing her book, '’ Her early years growing up Not being sporty and always trying to get out of PE Being into reading and writing Her dream of wanting to become a barrister Being supported and encouraged by her parents Her determination and resilience Not knowing how she would achieve her goals Doing old school research by heading to the library Creating her own opportunities to gain the experiences she needed Doing the Not having time for sport or physical activity £50k of student debt…. Being determined to make it happen Dealing with challenges and changes How it changed their life Starting to question everything and why there must be more to life What can be done? Wanting to make people feel better Dealing with cancer, death and grief Supporting people with cancer Bringing joy to peoples days Getting into fitness and ultra running to raise funds for the charity Deciding to sign up to do a (Obstacle Run) Wanting to push herself more physically and step outside her comfort zone Running out of money for the charity How Mike supported the charity with a £50k donation The kindness of strangers Deciding to take on the Taking on more and more running challenges Being consumed by the Lewis Foundation and starting to neglect herself Discovering Getting back on her feet and being more active and more healthy Starting to feel stronger mentally and more resilient to handle challenges January 2025 - and doing her vision board and goals for the year Deciding to sign up for the 70 mile race Not training for the ultra in the best way… Being at the start of the race The struggle during the race and crossing the finishing line Feeling physically broken but knowing it was her mental resilience that got her across the finish line The mental side of running 70 miles Setting a big challenge for 2026 Taking on a 100 mile ultra! will be celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary in 2026 Starting to follow a specific running program Being pushed in her training Making sure to eat better The challenges of fuelling while being coeliac Feeling in a much better place physically Needing to exercise at 6am Training about 35 hrs a week What is the race strategy…. Breaking down the training Fuelling her training and needing to eat more Not being afraid to consume food—especially carbs Taking supplements to help with iron levels Creatine and omega-3 The benefits of hiking poles/sticks Rotating trainers The financial impact of taking on challenges/runs etc How to connect with Lorraine on social media Podcast: Final words of advice The importance of living your life Make the most of the time we have on this planet Social Media Website: LinkedIn: Youtube: Instagram: Book: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/39990435

Alexandra Nemeth: Beyond the Seven Summits — Highs, Lows, and Life in Extreme Places. 02/03/2026

Alexandra Nemeth: Beyond the Seven Summits — Highs, Lows, and Life in Extreme Places. Alex is a qualified International Mountain Leader, Polar Guide, and a professional Photographer based in St. Moritz, Switzerland. From scaling the world’s highest peaks to leading expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, she thrives where the wild meets the extreme. Her passion for high-altitude exploration took her on a relentless quest; climbing the highest mountain on every continent, culminating on the summit of Mt. Everest in 2018. She became the first ever Hungarian to climb the Seven Summits. This journey ignited her mission to guide others through the raw beauty of the mountains and beyond. In the winter, she guides private snowshoe and fat bike around St. Moritz; in the summer, she leads exhilarating hiking and mountain biking adventures across the Alps. Between her Alps seasons, she's found working in the Polar regions (Antarctica: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and lead crevasse rescue guide. Arctic: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and polar bear guard) Her expertise extends far beyond Europe, guiding bespoke expeditions across the globe. An endurance athlete at heart, Alex is always chasing the next adventure—whether Polar ski crossing, racing mountain bikes, or pushing limits in the mountains. As a professional photographer and drone pilot, she uses her lens to capture the world’s most remote landscapes, advocate for environmental conservation, and document the stories of the Polar regions. Her work is deeply inspired by mountains, polar history, pioneering female explorers, and the delicate balance of nature. In her recent book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin, Alex shares her experiences of climbing these mountains, and she also explores the journey that shaped who she is today: all the highs and lows. I hope to bring these peaks closer to readers by including short historical notes alongside each climb and sharing everything she learned along the way. The book is also rich in photographs, helping to bring both the stories and these beautiful mountains vividly to life. First TGP episode - *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Alex Being born in Hungary, but spending most of her adult life in the UK Deciding to move to the Swiss Alps to work as an International Mountain Leader Climbing the 7 Summits and becoming the first Hungarian to do so Coming on the What’s been the biggest changes over the past few years Making the decision to move from the UK to Switzerland Having a plan to live in the mountains Waiting for the right opportunity. Packing up her car in 2020 What life has been like in Switzerland Being a qualified The Next chapter in her life Becoming an Working 2 part time jobs to make a living Finding a community in Switzerland Ending up doing things on her own Needing to prioritise herself and gaining her qualifications Focusing on navigation The 4 stages of the IML Becoming a Getting a job on an expedition ship What is ship life like? Documenting her journey in a book! Connecting with nature can be incredible powerful Dealing with her fears, most noticeably her fear of heights Choosing to heal in nature Turning her passion into a job Putting together expeditions to Peru Keeping it fun and exciting Planning for adventures and expeditions How to start and why you need to build things up Being on a ship for the next 2 months International Women’s Day 8th March 2025 Free Snowshoe Tour for Women! Doing a hut to hut tour! Teaching women winter survival skills How to connect with Alex on social media Advice who want to follow their dreams and passions Don’t let excuses stop you on your way. Stay on the path, even if you have to slow down. Live your life without excuses! Social Media Website Instagram Email: Book: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/39960680

Bonita Norris – Mountains, Mindset, Motherhood and Mastering the Impossible 01/27/2026

Bonita Norris – Mountains, Mindset, Motherhood and Mastering the Impossible Bonita Norris became the youngest woman to reach both the summit of Mt Everest at just 22 and the North Pole at 23, and her story is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, she shares the journey that took her from school trips in North Wales to climbing some of the world’s highest peaks, navigating extreme environments, and pushing the limits of what’s possible. Bonita reflects on the early steps that built her career in mountaineering—starting with beginner climbing courses, funding her expeditions, and preparing for the Himalayan peaks. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of summiting Everest, managing fear in remote and hostile environments, and how these experiences shaped her life and perspective. Now a mother of two, Bonita also discusses how she balances adventure with family life, inspiring her children to embrace courage and curiosity. From attempting K2 to climbing the Matterhorn after an eight-year hiatus, she emphasises the importance of showing up, trusting the process, and meeting opportunity with determination. Whether you’re chasing literal mountains or metaphorical ones in your own life, Bonita’s insights, lessons in bravery, and personal stories will motivate you to take the next bold step. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Bonita The youngest person to have reached both the summit of Mt Everest (age 22) and the North Pole (age 23) Book: Mother of 2 children Growing up and her early years Going on a school trip to North Wales and loving every moment of hiking in the mountains Finishing her A’levels and going off to South America to climb to Machu Picchu at 18 Not realising she could make a career out of mountaineering Alison Hargreaves’s dying on K2 in 1995 Mothers and taking risks Being in her 2nd year at university and going to a mountaineering talk at the Royal Geographical Society Realising that she wanted to climb and wanting to climb Mt Everest I don’t know how, but I’m going to make it happen Being inspired and maintaining the inspiration/motivation Why it felt so meaningful 2 years - 24 months to gain the skills, knowledge and funding Starting with a beginners climbing course Working backwards from her goal Completing the smaller milestones and trusting in the process Funding and paying for everything Heading off on her first Himalayan Expedition - Manaslu (eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres (26,781 ft)) Getting a job, using her student loan and receiving a grant from her university Having 6 months to find £50k to join her team going to Everest. Getting out of bed bad making another call Speaking with Capital FM on the radio How everything turned around Getting the money, getting the sponsorship Why you don’t need to be an Olympic Athlete to climb Everest Why you need to work on the actual problem - don’t work around the problem Fitness before heading of to Nepal Doing multi-days of training without rest If you want to get good at climbing mountains, climb mountains Reflecting back on the experience Worrying about what may go wrong on the mountain Reaching the summit and how it’s changed her life Understanding the risks at 22 Thoughts on letting her children climb Everest Climbing Everest with her daughter in the future Attempting to climb K2 and managing fear in remote, hostile environments Encouraging bravery and courage in her children Climbing the Matterhorn in 2025 after 8 years off climbing Not knowing if she would still enjoy it Taking the time to figure out what is next How you can connect with Bonita Final words of advice Put yourself out there and luck will meet you half way You have to show up Social Media Website: Linkedin: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/39755895

Jacquetta Megarry – Founding Rucksack Readers, Walking Adventures, and Building Confidence in the Outdoors 01/19/2026

Jacquetta Megarry – Founding Rucksack Readers, Walking Adventures, and Building Confidence in the Outdoors Jacquetta Megarry didn’t grow up in the outdoors, and she certainly didn’t see herself as an adventurer—or a publisher. But turning 50 sparked a journey that would transform her life. From walking the West Highland Way with friends to summiting Mt Kilimanjaro, Jacquetta discovered the power of pacing yourself, listening to your body, and building unshakeable self-belief. Her adventures inspired her to found Rucksack Readers, a guidebook company that helps hikers navigate trails around the world. Over 25 years later, Jacquetta shares stories from her experiences—from hiking in the UK during Storm Amy, to trekking the Inca Trail, to exploring Antarctica—along with lessons on making mistakes, learning from them, and embracing challenges at any age. In this episode, Jacquetta shares how stepping outside your everyday life can open doors to new passions, transform confidence, and even create a career doing what you love. She offers practical tips for hikers, insights into publishing, and encouragement for women ready to explore the world on their own terms. This episode is for you if you: Want inspiration to start a new adventure at any age Dream of hiking, trekking, or exploring the outdoors Are curious about publishing guidebooks and sharing your knowledge Believe it’s never too late to embrace challenges and grow Ready to be inspired? Hit play and let Jacquetta take you on a journey of mountains, maps, and life-changing adventures. *** 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: . Your support makes a difference. Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Jacquetta Growing up in London and going to school there Living all her adult life in Scotland Living in Edinburgh Founding a guidebook company Not being sporty or into the great outdoors at a young age Turning 50 and deciding to go and walk the West Highland Way with 4 female friends to celebrate 200 years of womanhood Feeling dissatisfied with the official guidebook This frustration lay dormant for 18 months Heading off to climb Mt Kilimanjaro for the first time and why the altitude was a great leveller How climbing Kilimanjaro gave her the self belief in order to make a career change Going from working in IT to starting a guidebook company The importance of pacing yourself and listening to your body Building self belief on the mountain How only 9 out of the 16 made it to the summit Feeling health, taking photos and enjoying the experience Doing something so far outside your normal everyday life and how it can make you think differently about life Becoming a publisher and having the confidence to think you can write a guidebook after one experience Deciding to do the Inca Trail in 2001 and the challenges involved in gathering the info for a guidebook Why would you not want the paper to be rainproof? Hiking the Dales Way during Storm Amy Creating little map booklets for hikers (waterproof) Apps verses Guidebooks Planning a walk with ChatGPT The structure of the guidebook Mapping and keeping route information updated Being a volunteer - on the Dealing with altitude sickness - keeping well hydrated and monitoring her heart Maintaining a base level of fitness… Celebrating 25 years of Rucksack Readers Writing about the mistakes made in publishing Talking about failure and mistakes and the lessons made Visiting Antarctica and wanting to go sea kayaking and see the emperor penguins Dealing with the cold and the conditions on the ship How her hiking has changed now entering her 70s The joy of being a publisher and being able to follow her passions Future challenge and revisiting the Dales Way Succession planning for Rucksack Readers Having a year of consolidation and looking after the future How to connect with Jacquetta and Rucksack Readers Discount code for the listeners of the Tough Girl Podcast—use toughgirl for a 20% discount of all books Final words of advice for other women who want to go on more adventures and challenges around the world Mistakes and being afraid of getting it wrong. Get out there, make the mistakes, and be sure to learn from them. Social Media Website: use toughgirl for a 20% discount off books - valid until 20th January 2027 Instagram: Facebook: /episode/index/show/toughgirlchallenges/id/39741810

Tough Girl Podcast

TOPICS