Tough Girl Podcast

Epizódok

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  Anna Wells – Medicine, Mountains and the First Woman to Complete a Winter Munro Round in Scotland. 22.09.2026 44p

  Anna Wells is a mountaineer, former doctor, and outdoor instructor based in Inverness, Scotland. Her life has been shaped by a deep love of the mountains, beginning with indoor rock climbing at the age of 12 and growing through years of study, sport, and exploration. Although she followed a traditional academic path—studying maths and medicine and later working as a doctor—Anna eventually realised that her true passion lay in the outdoors. After time spent living in Chamonix and working as a mountaineering instructor, she made the decision to leave medicine behind and pursue a life more aligned with her values and love of adventure. In this episode, Anna shares her journey from medicine to the mountains, including her time competing in ice climbing, navigating injury, and rethinking what a fulfilling life looks like. We dive into her incredible Winter Munro Round in Scotland, inspired by Martin Moran, where she took on the challenge of climbing all 100+ Munros in winter conditions over just a few months. She talks about the realities of spending long days in the mountains, averaging multiple Munros per day, dealing with weather, injury, nutrition, motivation, and the mental challenges that come with endurance adventure. Anna also reflects on the kindness of strangers who supported her along the way, and the importance of flexibility, self-belief, and listening to your body. More recently, Anna has stepped into a new chapter of life as a mother, exploring how adventure, skiing, and time in the mountains can evolve alongside motherhood. Listen to this episode to hear what it takes to leave medicine for the mountains, how a Winter Munro Round pushes both body and mind, and why thinking outside the box can lead to a life that feels truly your own. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Anna 36 years old  Based in Inverness in Scotland  Currently on maternity leave Her love for adventure and being outside  Growing up in Inverness and not coming from a particularly outdoorsy family  Starting indoor rock climbing at 12 years old and falling in love with the sport  The Girl Guides and the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme  Being addicted to rock climbing and feeling everything click Her progress in the sport  Meeting more like minded people at university in Aberdeen  Being a student for 9 years - studying Maths for 4 years and doing a medical degree for 5 years  Deciding to leave medicine after 2 years of working as a doctor and moving in a different direction  Spending 2 years living in Chamonix  Deciding to give up her license to practice medicine  Wanting to focus on ice climbing competitions  Dealing with a shoulder injury and not being able to climb that hard Take a year and don't force yourself to make any decisions Starting to consider a career in the outdoors Wanting to live a life that makes you happy Thinking more about confidence  Working as a mountaineering instructor for a number of years Wanting to do the IFMGA but deciding against it Wanting to climb the Munro's in Scotland  Moving to Edinburgh and working in a bank as a data analyst A Winter Munro Round…. Inspired by Martin Moran  who was the first to do this over 1984/85 Starting to think about getting 3 months of unpaid leave Deciding in the October and starting in December  Figuring out the first 100 munro's Doing 65k and 4,400 m of ascent and being out for 19 hours Doing an average 4.4 munro's per day Putting out a message on social media looking for help with accommodation The kindness of strangers Having a lot of self confidence with navigation, make sensible decisions and look after herself Wondering if she would keep wanting it Injury, weather and not wanting it anymore  Feeling low on motivation during her menstrual cycle Dr Stacy Simms on the Tough Girl Podcast  Dealing with the low moments and keeping on walking  When your mood is low - walk with friends Finding it logistically a lot easer to be on her own  Having a few foot issues The magical moments from the experience  Writing her book - Breaking the Snowline Nutrition and eating on the mountains  Getting addicted to Lucazade  Gear and making risk based decisions  Having an emergency bag - that went with her everyday  Working with Alpkit Wearing trainers and waterproof socks and why it worked for her Motherhood, mountains and adventuring with a new baby (Fergus)  Having different parameters for what a day in the mountains looks like Getting back to skiing and the mountains quickly How to connect with Anna online Final words of advice for other women who want to spend more time in the outdoors Start thinking outside the box    Social Media Website: rocksandtrails.com  Instagram: @rocksandtrails To buy my book: shop.rocksandtrails.com  
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  Natasha Sones – Wild Swimming, SUP Adventures and Writing Swimming Wild in London and South East England 15.09.2026 37p

  Natasha is a year-round wild swimmer, qualified Stand-Up Paddleboarding instructor, freelance travel writer, and outdoor adventurer with a deep love of water in all its forms. Based in Suffolk, she is also a volunteer for the Bluetits Chill Swimmers and an Ordnance Survey Champion. Natasha's journey into the outdoors began early, swimming in the sea as a child, but like many people, her connection to sport and adventure faded during her 20s and 30s. It wasn't until her 40s that she rediscovered the water, found her community, and stepped into a completely new chapter of adventure. In this episode, Natasha shares how she went from feeling like she wasn't "outdoorsy" to becoming immersed in wild swimming and paddle boarding, including getting involved with inclusive swimming communities, discovering cold water swimming, and building confidence in outdoor spaces. She opens up about being diagnosed as autistic in her 40s, and how understanding herself better helped her find her tribe and her confidence. We also talk about her progression into Stand-Up Paddleboarding, from early lockdown experiments to completing endurance challenges such as the Race to the Castle, and preparing for a 162-mile coast-to-coast SUP journey across England. Natasha shares what it's really like training around work and family life, the realities of cold water swimming, and why time on the water has become so important for her wellbeing. Alongside her adventures, Natasha is also the author of the upcoming guidebook Swimming Wild in London and South East England, featuring 100 incredible swimming spots across beaches, rivers, lakes, lidos, and hidden wild locations. Listen to this episode to hear how Natasha found confidence through cold water and community, why it's never too late to become an adventurer, and how simple steps—like saying yes and asking for help—can open the door to a whole new way of living. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Natasha 46 year old adventurer and Mum of three Passionate year round wild swimmer, outdoor adventurer, and freelance travel writer with a deep love of all things water Living in Suffolk  Swimming in the sea from a young age Moving out to a small village into the countryside, which was 5 mins from the seaside Not being involved in sports or the outdoors in her 20s and 30s What changed in her 40s? Making new friends when your older Being shy when she was younger  Discovering she was autistic about 5 years ago  Finding the swimming and outdoorsy community  Feeling like she has found her tribe Getting into paddle boarding during lockdown Being introduced into wild swimming but not really enjoying it at first Setting up a local group for The Bluetits  Joining the Adventure Queens and attending a camp out  Saying her adventure idea out loud for the first time  Applying for the Adventure Queens Grant Wanting to paddle board in Finland and experience the endless summer Not having any idea on how to plan her adventure  Working with Gee Jackson as her mentor  Feeling overwhelmed by all the advice out there in relation to multi-way adventures  Struggling to find advice about doing a multi-day adventure on SUP Planning to visit 4/5 islands and how plans changed over time Being worried about feeling lonely  Not thinking she was an outdoorsy person  The barriers for women to get into water sports  Becoming an ambassador for This Girl Can, Suffolk  Writing her first guide book about Wild Swimming - with Vertebrate Publishing  Common misconceptions about swimming in London   Why swimming in Canary Wharf is one of her favourite swim locations  How it works with access rights for swimming in England  The Outdoor Swimming Society The do's and don'ts of getting into water  Why you always swim with a buddy Entering into different events Winter Swimming World Championships  What it feels like to swim in cold water  Deciding what challenge to do next Following adventurers and outdoorsy people on social media  Doing the Race to the Castle - 25 mile paddleboarding race on the River Trent with a cut off time of 9 hours   Winter training and fitting training into her life  Working with an elite paddle board racer—Emily King  Why it was about time on the water  Using an ironing board instead of a standing desk  The next adventure and paddle boarding coast to coast across England (162 miles over 9/10 days). Going from Liverpool to Yorkshire Being supported by RED Equipment  Meeting up with Jo Moseley Fundraising for the Canal and River Trust  How to connect with Natasha and follow along with her adventures  Advice for other women who want to take their next step into adventure  Just try it, and if you're unsure, ask for help Follow people and get inspired    Social Media Website: www.natashasoneseditorial.com  Instagram: @natashastarseeker  Book: Swimming Wild in South East England. Over 100 of the best outdoor swimming spots in London, the Home Counties and the Isle of Wight
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  Sylvia Malan-Gonzalez: Why Hiking is for Every Body | Fat Positive Hiking, Confidence & Community 08.09.2026 30p

  Sylvia Malan-Gonzalez is a Fat Positive Hiker from Portland, Oregon, on a mission to show that hiking really is for every body. Although she enjoys being active, Sylvia didn't fall in love with hiking straight away. Getting started wasn't easy. Finding affordable gear that fit, overcoming self-doubt, and navigating the outdoors in a body that isn't often represented in the hiking world all presented their own challenges. Instead of giving up, Sylvia set herself a simple goal: hike twice a month. One trail at a time, she built confidence, found supportive communities, discovered the gear that worked for her, and eventually climbed Mt. St. Helens—proving to herself that she was capable of far more than she ever imagined. In this episode, Sylvia shares what it means to be a Fat Positive Hiker, why she embraces body neutrality over chasing weight loss, and how learning to trust herself has transformed both her relationship with the outdoors and with her own body. We also talk about overcoming fear, dealing with judgement, finding hiking partners, using hiking poles, building strength in the gym, and why losing your hiking mojo doesn't mean your adventure is over. Whether you're completely new to hiking, returning after time away, or simply looking for encouragement to take that first step, Sylvia's story is a reminder that the outdoors belongs to everyone. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Growing up and living in Portland, Oregon, USA 39 years old English teacher Married for 29 years Half white and half Latina  Growing up in a very creative environment  Her parents running - Miracle Theatre Group!  Getting to go to Outdoor School and spending time in nature during Middle School and High School  Working as a Youth Counsellor  Not liking hiking at first  Liking being active and going for walks  Trying to get into hiking and struggling at first Not being able to get the gear Setting a personal goal other hike twice a month Figuring out what gear worked for her and her both Using athletic gear that she used for the gym Starting to read more about what clothes she would wear The basic essentials you need to take with you First aid, electrolytes  The lack of brands for plus size people  How the market for making clothes for bigger people is no longer there anymore Thicket  Wonder Outdoors  Being a Fat Positive Hiker and what that means  How the body positivity message has changed via influences over the years Centering herself in body neutrality  Not wanting to focus on weight loss Loving yourself and losing weight are two separate entities  Loving yourself no matter what stage you're at Seeing health at every stage Setting a personal hiking challenge 52 Hike Challenge  Founded by Karla Amador Using hiking poles and how they helped her Finding other people to go hiking with  Using All Trails  Oregon Hikers  Sharing and tracking your hikes Building a hiking community  Making friends through the hiking community  Being held back by fears Overcoming fears and the lessons learned along the way Climbing Mt. St Helens Being a fat person and being afraid of getting hurt Judgement from other people Being encouraged by her friend to climb Mt. St Helens What is the real fear Why it is more of a mental thing Losing hiking mojo and how to handle that Setting hiking goals for 2026 Leading group hikes Getting into strength goals Going backpacking and camping! Sharing on Instagram  How to connect with Sylvia  Final words of advice "You can do hard things and still have fun while you're doing it. Who cares what people think of you? This is your life. Don't be afraid."   Social Media Instagram: @SilverMTNGoat   
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  Helen Watson – Author of Tea and Grit and Cycling 15,000km Along the Silk Road from Scotland to China with Her Husband 01.09.2026 36p

  Helen Watson is a traveller, writer, and conservationist based in the Scottish Highlands. Born in Scotland and raised in Switzerland, she has always been drawn to adventures that are both physically and culturally challenging. In 2009, shortly after completing her PhD, Helen and her husband Ed set off on an extraordinary bicycle journey from Scotland to China. Over the course of a year, they cycled 15,000 kilometres across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and China, following sections of the ancient Silk Road and relying on paper maps, curiosity, and the kindness of strangers. The journey took them through countries including Syria, Iran, and the Central Asian 'Stans', where they experienced incredible hospitality and forged meaningful connections with people from vastly different cultures and backgrounds. The trip would later inspire Helen's first book, Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road, published in January 2026. In this episode, Helen shares the spark behind the adventure, the logistics of planning a long-distance cycle journey, and the realities of life on the road. We discuss what it means to become comfortable with discomfort, the privileges and challenges of travelling as a woman, and how her experiences in Syria took on a new significance in the years that followed during the refugee crisis. Helen also reflects on the importance of storytelling, why she felt compelled to write her book, and the lessons she has learned from a life shaped by travel, endurance, and human connection. Listen to this episode to hear about cycling 15,000km along the Silk Road, the generosity of people across cultures, and why stepping just outside your comfort zone can lead to the most transformative 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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Being based in the Scotland Highlands 2009/2010 - cycling from Scotland to China Being born in Scotland and moving to Switzerland at 5 years old Going to St. Andrews for University  Speaking; English, Swiss-German and German  Growing up in Switzerland and spending time in the outdoors Growing up with a lot of cultures  Wanting to take on this adventure and where the spark came from Being interested in long distance journeys Being inspired by Ffyona Campbell  Walking some long trails in New Zealand  Meeting her husband Ed at University  Wanting to do a longer trip after marriage  Heading off after she fished her PhD Studying genetics of the red deer in Scotland  Applying the lessons learned from studying for her PhD to planning the cycle ride Learning endurance from her PhD The logistics of getting visa's Not wanting to set a specific route in advance  Using paper maps and making route decisions as they went  Making some radical route decisions and deciding to go to Syria  Why it was one of the best decisions she's made (apart from marrying Ed!) The route - Scotland - Newcastle - Holland - Germany - France - Switzerland, Austria, Hungry, Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Greece, Syria, Turkey, Iran, the Stans…to China  Spending 2 months cycling around China The reality of what it was like being on the road Loving the experience most of the time! Meeting different people and experiencing hospitality in different countries Getting to the deeper levels of connection with people  Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable in awkward social situations  The privilege of being a woman while travelling with her male partner  Getting to experience the best of both worlds What being a feminist means  The amazing women who are fighting against oppression around the world  Gender roles while travelling as a couple Having a love for writing  Keeping a journal to document the journey  Feeling depressed with what happened in Syria Doing volunteer work related to refugees  Wanting to tell the story of the people she met The Arab Spring and the refugee crises  Community Refugee Sponsorship The book being released in January 2026 - Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road The point she wanted to make with the book Wanting to go on the same trip again  How to connect with Helen  Final words of advice and wisdom for other women who want to take on an adventure or challenge  Start with something that is a little bit outside your comfort zone and build up  Break it down     Social Media Website: www.helenwatsonwriting.com  Instagram: @helenwatsonwriter  The Book: Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road  
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  Gaby Dijkstra – Outdoor Enthusiast and PhD Researcher Studying the Role of Gender in the Extreme Mountaineering Industry. 25.08.2026 45p

  Gaby Dijkstra is an outdoor enthusiast, solo traveller, and researcher with a passion for remote mountain environments. Whether climbing, skiing, or paragliding, she feels most at home in the mountains and has travelled to all seven continents, breaking barriers as a solo female adventurer. After years of working in education and girl empowerment projects, Gaby became increasingly curious about the construct of gender and how societal expectations shape our behaviours, opportunities, and experiences. This curiosity ultimately led her to pursue a PhD at Rotterdam School of Management, designing her own research project to investigate the role of gender in extreme environments. In 2024, Gaby spent 191 days in the Himalayas, including 132 days living on the mountains, conducting fieldwork during a full climbing season in Nepal. Her research explored the role of gender in the extreme mountaineering industry, particularly among the people who work and operate in these challenging environments. Along the way, she joined a commercial expedition to climb Ama Dablam, visited the Khumbu Icefall and the Manaslu region, and was invited to take part in an exclusive winter expedition to Annapurna I. Through interviews, observations, and lived experience, Gaby gathered what she describes as "a mountain of data" on how gender norms continue to shape the culture of mountaineering. In this episode, Gaby shares what she learned from her time in the Himalayas, why the traditional heroic narrative of mountaineering can be harmful to both men and women, and how understanding gender as a social construct can help us rethink leadership, decision-making, and belonging in extreme environments. Listen to this episode to learn about conducting a PhD in one of the world's most challenging landscapes, the hidden gender dynamics within the mountaineering industry, and why talking to other women and pursuing your curiosities can open doors to entirely new 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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Living in Amsterdam, Netherlands 37, freelancer and researcher  Having a background in sports management  Using sports to help society tackle challenges PhD at Rotterdam School of Management  Designing her own study project - the role of gender in extreme environments  Gender as a social construct  How social constructs can limit us in who we are and how we behave What is appropriate behaviour for societies gender expectations  Study something that is interesting for you Looking at gender and not understanding the construct  Loving all types of outdoor sports.  Being most happy when in the mountains  Where are all the women - always being surrounded by men Starting to work in leadership project. Girl empowerment projects. Introducing girls to sports  Getting frustrated and wanting to learn more about the construct of gender  Wanting to know how this plays out in extreme environments  If there are no obstacles - where would you like to go for your PhD? Wanting to go back to the Himalayas  191 days in the field, spending 132 days on a mountain Conducting fieldwork in the mountains of Nepal for a full climbing season  Looking at the role of gender in the climbing industry - especially for people working in the mountains Studying only from the Nepal side Taking part in a commercial climbing expedition - climbing Ama Dablam (6,812 metres (22,349 ft)) Doing a participant observation study - What it means to be a client in the industry  Being invited to join an exclusive winter expedition - visiting Annapurna I Visiting the Manaslu Region Vistiting Mt. Everest and the Khumbu icefalls  Speaking with women climbing and working  The lessons and learning from the research - having "a mountain of data!" Her PnD based on three articles  The first article based on doing a discourse analysis based on 100 years of expedition reports - looking at gender norms and how they can be identified  The 2nd and 3rd articles based on her experience  Looking at the theory of sense making, decision making  Not looking at the different between men and women The heroic sense of mountaineering  - the summit above all else…. The traditional norms and how it can harm both men and women Women being extra tough on other women How to connect with Gaby to find out more about her work  Wanting to be outside rather than on social media Words of advice for other women who want to purse their interests  Talk to other women    Social Media Website: www.sportsleadership.nl  Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gabydijkstra 
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  Holly Budge: From Extreme Adventure to Protecting Elephants and Empowering Women Rangers 18.08.2026 50p

  Holly Budge is a global keynote speaker on risk, innovation, and human potential, operating at the intersection of conservation, science, and bold ideas. As an Everest summiteer and the first woman to skydive Everest, she now focuses less on surviving extremes and more on solving the complex conservation challenges shaping our future.  As founder of international NGO How Many Elephants and World Female Ranger Week, Holly explores how nature, technology, and innovation can work together to design smarter systems, from using bees as bio-engineers to reduce human-elephant conflict in Africa, to empowering women as front-line wildlife rangers. Her work has reached over 500 million people globally, been featured in Forbes, and praised by Sir David Attenborough. In this episode, Holly shares powerful insights from her journey between extreme adventure and global conservation work, including how her definition of risk and purpose has evolved over time. We dive into the real-world impact of wildlife conservation projects, from elephant corridors and bee-based deterrents to the rise of female ranger teams protecting some of the world's most vulnerable ecosystems. Listen to this episode to hear how adventure can become a force for global change, why women are reshaping the future of conservation, and what it takes to turn bold ideas into real-world impact at scale. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Holly Being an adventurer and passionate conservationist  Founder of How Many Elephants, Wildlife Positive Travel and World Female Ranger Week First speaking to Holly March 26th 2019 on the Tough Girl Podcast   Recap on what was discussed on that episode  Deciding to move to New Zealand in 2019 Training for the Coast to Coast Race  Learning how to kayak especially for this race  Getting over her fear of fast moving water Doing a training course and getting to a Grade 2 whitewater certification Doing the challenge solo and being supported by her mum at the checkpoints Working on her charity - How Many Elephants  How have things changed for the elephants over the years  How poaching numbers have come down  Human elephant conflict and how it has increased over the years Partnering with an NGO in Tanzania  Elephants being scared off bees and creating elephant corridors  Dr Lucy King  Why it works differently in Asia  How her definition of adventure has changed over the years Heading out with armed rangers Creating world female ranger week in 2021 and how it's gotten bigger and bigger every year Reaching over 500 million people!! The importance of women in these roles Why it matters that women are involved  The Black Mambas - the all female anti -poaching team  Women are proving to be way less corruptible than men June 23rd - 30th - world female ranger week - same week - every year How it has evolved to - Women in conservative  Amanda Dungeon - Ambassador - world female ranger week Listen to Amanda on the Tough Girl Podcast The goal of getting the untold stories out there Connecting donors and their money to the right projects  Conservation without funding is just conversation  Needing to be able to track and measure the money and the impact Making her money via speaking events at corporates and conferences  Looking at sustainable tourism - with Wildlife Positive Travel  Why every year is different Moving into a camper van and planning to drive to New Zealand How does it work with her husband? Training for the Montane Arctic Spine Race (290 miles)  Cold weather experience and training  Training with Chat GBP How to connect with Holly on social media Putting herself into more uncomfortable situations Final words of advice and wisdom for other women who want to get outside their comfort zone Think Tall - Start Small Get prepared  Win or Learn Smile through the pain A positive mindset is a resilient mindset   Social Media Holly Budge Website: www.hollybudge.com Instagram: @hollybudge LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hollybudge Wildlife Positive Travel Website: www.wildlifepositivetravel.com Instagram: @wildlifepositivetravel How Many Elephants Website: howmanyelephants.org Instagram: @howmanyelephants World Female Ranger Week Website: www.worldfemalerangerweek.org Instagram: @worldfemalerangerweek
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  Devin Brown - Learning to Endure on the Mississippi River and Reconnecting People to Water 11.08.2026 44p

  Devin Brown is a Minneapolis-based paddler and founder of Sovereign Waters, an emerging organisation focused on connection, access, and purpose through time spent on the water. In 2024, Devin set out on an ambitious source-to-sea journey along the Mississippi River, paddling 1,025 miles before high water forced an early end to the expedition. What remained was not failure, but a powerful experience of resilience, learning, and deep connection to the river and herself. Her journey into paddling began long before that expedition, rooted in childhood summer camps, early experiences on the water, and a growing understanding of how time in nature supports her mental health. Over the years, she developed her skills step by step, eventually building the confidence to attempt one of North America's great river journeys. In this episode, Devin shares the realities of endurance paddling, from long days in the rain and logistical challenges on the Mississippi to moments of fear, uncertainty, and unexpected support from "river angels" along the way. She also opens up about feeling like one of the only women on the water, and why creating more inclusive access to paddling has become central to her mission. We explore the founding of Sovereign Waters, her vision for helping more people connect with rivers in ways that feel safe and empowering, and why building community around water is essential for both wellbeing and environmental connection. Listen to this episode to hear what it really takes to learn endurance one stroke at a time, why connection to rivers can be life-changing, and how one woman is working to bring more people—especially women—into the world of paddling and wild water. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Devin Living in Minneapolis in Minnesota  Being a passionate paddler and loving spending time on the water Spending her early years going to summer camps  Learning that kayaking was essential for her mental health  Moving to the twin cities  Sending out on her long term goal of paddling the Mississippi River The freedom on being on the river and the river angels  Learning to paddle at a young age  Frost Valley YMCA Her love for nature and developing independence  Being a counsellor in training and becoming a trip leader  Making connections with local organisations Wanting to connect people to the Mississippi River Founding Sovereign Waters to get more people on the water in ways that feel comfortable for them  The war on water in Minnesota Needing people to fall in love with the natural world The story of getting to the start line of paddling the Mississippi River Thinking more and more about the Mississippi River Source to Sea and why it was going to be her one day Making a career change to a massage therapist Being supported by her community Not being able to afford to go paddling Getting back to the river during covid Mississippi River Paddle Share  Feeling like the only women paddler Building up her endurance with paddling  Working with a personal trainer The logistics of paddling the river Having 55 days for the paddle Feeling unsafe while on the river River angels Being on the water day after day and why it was incredible, but also frightening and traumatising  Planning to paddle again in 2028 - depending on the political climate The film - Mother River  Introducing paddling to her son The journey down the Mississippi River Spending the first 3 weeks paddling in the rain Knowing it was time to stop paddling  Following her gut instinct Not having classic adventure blues Plan for time after adventure to reflect How people can connect online  Final words of advice (apart from just do it!) Connect with other women who want to get dirty, grungy and empowered to do things outside  Building sisterhoods around nature  Get out there - make a plan and ask people to go with you Make your spirit happy    Social Media Website: sovereignwaters.org  Instagram: @afrodiskayak   
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  Gina Johansen – Endurance Athlete Preparing for a Solo Unsupported South Pole World Record 04.08.2026 39p

  Gina Johansen is a Swedish-born endurance athlete, adventurer, and a track work rider based in Sydney and Norway. She is currently preparing for a world record attempt to become the fastest woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole in 2026.  She grew up on a horse farm in Sweden, where her love for horses and the outdoors began early. Gina spent eight years riding trackwork for leading Thoroughbred racing stables in Australia and is now back riding racehorses in Sydney alongside her polar training.  Her previous expeditions include becoming the first woman to cross Lake Baikal in Siberia solo by foot, skiing solo from North Cape to Jäckvik, crossing Svalbard on skis, cycling 2700km from Sydney to Cairns, and hiking the full length of Norway with her partner and their dog. She also spent eight years living near North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe, training in extreme Arctic conditions.  Through her journey, Gina hopes to inspire others—especially women—to push beyond their limits, take on big challenges, and discover what they're truly 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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes From Sweden originally  Being based in Northern Norway (North Cape) for the past 8 years before moving to Sydney in December 2025 Riding racehorse in the early morning and training for her South Pole Expedition in the afternoon  Her goal - to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole, attempting to break the women's speed record Gina shared her story on the Tough Girl Podcast - April 28th 2020 - Walking 3,000km the length of Norway, plus a solo crossing of Lake Baikal in Siberia You can listen to that episode HERE  What's been going on in the past 6 years  Living in remote mountain areas doing a lot of skiing, hiking, hunting and dealing with a lot of injuries  Trying to work on the financials to pay for the expedition  Doing training expeditions and building up her skills  After the Lake Baikal expedition in 2019 - starting to think about the next big challenge  Always wanting to go to Antarctica and the challenges of doing a solo expedition  Wanting a real test - both physically and mentally  The last 4 years being focused on the expedition  Dealing with injuries and set backs along the way Struggling to get the financial support to make it possible US$95,000 plus costs for equipment and flights  Needing to be ready fitness wise and mentally  What the planning looks like to plan an expedition of this size Trying not to get overwhelmed with the size of the challenge Taking some time out - to reset  Dealing with two stress fractures  Wanting to understand why she was getting stress fractures  Doing the rehab and keeping fit  Having smaller projects to focus on and having things to look forward to Working with a coach Starting at 5am and riding horse for 4.5 hrs Trying to eat a lot and not being afraid of eating fast carbs Handling set backs  Working with a physio  Focusing on staying positive Doing a crossing of Svalbard from East to West with a team of women Being in an environment with polar bears - needing to take on night watch shifts to keep the camp safe from polar bears  Mentally preparation before the challenge  Knowing it will hard and lonely  Also understanding it will be very tough  Focusing on the goal and being so motivated to reach it Discipline  The pain of disciple is lighter than the pain of regret The importance of socialising with friends - but organising this around training  If you want to achieve anything, you've got to put in the work Showing up even when you don't feel like it Needing to make the final payment by August, and send the equipment over in September  Trying to get sponsorship from corporate and individuals  Meeting the right people  How to connect with Gina Final words of advice for women who want to step outside their comfort zone When things go wrong, that is when the best stories are created!    Social Media Website: www.ginajohansen.com Instagram: @Ginajohansen91  Facebook: www.facebook.com/ginajohansen91
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  Denise Leonard - The World's Toughest Row, 50 Days at Sea and Inspiring Women into Adventure 28.07.2026 44p

  Denise is part of a team of women who have just successfully rowed 3000 miles, unsupported, across the Atlantic Ocean as part of the 'World's Toughest Row'. Rowing 12 hours a day for over 50 days, Denise drew on decades of experience from white water and sea kayaking, alongside years spent as an outdoor instructor.  Driven by a deep belief that adventure belongs to everyone, Denise champions the visibility of women in outdoor spaces. She's passionate about showing that ordinary women can achieve extraordinary things, and that authentic role models have the power to inspire the next generation of adventure-loving women. In this episode, Denise shares what it really takes to row across an ocean, from raising the funds and building the right team to coping with exhaustion, fear and the mental challenges of spending 50 days at sea. She opens up about the power of mindset, learning to be kinder to herself, and why focusing on what you can control can make all the difference in the toughest moments. Listen to this episode to discover how adventure can transform your perspective, why saying yes to opportunities can lead to extraordinary experiences, and why Denise believes that adventure truly is for everyone. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Denise Working as a Lecturer at the University of Wales, Trinity St Davids  Being based in Pembrokeshire in West Wales Growing up in the South of England in Wiltshire Her early years and not coming from an outdoorsy family Getting into slalom kayaking Her journey to becoming a lecturer Studying sports science at university  Moving from kayaking into rowing  After graduation and not knowing what she wanted to do  Working at the National Water Sports Centre Finding her community of people  Deciding to go traveling for the next few years Having an innate desire for freedom Being quite risk adverse  Struggling with predictability  Needing moments of real significant change in order to feel alive Saying yes to opportunities  Putting one foot in front of the other and seeing the positive in things Rowing across the Atlantic Ocean and where the idea came from Being inspired by Jasmine Harrison  Taking it from a dream/opportunity to making it happen Spending a year trying to get a crew together  Not being able to get people to commit Starting to ask people again in January 2022 Getting the crew together  Raising the funds to pay for the row  Why it was a 3.5 year process Working as a team and all bringing their best to the table Keeping motivated through the tough challenging moments Being able to rely on the team for support The start line and feeling a sense of relief When the nerves started to kick in a few days before setting off Journalling As the skipper feeling responsible for keeping the girls safe Starting the process of writing a book Not sleeping for 2 nights before the row Heading out in big conditions  The simplicity of surviving When the nerves disappeared  Why the row was the best form of CBD - Cognitive behavioural therapy  Being forced to confront her thought processes  Feeling so tired and physically exhausted  Not having the space for anything that drains energy Seeing the positives in the situation and asking for help  Learning acceptance while on the row  The challenges from week 6 Focusing on what you can control during the row  What is my attitude, how am I talking to myself Being kinder to myself  The team dynamics and how the tough situations were handled  Working with an emotional performance coach  Stop talking to my friend/yourself like that The power of self talk  Seeing land for the first time and getting to the end of the challenge  The final push at the end  Picturing the finish line in her mind  Being the first all welsh, women team to complete the row  Singing the national anthem on land after 50 days on sea  Adapting back to reality and getting back to 'normal' life  Wanting to leave a legacy How to connect  Merchedymor - Women/girls/sisters of the sea Final words of advice for other women who want to step outside their comfort zone Why it's about mindset   Social Media Website: www.merchedymor.wales  Instagram: @Merchedymor2025  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-leonard-21b35638
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  Clare Dyson: Mountain Leader, Slow Adventure Advocate and Creating Space for Women in the Outdoors 21.07.2026 45p

  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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  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 Fjall Raven  The Fjall Raven Classic, UK  Doing a Masters in outdoors experiential learning   The Big Hoof Charity  Setting up the Women's Adventure Academy with Anna Blackwell  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 Mountain Leader 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 Kendal Mountain Film Festival  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:  www.womensadventureacademy.com  Instagram: @_claredyson   
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  Catherine Breed – From the Pool to the Pacific Ocean: Swimming the Length of California and Redefining What Adventure Looks Like Today 14.07.2026 50p

  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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  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 The Dolphin Club, 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 ALLEZ Sports  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: www.Catherinebreed.com  Instagram: @catherine.breed  Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-breed-966bb36b 
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  Ria Xi - Running 20,000km Across the Silk Road to Redefine What's Possible 07.07.2026 44p

  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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  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 UTMB Going to Egypt to become a free diving instructor  The Sinai Trail 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 GoFundMe  "It's only delusional until it's not." The Planetary Run Club  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: 20000km.com  Instagram: @whereisriax  Youtube: @whereisriax  GoFundMe: gofund.me/8d624216f
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  Dr Irene Molina-Gonzalez - Running Beyond Burnout and Finding a New Purpose 30.06.2026 33p

  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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  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  Ultra Trail Snowdonia (UTS)  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: www.train4bodymind.com Instagram: @train4bodymind
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  Helen Spencer – Vet, Polar Explorer & South Pole Ski Adventurer 23.06.2026 45p

  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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  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 www.interrail.eu/en 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 Altitude Centre in London  Not being able to test her kit Receiving a lot of help and advice  Heading to Loughborough Elite Sports Centre to have her fitness tested  Dr Amelia Rudd  Heading over to Antarctica and what it was like  Antarctic Logistics Expeditions (ALE) 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: @adventure_vet_spence  Justgiving: www.justgiving.com/page/helen-spencer-1728903029666
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  Dr. Shawna Pandya – Canada's First Named Female Commercial Astronaut & Space Medicine Pioneer 16.06.2026 45p

  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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  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  Girl Guides 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 Kellie Gerardi  Dr. Norah Patten  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: shawnapandya.com  Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shawnapandya  Instagram: @shawnapandya  Facebook: @shawnapandyaofficial  
• 
  Jeannette McGill: Everest at 52, Leadership at Altitude & The Truth Above 8,000m 09.06.2026 46p

  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 - Jeannette McGill - 1st South African woman to summit Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes 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 - January 7th 2021 - - 1st South African woman to summit Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world 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 Training Peaks  Evoke Endurance Coach  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: www.mcgillsmountains.com Instagram: @mcgills_mountains   
• 
  Lauren Burnison – Pioneering the Sober Travel Movement and Adventures of a Single Mum 02.06.2026 44p

  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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  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  Mandy Manners - Sober Coach  She Recovers Foundation  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 Terence McKenna  Try something hard, push yourself out of your comfort zone.    Social Media Website: www.welovelucid.com - The UK's First Alcohol-free Travel Company  Instagram: @welovelucid  Substack: adventuresofasobersinglemum.substack.com
• 
  Helen Dainty – First Woman to Cycle Across Libya & 9 Years Living on £50 a Week by Bike 26.05.2026 38p

  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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  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 - Tap Persia  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 Warmshowers 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 - Repente  What is a belt drive and needing a specific frame for it and how it works  Why it's popular with long distance tourers  Schwalbe 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: helsonwheels.bio.link   Instagram: @hels.on.wheels  Facebook:  @Helsonwheelswithmlt  Youtube: @helsonwheels 
• 
  Chloe Stead – From Navy Life to Nomadic Living, Caminos, Grief & Choosing a Simpler Way 21.05.2026 59p

  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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  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 The South West Coast Path  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.
• 
  Aisyah Rafaee - 2x Olympic Rower on Comebacks, Mental Strength & Redefining High Performance in Your 30s 19.05.2026 46p

  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: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Aisyah Being based in Boston, USA Originally from Singapore  Working as a HYDROW Athlete  Working as a Mental Performance Coach 3HP Athlete Coaching  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  Singapore Rowing Association 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 South East Asia Games 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 mental skills coach Hansen Bay 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: 3hpathlete.com  Instagram:  @ariesyah @3hpathlete