Shirin made history as Iran's first female triathlete to compete in a world championship.
On 15 September 2013, Shirin represented Iran at the triathlon championship in London, wearing full Islamic dress.
Growing up, Shirin discovered her love for movement through activities like yoga, swimming, and running. Her passion for sports blossomed further during her university years when she decided to pursue triathlon. Despite initial fears, she pushed through, embracing the challenge with determination.
After graduating from Durham University, where she studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Shirin embarked on an internship with the United Nations. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she explored the complex interplay between human nature, societal expectations, and the realities of life.
Shirin's participation in the 2013 Triathlon World Championship in London garnered attention worldwide. Donning full Islamic dress, she defied stereotypes and inspired women everywhere to pursue their athletic dreams, regardless of cultural or societal barriers.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Shirin remains passionate about advocating for inclusivity and challenging societal norms. She actively engages in discussions about privilege, gender equality, and the importance of representation in sports.
Join us as we delve into Shirin's remarkable journey, exploring the intersections of athleticism, philosophy, and social change. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of sport in transcending boundaries and fostering empowerment.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to hear Shirin's final words of advice, as she shares her insights on resilience, determination, and the pursuit of one's passions.
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New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women.
By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/
Thank you for your invaluable support!
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Show notes
- Who is Shiz
- Being based in London
- Not considering herself a tough girl
- Being born in Iran and moving around a lot in her early years
- Being introduced to yoga and the mountains
- Getting into running and swimming at school
- Getting into triathlon at university
- The pros and cons of moving so much when she was younger
- Being in the right environment to do sports
- The power of movement and nature
- How she defines being competitive
- Being involved with many societies at university
- Studying PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) at Durham University
- Rowing at college
- College chat!
- Deciding it was now or never and getting into triathlon
- Feeling scared and pushing on through
- Graduating from Durham and doing an internship with the United Nations (UN)
- Wanting to ride a rickshaw in London
- Exploring what is human nature in her dissertation
- Being told it wasn’t a safe environment for girls
- How theory is different from reality
- Competing in a triathlon world championship in London 2013
- The connection between your body and mind
- Don’t take your privilege for granted
- Flying to Iran to speak with the Iranian
- Needing to dress modestly
- What should women wear?
- Being patronised while racing
- Paris Olympics and the restriction on French women wearing a hijab
- Being passionate about moving
- Stepping back from social media
- Final words of advice
Social Media
Instagram: @shiringeramitri
Beth is a traveler first and foremost. With 35 years of travel experience, each year she spends three to four months abroad, combining her love of adventure with vacation and business.
For 15 years she has been running WanderTours, focusing on women-only tours, where she encourages and inspires women to dive deep into cultures and to challenge themselves by getting out of their comfort zone.
She recently discovered running and, at age 50, ran her first marathon. She then discovered ultra-running and has been using these as an excuse to explore remote destinations around the globe that few people ever see.
Most recently she completed the Grand Slam Plus with Racing the Planet. This consisted of running five 250K stage races across four deserts: the Gobi in Mongolia, the Atacama in Chile, the Namib in Namibia, Antarctica and, the one non-desert race, a run across the country of Georgia.
While many people have completed these races, she is part of a small group of competitors (only seven women!) who have completed them in a year's time (OK, slightly longer due to Covid).
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We first spoke with Beth - Feb 11th 2020 - Running her 1st Marathon at 50, completing the Snowman Trek in Bhutan.
***
Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women.
By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/
Thank you for your invaluable support!
***
Show notes
- Who is Beth Whitman and what she does
- Speaking with Beth at the end of 2019 where she shared more about running her first marathon and completing the Snowman Trek in Bhutan.
- Going back to the start of 2020
- 4 desert races - with Racing the Planet
- Wanting to run these 4races in 1 year (Namib Race (Namibia), Gobi March (Mongolia), Atacama Crossing (Chile) and The Last Desert (Antarctica))
- Continuing to run and train, even when races and borders were getting closed
- Not knowing what was going on, and continuing to hope that the race would go on.
- Running every street in your city/neighbourhood
- Having a purpose to get up every day and go running
- The rules of the ‘running every street’
- The mental side of always being ‘on’ while running
- The challenges of running a tour company during covid
- Dealing with uncertainty
- Her first race - running Georgia (country) in 2021
- Dealing with stress
- Using mediation and becoming more aware of her thoughts
- Needing to know what was happening and starting to doom scroll
- Becoming more aware of her habits
- Cutting back on caffeine and sugar
- Moving on quickly from each trip/race
- Needing to spend more time in reflection and appreciation for what’s been achieved
- Revenge travel
- Having 7 weeks between the Georgia race and the next ultra in Namibia
- Fuelling ultra marathons being a mostly vegan
- Magical moments and highlights from running
- Running in Antarctica and the challenges with the terrain and weather
- The mental struggle and thinking that she wasn’t going to be able to carry on while running in the desert
- What kept her going during the tough times
- How to find out more about Beth and her tours
- Being most active on Facebook
- Final words of advice
- Having something to look forward to
- The power of making a plan
- Why you are capable of so much more than you think
Social Media
Website:
Instagram:
Facebook: @bethwhitwa
Hey Hey, it's Sarah Williams from the Tough Girl Podcast, and I'm thrilled to share with you my latest solo episode reflecting on my unforgettable journey hiking the 3,000km Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand.
Sponsored by Zoleo #ChallengeWithZOLEO, this episode dives deep into the highs, lows, and everything in between of my epic adventure.
Join me as I address questions from listeners about a wide range of topics, including solo hiking as a woman, hitchhiking, hygiene, nutrition, and more. I share it all.
I'll take you on a journey through the stunning landscapes of both the North and South Islands, highlighting memorable moments like canoeing adventures and breathtaking views on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker or dreaming of your first big adventure, this episode offers inspiration, practical advice, and a glimpse into the transformative power of outdoor exploration.
Listen now and be inspired to take on your next personal challenge or adventure.
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Show notes
- Intro
- Sponsored by Zoleo #ChallengeWithZOLEO
- Who am I?
- The challenge - to hike 3,000km on the Te Araroa Trail
- Planning & Preparation episode 2nd November 2023
- Why it’s not your typical wilderness thru hike
- North Island Stats
- Questions from listeners, tribe members etc
- Safety for a solo women - men on the trail, wild camping, hitching
- Hitching
- Purist and EFK (Every F***king Km)
- Inov8 trainers - get a 15% discount here
- Trail Angels V Trail Entrepreneurs
- Koha V Donations
- Enjoyment of the North Island
- Canoeing
- Highlights - Timber Trail, Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Colonial Knob Walkway
- Costs from the North Island
- Reaching Wellington and having a Christmas break
- South Island 1st January 2024 - 6th March 2024
- Planning…. Verses being spontaneous
- Breaking down the challenging days
- Rivers in New Zealand
- Hiking in Wales, Tryfan and Welsh 3000s
- TA - Navigation and GPS
- Whittakers Creamy Caramel Chocolate
- Food, resupply, bounce boxes, being gluten free
- Wildlife encounters, sandflies
- Hygiene - Pee, Poo Periods
- Equipment - loves and hates
- Department of Conservation (DOC) Hut pass
- Highlights from the trail
- Advice for hiking the trail
- TA Resources page on the Tough Girl Website
- Final stats
- Regrets
- Learnings
- What’s next
Social Media
Instagram: @toughgirlchallenges
Facebook: @ToughGirlChallenges
Youtube: @ToughGirlChallenges
In this episode, we explore Sophie Power's incredible journey from self-professed anti-runner to ultra-runner and advocate for women in racing. Despite her initial reluctance towards running, Sophie discovered a passion for it at 26, leading her to tackle challenges like the Marathon des Sables (MDS) with only nine months of training.
Her journey wasn't without hurdles, especially as a mother of three. Yet, Sophie's dedication to running while pregnant sparked global attention, inspiring women everywhere.
Fuelled by her experiences, she founded SheRACES, aiming to make racing more accessible for women, advocating for pregnancy deferrals, and breaking barriers.
Sophie's resilience shines through, overcoming setbacks like a coma and memory loss. Her story embodies the power of belief and perseverance. Listen to Sophie now to learn more about her remarkable journey.
***
Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women.
By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/
Thank you for your invaluable support!
***
Show notes
- Who is Sophie
- Being an anti-runner
- Not being sporty
- Discovering running at 26
- Being a good hiker and doing kick-boxing
- Ready to take on a new challenge
- Having 9 months to train
- Going from zero to ultra
- The planning and preparation for Marathon des Sables (MDS) in 2010
- Doing her own research and putting previous experience in planning and logistics to use.
- Enjoying running and why she does ultras
- Looking to find herself again
- Starting to travel and do adventures at the same time
- Working long hours and running 20 miles max per week
- Running while pregnant and why it was different every time
- The photo that went viral
- UTMB
- Not wanting to let her 3 year old down
- Not wanting other women to be in her position
- How She Races came about
- Why races should have pregnancy deferrals
- Wanting to reduce the barriers for women to encourage more women to race
- Surveying over 2,000 women about their barriers and wanting to understand what events can change
- Coming up with guidelines for races
- Not having any free time
- How people can support the work that She Races is doing
- Also focusing on cycling and triathlon
- Why women and girls deserve better
- Running for Team GB and her ultra runner journey
- Finding herself on the start line of the European championships in 24hr running
- Taking running more seriously after turning 40 and having 3 kids
- Training for a 24hr race
- The mental side of the challenge
- Recovery after races
- Nutrition and fuelling herself during races and recovery
- Being in a coma for 36 hrs
- Dealing with short term memory loss
- Going back to work too soon
- Running with a prolapse
- Mummy MOT
- Emma Brockwell - “why did no one tell me”
- How to connect with Sophie
- Final words of advice
- “Believe that you deserve it”
Social Media
Website:
Instagram:
AN ADVENTURE STORY – WITH A DIFFERENCE
Jessica Hepburn is an unlikely athlete. She hates exercise and believes the only reason to do it is for food, booze and box-sets on the sofa.
However, in her forties, following a succession of hard life experiences, she started to try and exercise her way out of heartbreak. She has now become one of the world’s most extraordinary endurance athletes.
The first and only woman on the planet to have completed the “Sea, Street, Summit Challenge” – which is to swim the English Channel, run the London Marathon and climb Mount Everest. And possibly the only woman to have listened to eighty years and over 3,000 episodes of her favourite radio programme – Desert Island Discs.
Jessica joins us for the 3rd time on the Tough Girl Podcast, to share more about her new book. “Save me from the Waves”. Which shares more about her inspirational story of physical and mental endurance which starts on the streets of London and culminates in a life-threatening event on top of the world. During the podcast, Jessica share more about the challenges on the mountain, the lesson learns and provides advice and tips to encourage you to live big and bravely especially when life doesn’t go to plan.
Previous TGP episodes with Jessica.
2nd October 2018 - Author of 21 Miles and The Pursuit of Motherhood. Swimming the English Channel.
8th February 2022 - Adventure Activist - Her journey to climbing Mt. Everest.
***
Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women.
By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/
Show notes
- Who is Jessica
- Being an author
- Working in the arts
- Going through multiple rounds of IVF
- Experiencing multiple miscarriages
- Describing herself as an adventure activist
- Swimming the English Channel
- Her journey climbing Mount Everest
- Completing final training for Mount Everest
- Climbing Kilimanjaro immediately after the channel swim
- Realising the importance of mental and physical strength
- Realising she's not fit and fast enough
- Climbing massive mountains in her 50s is a significant challenge
- Discussing pushback when climbing Everest and feeling defensive
- Recounting a conversation with a stranger
- Limited window for climbing Mount Everest due to weather conditions
- Climbing to the top of the world while listening to her favorite radio program
- The reason why she writes her books
- Why she wouldn't change anything even after everything that has happened to her
- Feeling stronger and more confident on her second attempt to climb Everest
- Finding the Khumbu Icefall challenging
- Finding the summiting experience to be terrifying
- Not feeling the expected emotions on the summit
- Feeling exhausted and sick during the summit
- Having endurance and mental strength on the mountain
- Getting hit by a free-falling oxygen bottle, breaking her leg
- Sharing the details of what happened to her in her book
- Sharing her experiences with IVF and climbing Everest, hoping to provide solidarity and a survival guide for others
- What helped her process her thoughts and emotions during her fertility journey
- Creating playlists for various occasions and people in her life
- Composing a playlist for the child she never had
- Final words of advice
Website: www.jessicahepburn.
Instagram: @jessica_hepburn_
Twitter: @JessicaPursuit
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Celeste's love for hiking began in Maui, Hawaii, following a difficult breakup. The Lahaina Trail hike was transformative and made her feel empowered.
She quickly progressed in her hiking journey and decided to share her experiences on social media. To her surprise, she inspired other plus-sized individuals to explore the outdoors.
In 2022, Celeste embarked on a mission to hike in every US state. Her dedication to this goal, despite being a non-planner, is truly inspiring. She encourages others to find gear that fits their body types and shares her inspiration from Fat Girls Hiking.
Celeste's story is a celebration of confidence and happiness found in nature.
Listen in to learn about her magical moments while hiking and her valuable advice for women seeking joy in the outdoors.
Please be aware: In this episode, there is a single use of strong language at the end.
***
Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women.
By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/
***
Show notes
- Who is Celeste
- Moving to Las Vegas in 2021 from California
- Why did she move to Vegas!
- Being born in El Salvador, Central America
- Her love for travel and living in different places
- Her early years
- When her hiking journey started as an adult
- Working at the airport in Maui, Hawaii
- Coming out of a long relationship and feeling lonely and heart broken in 2013
- Wanting to give hiking ago and deciding to hike the Lahaina Trail
- Never seeing other plus sized people out hiking or represented in the media
- Not having the right gear and running out of water
- The challenges of descending in the dark
- Why that hike changed her life
- Feeling empowered
- Progressing in her hiking journey
- Being connected in nature and feeling happy
- Hiking for fun
- Wanting to move to the US mainland to pursue her passion for hiking
- Wanting to share more of her journey on social media (2017) to document her journey for her
- Realising that by shaken her story on social media it was encouraging more plus sized people who looked like her to get outside and give hiking ago
- Wanting to hike in every state in the USA and starting in 2022
- Having a new mindset and making her hiking goal a priority
- Not being the best planner and wanting to change that
- Finding gear to fit her body type
- Being inspired by Summer from Fat Girls Hiking
- Her first time going camping as an adult
- Why you deserve to be there (in the outdoors)
- How you can connect with and follow along with Celeste
- Magical moments from hiking and spending time in the outdoors
- Connecting with herself while hiking
- Final words of advice for other women who want to experience joy in the outdoors
- Find out what makes you confident
- Why you deserve to be happy
Social Media
Instagram: @Fatgirlforthefitsoul