Sarah Williams - Reflections on 2018 and the start of 2019 - plus update on Tough Girl Challenges

I set up Tough Girl Challenges in 2014 as a way of motivating and inspiring women and girls.

I host the Tough Girl Podcast where I interview inspirational female explorers, adventurers, athletes and everyday women who have overcome great challenges. The podcast is listened to in 174 countries around the world and has passed 850,000 downloads. The podcast is in the top 15% of podcasts globally and has a unique focus on women who do adventures and undertake big physical challenges.  

I completed the Marathon des Sables in April 2016 (6 marathons in 6 days across the Sahara Desert), in 2017 I thru hiked the Appalachian Trail solo and unsupported (2,190 miles) in 100 days (which I also daily vlogged)! In 2018 I cycled over 4,000 km from Vancouver, Canada via the Pacific Coast Highway to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. 

I have a Masters in Women & Gender Studies (2018), with my dissertation focusing on women, adventure and fear. I am also a qualified Yoga Instructor & Personal Trainer (2019). I am now based back in the UK and am looking for my next challenge and adventure!

Show notes

• Plans for the episode
• Having a normal job for 8 years
• How Tough Girl Challenges came about
• Moving back in with my parents
• 2015 - the start of the Tough Girl Podcast
• Doing the Marathon des Sables in 2016
• The Appalachian Trail in 2017
• Starting my Masters in October in 2017
• Dissertation on Women, Adventure & Fear
• Having a busy 2018
• Spending time with my family in Australia
• Reflections on 2016 and goals for 2017
• Reflections on 2017 and goals for 2018
• Having the adventure blues 
• Reflections on 2018 
• Keeping my brain stimulated
• The start of 2019
• Wanting to take some time off social media
• How the yoga wasn’t what I was expecting
• April 2019 and still being tired
• Yoga Nidra and Yin Yoga
• Not having a plan and not knowing what I’m doing next
• Becoming a personal trainer - 4 week intensive course
• The 4th Year Anniversary 
• Wanting to double down and speak to more women for the Tough Girl Podcast
• Being interviewed by Lily Dyu for her book (See page 73)
• Being in an academic text book
• Answering questions from the Tough Girl Tribe!
• What are your future goals
• Hitting 1 Million downloads
• Creating a massive resource for women and girls
• Catching up with previous guests for Tough Girl Extra
• My long term goal of getting a PHD - Dprof
• The Tough Girl Podcast made me do it!
• How do I find guests?
• How do I decide the podcast order
• Where did I expect to be in 4 years
• Learning patience
• Quick Fire Questions
• Next challenge

 

On the 4th August 2019 the Tough Girl Podcast will be celebrating it’s 4 year anniversary! To mark the occasion in style I’ve decided to release 4 special episodes on the Sunday!!

7 am - Sarah Williams - Solo episode, reflecting back on 2018, the start of 2019 and answering questions from the tribe!

10 am - Paula Radcliffe MBE - fastest female marathoner of all time!

1pm - Mel Nicholls - Paralympian, Endurance and Adventure Athlete, Handcycle LEJOG World Record Holder.

4 pm - Shamila Kohestani - Former captain of the Afghan Women's soccer team.

 

Throughout the rest of August, we will have our regular Tough Girl Tuesday episodes coming out.

6th Aug - Dr. Tamie Jovanelly - World Explorer, focusing on major river systems including the Nile, Amazon, Mississippi, & Ganges.

13th Aug - Dr. Joyce Azzam - First Lebanese women to climb the 7 Summits & going after the Explorers Grand Slam!

20th Aug - Monika Sattler - Management Consultant turned World Record Holder - 1st Women to cycle the Vuelta a España - 3,058km with 49,337m of climbing!

27th Aug - Wendy Searle - Attempting to break the women's speed record for solo expedition to the South Pole, November 2019.

Plus - I will be catching up with members of the Tough Girl Tribe - for Tough Girl Extra who will be sharing more about how the tough girl podcast has changed their life! They will share the episodes that stand out for them, they will share more about their own journeys and what the tough girl podcast has inspired them to do!