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Tough Girl Podcast

The Tough Girl Podcast is all about inspiring and motivating YOU! I will be interviewing inspirational women from around the world, who’ve faced and overcome difficult challenges and situations, they will share their story, their knowledge and provide advice and essential tips for you to overcome your own personal challenges. Please check out the Tough Girl Challenges website - www.toughgirlchallenges.com and follow on twitter @_TOUGH_GIRL
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Now displaying: October, 2021
Oct 28, 2021
Kwesia grew up in Deptford, an inner city area of South-East London. Along with many of her friends, neighbours and peers, she experienced a great deal of challenges that come with living in an area, and with people, who have been neglected, excluded and marginalized.
 
At 17, Kwesia found herself homeless, moving from sofa to sofa. Her life was chaotic, often harsh, without any meaning and lacking a clear sense of direction or purpose.
 
At her lowest point, Kwesia received an opportunity to become apart of a British Exploring Society’s expedition to the Peruvian Amazon Rain-forest. Grabbing the opportunity, Kwesia spent 3 weeks in a remote part of the jungle, with no phone, and no contact with the outside world, with a group of individuals she barely knew.
 
It was a life-changing experience for her.  She experienced the beauty of nature, there was no judgement, just new friendships, new energy, a chance to be herself, to experience new energy and to think about new opportunities.
 
On her return to the UK, Kwesia wanted to give back to her community, she wanted to connect with young people like herself, and inspire them to spend time in nature, to give them new opportunities and new experiences away from their life of poverty and hardship.  
 
Kwesia created, City Girl in Nature. This was her way to share her love and passion for the outdoors, and her belief that everybody should have the chance to be healed, to be nourished, and to live a life filled with abundance.
 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.
 
Show notes
  • Who Kwesia and what she does
  • Being based in South East London
  • Growing up in Deptford
  • Being homeless at 17
  • Not getting on well with her mum
  • Struggling to get support and the challenges of finding housing
  • Not having a place to call home
  • Dealing with inner city trauma 
  • Having to be resilient from a young age
  • Going to college and working as a football coach
  • Getting the opportunity to go to the Amazon with the British Exploring Society
  • Not having any experience of the outdoors
  • Being open to learning and connecting with others
  • Going on a practice weekend and getting to meet other members who were going on an expedition
  • Heading out to the jungle!
  • Being sponsored 
  • Concerns about going on the expedition
  • What camp life was like
  • Being apart of a “fire” group 
  • The lessons learned from the expedition
  • Being a leader 
  • Taking a while to process what happened on expedition
  • The power of spending time in nature
  • Speaking at the Adventure Mind conference
  • Being featured in Belinda Kirk’s book - Adventure Revolution
  • Trying to figure out how to give back to her community
  • Her Youtube Online Series 
  • Speaking with Rhiane from Black Girls Hike
  • Getting out into nature 
  • Top tips for women and girls for getting into the outdoors
  • Why its important to find what you enjoy
  • How can people support and get involved with City Girl In Nature
  • Final words of advice to share with you. 
 
Social Media
 
Website: citygirlinnature.com 
 
Instagram: @citygirlinnature 
 
Twitter: @citygirlnature 
 
Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC9jqCgQ5rOBHV5EVj0vwFyw 
 
Donate/Support City Girl In Nature - www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=Z3VU9MJTB6K5Y 
 
Oct 19, 2021
Jessie in her own words:
 
“It would be a lie to say that I have always been aware of the climate crisis, because I haven’t. Frankly, that is the problem.
 
Whilst always enjoying spending time in nature whether that be up at our allotment or walking on the wilds of Dartmoor right on my doorstep, it was only a few years ago that I became aware of the dire straights our climate is in.
 
It was at this moment that like many youth activists, I began to realise that I really had no choice but to fight for it. This didn’t mean that it necessarily was something I wanted to do, because most young people just want a care free experience as they grow and develop, and activism is certainly not these things. However, I felt a duty to do this, because the vast majority of adults around me and in society were choosing not to.
 
It was then that I decided to create People Pedal Power and cycle to COP26 both as a personal challenge and as a way to bring the many individuals concerned about the Climate Crisis together. As a way to highlight the power and joy that is created when people come together to create change.
 
I am a youth activist who cares deeply about the power of people to create change and this is exactly what I want People Pedal Power to do. The idea to start the movement came from my fears that more inaction would come from this upcoming COP. I knew that we didn’t have time for this to occur, as this summit has to be the one where real change is created, if not by our leaders but by the power of individuals creating collective action. As can be seen from the youth climate movement across the world, individuals really do have the power to create change, and so I decided to harness this!
 
I also believe in the immense power that words and storytelling have in helping us as individual to learn, understand and ultimately engage in the climate crisis. I have been trying to do this for the past 2 years with my monthly newspaper columns and other writing projects which discuss the climate crisis from the youth perspective.”
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.
 
Show notes
  • Who is Jessie
  • Being interested in the environment 
  • Being aware of the climate emergency 
  • Wanting to make a difference 
  • Being on a learning journey 
  • Delaying with climate anxiety and climate grief
  • Is the climate a concern for young people
  • Why it’s a split issue
  • Wanting to find your tribe
  • Growing up and being supported by her family
  • Studying for A’Levels at 6th fort
  • What does being a Youth Climate Activist mean
  • How Jessie is driving change
  • Being passionate about writing
  • Hearing from the youth
  • Growing up in the 2000s
  • What is - People Pedal Power
  • What is COP (Conference of the Parties)
  • COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland 
  • Adults putting profits before people.
  • Wanting to get the youth voice into the political sphere. 
  • Partnering with the Adventure Syndicate
  • How the partnership is going to work
  • Creating a cargo bike relay 
  • Why it’s not just shouting about what’s wrong
  • Why the moment is going to be joyful and highlighting the issues and the way forward
  • How the movement has evolved
  • Getting into cycling and loving the journey 
  • The route and the logistics of cycling from Devon to Glasgow
  • Making sure to factor in mental rest 
  • Riding 570 miles and hoping the training has paid off
  • Concerns about the journey and thinking about the impact of the weather
  • Dealing with all of the unknowns about the challenge 
  • How it’s going to work once she’s arrived in Glasgow 
  • Working with Eco-Schools 
  • Wanting to bring more of a youth perspective to the summit
  • Tough Girl Podcast Extra episode coming on the 13th November to follow up with Jessie and her journey.
  • What does Jessie want to happen over the next few weeks.
  • Good luck to Jessie!
 
Social Media
 
People Pedal Power - Demanding Climate action and greener more accessible transport.
 
 
 
 
The Adventure Syndicate is a collective of extraordinary cyclists who happen to be women and who aim to challenge what others think they are capable of.
 
 
Instagram: @adventuresynd
 
Oct 12, 2021
Kirsty in her own words:
 
“I’m a mixed-race freelance mountaineering and climbing instructor from the west coast of Scotland. I love being able to introduce and share so many of the incredible Scottish environments, whether it’s the mountains in full winter conditions or a beautifully still sea with views out to the Hebrides. 
 
Climbing in all forms is pretty much my life but earlier this year I also started mountain biking and roller skating, which are both great fun and very different! 
 
Outside of work and play, I’ve been a member of Oban Mountain Rescue Team since 2013. I’m a callout manager and the Training Officer on the team, and love being able to give something back to the mountaineering community. 
 
I’m the founder of Our Shared Outdoors, an organisation set up to tackle and change the lack of diversity in the outdoors and promote underrepresented groups. I’m really passionate about making outdoor communities as accessible as possible to everyone, because it should be!
 
I’m also a panellist on On the Outside podcast, where we discuss outdoor news in the UK with a panel of diverse outdoor enthusiasts.”
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
 
Show notes
  • Who is Kirsty
  • What she does
  • Her passions and interests
  • Moving up to Scotland when she was 9 years old
  • Getting to spend time in the outdoors as a child
  • Her dreams as a little girl
  • How she got into outdoor instructing 
  • Doing work experience at an outdoor centre 
  • Becoming a volunteer during the summer holidays
  • Getting an outdoor education apprenticeship 
  • What was involved in being an apprentice 
  • What she loves about her job
  • Mixing her passion for the outdoors with her job
  • Deciding to join the Mountain Rescue Team as a volunteer 
  • What the call out manager does
  • The stresses of the job
  • Wanting people to be as prepared as possible for the outdoors
  • Being a founder of Our Shared Outdoors 
  • Changing the narrative 
  • Call to the Mountains Film (Jan 2020) 
  • The women who inspire Kirsty
  • Advice for women who want to start doing their qualifications
  • Summer and Winter Mountain Leader Training 
  • Why we need to go and do it
  • Being a panelist On the Outside Podcast 
  • The barriers that stop people going outdoors
  • Struggling with equipment and finding kit to fit
  • The changes over the past 10 years
  • How the statics haven’t changed in 30 years
  • Having a 10% female membership….
  • Why women are less likely to wing it
  • Support for women who have children 
  • Dealing with skill fade
  • Kirsty’s favourite walk/hike up in Scotland
 
Social Media
 
Personal -  Instagram: @kirstypallas 
 
Facebook: @kirstypallas 
 
Our Shared Outdoors - An organisation working to redefine the outdoor narrative to become inclusive to all.
Join our community by sharing experiences #oursharedoutdoors 
 
Instagram: @oursharedoutdoors 
 
Facebook: @oursharedoutdoors 
 
On the Outside Podcast Launched Summer 2021 - is a UK based news-panel podcast sharing diverse views on outdoors news.
 
Instagram: @ontheoutsidepod 
 
Facebook: @ontheoutsidepod 
 
Oct 5, 2021

Lindsay is a coach, author, speaker, and lifelong athlete. She is an Olympic gold medalist, a three-time World Champion, five-time World Cup medalist, and a National Rowing Hall of Fame inductee.

Lindsay lives in Florida, where she daily seeks to mentor, inspire, and improve the lives of others by sharing her knowledge of health and wellness along with her journey of self-discovery from ultimate defeat, to Olympic gold.

Think of any sport, and Lindsay played it growing up. She was a driven athlete, good student, and happy teenager. But when she went to college, everything changed. She quit basketball, gained weight, and skipped classes. Her drive was gone. 

After a sleepless night and fateful turn of events, Lindsay made the decision to become her best self. She discovered rowing, and the sport became her outlet for transformation. 

In just one year she became an NCAA Division-I All-American; in four, she broke a world record and won her first World Championship. 

Within six years, Lindsay won Olympic gold. 

In Better Great Than Never, Lindsay shows you how to seize your full potential by removing self-imposed limitations. She demonstrates how to embrace every step, good and bad, to find greatness. 

For Lindsay, life isn’t about winning. As long as you learn throughout your journey, you can never lose.

 

New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 

The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.

 

Show notes

  • Being based in Miami Beach Florida
  • Working in Ocean Rescue
  • Being an athlete and an educator
  • Dreaming about the Olympics…
  • Being very sporty from a young age and playing a whole variety of different sports
  • Graduating from high school at 17
  • Going to the University of Virginia 
  • Stumbling across rowing in her junior year at rowing
  • Not feeling confident at playing sports at college level
  • Being tall at school and feeling awkward while growing up
  • Falling in love with rowing 
  • Why there is always something that you can be improving in
  • What motivates Lindsay 
  • How sports psychologists played a role in her rowing
  • Learning from every opportunity 
  • Being self reflective and being intrinsically motivated
  • What does it take to achieve at these high levels
  • What training was involved 
  • Her first day or rowing practice
  • Learning to be accountable to ourselves, our equipment and to one another
  • Why sleep was the most important thing
  • Wiring a book about her story and being able to reflect back on her journey 
  • Staying injury free for 7.5 years
  • Removing as much stress as possible 
  • Keeping detailed training logs
  • Sleeping for 10 hrs a night and taking naps during the day
  • Starting rowing January 2002 and winning medals a few years later
  • Even through it was hard, it was fun
  • Knowing what her role was in the boat
  • Being the connector 
  • The Beijing Olympic Games
  • Why it’s just another race
  • Go out and do what you do 
  • Doing extra deep breathing to relax
  • What it was like sitting at the start line
  • Why nerves on the start line are a good thing
  • 6 mins - 6 secs
  • Getting into a flow state and just feeling
  • Reflecting back on the journey 
  • the luxury of being an athlete
  • Where you can find Lindsay on the Socials
  • Having a middle name “Dare”
  • Advice for other women who want to dare to be great
  • Why her advice is Patience
  • Staying Patience, Positive & Determined throughout the process
  • Finding the one thing and to do well

 

Social Media

Website: www.lindsaydareshoop.com 

Instagram: @LindsayDareShoop

Youtube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCQEzWRsCnke6ws_wJTKg8uQ/about 

Book:  Better Great Than Never: Believing It's Possible Is Where Champions Begin 

 

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