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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, 2024
Oct 29, 2024

In this episode, we delve into the extraordinary life and inspiring journey of Risa August, a multifaceted individual based in Colorado, USA. Risa wears many hats - she's a Gestalt practitioner, a captivating speaker, an author, and a passionate patient advocate. Her story is one of resilience, marked by her decade-long battle with a pituitary tumour and a rare disease, Acromegaly.

Risa shares candidly about her experiences, offering profound insights into overcoming adversity and embracing life with unparalleled vigour.

Risa's journey into the realm of personal transformation began with her participation in Ironman races, a testament to her fierce determination and love for physical challenges. However, her path took an unexpected turn when she started noticing troubling symptoms, eventually leading to a diagnosis that altered her life trajectory. Despite facing daunting health challenges, Risa's spirit remained unyielding as she navigated through surgeries, treatments, and the complexities of managing a chronic condition.

In her book, The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike, Risa eloquently chronicles her courageous cross-country bicycle journey, symbolising her refusal to let adversity define her. 

Throughout our conversation, Risa reflects on how her perspective on life and adventure has evolved, emphasising the importance of embracing new experiences and pushing beyond perceived limits. Her insights into removing limiting beliefs and fostering a positive mindset resonate deeply, offering profound lessons for anyone navigating their own challenges.

Join us as Risa shares her story of resilience, adventure, and the transformative power of embracing life fully, no matter the obstacles. Get ready to be inspired by her unwavering spirit and her profound wisdom gained through living a life unleashed.

***

🎙️ 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/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement. 

🙏Thank you for your invaluable support!

***

Show notes

  • Who is Risa
  • Based in Colorado, USA
  • Working as a gestalt practitioner, speaker, author and patient advocate
  • Her passion for learning
  • ‘CANI’ - Constant And Never-ending Improvement 
  • The connection with Tony Robbins 
  • Growing up in Cleveland Ohio and her early years
  • Taking herself on adventures 
  • Being inspired by her dad and a buffalo head nickel
  • How the meaning of adventure has changed over the years
  • Why adventure means - learning and experiencing something new 
  • Setting out a timeline
  • 2011 - completing her first Ironman race 
  • Starting to notice changes in her body 
  • Fast forward 7 years and training for another Ironman.
  • Not being able to recover and not being able to keep the weigh off
  • Plus dealing with severe headaches and lack of sleep
  • Pushing for an MRI of her brain
  • Being diagnosed with an enlarged pituitary and a brain tumour 
  • Looking at brain surgery and being diagnosed with a rare disease - Acromegaly.
  • Processing and working through the diagnosis 
  • Having a mindset of getting it done and moving on with her life
  • Waiting 3 months for surgery 
  • Acromegaly is a rare condition where the body produces too much growth hormone, causing body tissues and bones to grow more quickly. 
  • Being very conscious of what goes into her body
  • Radiation or medication?
  • Feeling very lonely even while being supported
  • Battling orthorexia in her 20s
  • Not being able to exercise and spend time in the outdoors
  • Deciding to ride her bicycle down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)
  • Looking back on her adventurous life and remembering what it felt like
  • Starting to paint and how it became an outlet 
  • Instead of focusing on what she couldn’t do - focusing on what she could do
  • What can I do now?
  • Small steps, one thing at a time.
  • Stopping judging herself and blocking out the noise from other people
  • Getting back to the CrossFit gym
  • Acceptance around her identity and how it’s changed
  • Signing up for a semi supported tour on the PCH
  • SAG - Support And Gear
  • Book: The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike 
  • Reflecting back on the ride and some of the magical moments 
  • Trying to control situation and outcomes and how the universe has a completely different plan for you
  • Being open to what’s possible
  • To be open to letting go of limiting beliefs 
  • Why it was a massive learning experience 
  • Being present and spending time in the moment
  • Naming her brain tumour and the reason behind it
  • Being kind to her body
  • Louise Hay Book: Heal Your Body: The Mental Causes for Physical Illness and the Metaphysical Way to Overcome Them. 
  • Adding humour to her situation and how it can change perspective - especially during dark moments
  • Her prognosis and being on medication to control the tumour 
  • Dealing with the uncertainty of her future 
  • Making big changes in her life
  • Divorcing after an 18 year marriage
  • Letting go of people and things in her life, that no longer felt in alignment
  • Creating a list of all the things she wanted to do, or try
  • Stepping more into who she wants to be
  • Being unpolished, unapologetic and unleashed 
  • Getting up, getting back in the saddle and doing it. 
  • Taking it each day at a time
  • Choosing to cycle the Camino de Santiago in Spain
  • The realities of the camino and why it wasn’t like she imagined
  • Why it was a spiritual journey 
  • Challenges on the journey and wanting to quit
  • What do I need to do, to make this work
  • Finding moment of joy even through she physically struggled 
  • Wanting to be alive 
  • Being realistic about adventures and challenges
  • Handing the frustrations and challenges 
  • The next adventure…. And having multiple options
  • Recovery after the camino
  • How to connect with Risa
  • Final words of advice and wisdom for other women who are going through a tough time
  • Ask yourself ‘what CAN (Capable - Able - Now) I do’

 

Social Media

Website: www.risaaugust.com

Instagram: @risaunleashed

Facebook: @risaunleashed

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/risaaugust

Substack: @risaunleashed

Book: The Road Unpaved: Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike.

 

Oct 22, 2024

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Bailey Seamer, an extraordinary individual who undertook a 14-month, 5,000km hike along Australia's East Coast, from Wilsons Promontory to Cape York, all in the name of mental health advocacy. Bailey's story is one of resilience, determination, and hope, as she uses her journey to raise awareness and support for mental health issues.

Diagnosed with a major depressive disorder at just 14, Bailey has faced significant challenges, including managing an all-consuming mental illness and dealing with the impact of bi-polar disorder. Despite these obstacles, she found solace and strength in walking, which became a crucial part of her healing journey. Her decision to embark on this monumental hike was driven by a desire to advocate for mental health, share her story, and demonstrate that even in the face of adversity, one can achieve incredible feats.

Throughout her journey, Bailey encountered numerous challenges, from managing her mental health on the trail to dealing with the physical demands of such an extensive hike. She shares insights into her experiences, the support she received from family and strangers alike, and the lessons she learned along the way. Bailey's journey is a powerful reminder that no matter how difficult the path may seem, there is always hope, support, and the possibility of overcoming life's greatest challenges.

Tune in to hear Bailey's incredible story, learn about her mental health advocacy efforts, and be inspired by her unwavering determination to make a difference.

***

🎙️ 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/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement. 

🙏Thank you for your invaluable support!

***

Show notes

  • Who is Bailey 
  • Hiking the East Coast of Australia 
  • Her mental health journey 
  • Being diagnosed at 14 with a major depressive disorder 
  • Being supported by her family
  • Managing an all consuming mental illness 
  • Having to leave university and move back home
  • Bi-polar disorder? 
  • Making the decision to go into a mental health hospital 
  • Being in a really bad place 
  • Walking home 30k from the hospital 
  • Feeling proud of herself 
  • Why walking became a really important part of her healing journey 
  • ECT - Electric Convulsive Therapy 
  • Having the idea to walk the East Coast
  • Feeling a sadness and frustration and not knowing if she would be ok
  • The Black Dog Institute 
  • Sharing her ideas with people 
  • Finding people’s criticism, very helpful in her planning process.
  • Not being taken seriously at first and doing something about it
  • Why it was such an important leaning stage
  • Being taken seriously and starting to take herself seriously as well
  • Managing her bi-polar disorder while on the walk
  • Why medication is an important part of her health care routine
  • Having a bad day and what that can look like
  • Wanting to be able to pinpoint the problem 
  • Dealing with a spectrum of emotions 
  • Understanding the difference between, ‘I can’t’ and ‘I don’t want to’
  • Tantrum Time Out for 7 mins
  • Putting small rocks in her shoes…. A physical way of reframing the situation
  • Creating a pocket of pleasure in her day
  • Being alone while on the walk
  • Making a decision by yourself 
  • Reflecting back on previous situations
  • Paying for the challenge
  • The kindness of strangers
  • Reflecting back on the journey and some of the main memories from the experience 
  • Waking up with a fox in her tent!
  • Adventure blues 
  • Planning a trip to Rio to go to Carnival 
  • Not walking a huge amount 
  • What she wanted people to take away from her walk
  • Why you are not alone if you are suffering from mental health
  • Letting people know that there is support available and that there is no shame in asking for help
  • Breaking things down and taking it one step at a time
  • How to connect with Bailey online and find out more about her journey 
  • Final words of advice
  • Why everything will pass
  • Nothing in this life is permanent 

 

Social Media

Website: wandering-minds.org 

Instagram: @wandering_minds_walk 

Facebook: @wanderingmindswalk 

 

Oct 15, 2024

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we sit down with Shafeeqah Gordon, a passionate trail runner from Cape Town, South Africa. Shafeeqah shares her journey, from playing netball as a child to discovering the freedom and challenge of running through her university cross-country club. Over the years, running has become an integral part of her life, and she hasn’t looked back since.

As a leader for Tuesday Trails, a group dedicated to the joy of trail running, Shafeeqah is all about building community and encouraging people to get outside. Her work as a mountain guide and sports scientist has equipped her with invaluable skills for tackling challenging terrains and pushing the limits in her races. From competing in prestigious races like the Ultra Trail Drakensberg 65km and the Ultra Trail Cape Town 55km, to conquering technical trails with a focus on strength and conditioning, Shafeeqah gives us insight into her training, race strategies, and the mindset needed to overcome physical and mental battles during ultra races.

In this episode, Shafeeqah opens up about inclusion in the trail running community, the power of running to clear the mind, and her personal battles with self-doubt during tough moments in races. She also talks about her involvement in outdoor education through her Outdoor Education Hub, which will be relaunched in 2025 after a brief hiatus.

Tune in to hear Shafeeqah’s thoughts on trail running, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her final advice for anyone looking to take on their own running challenges!

***

🎙️ 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/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement. 

🙏Thank you for your invaluable support!

 

Show notes

  • Who is Shafeeqah Gordon
  • Group Leader for  Tuesday Trails IG @tuesdaytrails 
  • Being sports and playing netball from a young age
  • Getting into running via the cross-country club at university 
  • How running became apart of her life
  • Never regretting a run
  • The difference between cross-country and trail running
  • Mountain guide, outdoor educator and sports scientist
  • Studying sports science at university. 
  • Specialising in strength and conditioning for running and netball players
  • The outdoor education hub
  • Working a full time job in retail
  • Getting qualified as a mountain guide
  • Why the marathon distance is the sweet spot. 42km
  • The Cape Town Skyrace - The Sky Running Series 
  • Training for technical trails
  • Bullet proof ankles
  • Working with a strength and conditioning coach and a run coach
  • Running mojo
  • Calling a friend to schedule a run together
  • Running the Ultra Trail Drakensberg (UTD) 65km
  • Ultra Trail Cape Town 55k (UTCT) 
  • The challenges of running further 
  • Figuring out nutrition and fuelling for the longer runs
  • Fitting in training around life 
  • Recovery?
  • Trying not to take running too seriously 
  • Race strategy and wanting to get a better time than last year
  • Future dreams and races
  • Batrun Race
  • Running thoughts - thinking about everything and nothing
  • Being at war with herself during a tough race 
  • Inclusion in trail running
  • Outdoor Education Hub (on hiatus for the rest of 2024) but coming back in 2025
  • How you can connect with Shaf
  • Final words of advice 
  • Don’t listen to the demons
  • Why it’s just important to get out there

 

Social Media

Personal Instagram: @shafgordon

Outdoor Education Hub - We're an initiative focused on equipping people with knowledge & educational tools for the outdoors - making it a fun & safe space for all to enjoy🌲 

Instagram: @outdooreducation_hub

 

Oct 8, 2024

Join us on this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast as we explore the remarkable journey of Amanda Harris, an adapted cyclist and dedicated fundraiser who has embraced life's challenges following a spinal cord injury. Living in South Wales with her husband and two teenage children, Amanda's story is one of resilience, determination, and breaking down barriers.

Originally from Devon and a law graduate from Cardiff University, Amanda has spent over 30 years in Wales. Her life took a dramatic turn after a serious bike accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury. Despite the life-altering event, Amanda's spirit remained unbroken. She spent nine months in the hospital, relearning basic skills and adapting to her new reality.

Amanda's love for cycling was rekindled when she was gifted a recumbent bike, allowing her to take on new challenges and raise funds for charity. Her journey includes the ambitious goal of completing the Wales Coast Path (WCP) using a trike, wheelchair, and occasionally walking with crutches. Amanda's determination and adaptability shine as she navigates accessibility issues and relies on friends and family to assist with sections that are not accessible.

In this episode, Amanda shares her experiences, from her early years in Devon to her life in Wales, her passion for cycling, and the various challenges she has undertaken. We delve into her methods for staying positive, setting tiny goals, and focusing on what she can achieve. Amanda's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of embracing life's challenges with a positive attitude.

Tune in to hear Amanda's inspiring journey and her advice for women facing their own challenges. Discover how she continues to push boundaries and inspire others with her remarkable story of overcoming adversity and loving life.

***

🎙️ 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/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement. 

🙏Thank you for your invaluable support!

***

Show notes

  • Who is Amanda
  • Living in South Wales with her husband and two teenage children
  • Originally growing up in Devon
  • Studying Law at Cardiff University 
  • Living in Wales for over 30 years
  • Meeting her husband at University 
  • Bringing her children up in Wales 
  • Still learning the Welsh Language 
  • Her early years and spending lots of time outside 
  • Not being particularly sporty or competitive
  • Making walking plans for retirement
  • Getting into cycling before her 40th birthday 
  • Signing up for a charity cycle ride 
  • Being in a bike accident which caused a spinal cord injury and multiple other injuries 
  • Not being able to feel her legs and knowing something serious had happened
  • Spending 9 months in hospital 
  • Having to learn everything again
  • How it changed her life 
  • What’s happened since
  • Deciding to complete the Wales Coast Path (WCP) by trike, wheelchair and occasionally a few steps 
  • Being able to walk a few steps with crutches
  • Why can’t I do this now
  • Accepting that there are some parts which are’t accessible 
  • Asking friends and family to walk that sections that aren’t accessible 
  • Accessibility on the Wales Coast Path
  • Research before taking on new sections 
  • Why everyone has different needs when it comes to access and accessibility 
  • The need for planning 
  • Needing to walk the path around work and needing support from other people
  • Completing approx 500 miles needing to do the North Wales Sections
  • Raising funds for charity 
  • Getting back into cycling and being gifted a recumbent bike 
  • Being involved in different cycling challenges
  • Winning a competition with - Spinal Injuries Association 
  • Heading out to Portugal in May 2024 to ride 200 miles over 3 days!
  • Having moments of doubt
  • Not going into the dark place
  • Focusing on the positives and what she can do 
  • Giving things ago and saying yes to more things (such as doing this interview!)
  • Wanting to take the tandem bike over to America to do a big ride with her husband
  • How to connect with Amanda on line 
  • Final words of advice for women who are going through a challenging time
  • Not wanting to preach to people 
  • Try and stay positive 
  • Setting tiny, tiny goals in a notebook and how this helped during rehab
  • Find out what works for you and focus on that 

 

Social Media

Instagram: @amandah_trike 

Instagram: @amandascoastalchallenge 

 

Oct 1, 2024

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we speak with Dena Lewis, a dedicated runner and advocate for women's safety based in Florida, USA. Dena shares her 20-year journey in running, which began as a way to manage stress after college and evolved into a lifelong passion. 

Dena's dedication to running is evident in her meticulous planning and commitment, including her morning routine of fasted runs, coffee, and early starts. Where she runs between 10 and 12 miles per day, 6 days a week.

Safety has been a significant concern for Dena, who often runs in the early hours of the morning. She has faced harassment and assault while running, leading her to create Running Mate—an innovative app designed to pair runners with companions for safer runs. Launching in April 2024, Running Mate aims to make running safer for women across the U.S., with plans to expand globally.

Dena’s experience with violence has driven her to become an advocate for women's safety, culminating in the creation of the Female Runner Safety Summit. Through her advocacy, Dena hopes to bring awareness to the dangers women face and foster a safer environment for her daughters and all women.

Join us as Dena shares her story of resilience, empowerment, and her mission to make the world a safer place for female runners. Learn about her journey, the creation of Running Mate, and her advice for women looking to start their running journey.

  • This episode has been marked as explicit. Please be aware that the topic of assault comes up during this conversation; while we don't discuss it in detail, some listeners may find it triggering.

***

🎙️ 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/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement. 

🙏Thank you for your invaluable support!

***

Show notes

  • Being based in Florida, USA 
  • Being a runner for over 20 years
  • Married to her best friend and having 2 older daughter 
  • Looking for ways to deal with her stress and picking up running after college 
  • Getting into cycling after running
  • How her fitness journey has progressed over the years
  • Running for health, fitness and wellbeing 
  • Learning what works for her with regards to running
  • Not being able to fit in run clubs 
  • Running all distances from 5k to ultra marathons
  • Running between 10 to 12 miles per day, 6 days per week
  • Her favourite distance being a half marathon
  • Wear and tear, trainers, recovery, fuelling… 
  • Why 10/12 miles per day!
  • Living with a certain level of pain at all times
  • Being a consistent runner
  • Not liking to run on a treadmill and preferring to run outside
  • The morning routine
  • Being a fasted runner and drinking coffee
  • Leaving at 5am and being gone for approx 2 hours
  • Planning her day around her run 
  • Getting her blood checked on a regular basis
  • Ending up in the ER with chest pains
  • Seeing a heart doctor once a year to have a check up
  • Running in the early morning and experiences fear
  • Am I safe - what’s around me
  • Being harassed while running on a regular basis and being assaulted twice
  • Creating Running Mate —an on demand running app (think of Uber for runners) 
  • How running mate works
  • Having no experience in tech, finding a developer and starting to work on the project in April 2021
  • Launching in April 2024 in 3 very specific cities in the US
  • Beta testing since January 2024
  • Running with other people
  • Female runner safety summit 
  • The running mates get paid 
  • Bringing awareness to the violence against women
  • Wanting to make it a safer world for her daughter
  • Brining companies together which has a mission to improve women’s safety
  • Wanting to expand the app world wide within a year
  • Following and support running mate online
  • Final words of advice for other women who want to get out there and get running
  • Talk to someone and get help if you need support
  • Only talking about the first assault recently
  • Choosing not to report it 
  • Having the perpetrator show up on her door step
  • Stopping running
  • Living in fear and how it impacted her day to day life with her family
  • Moving away from the area and starting to feel safe again
  • Sharing her story to let other women know that they are not alone
  • Being in denial for a while
  • Working through PTSD, the trauma, the event and start seeing the other side 
  • Not becoming an advocate straight away
  • Taking time to focus on herself and her family 
  • Connecting with other women who had been through a similar thing
  • Getting back to running again and feeling a sense of empowerment
  • Getting angry when it happened a second time 
  • Why we need advocacy and change

 

Social Media

Website: www.getrunningmate.com  

Instagram: @getrunningmate 

Facebook: @getrunningmate 

 

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