From the jungles of India to the global stage of wildlife conservation, Dr Latika Nath has spent her life studying and protecting big cats, becoming the first woman in the world to study tigers in the wild. Known as Nat Geo’s “Tiger Princess,” she shares stories from deep in the forests where she observed tigers using tools, hunting porcupines, and navigating complex human-wildlife conflicts.

In this episode, Latika takes us on her journey from a childhood spent exploring the outdoors to pursuing her dream in a male-dominated field, studying elephants and tigers in the wild. She shares the challenges of working in remote areas, the lessons learned from female tigers, and her tireless efforts to combat poaching.

We also dive into her work as a conservation photographer, using images to tell stories that inspire action, and her advice for women and girls aiming to make their mark in conservation. Latika’s story is one of courage, dedication, and the belief that one person’s passion can make a world of difference.

This episode is for you if:

• You love wildlife and big cats
• You’re curious about conservation and sustainability
• You want inspiration from a trailblazing woman in a male-dominated field
• You’re motivated by stories of courage, resilience, and following your passions

***

 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 Dr Latika
• Working as a Conservation Ecologist and conservation photographer 
• Being based out of Indian 
• Studying big cats all over the world 
• Using her photography to share stories about conservation 
• Working as an expert on Tourism and sustainability
• Working with the Indian Planning Commission as an in-house advisor 
• Being an only child and spending most of her time outdoors 
• Living close to a National Park
• Deciding at 6 years old that she wanted to be an ecologist 
• Being encouraged to pursue her dreams
• People in the 1970s not knowing what an ecologist was
• Not being able to study the subjects she wanted to
• Being a girl in a male dominated field
• Being the first woman in the world to study tigers
• Moving over to the UK to continue her education at Bangor University, Wales
• Doing her masters thesis on elephant and human conflict in Indian 
• How elephants follow the old memories
• Her passion and interest in tigers
• Wanting to study snow leopards initially
• Terrorism in Kashmir and how it changed the direction of her life
• Being inspired by Dr HS Pabla
• The tiger population in India currently 
• Project tiger - being responsible for the conservation of the tiger in the wild
• Being the only person in the park and being truly on her own in the wild with the animals 
• What it was like studying the tigers and the relationships that developed
• Discovering new knowledge about tigers
• Seeing tigers using tools
• How tigers eat porcupines 
• The expedition logistics
• Lessons learned from female tigers 
• The biggest danger to tigers going forward
• How to combat poaching 
• Getting the nickname - The Tiger Princess
• Being filmed by National Geographic for a 1hr documentary 
• Advice and tips for women and girls who want to enter the space of conservation 
• Advice for women around self belief and self confidence and why there work is important
• What’s next for Dr Lakita
• Writing her next book
• Having a photography expedition in London in June 2026
• How to connect with Dr Lakita
• Final words of advice around following your passions and interests
• Having good days and bad days - go one day, one step at a time and why it can make a big difference 
• Hang in there and take that one step everyday

Social Media

Website: www.latikanath.com 

Instagram: @latikanath

Facebook: @nathlatika

What does it take to return to the top of the ultra running world after major life changes and a “career-ending” surgery? Kaytlyn Gerbin knows.

In this episode, Kaytlyn shares her journey from a scientist with a love for the outdoors to a world-class trail and ultra runner. Growing up active but without formal running experience, she discovered her talent in her mid-twenties and quickly fell in love with the 100-mile distance. Since then, she’s set course records, tackled some of the most technical alpine trails in the Pacific Northwest, and stood on podiums at legendary races like UTMB, Western States 100, and Transgrancanaria.

But Kaytlyn’s story isn’t just about running. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and balance. After the birth of her daughter Era in 2024 and undergoing surgery to correct hip dysplasia—a procedure many thought would end her running career—Kaytlyn came back stronger than ever, winning the Cascade Crest 100 and taking on the epic 330km Tor des Geants race in Italy.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How she discovered her running talent and found her passion for ultra distances
• Overcoming setbacks, starting over, and learning to meet herself where she is
• The mental strategies that help her tackle 100-mile races and multi-day alpine challenges
• Balancing motherhood with elite-level running
• Her plans and goals for 2026, including Hardrock 100 and UTMB

Whether you’re an aspiring ultra runner, a parent chasing big goals, or someone who loves stories of grit, perseverance, and adventure, Kaytlyn’s story will inspire you to push your limits—on the trails and in life.

Tune in to hear how Kaytlyn combines mountains, motherhood, and science-backed training to redefine what’s possible, one long run at a time.

***

 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 Kaytln
• Ultra runner and trail runner for the North Face
• Living in the foothills outside of Seattle, US
• Having a degree in Bioengineering and previously working as a scientist 
• Having her first daughter, 14 months ago
• Reflecting back on her childhood and early years
• Growing up in rural US
• Being the oldest of four and being very active as a kid
• How her running journey progressed
• Playing soccer in high school
• Being good at running on the field, but not enjoying the running for training
• Making friends with other students at college who ran
• Discovering her running talent in her mid-twenties
• Entering her first small, local race and finishing 2nd female
• Having fun and feeling strong while running 
• Finding her distance 
• Loving the 100 mile distance 
• Figuring out training for races
• The longer she ran, the stronger she felt 
• Feeling overwhelmed by the running distances 
• Having to start over with her running
• Remembering how hard it is to start running again after set backs
• Having a hard time with running 
• Never having a running coach and getting to make all the rules
• Tracking her training 
• Meeting yourself where your at ie being ok with walking 
• Bringing in science to her running?
• Lessons on failure and how it applies to running
• Staying humble with her running
• Why the hardest part of the race, is just before it starts
• The anxiety before a race, struggling to sleep and eat before
• Staying relaxed while running and settling into the run after 50k
• Running through the night
• Taking some time before doing the hard thing, and thinking about the mental challenges which may come up and how to handle it
• Running a 220 mile race over 4 days
• Dealing with the guilt of being away from her baby while running 
• Anticipate what some of the mental challenges might be during a race and how best to approach it
• Taking a step back from the running during pregnancy 
• Not feeling the pressure to go back to running
• Her ‘A’ race in 2025
• Tor des Geants 330km race in Italy  
• Winning the Cascade Crest 100 mile race 
• Seeing the 2nd placed woman - starting to race
• Wanting to run hand and push herself
• Plans for 2026
• Applying for Hardrock 100 mile race
• Wanting to go back and race at UTMB 
• Having a pregnancy deferral for UTMB  
• How to connect with Kaytlyn
• Advice for women wanting to take on a 100 mile race

Social Media

Instagram @kaytlyn_g

Hillary Allen, famously known as the “Hillygoat,” is a world-class ultrarunner celebrated for her fearless climbs on steep, technical terrain. But in 2017, at the peak of her career as the #1 ultrarunner in the world, Hillary faced a life-changing setback: during a race in Norway, she fell 150 feet off a ridge, breaking 14 bones. Doctors told her she’d never run again.

Yet Hillary didn’t just defy the odds—she redefined them. Today, she’s back competing at the elite level and inspiring others to rewrite their own stories of resilience. 

With a background in neuroscience and a master’s in physiology and structural biology, Hillary combines science, grit, and empathy in her work as an author, coach, and speaker. 

Her book, Out and Back: A Runner’s Story of Survival Against All Odds, chronicles her incredible comeback.

In this episode, Hillary shares:

• How her lifelong love of running and science shaped her journey
• The mental and physical challenges of recovering from a life-threatening fall
• Practical tips on mindset, self-belief, and self-compassion
• Why she believes your best athletic days can be ahead of you

Whether you’re an athlete, adventurer, or someone looking to overcome setbacks in life, Hillary’s story is a powerful reminder that resilience, courage, and persistence can take you farther than you ever imagined.

***

 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 Hillary
• Growing up in Boulder Colorado, USA
• Being an athlete all her life
• Coming from an outdoorsy, academic family
• Describing herself as a science nerd
• Currently in a Masters Program for Applied Sports Psychology
• Having an older sister
• Growing up camping with her family
• Her parents both being professors 
• Studying chemistry and neuroscience
• Not finishing her Phd
• Getting her first running sponsorship 
• Her running journey to get to being a sponsored athlete
• Starting running in graduate school 
• Needing an outlet to reset 
• Starting to run with a running group 
• Discovering the trail running scene 
• When things clicked after running a road marathon 
• Wondering if she could do it…
• Being drawn to running and feeling satisfaction in the challenge
• Working hard on her weaknesses 
• Working on her ability to run on technical trails and push herself when feeling tired
• Getting into skyruning 
• Being named the Hilly Goat!
• Why its a skill you need to practice
• The challenges of 2017
• Heading over to Europe to race
• Tromsø Skyrace 
• Thinking she was dying
• Falling 150ft, breaking 14 bones, damaging ligaments and being lucky to be alive
• Book: Out and Back: A Runner's Story of Survival Against All Odds 
• Being depressed 
• Starting to think about running again
• Believe that your best athletic days are ahead of you 
• Helping her mindset and the mental side of the challenge
• Working with a counsellor
• Working past fear
• Breaking her ankle and dealing with another injury
• Going back to do the race again
• Getting her nervous energy out 
• Closing the chapter off
• Practical tips around mindset
• The power of self compassion and self belief
• The next plan/goals
• Signing up for a road marathon in January 
• Working on building up some speed
• Podcast - Trail Society 
• How to connect with Hillary 
• Final words of advice for other women 
• The importance of daily practices 
• Journalling 
• Mantra - believe your best athletic days are ahead of you
• Affirmations - I am statements “I am a runner”
• Start small, and start with self belief  

Social Media

Website www.hillaryallen.com 

Instagram @hillygoat_climbs 

Facebook @hillaryallenrunner 

Podcast - Trail Society

What happens when a dream is so big, so audacious, that you commit to it long before you have the skills, money, or confidence to make it happen?

For Paula Ralph, that dream was to cycle from Cape Town, South Africa to Nordkapp, Norway— a 12,290 km journey across 17 countries. What began as a Guinness World Record attempt soon transformed into something far more powerful: a test of courage, resilience, and self-belief.

Paula set off with one goal — to become the fastest woman to complete the route. But along the way, reality hit hard. Injuries, financial setbacks, fear, loneliness, and a traumatic collision with a truck in Zambia forced her to confront a heartbreaking truth: the record might no longer be possible. At this crossroads, Paula had a choice — stop, or redefine what success looked like.

She chose to keep going.

In this episode, Paula shares the raw truth behind the miles: the moments of doubt, the joy of human connection, the quiet sunrises that kept her pedalling, and the inner strength she discovered when everything else was stripped away. Her story is not just about endurance on a bike — it’s about holding on to your “why” when the original plan falls apart.

If you’ve ever had a dream that felt too big, or found yourself at the edge of giving up, Paula’s journey will remind you that progress isn’t always measured in records — sometimes it’s measured in courage, growth, and the refusal to quit.

 This episode is for you if:

• You’re chasing a big goal or adventure
• You’ve experienced setbacks or self-doubt
• You want inspiration to keep going when life gets tough
• You love stories of resilience, solo travel, and human grit

Ready to be inspired by what’s possible when you simply refuse to stop?
Hit play and let Paula take you on the road with her.

 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 Paula
• Doing the Long Ride - Cape Town to Nordkapp, Norway
• Being based in the UK 
• Growing up in South Africa in the middle of nowhere
• Not being very adventurous 
• Getting sporty in her adult years 
• Getting married and putting on weight
• Deciding to join a gym to lose weight in 
• Paying a Personal Trainer 
• How her outlook on fitness changed 
• Wanting to encourage other people to live a healthy life
• Getting into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Becoming a sports therapist in 2009 
• Going into retail after college 
• Getting her personal training qualifications 
• Advice and tips for women who aren’t feeling comfortable in their body
• Encouraging women to find something they’d enjoy 
• Getting the idea for the ride in 2020
• Being inspired by the longest walkable road in the world - from cape town to a tiny town in Russia
• Sharing her dream on Facebook 
• Giving herself 4 years to plan and train
• Deciding to do a cycling camp in Italy 
• Meeting her coach - Ian 
• Deciding it was now or never and starting the ride
• The challenges of getting to the start line
• Getting divorced in 2012 and not having children 
• The challenges of being self employed
• Struggling financially
• Creating a go fund me, to fund the challenge
• Wanting to start a foundation to help children in disadvantaged communities 
• Needing to take a little diversion to get back on track
• The start line of the long ride
• Being driven to the start line at 5am
• Dealing with the nerves at the start
• Wanting to beat the record and complete the challenge in 72 days
• Not having a support crew anymore due to the sponsorship falling through 
• Having an 8kg pack on her back while cycling 
• Crossing the border into Botswana
• Her cycle route through Africa
• The anxiety heading up to the Ethiopia border
• Border crossing 
• Heading through the Middle East and making it to Europe
• Mental resilience during the ride
• Reflecting on each day, how the day went and how she was feeling 
• Why the only way is forward
• Smiling through the pain
• Being on the bike and where her focus was
• Getting hit by a truck in Zambia 
• Needing to set the world record aside 
• Feeling overwhelmed and not wanting to continue the ride - being completely done 
• The end of the journey and knowing the end was insight
• Feeling proud of herself 
• Going live on Instagram to thank everyone 
• Adjusting back to life after the trip
• Leaving everything in the UAE
• Heading back to the UK after the ride
• Finding a contract job
• Trying to enjoy the downtime after the ride and struggling with not moving forward
• How to connect with Paula on social media
• Having her first account hacked on Instagram
• Fail to plan - plan to fail
• Why its all in the planning 
• Be prepared to be adaptable
• Forge forward 

Social Media

Instagram: @thelongridec2c.2 

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, I’m joined by Sharon Jessop — an ultra-endurance athlete, conservationist, keynote speaker, and serial entrepreneur whose running adventures are driven by a mission to protect rhinos in Africa.

From growing up barefoot in the South African bush to covering over 3,500 miles across some of Africa’s wildest landscapes, Sharon has used her extraordinary endurance to raise awareness and funds for rhino conservation. Her journey is as inspiring as it is challenging, blending adventure with purpose.

In this episode, Sharon shares how she turned her love of running into a powerful tool for wildlife conservation, the highs and lows of multi-day expeditions, and the unforgettable encounters she’s had along the way — from navigating tough terrain to seeing Africa’s incredible wildlife up close.

We also explore her personal story, the losses that have shaped her, and how she finds motivation and meaning in every mile. 

Whether you’re drawn to ultra-running, conservation, or simply pursuing your passions with purpose, this episode is packed with inspiration and insight.

 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 Sharon
• Living in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape of South Africa 
• Her passion and obsession with rhinos 
• Running for Rhinos
• Growing up barefoot in the brush
• Being 16 and her first experience seeing a rhino
• Deciding to study law….
• Hosting a television show
• Going back to conservation
• Making changes to her life at 48
• Always being a runner
• Discovering her ability to run long distances day after day 
• Losing her dad and good friend to cancer in 2017
• Running from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth 
• How one running expedition led to the next 
• The mental side of running and why its super important 
• Doing the running expedient in her mind, before she even starts
• Her motto - Failure is not an option 
• Running multiple half marathons (2020) for rhino conservation 
• What have I committed to?
• Having a really big WHY
• And why it makes it easier 
• Not wanting to let the rhinos down 
• Planning and logistics for the expeditions 
• Having the accommodation and food sponsored 
• Travelling with a small team
• 2022 adventure 
• Recovery each day
• Not being a big supplement taker
• Believing in real food 
• Trying to stay away from processed food 
• Taking electrolytes
• The importance of hydration and fuelling your body
• The importance of sleep and its impact on recovery 
• The magical moments while out running 
• Being scared of ostriches and baboons 
• The 5 animals - Lions, Elephants, Rhino, Buffalo and  Leopard
• The adjustment back to ‘normal’ life
• Starting training for Comrades Marathon in 2026 
• Row for rhinos 
• Ted X talk in San Diego - The Race for Green Spaces and Wild Places 
• Where do the funds raised go
• Self funding her running expeditions 
• Future projects for the Rhinos 
• The Great World Race - 7 Marathons on 7 Continents in 7 Days 
• How to connect with Sharon and her projects 
• Final words of advice 
• Using affirmations and why we need more women doing these adventures 
• Be Brave, Be Fearless, Be Bold.

Social Media

Website: www.sharonjessop.com 

Instagram: @runwildwithsharon 

Facebook: @sharon.jessop1 

YouTube: @sharonjessop1

Meet Regine Goh, a national triathlete and endurance athlete from Singapore who has spent her life mastering the art of consistency, resilience, and performance. 

From starting competitive swimming at just four years old to transitioning into triathlon, Regine has learned firsthand the power of showing up, pushing through plateaus, and enjoying the process every step of the way.

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Regine shares her journey of balancing elite-level training with a professional career, the mental and physical lessons she’s learned along the way, and how the principles of endurance sports can help anyone sustain productivity, build confidence, and achieve ambitious goals. 

Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, a professional, or someone striving to be more consistent in your life, Regine’s insights are a masterclass in resilience, focus, and long-term growth.

***

 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 Regine
• Living in Singapore
• National athlete specialising in the sport of triathlon 
• Starting off in the sport of swimming at 4 years old
• Really enjoying spending time in the water
• Knowing all the strokes at 8 years old and starting to do competitive swimming 
• Being spotted by a swim coach 
• Enjoying the grind of swimming and making new friends
• Doing a decade of hardcore competitive swimming 
• Joining the Singapore Sports School (boarding school)
• Starting to plateau in swimming and making the transition to triathlon at 16 
• Trying open water swimming 
• Dealing with the plateau of not improving in her sport
• Having understanding coaches
• Starting to ask herself, why she was doing the sport
• Figuring out what her motivations where
• Figuring out her goals did not align with her core values 
• Reflecting back on why she got into sport in the first place
• Deciding to take running a bit more seriously 
• Why her cycling journey was a bit scary 
• Getting into road cycling at 19
• Why it was a steep learning curve 
• Wanting to prove everyone wrong and make it to the national team 
• Making the national team for triathlon 
• Getting burnt out in swimming chasing the goal of reaching the national team
• The importance of showing up every day and trying your best
• The mindset change when moving over to triathlon
• Getting some good mentors
• Enjoying the process at every step
• Gen Z perspective on mental health 
• Zone 2 training, Periodisation, Progressive overload
• The importance of focusing on recovery 
• Fuelling and eating the right foods
• Being here for the long game 
• Sleep as a performance enhancing drug!
• Being a working professional and managing her training 
• Doing morning and evening training sessions 
• The importance of planning ahead to get your training sessions in
• Managing stress
• Control what you can control
• Working with a coach
• Empowering aspiring professionals to boost consistency and sustain productivity using the principles of endurance sports
• Consistency and it’s importance
• The compounding effect of training 
• Communication expectations 
• Favourite moments from swimming and triathlon 
• Her short term and long term goals
• Thinking about doing an ironman and returning to open water swimming 
• Wanting to complete the English Channel Crossing 
• The Oceans Seven in swimming 
• The importance of having big, ambitious goals
• How to connect with Regine
• Final words of advice for women and girls to follow their passion in endurance sports
• Have fun and enjoy the process 

Social Media

Instagram: @weezuine.tries 

Facebook: Regine Goh  (吴宣萱)

LinkedIn: Regine Goh

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, I’m joined by Margie Goldsmith — an award-winning writer, journalist, and adventurer who proves that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself or chase new challenges.

At 81 years old, Margie is still boxing, biking, climbing mountains, and living life with unstoppable energy. Her new book, Becoming a Badass: From Fearful to Fierce, shares her remarkable journey from a fearful young woman growing up in a dysfunctional family to a confident, adventurous storyteller who’s visited 150 countries and built a life full of courage and curiosity.

In this episode, we talk about how Margie learned to turn fear into fuel, why Paris was the turning point in her life, how she’s stayed strong and active through the decades, and why movement, recovery, and mindset are key to living fully at any age.

 Tune in for a funny, fearless, and deeply inspiring conversation that celebrates the power of saying yes to life — no matter how old you are.

 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 Margie
• Living in New York City
• Writer, journalist, novelist, essayist 
• Her new book: Becoming a Badass: From Fearful to Fierce 
• Visiting 150 countries 
• Her early years
• Coming from a dysfunctional family
• Being told she was not good enough 
• Escaping by going into the woods
• Moving all the time and having to make new friends
• Getting into sports to make friends 
• Proving that she was good enough, and not less than 
• Being on her own from a young age
• Graduating from college and seeing a flyer to go to Europe for the summer
• Wanting to escape her mother 
• Heading to Paris for the summer in 1965 
• Deciding to stay in Paris and beginning her grown up life
• Her transition to Margie the Adventurer 
• 81 years old - boxing, riding her bike, moving,
• Climbing Mt Etna at 80 
• Moving from feeling fearful to fierce 
• Why Paris was the turning point
• Not wanting children
• Meeting an older man, (27 years older…)
• Smoking back in the day
• Travelling in the 1960s
• Deciding where to go and what to do
• Starting her first novel (Screw Up)
• Working as an extra in films
• Meeting husband number 1!
• Pressure from family/society to get married?
• Learning to hold her own
• Meeting husband number 2!
• Living the high life and getting bored 
• How going rafting on the Colorado river changed things 
• Trying things that scared her
• Gaining new confidence 
• Going to advance base camp at Mt. Everest 
• Getting into marathon running!
• Trying a triathlon in Cuba
• Being diagnosed with a tumour in her pancreas 
• Becoming a type 1 diabetic 
• Getting through the operations 
• Still feeling the feelings of fear
• Writing her book and why she loved it
• Deciding to give her body to science
• Being in her 80s and moving towards the end stages
• Doing everything she wants to do 
• Living life day by day 
• Keep doing the little adventures 
• Talk yourself into things, not out of things
• Why you don’t need to travel to find the fun and the adventure 
• Keeping her goals inside her
• Doing everything she can to stay healthy and why it means physical movement
• The trends of fitness and how they have changed
• Move it or lose it
• Getting weekly massages 
• Aim Health - Treatments 
• The importance of recovery 
• How to connect with Margie 
• Going on to TikTok! 
• Advice for people who do feel/have felt less than 
• Find a mentor who you trust
• Listen to yourself and your gut
• Go find something to make you feel good

Social Media

Website: margiegoldsmith.com 

Facebook: Masters Of The Harmonica 

Book: Becoming a Badass: From Fearful to Fierce

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, I’m joined by Veronica White — a PhD student, photographer, and outdoor adventurer who is combining academic research with exploration in a truly unique way.

For her final year at the University of Exeter, Veronica set out on an extraordinary journey: cycling more than 2,000 miles across England to explore how women envision the future of farming. Her Farming Futures Tour— meeting and interviewing 50 women along the way who are shaping the future of food and agriculture.

Born in the US and raised in the Netherlands, Veronica’s path into farming wasn’t traditional. With a background in environmental science and food security, she’s found her passion in connecting people, place, and purpose — and using adventure as both a research method and a personal challenge.

In our conversation, we talk about how she planned and trained for the project, what it was like to balance the mental and physical demands of fieldwork on the move, and why she believes surrounding yourself with people who say “yes” can make all the difference.

 Tune in to hear how Veronica turned her PhD into a pedal-powered exploration of England’s rural landscapes — and how adventure can open new ways of seeing, learning, and connecting.

 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 Veronica?
• Final year PhD student at the University of Exeter 
• Cycling over 2,000 miles across England for her PhD fieldwork
• Being born in the US and raised in the Netherlands 
• Her interest in food and farming 
• Studying environmental science for her undergraduate degree at the University of East Anglia 
• Reading up more on food waste
• Deciding to do a Masters in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture 
• Not having a background in farming, but doing volunteer work on farms
• Doing cycling as a social activity 
• Starting her blog during the pandemic in 2020
• Spending time exploring the South West Coast Path 
• Naming her blog - Coves to Cliffs 
• Using the blog to get away from social media 
• Not getting sucked into the world of SEO and affiliate marketing 
• Wanting the blog to be a collection of memories and stories and not just another marketing tool 
• What The Farming Futures Tour is 
• Speaking to 50 women on the tour
• The reasons for cycling 
• Being supported and encouraged by her supervisors 
• Spending a year planning and training for the project
• Finding the women to speak with
• What the fieldwork looked like
• The futures triangle 
• Autoethnography method - reflecting on your own personal experiences - while cycling through the landscapes 
• Planning and logistics for such a long trip
• Receiving funding from the Royal Geographical Society and a charity organisation, Act Big Live Small 
• Setting off on the journey 
• Balancing the mental and physical sides of the challenge
• Dealing with fatigue
• Finding new strategies to cope with the work load
• Doing voice notes instead of writing field notes
• The bike and gear set up 
• Off Cut Gear 
• The highlights from the trip
• Still having to write the PhD!
• Food and farming 
• Finding lunch in rural areas
• Cycling hunger
• How to connect with Veronica 
• Planning the next adventure?
• Final words of advice 
• Surround yourself with people who say yes

Social Media

Blog www.covestocliffs.com 

Instagram @farmingfutures_cycle

Youtube: @veronicaa_white

Captain Preet Chandi MBE is a world record breaking explorer, former British Army officer, and physiotherapist. She served in the Royal Army Medical Corps for 16 years before embarking on groundbreaking polar expeditions.

In 2022, Preet became the ninth woman in history to ski solo to the South Pole, and the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition on the continent. Less than a year later, she set out on her next adventure, breaking two Guinness World Records for the longest solo unsupported one-way ski expedition, both for a woman and overall, covering 922 miles in 70 days.

She returned to Antarctica in December 2023 to set her fourth world record: the female speed record to the South Pole, completed in 31 days, 13 hours, and 19 minutes.

Preet’s expeditions are driven by her mission to inspire others to push boundaries. She champions the message that everyone starts somewhere, and that no matter your background or starting point in life, you are capable of breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible.

In 2025, she established her Community Interest Company, Adventure is Ours CIC, which supports expeditions that promote education, inspiration, climate awareness, and diversity in exploration. Through the CIC, she also delivers outreach, mentorship, and school visits to empower people of all ages.

In 2022, Preet started delivered her school talks across the UK, reaching more than 18,000 students. That same year, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Her achievements have been widely recognised: she received the ‘Inspirational’ and ‘Woman of the Year’ awards at the inaugural Women in Defence event in 2022, was named ‘Explorer of the Year’ in 2023, and in 2025 was awarded the prestigious Geographical Award by the Royal Geographical Society.

Past TGP episodes

July 8th 2021 - Preet Chandi - Army Physiotherapist, Ultra Runner, first solo unsupported expedition to South Pole!

Feb 15th 2022 - Preet Chandi - aka Polar Preet - 1st woman of colour to reach the South Pole 

 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 Preet
• Originally from Darby, but basically living everywhere
• Spending 16 years in the Army
• Chatting to Preet previously on the Tough Girl Podcast
• Making the decision to leave the Army
• Coming back in debt 
• Getting straight back into work
• Starting the next fundraising cycle 
• Trying to get unpaid leave
• Doing her 3rd expedition without telling anyone
• Trying to cross the landmass on Antarctica on her 2nd trip
• Not making it 
• The voice in her head, telling her she had failed
• Feeling the relief when she finished
• Getting 2 records from the trip
• Why it’s ok to fail
• Being slated by an article 
• Feeling worried about what people in the adventure community would think of her
• Wondering if she could get the female speed record? (Needing to break 33 days)
• Why you don’t need to be the best to succeed
• Learning as she goes on
• Why 2023 was a tough year and struggling
• The impact on weight loss on your brain
• Burnout
• Starting to feel recovered
• Wanting to train for the North Pole
• Having time off
• Losing her granddad and hearing the news after the trip
• Building momentum
• Getting to sleep 8 hrs per night
• Talking about failure
• Making mistakes and being able to pinpoint them
• Being nervous to get started
• Needing to get going and hitting some storms at the start
• The voice in her head - being scared to fail, and being called a failure
• Using her pain relief before she though she would need to 
• Getting a polar thigh industry
• Starting to move more slowly towards the end 
• Focusing on the next 2hrs
• Getting home 
• Traumatic growth?
• The daily pain cave…
• Being made to slow down
• The costs of doing these trips 
• Getting help and support
• Trip 3 - the women’s speed record
• Dealing with the hunger
• The next big challenge - the north pole
• Why there is a high chance of failure
• You can not fail, unless you try
• Preparing for the misery and suffering 
• The privilege of being on the start line of adventures
• Lying to herself 
• Why not Preet!
• Needing luck on the next adventure 
• Wanting to show show much than you can do anything 
• You go and you try
• Why her trips are bigger than her
• Why adventure is for anyone
• Being very driven and being an encourager
• How to connect with Preet
• MBE and what it means
• What’s been achieved in 4 years
• Why you do belong in every single room
• The importance of the first step

Social Media

Website: www.polarpreet.com 

Instagram: @polarpreet 

Facebook: @polarpreet

Robyn Godfrey is an accomplished runner, pacer, RRCA Certified Level 1 coach, and motivational speaker who began her running journey at the age of 47. 

What started as a personal quest to improve her health and overcome her relationship with alcohol soon evolved into a remarkable achievement: completing seven marathons, including the prestigious World Marathon Majors — London, Chicago, Berlin, Boston, New York, and Tokyo.

A dedicated member of the Wilmington Road Runners Club since 2013, Robyn has made a significant impact by coaching and pacing runners, helping them unlock their potential and reach their goals. In addition to her coaching, she has volunteered with organisations like Girls on the Run, empowering young girls to grow both physically and personally through running.

 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 Robyn
• Making a change in her life at 47
• Starting running for 30 seconds on a treadmill 
• Facing serious life hurdles over the years
• Reinventing herself
• Chasing after her dream
• Her early years and not being sporty
• The why before making the change
• Not being able to stop over indulging 
• Continuing the journey 
• Starting to run outside and why it was such a different experience 
• Run the 10K Cooper River Bridge Run
• Training for a year to run a 10K
• Getting hooked on running 
• Why motivation isn’t enough 
• Starting to think about taking on a marathon 
• Running the London Marathon for her 50th Birthday 
• Getting a place through a lottery ticket
• How the structure of marathon training fitted in well with her mentality
• Breaking down big challenges into smaller more manageable goals 
• Not being a fast runner, but enjoying the process of marathon training 
• Fitting in training around life and work
• Carrying a fork 
• Being a party girl and drinking 
• Being social and not needing to drink a lot of wine to do that 
• The Tokyo Marathon
• Following strict cutoff times
• 27.8 miles….
• Recovering after running
• Core work and conditioning 
• Strength training for women
• The mental side of running
• Being a goal orientated person
• Run the mile you are in 
• Keep going - things will turn around
• The lessons learned from running which can be applied to challenging situations
• Why running can’t save you from everything
• Feelings of guilt
• Completing her goal of running all of the World Marathon Majors
• Training on trails and running a 50k at elevation
• Turning 60 next year
• Planning to run Sydney Marathon
• Writing her book
• How to connect with Robyn
• Wanting to inspire people to go after their dreams 
• Final words of advice - on how to take the first step
• Why you can’t just rely on motivation 
• The power of community 

Social Media

Website - www.worldmajormarathonfinisher.com

Instagram @beachy_runner 

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/robyngodfrey 

Facebook www.facebook.com/robyn.godfrey.3

Book: Running the World: A Runner's Odyssey of Struggle and Triumph in the World Marathon Majors 

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Julie Weiss — also known as The Marathon Goddess. Julie’s story is one of resilience, healing, and purpose. After losing her father to pancreatic cancer, she set out on an extraordinary mission: to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks, raising awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research along the way.

Her journey captured hearts around the world — from the Today Show and O Magazine to countless finish lines across the US. But behind the medals and media attention is a woman who found strength, joy, and hope through running.

Now in her fifties, Julie has completed over 118 marathons, raised more than $1 million for research, and continues to inspire others with her message that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, honour your loved ones, and find purpose in every step.

In this conversation, Julie opens up about:

 How running helped her heal from grief and depression
 The challenges and triumphs of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks
 What it takes to stay motivated and injury-free through massive goals
 Her empowering “7 C’s to Defy Your Limits” — Create, Certainty, Connect, Commit, Consistent, Cause, and Courage

Julie’s story is a beautiful reminder that transformation begins with one small step — and that every mile can make a difference.

 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 Julie
• Living in Santa Monica,  California, USA
• Being known as the Marathon Goddess - Running 52 marathon in 52 weeks
• Raising over $1 million for charity 
• Being excited to share the wisdom she has leaned from running marathons
• Her childhood and early years 
• Being tall with long legs
• Starting running at 37 years
• Not being at athlete at school
• Taking a different path
• Becoming a mother at 18 
• Not doing a lot of exercise in her younger years 
• Feeling at a very low point in her life
• Going for that first run on the beach 
• Wanting to feel good
• Keeping on running 
• Coming off anti-depressants 
• Fitting running into her life and making it work for her
• Joining a running group LA Road Runners
• Connecting with other people 
• Training for a triathlon first 
• Running her first marathon in March 2008
• How running makes her feel 
• Her relationship with her dad
• Raising funds for Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research
• Taking 10 years to raise the funds 
• Project Purple
• Deciding to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks
• The Marathon Guy
• Being determined 
• Feeling overwhelmed at the start of the goal
• The start and the different steps involved
• Reaching out to charities, speaking to her boss
• The power of having purpose 
• The physicality of the challenge
• Protein, stretching, foam rolling, strength training, rest, compression tights, physio 
• The standout marathons from the challenge 
• The Leadville Marathon and the challenges of running at altitude  
• The Lake Tahoe Marathon
• The New York Marathon in 2012 - being cancelled  
• Marathon proposal!
• Being coached by her husband
• Qualifying for the Boston Marathon
• Losing her dad
• 19th attempt of getting into Boston Marathon
• Making the decision to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks
• Not giving up 
• The mental side of the challenge
• The importance of creating a goal that is important to you
• The 7Cs - Create, Certainty, Connect, Commit, Consistent, Cause, Courage 
• Enjoying what you’ve accomplished
• Writing her book 
• BOOK: The Miles and Trials of a Marathon Goddess: 52 Weeks, 52 Marathons
• Advice for deciding what to do?
• The importance of fun
• Chasing speed and wanting to quality for Boston again
• Running during peri-menopause and menopause
• Struggling with the lack of sleep and dealing with a lack of iron
• Compassion
• Reaching her 100th Marathon at the LA Marathon 
• Needing to keep on going 
• Being supported by her friends
• The importance of enjoying the journey and finding the joy
• How to connect with Julie 
• Words by ― CS Lewis “You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream.”

Social Media

Website: www.julie-weiss.com 

Instagram: @marathongoddess 

Facebook: @Julie-WeissMarathonGoddess

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Susan Norman — a former National and World Champion in whitewater kayaking and rafting, hydrologist, coach, and now author of RISK: A Life Saved by the River.

Susan’s story is one of courage, flow, and resilience. From the roaring rapids of international whitewater competition to the quiet, uncertain waters of parenting her young nephew, she’s navigated life’s toughest challenges with the same instinct, grit, and grace that made her a world-class paddler.

Now retired from her career with the U.S. Forest Service and living in Lake Tahoe, California, Susan reflects on how rivers shaped her identity — not just as an athlete, but as a woman learning to make her own risk assessments, trust her judgement, and face fear head-on.

In this conversation, Susan opens up about:

• Finding belonging and strength in the early days of women’s paddling
• The lessons whitewater taught her about resilience and decision-making
• Her journey into writing and how storytelling became an extension of adventure
• What it really means to take good risks — on the river and in life

Get ready for a deeply thoughtful episode about flow, fear, and finding freedom through the wild power of 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 Susan Norman
• Living in Lake Tahoe, California
• Working for the US Forest Service
• Being retired for 7 years 
• Starting her journey and learning new creative writing skills
• Book: RISK: A Life Saved by the River 
• Her childhood (with her twin brother) and early years 
• Her interest in rivers and how her father inspired her 
• Her transition from teenager to adult 
• White water paddling as an amateur sport 
• Competing as a teenager 
• Jamie McEwan 
• Wanting to increase her skill set
• Going to high school in the early 1970s 
• Not having many older female role models 
• Dads and daughters on the river 
• Forming a tribe and connecting with the other girls during her teenage years 
• The relationship with her mum who was diagnosed with MS 
• Being raised by a single father 
• Replacing family with the paddling community 
• Being part of the first wave of women getting into a high level of paddling
• Paddling amongst the best paddlers in the world 
• Analysing and making decisions based on her own risk assessments 
• Learning to trust her own judgement
• A life saved by the river 
• Working with a writing coach 
• Telling her story, while raising her nephew
• Taking her nephew on river trips 
• Taking 6 years to write the book 
• Trying to figure out how to raise a child 
• Facing hard things and not being able to see a path through 
• Not knowing how things will turn out and taking it one day at a time
• Taking challenging in small steps
• Giving an ultimatum to her partner 
• Going through the teenage years
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• Adventuring with children and why you should go as soon as you can 
• The power of outdoor adventure sports
• Managing fear while on adventure and parenting 
• River boarding and learning about the flow of the river water
• How to connect with Susan 
• Final words of advice with regards to risk and making tough decisions
• Find the good risk 

Social Media

Website www.susannormanauthor.com 

Facebook: Susan Norman 

In this candid and raw Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode, we reconnect with the unstoppable Vedangi Kulkarni — the youngest woman to have cycled around the world, who’s recently returned from doing it again.

Now based in Inverness, Scotland, Vedangi opens up about her second attempt at cycling around the globe — this time not just for the journey, but in pursuit of a Guinness World Record.

From racing Lael Wilcox to navigating border delays, funding pressures, and the relentless physical and mental toll of riding across five continents, Vedangi doesn’t hold back. 

This conversation is about pushing limits, embracing failures, and finding strength when things don’t go to plan.

Highlights from the episode include:

• Breaking a record in the Himalayas (Manali–Leh Highway) in 2023
• Preparing to cycle the world again in 2024 — and finding sponsorship, gear, and coaching
• Struggles of travelling on an Indian passport and the challenge of visa logistics
• Being delayed at borders, detained, and ultimately forced to return to the UK mid-ride due to visa expiry
• Restarting in 2025, finishing the ride under the blazing Indian summer sun
• Dealing with the post-expedition blues and finding her footing again

Vedangi’s story is one of resilience, honesty, and fierce determination. Despite knowing she wouldn’t get the world record, she kept going — driven by passion, grit, and the belief that stories worth telling are born from adversity.

Now, she’s looking ahead to her next expedition, ramping up her YouTube and Substack presence, and continuing to speak openly about the realities of life as a woman of colour in adventure sport.

 Heads-up: This episode includes some strong language.

 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 Vedangi
• From India but currently based in Inverness, Scotland 
• The Adventure Shed 
• Coming back from her 2nd ride around the world 
• Speaking to Vedangi in Sep 22, 2020 - Vedangi Kulkarni - The youngest woman to have circumnavigated the world on bicycle. 
• Tough Girl Extra Oct 27, 2022 - Vedangi Kulkarni - Adventurer and endurance athlete moving into mountain biking and crossing Svalbard. 
• The focus of this episode - what Vedangi has been up to over the past couple of years
• Deciding to cycle around the world again
• 2023 - visiting the Himalayas and going after a point to point record. GWR for being the fastest women to cycle the Manali-leh Highway 
• Getting her win 
• June 2023 - starting to be vocal about her goals in 2024
• Getting the sponsorship and funding in place 
• Needing £20k 
• Working with Canyon Bikes 
• Speaking to the bike experts 
• Getting a gravel bike and specking it like a road bike
• Being an Ambassador for RAB 
• Working with Tailfin - and having custom build gear 
• 3D printed mounts 
• Struggling to get sponsorship from Indian companies
• Getting only 1 Indian Sponsor at the last moment
• Training and working with Jon Fearne from E3 Coaching  
• Following a training plan and putting in the best effort with it
• Applying for visas and planning the route with an Indian passport  
• The challenges of getting to the start line
• Racing against Lael Wilcox (who was attempting the same record at the same time)
• “Why do I think I can do this? I don’t stand a chance” 
• Mental blocks and challenges
• The challenges of travelling on a weaker passport 
• Having no room for errors - everything needs to go to plan
• Why it wasn’t a level playing field 
• Speaking with Lael before heading off - women supporting women
• Knowing that she wasn’t going to get the record and keeping on going
• Having a good story to tell
• Dealing with setbacks and failures and keeping on going 
• The route and how it was slightly different to the first time
• Starting on the East Coast of India
• Riding across Mongolia and then on to Australia 
• Challenges with border crossings and getting detained and delayed 
• Needing to fly back to the UK on Christmas Eve due to UK visa regulations 
• Needing to stay in the UK for 2 months 
• Getting back to India in March 2025 to finish the ride 
• The challenges of the heat - going from Scottish winter to an Indian Summer
• Feeling satisfied once the ride was finally done. 
• Adventure blues after the ride
• Planning her next record attempt and expedition. 
• Wanting to push her limits further
• Why health isn’t guaranteed 
• One precious life and you’ve got to get out there and live it
• Balancing everything that’s going on 
• How to connect with Vedangi on social media 
• Kickstarting her YouTube again
• Getting more active on Substack 
• Final words of advice for women who want to push on through their barriers
• Embracing failure and not letting it dim your light - it’s not always going to go to plan 
• Be motivated to try your best
• The journalling process and how it can help mentally with self-esteem 

Social Media

Website: vedangi.info 

Instagram: @thisisvedangi

LinkedIn: Vedangi Kulkarni 

Twitter: @thisisvedangi

Facebook: @wheelsandwords 

YouTube: @thisisvedangi

Link to donate me a small amount: [Buy Me A Coffee] 

In this Tough Girl EXTRA episode, we catch up with Tiphaine Muller, the intrepid French adventurer who continues to push her boundaries through long-distance cycling and remote, high-altitude trekking.

Now 31 and based in Chamonix, France, Tiphaine has spent the last decade traveling the world by bike, exploring five continents. Her latest journey saw her pedaling from the Alps to the Himalayas before tackling one of the toughest and most remote treks on earth: The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) in Nepal.

This conversation picks up from where we left off in her first Tough Girl Podcast interview (November 2021) — where she shared her early adventures and passion for slow travel. This time, we dive deep into her 2024 journey:

 Cycling from France to Nepal through the Balkans, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and the Himalayas — all while managing extreme heat, border crossings, and a strict budget of €10/day.

 Hiking the Great Himalaya Trail solo (West to East), over 80 days, through towering 5,000m+ passes, remote villages, and ever-changing terrain — while battling physical exhaustion, route-finding issues, and high-altitude nutrition struggles.

Tiphaine candidly shares:

• The logistics and challenges of arranging permits for restricted zones without a guide
• Her coping strategies for trekking alone in high mountains
• Cultural highlights from cycling through Turkey and Iran
• How she funds her travels and balances life back home as a social worker
• Her future goals — including film-making and another epic cycle across South America

This episode is a deep, honest reflection on the highs and lows of big adventures and what it takes — mentally, physically, and emotionally — to keep moving forward when things don’t go to plan.

 Don’t miss this inspiring update from a woman who truly lives the spirit of adventure, one pedal stroke and step at a time.

 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 Tiphaine
• 31 years old
• Living in Chamonix, France 
• Travelling on and off for the past 10 years 
• Going on 3 big bicycle trips
• 1st Tough Girl Podcast episode - November 18th 2021
• 2nd Big Cycle Trip - Cycling from Mexico to Alaska
• This episode focusing on cycling from France to Nepal and hiking the Great Himalaya Trail 
• Thinking about the next challenge
• Hiking the High Route of the Pyrenees solo 
• Joking about the Great Himalaya Trail 
• Figuring out the visa and trying to plan for the trail 
• Planning for 6 months and working out how to make it work with the seasons
• Starting in March 2024
• The Route - Cycling Europe really fast in 1 month
• Going through the Balkan Countries, Greece then the ferry over to Turkey
• Across Georgia, Armenia, Iran and the Stan countries 
• Highlights and magical moments from the cycle ride 
• Why Turkey is one of her favourite countries 
• Why Iran was really demanding 
• The bike and gear setup for 6 months 
• Dealing with extreme heat and needing to ride during the night to escape the heat 
• Funding the trip and living off savings
• Living off a daily budget of 10 euro per person per day (while cycling)
• Earning money working as a social worker 
• Day to day rhythm while riding on the bike 
• Having a rest day every 10 days 
• The Great Himalaya Trail and wanting to walk West to East 
• Needing to go to Katmandu first to sort out all the permits 
• Taking a rest in Katmandu for 10 days
• Busing to the start of the trail 
• Having 80 days to walk the trail 
• Why the first 2 weeks were super hard 
• Getting lost of the trail; no signs, no gps on the phone, incorrect maps, not knowing which track was the correct one
• Struggling to stick to the schedule, due to the permits 
• Not having a guide 
• Dealing with problem after problem 
• Walking in the high mountains 
• Needing to have guides while walking in Nepal….
• Going through a trekking agency - who will allow you to get the trekking permits without a guide 
• The restricted areas close to the borders 
• Mixing the high routes and the low routes
• Finding resupply and food on the trail
• The challenges of cooking at altitude
• Struggling to get the calories in and needing to focus more on food
• Needing to eat, even when not hungry 
• Paying for food - and taking cash for 80 days…
• Coping with the altitude and the high passes over 5,000m
• Hiking without a guide 
• Connecting with other hikers and Nepalese people 
• What’s app group for GHT preparation! 
• Hiking or cycling?!
• Reaching the end of the hike in December
• Deciding to continue cycling for another 2 months and visiting China and Malaysia 
• Writing another book?
• Focusing on film and making 2 videos - a bike film and a hike film! 
• Plans for the future?
• Wanting to visit South America on the next big bike and cycle trip
• How to connect with Tiphaine on social media
• Final words of advice 
• To do something big you need to start with something little 
• Trust yourself 

Social Media

Instagram @littlemisspedals

Jenn is a long-distance walker, community leader, and passionate advocate for women’s wellbeing in the outdoors — especially during menopause. From battling endometriosis, PCOS, and the trauma of an early medical menopause in her 20s, she was once told she couldn’t live the active, adventurous life she craved. She’s spent the last few years since proving otherwise — one footstep at a time.

What began as a personal outlet for healing has evolved into something much bigger: being able to connect women to their strength through hiking, movement, and community. Whether she’s leading local walks, multi-day hikes, backpacking or pushing her own limits, she walks with the intention that creating space for people to feel heard, safe and be around nature is of the upmost importance.

A qualified lowland leader, speaker, and founder of a thriving women’s walking community in Kent, she brings insight, humour, and unflinching honesty to conversations about menopause, mental health, leadership, and what it means to feel powerful in your body again — especially when the world told you not to try.

Through her trail stories — from ultra hikes to quiet woodland days — she shows that adventure isn’t about speed or summits. It’s simply about showing up.

🎙️ 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 Jenn and running MJ Outdoor Adventures 
• Her aim to get everyone outdoors, regardless of what stage of life people are at 
• Her early years and not being sporty or outdoorsy 
• Getting into fitness in her mid to late 20s
• Going through an early menopause in her early 20s
• Gaining weight very quickly 
• Feeling very uncomfortable in her own body
• Starting walking and moving into swimming and yoga
• Getting into hiking and how her passion came alive 
• Currently 39 years old
• Talking about perimenopause and menopause 
• Reflecting back on what happened 20 years ago 
• Only hearing from doctors, not hearing other voices or having other support available. 
• Not having a clue what was happening 
• Discovering hiking and her hiking journey 
• Shifting the weight and starting to get more energy once she started walking 
• Signing up for ultra challenges 
• Adapting gear to make it work for her
• Lowland Leaders 
• Taking a leap of faith and quitting her day job 
• 3 months into the adventure 
• Working in retail and making the transition 
• Setting up her first walking group
• Women’s Wellness Walks 
• The power of women sharing their stories 
• Peri-menopause - and how it’s starting earlier and earlier 
• 51 symptoms of menopause… 
• Vitamin D and bone density loss
• What can women do, to manage the symptoms of peri-menopause 
• Strong not skinny and the importance of keeping mobile 
• Mental health and balancing hormones
• How the outdoors have helped
• Solo hiking and the power of spending time alone in the Highlands of Scotland 
• Isle of Wright Ultra - 100km 
• Wanting to prove to everyone that she could do it
• Achieving 75km and not hitting the 100km
• Having to shift her mindset 
• Learning grace for herself 
• Practicing mindfulness on the trail 
• Saxon Shore Way, Kent
• The power of nature
• Walking as part of a group 
• Community and friendships 
• Learning how to be in the outdoors 
• How it helps to build confidence 
• Meeting Mike!
• The W trail in Patagonia (Feb 2026) 
• The Greensand Way 
• Working as an Ordnance Survey Champion 
• North Down’s Way Ambassadors 
• The challenges of wailing in February in the UK
• Fast packing and going from hotel to hotel, or from B&B to B&B
• Doing what works for you
• The stats from the North Down’s Way (National Trail UK) 
• Being a woman in the outdoors industry 
• How to connect with Jenn and sign up for her walks 
• Final words of advice for other women who want to get outside more 
• Finding your tribe and the right footwear!! 

Social Media

Website: www.mjoutdooradventures.co.uk

Instagram: @mjoutdooradventures 

At age 55, Belgian runner Hilde Dosogne set out to break boundaries — and did just that. 

In 2024, she ran 366 marathons in 366 days, earning her the title of Guinness World Record holder for most consecutive marathons in a year. 

What makes Hilde’s journey so extraordinary is not just the distance she covered, but the relentless dedication she showed while working part-time and managing her daily life with laser-focused discipline.

Known as Marathon Woman 366, Hilde didn’t grow up in a sporty family. In fact, she didn’t seriously take up running until her 40s. But once she did, she never looked back — moving from her first marathon with her husband in 2013 to ultra events like the Marathon des Sables and the legendary Spartathlon in Greece.

Inspired by endurance runner Candice Burt, who ran an ultra a day, Hilde set a goal that was bold yet (just) manageable alongside her career — a marathon every single day for an entire year. 

From battling injuries and illness, to running through Belgian storms and even dislocating a finger mid-run, Hilde’s story is one of mental toughness, resilience, and unwavering self-belief.

In this episode, Hilde shares:

• Why she decided to take on this incredible challenge
• How she structured her days and managed recovery
• The highs and lows of running every single day
• The mental strategies that helped her keep going
• Her thoughts on aging, performance, and redefining what's possible at 55
• The deep sense of joy and freedom she finds in running

Hilde’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to start something extraordinary — and that the only limits are the ones we place on ourselves.

 New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM UK time. Subscribe and be inspired by stories of women pushing their physical and mental limits across adventure, endurance, and exploration.

 Support the mission to increase the visibility of female role models in adventure and sport: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast

Show notes

• Who is Hilde
• Living in Belgium
• 55 years old
• Married with 4 children aged between 18 and 26 years old
• Working in a chemical company and being passionate about running
• Being known as Marathon Woman 366
• Not growing up in a sporty family and not being encouraged to do sports when she was younger
• Getting into running after her children were growing up 
• Being focused on building up her career and raising her children 
• Reaching 40 years old and wanting to lose some weight and deciding to run a marathon with her husband in 2013
• How her running progressed and wanting to run more marathons and then wanting to run faster and then further
• Getting a lot of satisfaction from achieving her goals and pushing her limits
• Deciding to run the coastline of Belgium - 74km
• Wanting to know what else she could do 
• Deciding to run the Marathon des Sables in Morocco 
• Struggling with sleep in the open tent, and dealing with the sandstorm and the noisy people in the tent
• Running Spartathlon Ultra Race 
• Running from Athens to Sparta - having 36 hrs to complete the race 
• Needing to qualify for the Spartathlon
• Running 170km in 24 hrs in 2022
• Running the race again in 2023 and running 1 hr faster than the year before
• Being inspired by Candice Burt running an ultra marathon everyday 
• Realising that running an ultra marathon a day would take up too much time everyday
• Deciding to run a marathon everyday and break a world record 
• Feeling that running a marathon everyday would be achievable while working at the same time
• Starting to plan for the event in summer 2024 - wanting to run with other people 
• Applying to Guinness World Records and figuring out the logistics for evidence 
• The time commitment involved and trying to run with other people 
• Being commitment to the hours she was running 
• The hard days, especially when she was feeling sick 
• Dealing with stomach pain and covid. 
• Falling while running and dislocating her finger 
• Dealing with bad weather especially at the start of the year 
• Struggling with her sleep and feeling too excited from the running both physically and emotionally 
• Sleeping during her lunch break
• Needing to have her days very strictly scheduled 
• The time commitment of running, social media and the info for Guinness World Records
• The mindset of taking on a daily challenge like this
• Her resilience coming from having a strict childhood and being very disciplined
• Seeing her running as a job 
• Feeling gratitude for while she was running 
• Raising funds for breast cancer patients 
• Being supported by the people who ran with her and also supported via social media 
• Daily recovery strategies - having a recovery shake, baths, stretching and a massage 1x per week
• Being supported by her husband in the house 
• Getting to the end of 366 marathons
• Running the last week in pain, due to a hamstring injury 
• Preparing an event for the last day
• Her body was telling her to stop running 
• Stopping running on the 1st January 2025 
• Feeling very happy that it was over!
• Getting back into running/walking 10 days later 
• Wanting to do the Spartathlon for the 3rd time
• Becoming the 24hrs running Belgium Champion 
• Listening to podcasts and music to pass the time
• Not experiencing many affects from perimenopause and menopause 
• Nutrition and fuelling while running a marathon everyday 
• Which is harder running a fast 5k or running a longer distance?
• Stretching, foam rolling, core stability exercises and bike riding
• The biggest lessons learned from taking on this challenge
• Why the human body can do much more than what we think
• Doing this challenge at 55 years old
• Running an average time of 4hrs 5 mins for each marathon
• Why you can start running at any age
• Training for the Spartathlon 2025 with a running coach 
• Running coach Benny Fisher  
• How to connect with Hilde on line
• Words of advice for runners
• The mind is stronger than the body
• If you think you can’t anymore, you have to think you can do it. Even if you are at a low point in a race. You need to know that it can get better.
• Why the only reason to stop is if you have a serious injury.
• Believe that it can get better
• Think about how you will feel when you give up 
• Think about the people that support you and they will be very happy that you finish and disappointed if you don’t
• Do it for a charity, so you know you are not only doing it for yourself. 
• You have to be strong psychically and mentally
• Prepare yourself for the difficult moments in the race and think through all the different scenarios that could happen

Social Media

Website: www.hildedosogne.be/en 

Instagram: @marathonwoman366/ 

Facebook: @marathonwoman.2024 

Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/51029211

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we journey into the heart of the Amazon and the mind of a remarkable woman pushing the boundaries of science, culture, and conservation—Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza.

Rosa is a Peruvian chemical biologist, National Geographic Explorer, UN Harmony with Nature Scientist, and the founder of Amazon Research Internacional. 

Splitting her time between Bath, England, and the Peruvian rainforest, Rosa blends cutting-edge research with ancestral knowledge to protect biodiversity and uplift indigenous communities.

Her journey—from a curious child growing up in Peru to leading expeditions in the Amazon, researching the legendary Boiling River, studying stingless bees, and authoring The Spirit of the Rainforest—is nothing short of extraordinary. Rosa shares how she learned expedition skills later in life, why documenting indigenous science is crucial, and what it means to be a female scientist navigating international platforms like the UN and COP16.

This conversation is packed with insight into climate resilience, overcoming self-doubt, and the healing power of nature, science, and community. Rosa’s message is a powerful call to action for women everywhere: follow the questions that stay in your head—you never know where they may lead.

 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 Dr Rosa
• Currently living in Bath
• Being based between England and Peru 
• Working as a Peruvian scientistic
• National Geographic Explorer 
• Leading science and conservation efforts in the Amazon Rainforest 
• Having a deep connection to her indigenous roots 
• Her early years living in Peru and relationship with her grandmother
• Spending time in the city and the mountains
• Being fascinated by the things she couldn’t understand 
• Loving space and wanted to know everything about the planet
• Having a fascination for science
• Wanting to dedicate her life to the Amazon 
• Getting her PhD in Chemical Biology from Michigan University 
• Taking a year off to get more work experience and reconsidering her whole life
• Being able to study traditional Chineses medicine in Beijing in her last year of undergrad
• The Amazon Boiling River
• Ted Talk - Andrés Ruzo 
• Book: The Boiling River (TED) by Andrés Ruzo  
• Discovering new microbes in the river
• Boiling mud 
• Book: The Spirit of the Rainforest: How indigenous wisdom and scientific curiosity reconnects us to the natural world 
• What you can expect from the book
• Learning expeditions skills later on in life
• Leading her first expedition
• Chapter 4 - Stingless Bees - the oldest bees on the planet 
• Capacity building 
• Partnerships with different indigenous groups
• Climate challenges
• Climate Anxiety
• The importance of indigenous science and making sure that it is documented 
• Being motivated to write the book 
• COP16 in October 2024 in Colombia 
• Dealing with self doubt and why the work is not easy
• Being a voice with the international press
• Creating space for female indigenous members
• Being a good team member
• The importance of community 
• Current expeditions and plans for heading back to the field
• Funding expeditions 
• Extreme climate explorers
• BBC - Documenting their work on stingless bees
• How to find stingless bees
• Smelling fish in the jungle….
• Medicinial Honey?!
• Comparison to Manuka honey?
• Her Ayahuasca experience
• The ego death experience 
• Chapter 11 - becoming a black jaguar 
• How to connect with Dr Rosa
• Final word of advice for women who want to explore more and get into science and exploration
• Follow the questions that stay in your head
• You never know where they may lead.

Social Media

Website: www.rosavespinoza.com 

Instagram: @rosavespinoza

Facebook: @rosavespinoza9 

TikTok: @rosavespinoza 

YouTube: @rosavespinoza

In this deeply moving and inspiring episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Sophie Pierce, a 32-year-old social worker from Pembrokeshire, West Wales, who made history in March 2025 as the first person with Cystic Fibrosis to row an ocean.

Diagnosed at just 3 months old, Sophie has lived with the challenges of a genetic condition that affects her lungs and digestive system and once carried a life expectancy of under 30 years. But Sophie’s story is not defined by limitation—it's a bold testament to resilience, courage, and the power of hope.

From working in fostering services to hiking the Welsh coast with her dogs, swimming in cold water, and sleeping in her campervan—Sophie has never shied away from living life on her terms. 

In this episode, she opens up about the life-changing impact of the Kaftrio drug trial, how she overcame mental health struggles, and what it truly meant to embrace life beyond the horizon by rowing across the Atlantic.

She shares the highs and lows of the row: the months of preparation, team dynamics, magical moments at sea, and how it feels to return to "normal life" after an extraordinary adventure. Sophie's message is powerful and universal—you are capable of so much more than you think.

If you're looking for inspiration, perspective, and an honest exploration of living—and thriving—with a life-limiting condition, this episode is not to be missed.

 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 Sophie
• 32 years old
• Living in Pembrokeshire, West Wales 
• Working as a social worker in fostering service
• Living with a genetic health condition - Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
• March 2025 - becoming the first person with CF to row an ocean
• What is CF
• Being born with it and getting diagnosed at 3 months old  
• Having a shorter lifespan 
• How CF affects her lungs and digestive system 
• Living with reduced lung function 
• Her younger years and how she was treated 
• Why exercise and being out in the fresh air is actively encouraged
• Not liking exercise as a child
• Growing up knowing she had CF and why it was normal
• Being empowered with CF and how her parents encouraged her
• Her mum reminding her to stay as well as she could for as long as she could, so she could benefit from treatments in the future. 
• Learning about her shorter life expectancy and managing those feelings 
• Adopting a positive attitude - being determined to live her life and not letting CF hold her back 
• Wanting to make the most of her time 
• Understanding that time is precious 
• Not needing a pension, savings or need to put down roots 
• The help and support available to help manage the mental and emotional challenges
• Experiencing panic attacks while her health was declining 
• Working with a psychologist 
• Using tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Feeling frightened of letting the big feelings of sadness in
• Feeling so sad about living with CF  
• The drug trial - 5 years ago 
• Taking the Kaftrio drug 
• The challenges of winter for CF patients 
• ‘The Purge’ - coughing for 24 hrs
• How her life and lungs has changed 
• Trustee for CF Trust 
• Being asked to row an ocean 
• Forming a crew of 4
• Stumbling blocks and being told no - by the World’s Toughest Row
• Atlantic Dash 
• Securing the finances and managing the stress of getting to the start line
• Her biggest fear and worrying about staying well enough to do the row 
• Getting out on to the ocean.
• Having electrical issues with the boat 
• Name of the boat - The Spirit of Bluestone 
• Magical moments on the Atlantic Ocean 
• Day 46 coming to the end of the row 
• Rowing schedule and needing to get extra sleep during the night 
• The challenges of team dynamics
• Finding their roles within the group
• Being the social secretary and bringing fun to the boat
• The biggest lesson from rowing the ocean
• You can do so much more than you think you can 
• Being supported by the right people around you
• Dealing with the adventure blues
• How life in weird after rowing an ocean
• Being in a really exciting place
• Future challenges?!
• Words of advice from the CF perspective 
• Learning to life with CF
• How to connect with Sophie
• You are capable of so much more than you think you are
• Learn to reframe the negative voices in your head

Social Media

Instagram

@sophiefpierce 

@cruisingfree2025 

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, we welcome Emma Wilkinson—a freelance health journalist, ultra runner, mother of three, and co-author of the empowering book Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport. 

Emma’s journey into ultra running didn’t begin until her 40s, but once she discovered the joy of going long and slow, there was no turning back.

In this honest and motivating conversation, Emma shares how she went from half marathons and road running to self-created 100K adventures in the mountains of Snowdonia. Alongside fellow runner and friend Lily Canter, she set out to research and write Ultra Women, a book that celebrates female endurance athletes and dives into the science, stories, and social constructs around women in ultra sport.

Emma talks openly about what inspired the book, how she balanced full-time work, parenting, and running while writing it, and what she learned about the unique strengths women bring to endurance challenges—especially around fatigue resistance, pain management, and mental toughness.

If you’ve ever doubted your capabilities, struggled with self-identifying as a “runner,” or wondered if your body was made for ultras—this episode is for you. Emma’s message is simple and powerful: don’t put limits on yourself—just give it a go.

 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 Emma
• Journalist and runner
• Co-Author of a new book - Ultra Women
• Book: Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport 
• What Emma was like as little girl
• Growing up in Bradford and not being massively sporty when she was younger
• Getting into running in her later teens
• Being far more active now than she was as a child
• In her early 20s watching the London Marathon and wanting to give it ago 
• Getting into half marathons
• Running the Sheffield Half Marathon and being sick at the end  
• Starting to run faster and joining a running club to make new friends
• Doing her first marathon just before she had children, just before turning 30
• Why she enjoyed running 
• 2019 - meeting Lilly (co-author on the Ultra women book)
• Singing up for a 100k - 2 day event
• Falling in love with ultra running - the slower, longer, adventure
• Her friendship with Lilly, doing their journalism MA together, 20 years ago
• Teaching Journalism at Sheffield University  
• How the book came about
• Walking the hills 
• What do you need to do, to get to the end. 
• Needing to be able to tune into your body
• Creating their own 100K 2 days event - on the Snowdonia Slate Trail 
• Surprising herself with what she was capable of 
• Writing the book at the same time of doing full time work as a journalist while also looking after children and running 
• Why are women so good at ultra endurance distances 
• Coming from a science background and why the research was so interesting 
• How women have more fatigue resistant muscles
• Not feeling in competition with other women 
• Book: Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men 
• The lack of research into sports science for women
• Hopefully the research is starting to turn a corner
• Why ultra running training plans are based on men 
• Women have been deemed as to complicated to include in studies 
• Fatigue resistant muscles research 
• Wanting to learn more about recovery and how that applies to women specifically 
• Training for ultras
• Women having to use a process of trial and error to figure out what works best for them
• Periods and cycle tracking and feeling different at different times of the month and why the data can be confusing 
• Learning more about oestrogen and how it affects endurance
• How the book came about
• Getting the book published
• Are women faster the longer they go?
• Freelancing for Journalists 
• Lael Wilcox going after the mens’s around the world bike record in 2026 
• The motherhood perspective on running
• Sophie Power
• She Races 
• Not running in pregnancy and chaining to walking
• Dealing with separated stomach muscles 
• Needing to get back to running and needing time for herself
• Having a chapter on pregnancy in the book and why it’s not the same for everyone
• Pain and women, and pain management
• Sexism
• Creating a manifesto and calling for action
• Do you call yourself a runner?
• Confidence - women - running
• Say yes for signing up for that ultra
• How to connect with Emma
• Final words of advice 
• Don’t put limits on yourself, if you want to do something, have ago.
• Women who just wanted to see if they could and they did
• Why not give it ago!

Social Media

Website: emmawilkinson.net 

Instagram: @emmawjourno/

BlueSky: @emmajourno.bsky.social‬

Book: Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Lily Canter—an ultra runner, women’s running coach, journalist, and passionate advocate for gender equality in sport. As co-author of the groundbreaking book Ultra Women, Lily is helping to challenge outdated narratives and spotlight the women redefining endurance running.

Lily didn’t grow up considering herself sporty, but after joining a triathlon club in her 30s, she discovered a love for running that quickly evolved into a passion for ultras. What began as a spontaneous 30-mile run turned into a deeper journey into the ultra world—culminating in a 250km multi-day race across Tanzania and a growing commitment to empowering more women through education, coaching, and research.

In this episode, Lily opens up about the gaps she saw in female-specific training information, how she and co-author Emma Wilkinson tackled the research for their book, and why visibility, representation, and equity matter—on the trails and in the media. From coaching to kit, sports bras to science, Lily shares what still needs to change and how she’s pushing those boundaries herself.

Whether you’re curious about tackling your first ultra or passionate about equity in endurance sports, this episode offers practical insight and powerful inspiration.

 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 Lilly
• Journalist who specialises in running and fitness
• A female running coach 
• Ultra runner
• Lecturer at university 
• Running an organisation with Emma called; Freelancing for Journalists 
• Her early years…
• Not coming from a sporty family 
• Growing up in Guilford, Surrey
• Playing netball consistently for most of her life 
• Moving to Liverpool as a teenager
• Getting into running in her 30s
• Joining a triathlon club in her mid to late 30s
• Being inspired by an amazing running coach 
• Running consistently for the past 7/8 years
• Being busy… and how her career has changed a lot 
• Getting bored very easily 
• Going freelance 8 years ago and it giving her the freedom to do more things and pursue her different passions 
• Getting better at running and starting to enjoy it more 
• Varying the types of runs and where she ran 
• Building her running confidence 
• Trying different races
• Starting to really enjoy running
• Her first ultra which was an accident!
• Running 30 miles on a looped course
• The relaxed, chilled, approach to ultra running
• Speaking with Emma about doing an ultra together
• The lack of information and resources especially women centric information 
• Signing up to a multi-stage 100k race in Romania 
• Having to figure out her training plan for herself 
• Thinking about writing a book about running 
• How the book came about and getting the book published 
• Being inspired by the women winning races outright 
• Wanting to understand why so few women were participating in ultra races 
• Dividing up the research and why it was quite straightforward 
• Being surprised by the records held by women in the swimming world.
• The mental side and the lessons that could be applied to her running
• What does the scientific evidence say with regards to men and women
• The social construct of difference between men and women
• The importance of being prepared and having confidence in what you know works for you
• Running 250km across Tanzania 2023 
• Why it was her favourite race 
• Being more aware of the setup of races and how female friendly they are
• Images of women in marketing material, website etc 
• The manifesto - call to action - wanting to drive change 
• Focused on 6 key areas 
• The importance of female specific sports research
• What are women capable of?
• The importance of female specific training guides 
• Kit which has been designed for women 
• Sports bra testing
• Media coverage and commentary of women
• Equal prize money and sponsorship
• Why races should use the - She Races Guidelines 
• Training for 2025/2026
• Wanting to test their limits 
• Signing up for Equinox 24 - wanting to run further than they have run before (goals 65 miles +) 
• She Trails race in the Peak District - August 2025 
• Heading oversees to race a 5 day race in the heat… depending on recovery 
• Training programs and making running work for you 
• Having a coach for the past 18 months and the difference it has made 
• Being more competitive in races 
• How to connect with Lily on social media
• Final words of advice for other women who want to be a trail blazer
• Why you need to believe in yourself 
• Push your boundaries and try hard things 
• Don’t be scared of challenging yourself 

Social Media

Website www.lilycanter.co.uk 

Instagram: @lilycanter

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lilycanter

X: x.com/lilycanter 

Book: Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Tania Carmona—a trailblazing ultrarunner, endurance coach, entrepreneur, and the first Mexican athlete to complete the 5 Deserts Grand Slam. From swimming as a national-level athlete in Mexico to conquering some of the toughest environments on Earth, Tania’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity.

Based in Dubai and previously living in Scotland and the U.S., Tania shares her path into ultrarunning—from a reluctant marathon finisher to tackling self-supported races across the Gobi, Atacama, Namib, and Antarctica. We dive into her experience navigating extreme heat, physical stress, and the emotional highs and lows of ultra-endurance.

Tania also opens up about the physiological toll of training, dealing with cortisol imbalances, the decision to undergo back surgery, and why she and her husband launched the Ultra Happy Podcast to bring more real, relatable stories to the running world.

Whether you're chasing your own desert dreams or looking for inspiration to keep putting one foot in front of the other, this episode is packed with heart, humour, and hard-earned wisdom.

 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 Tania
• Ultrarunner, coach and podcast host
• Being based in Dubai, born in Mexico and previously living in Glasgow, Scotland 
• Growing up in Mexico City in a small family 
• Being into swimming when she was little
• Being a national swimmer 
• Deciding to stop swimming at 15 
• Moving to Chicago to do her Masters
• Getting into running in Chicago after being inspired by the Chicago Marathon 
• Starting running with a free group 3x a week
• Finishing her first marathon and deciding to never run again at 20
• Needing to make new friends after moving back to Mexico
• Deciding to give running another go
• A spartan race…. 2016
• Finding trail running!
• Hiring a coach 
• Signing up for a 50k
• Meeting her Scottish husband, Andy
• Moving from Mexico City to Scotland!
• Deciding to sign up for longer, harder races and how her lifestyle started to change
• The 5 Desert Grand Slam 
• Wanting to do Cocodona 250km race 
• The 5 different, self supported races
• Dealing with the heat
• Gobi Desert in Mongolia - more trails and more hard packed terrain - very similar to Scotland
• Running with really old shoes
• Running in Antartica over 5 days - living on an expedition boat 
• Atacama Desert in Chile and why it was one of her most favourite races
• Reducing those feelings of overwhelm
• Focusing on the first step first
• Taking a year off to focus on running 
• Working with a running coach 
• Recovery runs and resting 
• Dealing with gut issues and periods problems
• The impact on her body with spikes of cortisol 
• Developing a cortisol hump on her back
• Not sleeping well
• The evening routines and life admin after a race 
• Having surgery on her cortisol hump (7 cm by 1.5 cm deep) on her back
• Dealing with more stress, by moving to Dubai
• Ultra Happy Podcast 
• Co-hosting with her husband Andy
• Documenting the journey 
• How to connect with Tania
• Mini films from each dessert available to watch on YouTube 
• Final words of advice
• Live your life with curiosity 
• Don’t do it for the likes 
• Think about what else you could do 

Social Media

Website: taniacarmona.komi.io 

Instagram: @taniaruns_theworld

TikTok: @taniaruns_theworld 

Youtube: @Tania_Carmona