Claire McCall is a Kiwi journalist, author, and self-described "not-so-tough" adventurer who took on a life-changing challenge in her 50s. Born in South Africa and now based in New Zealand, Claire didn’t grow up sporty, but in her 40s, she discovered a love for hiking and new physical challenges, including climbing Kilimanjaro with her son.

In 2022, Claire and her partner James set out to hike selected stages of the Hexa Trek, a newly established long-distance trail through France. 

Covering just a portion of the trail, the journey became the inspiration for her book, Hiking the Hexa—a candid, warts-and-all memoir that captures the highs, lows, and reality of long-distance hiking.

In this episode, Claire shares her experience on the trail, from fears of failure and embracing the unknown to the joys of connecting with people along the way and the challenges of hiking as a couple. She reflects on her midlife decision to tackle big dreams, the logistics of planning such an adventure, and the lessons she learned along the way.

Claire’s story is one of stepping outside comfort zones, overcoming fear, and finding purpose through nature and adventure—reminding us all to ask the ultimate question: “If not now, then when?”

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Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, dropping every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women.

 Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.

Thank you for your amazing support!

***

Show notes

• Based in New Zealand, originally from South Africa.
• Journalist specialising in architecture and design.
• Began hiking in her 40s, climbing Kilimanjaro with her son as one of her first major adventures.
• A self-employed creative balancing life as a mum and adventurer.
• 2022: Set out on her first long-distance hike with her partner, James.
• Discovered the Hexa Trek, a new long-distance route through France.
• Decided to hike selected stages.
• Initially wanting to start in the Pyrenees Mountains.
• Studying French as part of her preparation.
• Early fears of failure and overthinking the trip.
• Facing logistical challenges: savings, renting out her house in Auckland, and planning the hike.
• Experiencing the reality of long-distance hiking: physical struggles, weather, and the emotional ups and downs.
• The unique rules of the trail and unexpected encounters—let’s talk about cows!
• Slowing down the pace and adapting to the demands of the journey.
• The dynamics of hiking as a couple—how they navigated challenges and strengthened their connection.
• The importance of stepping outside comfort zones.
• Finding joy in connection: the people they met along the way.
• How the experience has changed her perspective on life.
• Why Claire chose to write a memoir (not a guidebook!).
• The creative process of blogging throughout the journey and turning it into a book.
• Considering another long-distance hike.
• Reflecting on the adventure and how it shaped her life.
• Final Words of Advice - “If not now, then when?”
• Don’t let fear or overthinking hold you back from adventure.
• Learn more about Claire’s journey on her socials or grab a copy of Hiking the Hexa.

Social Media

Website www.clairemccall.net

Instagram @hikingthehexa 

Book: Hiking the Hexa: Up, down and (almost) over the hill on France’s newest long-distance walk 

Teacher, writer, activist and adventurer. Susannah quit her job as a university lecturer in 2017 to cycle solo and unsupported from the UK to the Middle East. She camped all along the way, in olive groves, in peoples’ garages, next to motorways, by rivers and lakes, and in caves. She faced many of her own fears on this trip and wants to share her experiences to encourage other women to wild camp safely.

In the Middle East she spent 6 months in the West Bank, Palestine, teaching yoga to women in a refugee camp, working as a climbing guide and becoming a solidarity activist with victims of violence. For the next two years she kept returning to Palestine to continue this work. She has just completed writing a book about what she experienced there, including her own battle with depression and PTSD.

Her most recent adventures include thru-hiking a section of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, hitchhiking around the South Island of New Zealand, and driving a scooter 5,000km around the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia.

***

Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women.

 Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.

Thank you for your amazing support!

***

Show notes

• Who is Susannah
• Being based in Bali 
• Going on multiple adventures over the years
• 2017 cycling from Bristol to the Middle East
• 2022 hiking a section of the Lebanon Mountain Trail 
• 2023 Riding a scouter around the islands of Indonesia 
• Growing up in Bristol and her early years spent cycling outdoors 
• Finding calm in nature
• Getting into politics as a teenager and studying politics and history 
• Getting a scholarship to do a Masters & PHD
• Finishing her PHD in 2014 and working as a university lecturer
• The decline in her mental health and developing anxiety around her job and workload
• Taking a break in 2016 and moving back home 
• Spending time in Nepal in the Katmandu Valley 
• Cycling and wild camping solo in the South of France 
• Wanting to see more of the world
• Reading Dervla Murphy - Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle 
• Planning a bigger cycle trip 
• Leaving in September 2017 and cycling to Istanbul 
• Spending the winter in the West Bank, Palestine 
• Taking the first step and what the planning and logistics looked like  
• Dealing with fears and concerns
• Breaking down the fears in a rational manor 
• Listening to other women who had done similar trips (from podcasts and live talks)
• If they can do it, why can’t I do it. 
• Digging into the fear to understand where it is coming from 
• Distinguishing what is a real risk and what is a story we are being told about women’s vulnerability 
• Getting into her rhythm and starting to relax into the journey 
• Meeting local people
• Not wild camping as much at the start, while travelling through Europe
• Wild camping and getting into the mental zone to do it
• Volunteering with an NGO in Palestine and how it changed her
• Having a PHD in International relations
• Her work in Palestine 
• Writing a book about her cycle trip to Palestine and her experiences in the country 
• The magical moments from the cycle ride
• The countries she would like to go back and visit and spend more time
• Meeting other cyclists 
• Heading over to New Zealand to hitch hike around the South Island
• Hitchhiking….
• Funding and paying for adventures and living a life of travel
• The Queen Charlotte Track, New Zealand 
• Hiking in Lebanon on the mountain trail 
• Foreign Travel Advice - UK Government 
• Learning how to ride a scooter in Indonesia 
• Slower travel and wanting more flexibility and freedom
• Managing mental health while travelling 
• Feeling traveled out and changing the way she travels
• Feeling setting in Indonesia 
• Digital nomad tourist visa
• Plans for 2025 and wanting to ride a motorbike around Papa New Guinea
• How to connect with Susannah
• Final words of advice to encourage you to follow your passions
• Pursuing your passions and ignoring what the negative people have to say about it

Social Media

Website www.susannahosullivan.org 

In this inspiring episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Naomi Rumble, a passionate triathlete, dedicated swimming coach, and advocate for breaking down barriers in sport. By day, Naomi works as a senior market researcher in London, but outside of her 9-to-5, she’s fully immersed in the world of swimming, cycling, and running.

While sport has always been a part of Naomi’s life—from childhood swimming lessons and taekwondo to dabbling in netball, boxing, and archery—her relationship with consistent training truly solidified during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a challenge to cycle from London to Brighton evolved into a love for endurance sports and, eventually, the bold decision to pursue triathlons.

Naomi shares her journey of overcoming self-doubt, learning to embrace running despite initial resistance, and finding strength through community and connection. As the first sponsored triathlete for Fund Her Tri UK, she’s not only pushing her own boundaries but also paving the way for others to step into the world of triathlons with confidence.

From cold-water swims and marathon struggles to managing self-talk and celebrating small wins, Naomi’s story is a testament to perseverance, courage, and the power of showing up for yourself.

Tune in as Naomi opens up about her experiences, shares invaluable lessons learned along the way, and offers advice to anyone looking to start their own sporting journey. This episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and actionable takeaways—you won’t want to miss it!

***

Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, dropping every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women.

 Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.

Thank you for your amazing support!

***

Show notes

• Who is Naomi
• Working in market research as a 9-5 job
• Supporting running and cycling clubs
• Teaching swimming twice a week
• Growing up in London as a city girl
• Being in sports from a young age
• Starting swimming at age 4 
• Doing taekwondo until 10 years old
• Trying to figure out what she likes; netball, basketball, shot-put, discus, boxing, archery, scouts.
• Never being fully consistent with sports all the way through 
• Being willing to try new things and wanting to have new challenges
• Role models and the women who have inspired her
• Leaving university and starting work and how sport drifted off
• Not liking running
• How things changed during covid
• Cycling from London to Brighton
• Getting involved in sport in a more regular way 
• How her view expanded on what’s possible
• Having the confidence and self belief to sign up to new challenges
• Being inspired to sing up for a Triathlon 
• Women of Colour Cycling Collective
• Meeting Bianca Fernandez-Clark @biancatriathlon
• Fund Her Tri UK 
• Becoming the first sponsored triathlete for Fund Her Trip UK
• Working towards a full distance triathlon 
• How training took a toll on her body 
• Needing to rest more and eat more protein 
• The discipline needed to do the training 
• The importance of discipline and dedication 
• Cold water swimming/open water swimming
• Not liking the cold
• What happens when things fall apart and everything goes wrong
• Needing to stop in the water and just breathe
• Concerns and fears before taking up triathlon 
• Not being a runner and not liking running 
• Not calling herself a runner and finding running difficult
• Not being a fast runner
• Struggling with the breathing and overheating
• Jeffing (run/walk/run)
• Running the London marathon and what the experience was like
• How new opportunities can change your thinking 
• Wanting to do an ironman 
• Persevering though the tough moments 
• Changing her tactics
• What her self talk looks like
• Managing negative thoughts
• The power of reflecting back
• Being her own worst critic
• Learning to celebrate the small wins 
• Goals for 2025
• Team Outlaw 
• Fitting in exercise and training 
• Turning training into social events
• How to connect with Naomi 
• Final words of advice
• Find your group and your community 
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help
• Figure out what works best for you.

Social Media

Instagram @nay.aminah 

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Caroline Soubayroux—Guinness World Record holder, full-time project manager, wife and mother.

Caroline takes us on a journey through her life, from her early days learning to ride a bike in France, to cycling 18,000 miles around the world alongside her husband, and finally navigating the challenges of balancing fitness, family life, and a demanding career.

You’ll hear about the highs and lows of life on the road, the realities of cycling over 100 miles a day, and how Caroline transitioned into running after becoming a mother. Her story is raw, honest, and deeply inspiring—perfect for anyone striving to balance big dreams with everyday responsibilities.

***

Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women.

 Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.

Thank you for your amazing support!

***

Show notes

• Who is Caroline
• Being from France originally but now living in London
• Working as a project manager for an investment bank
• Cycling around the world with her husband
• Her early years and learning how to ride a bike
• Getting into cycling after meeting her husband 
• Getting into running later on it life 
• Doing a run commute to work 
• Learning to be independent on the bike
• Her first race - Race Across France 
• How her confidence increased and why it was so transformative 
• Seeing an opportunity in 2019 to start planning a big cycle around the world
• Turning the dream into a reality 
• Wanting to follow/respect the Guinness world record rules
• Wanting to cycle 18,0000 miles 
• Trying to decide how long to take?
• Having to make compromises 
• Becoming very focused on the record
• Changing the start route and adapting to new rules and regulations regarding travel during covid
• Leaving from London and cycling west to east and flying on to Canada
• Deciding to cycle through Africa
• The realities and what is going on behind the scenes
• Stress
• Life on the road and cycling 100+ miles per day
• Cycling around the world and how it impacted on their relationship 
• Highlights and magical moments from the trip 
• Dealing with injury and illness
• Money and paying for the challenge
• The end of the trip and having mixed feelings
• Why it’s hard getting back into reality because no one cares!
• Wanting to have a family 
• Cycling and pregnancy 
• Deciding to stop cycling and take up running
• What it was like after birth and dealing with high emotions 
• Focusing on the baby and being off social media 
• Using a running pram 
• Wanting to go on bike packing trips with the family
• Fitting fitness and exercise into her life and what that looks like
• How to connect with Caroline 
• Advice for working mums who want to take on new challenges

Social Media

Instagram: @caro_sbx 

At the end of 2024, I wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect, and share some personal insights from the past six months. 

In this special solo episode, I open up about my experiences hiking the South West Coast Path, the lessons I’ve learned about health and fitness, and how I’m approaching financial planning and future adventures.

From the challenges of dealing with health setbacks to the triumphs of completing tough hikes, this episode is an honest and raw look at my journey. 

I also delve into thoughts on ageing, longevity, and the exciting plans I have for 2025, including more adventures, personal growth, and professional goals.

If you’re curious about what goes on behind the scenes of Tough Girl Challenges or simply want some motivation to tackle your own goals, this episode is for you.

Join me for an honest conversation about health, money, and embracing the adventures ahead!

***

Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, dropping every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women.

 Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! 

Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.

Thank you for your amazing support!

***

Show notes

• Welcome to the reflections episode 
• Recording in the dead time between Christmas and New Year
• Who am I?
• The mission of Tough Girl Challenges
• Making assumptions - that you know a lot about me!
• Setting the scene
• Focusing on the previous 6 months (August 2024 - December 2024)
• Home on the Wirral
• The restful, calm bedroom where I work from 
• Giant map of the World 
• Snake plant 
• Peace Lilly Plant 
• Living at home since 2014
• Keeping structured and focused during the interview
• My early 30s, banking, stress, travelling for 2 years
• Spending time in South America and designing life I wanted to lead 
• How podcasting has changed my life
• Starting podcasting in 4th August 2015 
• Goodpods list 
• Previous adventures and challenges 
• Running challenges - Marathon des Sables 
• Cycling challenges - Cycling from Vancouver to Cabo san Lucas 2018
• Hiking and thru-hiking 
• Question from Adele Vickers 
• How my adventures and challenges have evolved over time 
• Feeling like a failure on the Appalachian Trail 
• The importance of showing up even when you don’t feel like it
• Not enjoying the North Island of New Zealand (roads etc)
• Reflection on the Te Araroa Trail podcast episode 
• Enjoying spending time in the wilderness, solo
• Pursuing similar challenges in the future 
• Adventuring over the past 18 months none stop
• Achieving everyday and feeling like I’m making progress
• Working on balance 
• Documenting the journey so far
• Focusing on the South West Coast Path, health, fitness, financial goals, new job and future goals 
• Armchair Adventure Festival 2024 
• South West Coast Path (SWCP) 
• Zoe Langley-Wathen 
• Training and preparation for the SWCP 
• Dealing with severe anaemia and not going into the hike fully fit
• Documenting the trail daily and sharing on social media 
• Sponsored by ZOLEO #ChallengeWithZOLEO 
• Wearing INOV8 #gifted. Use TOUGHGIRL10 for a 10% discount 
• Tooth pain, teeth issues, visiting the dentist, needing a filling and root canal…
• Accommodation, distances, costs, walking with friends on the SWCP (James, Zoe, Gigi)
• Level of enjoyment (71%) fatigue (44%), ease of terrain (48%)
• Ankle issues, and focusing on bullet proofing my ankles going forward
• Overall throughs on the SWCP and why I highly recommend it as a hike 
• The reality of what people think thru-hiking is versus what it is actually like out on the trail
• The Salt Path - book & new film in 2025 
• Being home in September and focusing on health 
• Scientific research into ageing at 44 and me turning 44 in 2025 
• Caroline Paul: How Outdoor Adventures Improve Life as We Age - Lessons from 'Tough Broad’. Discover how embracing bravery and the outdoors can lead to a fulfilling and adventurous life at any age.
• Ageing and adventuring - 16 adventures over the next 16 years 
• 6 years until I’m 50 (WTF)
• Health, wellness & longevity 
• Needing to put money into my SIPP (Private Pension - Self Invested Personal Pension)
• Needing to make more money, without losing my freedom 
• Patrons & Patreon 
• Getting back into strength training, working with Franco - https://www.humalforces.com/ 
• Dr. Stacy Sims - Leading Global Expert on Female Physiology and Endurance Training. Author of ROAR. 
• Lifting heavy weights, getting my protein in (with Protein Rebel)
• AIM Health where cutting-edge medical science meets holistic well-being 
• Seeing Dr Cathy 
• Treatment - Cryotherapy, Red Light Bed, Rebalance Bed, Hyperbaric Oxygen and Hydrogen Therapy & Compression Therapy 
• Feeling Amazing!!
• What 2025 is hopefully going to look like…. Work at AIM until end of April 25 (also doing strength training, editing podcast and vlogs etc), Travel/adventure from May to early September, work at AIM until next April 2026. 
• Summary of financial goals 
• Editing the Vlogs for New Zealand (22 for North Island and 27 vlogs for the South Island) and why I’m happy with what I’ve created. 
• Sponsorship for 2025 - podcast & vlogs with  INOV8 & ZOLEO
• Question around the feeling of failure - my response with tips and advice to help you
• The power of REFRAMING 
• My failure in boxing 
• Plans for 2025 - English Camino in Spain, The Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal, spending time with Adelaide in Norway
• Not feeling excited about doing a long hike such as the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
• GR10 - Through the French Pyrenees: Le Sentier des Pyrenees. 
• 10 year anniversary of the Tough Girl Podcast! 
• Final 2 questions - what have I changed my mind on in the last year and books I’ve been reading 
• Running a 100 miler…
• THANK YOU for listening and supporting the Tough Girl Podcast
• The 10 year anniversary, a change in branding and the next decade…
• My word of 2025 - Longevity
• Needing to put legacy plans in place 
• Connect with me and watch the vlogs on YouTube 
• Support the work I do via Patreon 

Previous Reflections/Solo Episodes 

Aug 1, 2024 - Sarah Williams: Reflecting on the Past 6 Months and Future Plans for 2024 – Insights, Challenges, and Adventures.

Mar 14, 2024 - Sarah Williams - Reflections & Learnings from the 3,000km Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand.