Tough Girl Podcast

Now displaying: April, 2025

Rahema Mamodo: Mum of 3, Finding Running Later in Life – From Couch to Ultra, Inspiring Women to Break Barriers. 0

Apr 29, 2025

Rahema Mamodo is a mum of three, a passionate runner, and a trailblazer for women in sport. Growing up in Portugal and now based in Birmingham, Rahema discovered running later in life, starting with a simple couch-to-5k program. What began as a personal challenge has blossomed into a mission to inspire women—especially those who look like her—to break barriers, embrace fitness, and find joy in movement.

Since her first hesitant steps on a treadmill, Rahema has run over 180 Park Runs in more than 50 locations, completed marathons, and even tackled ultramarathons like Race to the Stones. Along the way, she’s used her platform to share her journey, celebrate diversity in sport, and encourage others to believe in themselves.

In this episode, Rahema shares how running transformed her life, the lessons she’s learned from pushing her limits, and her passion for inspiring her daughters and other women to chase their goals. From practical tips for getting started to her unforgettable experiences at marathons and ultras, Rahema’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and self-belief.

Correction:

In our recent podcast episode featuring Rahema Mamodo, we incorrectly stated that SheUltra was founded by Sophie Power. We’d like to clarify that SheUltra was actually founded by Huw Williams, a local man from North Wales who is currently living with terminal cancer. Huw has poured his heart and soul into creating and running this incredible event. Sophie Power is the founder of SheRACES, a separate initiative.

To learn more about Huw and support SheUltra, please visit She Ultra's website or donate here.

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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!

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Show notes

Who is Rahema
Growing up in Portugal and now living in Birmingham
Speaking 3 languages (Portuguese, English and Gujarati)
What her early years were like
Not being into sports or any physical activities
Being a teenage girl
Being inspired to do a couch to 5k
Using a treadmill at home and not wanting to run outdoors at first
The benefits of joining a running group
Her first Park Run and why she loves it
Wearing a hijab
How her running journey progressed
10k to Half Marathon
Being supported by her family
Wanting to inspire her girls to be active
Increasing her distance every week
Using online programs and doing her best to get beyond the 5k distance
Being a Park Run Tourist
180+ park runs in over 50 different locations
Doing the A to Z of Park Runs
Finding a Z Park Run
Highlights from running and running on sand
Practical tips to encourage women to get involved in Park Run
The benefits of finding like minded people to run
Tracking her running with Garmin
Deciding to run Manchester Marathon as her first marathon
Hating the experience
Getting the chance to run the London Marathon
Learning a lot from the marathon experiences
Running for other people
Muslim Runners
Running 3/4 times a week
5 weeks to prepare for the marathon
Race strategy and goals
Visiting the London Marathon EXPO
Connecting with people from social media
Deciding to run an ultra - Race to the Stones - 50k
She Ultra
Sophie Power on the Tough Girl Podcast
Training for an ultra
No pressure, no cut off times and just smiles!
Racing with her daughter in 2025
How to connect with Rahema online
Being a cover girl! On the cover of Women’s Running
Wanting to inspire other women to go out and run
The power of believing in yourself

Social Media

Website www.rahema.co.uk/blog

Instagram @Rahema_m

Facebook @rahemasw

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Dee Anna: From Survivor to Disabled Adventuress – Finding Strength in Nature. 0

Apr 24, 2025

Dee Anna's story is one of resilience, adventure, and refusing to let society define her limits.

Born with a genetic mutation that affected her mobility, she faced a lifetime of challenges—from intensive physiotherapy as a child to being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2022. Along the way, she also navigated severe autism, trauma, and life-altering setbacks that could have stopped her in her tracks. But instead, she turned to the outdoors.

In this episode, Dee shares how thru-hiking the South West Coast Path became the turning point that changed everything. With no home, no job, and facing immense personal struggles, she took a leap of faith and embarked on a 71-day journey that helped her reclaim her life.

We talk about the power of movement, nature’s role in healing, and why adventure should be accessible to everyone.

Now, as a scientist, outdoor journalist, and founder of The Introvert Magazine, Dee is on a mission to inspire others to embrace nature, break barriers, and live life on their own terms.

This is a powerful and deeply moving conversation about survival, self-discovery, and the courage to forge your own path. Don’t miss it!

*Please be aware that this episode contains discussions of suicidal thoughts, severe trauma, and sexual assault.

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Thank you for your amazing support!

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Show notes

Who is Dee
Disabled Adventuress, scientist, outdoor journalist, writer, naturalist and photographer
Living in South Wales, surrounded by wonderful nature
Being born in Poland and growing up in Sussex
Her early year and growing up with severe autism and being mute
Not socialising with other people but spending time in the outdoors
Being interested in the natural world from a young age
Feeling safe in nature
Studying biology and chemistry at a high level
Being born with a genetic mutation
Being severely disabled and going through intensive physical therapy to be able to walk
Building internal resilience and mental strength
Her first big solo adventure in 2023
Walking the South West Coast Path
Dealing with severe trauma and complicated medical conditions
Losing her job, her house and partner and having no where to go
Wanting to end her life, after being sexually assaulted while at work
Fighting to get her case heard
Wanting to be alive
Trying to fit in and realising that life hasn’t being build for her and deciding to live the life she wants to live
Deciding to go for it and making a decision overnight
Focusing on a goal
Dragging herself to the train station to get to the start of the SWCP
How her body started to become stronger while walking
Spending 71 days on the trail and why it was the greatest adventure of her life
Why it was a healing experience
Movement, nature, animals and being exposure to nature
Meeting good people on the trail
Walking every day and noticing the positive changes in her body
The theory that people who have ADHD are people who come from hunter gatherers
How the trail will provide
Starting The Introvert Magazine
The impact of stress on her body
Working on an Adventure Guide
Wanting the book to be as inclusive as possible
Wanting to bring as many people as possible to experience nature
Interviewing people and taking over 200 photos for the book
Going snorkelling with the Scottish Wildlife Trust
Looking at it as a life project
Having a shorter life span compared to others
Wanting to work on projects that are a passion
Embracing her life as a gift and a blessing
Wanting to be grateful for every moment
Wanting to giveback to society
Building her instagram community
What can people expect from her social media
Sharing her life as it is
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
You have to be tolerant with others but strict with yourself - Marcus Aurelius
Feeling isolated and alone
Advice for women with autism and ADHD
Struggling to get outside and advice and tips to do so
Meet ups?
Women’s Safety
Planning or not planning for adventures
Being pulled in 2 different directions
Allowing flexibility on the adventure
Finding out what works for you
Women’s safety while on the trail
Her 10 year career in the police
Words of advice
Why its about believing in yourself
Don’t compare yourself to others
Start small

Social Media

Website www.deecrute.com

Instagram @deedee.reporter

Facebook @dee.crute

YouTube @dee.crute

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Sherry Cardona: Ultra Endurance Cyclist and Content Creator – Tackling the Toughest Bikepacking Races 0

Apr 22, 2025

Sherry Cardona is an ultra-endurance cyclist, content creator, and adventure seeker who thrives on pushing her limits. Born in Colombia and raised in Spain, Sherry’s journey has been one of exploration, self-discovery, and resilience. From long-distance running to cycling, she’s always been drawn to endurance challenges—finding freedom and peace in the process.

In this episode, Sherry shares how she transitioned into ultra-cycling, taking on some of the toughest races in the world, including Race Around the Netherlands, the Transcontinental Race, and the Transibérica. We dive into the mental and physical challenges of these events, the strange things that happen to your body during extreme endurance efforts (think hallucinations and swollen hands), and how she’s learned to adapt and grow with each race.

We also talk about her life beyond cycling—moving to Amsterdam, growing her confidence through YouTube, and her passion for connecting with like-minded adventurers. Whether you’re an aspiring ultra-endurance athlete or simply love a good adventure story, this conversation is packed with inspiration, lessons, and valuable insights.

Don’t miss it!

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Thank you for your amazing support!

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Show notes

Who is Sherry - Adventure cyclist and content creator
Being based in Amsterdam in the Netherlands
Being born in Colombia and growing up in Spain
Wanting to explore and see new places
Not having as many opportunities in Colombia
Feeling lucky to be able to explore amazing places
Using Youtube to connect with like minded people
Feeling misunderstood at school
Being able to express herself through YouTube
How her confidence grew
Moving to Spain at 9 years old
Being into sports and long distance running
Meeting her husband in London and being introduced to cycling
Having her own coffee company and working as a freelancer in marketing
Running away from her problems
Having a sense of peace and feelings of freedom while running
How her cycling journey evolved
Moving to Amsterdam during the pandemic
Race around the Netherlands (2,000km)
Training and preparation
Taking it on as a personal challenge and wanting to see what she could achieve
Being the first woman across the line
Strange things that happen to your body when you take on long endurance based challenges
Dealing with a lack of sleep and hallucinations
Dealing with swollen hands and face due to electrolyte in-balances
Sherman’s Neck
Lesson and learning for future events
The Transcontinental Race (TCR) - single stage race across Europe where cyclists cover around 4000 km
The importance of planning and preparations for ultra races and what it looks like
How your body starts to adapt during the race
Reaching the start of the race trained and ready but not overtrained
Using bike packing trips for training
Transibérica Race
The sleeping rule
Bike set up for races and how it changes depending on the race
How many bikes….
Racing in the Atlas.Mountains in Morocco and feeling nervous..
Managing in the heat
Badlands Race
Recovery after a race and why it can take months
Buzzalong Cycling Podcast
Sharing her stories on YouTube
Plans and races for 2025
Race Across Belgium
Wanting to do more Bikepacking instead of racing
How to connect with Sherry
Final words of advice
Knowledge is power

Social Media

Instagram: @sherry.cycling

Youtube: @Buzzalong.cycling

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Zoe Langley-Wathen: 630 Miles Braver: Mid-lifing on the South West Coast Path. The reality of imposter syndrome, facing solo adventures and the warmth of personal connections. 0

Apr 15, 2025

Zoe Langley-Wathen is a writer, speaker, and adventure seeker who has spent over a decade inspiring others to embrace the outdoors. From solo-walking the South West Coast Path in 2011 to becoming the first woman to walk the Wales Coast Path in 2012, Zoe has continually pushed her boundaries—while navigating the realities of midlife, imposter syndrome, and solo adventures.

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Zoe shares the journey behind her latest book, 630 Miles Braver: Mid-lifing on the South West Coast Path, which chronicles her transformative experience walking the iconic trail. She opens up about the challenges of writing, the joy of creative expression, and why she’s passionate about encouraging midlife women to step outside their comfort zones.

We also dive into her upcoming coastline walk of mainland Great Britain, the logistics of planning such a mammoth adventure, and her mission to prove that adventure has no age limit.

Tune in to hear Zoe’s incredible story, her insights on bravery, and her advice on making adventure a lifelong pursuit.

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Listen to Zoe on previous episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast

Nov 7, 2017 - Zoe Langley-Wathen - Walking Adventures include the South West Coastal Path, Wales Coast Path

Aug 29, 2019 - Zoe Langley-Wathen - Her love for long distance walking, #100mappydays & Head Right Out

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Thank you for your amazing support!

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Show notes

Writer, speaker and adventure seeker
Walking the SWCP solo in 2011
Becoming the first woman to walk the Wales Coast Path in 2012
Peri-menopause!
From living in a house in Dorset to living on a narrow boat
Living in Somerset and loving life and adventures
Knowing Zoe since 2015
Women’s Adventure Expo in Bristol
Speaking to Zoe in 2017 on the Tough Girl Podcast
Starting her own podcast in 2021- Headrighout
Speaking to midlife women who are pushing their comfort zone in the outdoors
Wanting to promote adventure for midlife women
What happened in 2020 and 2021
The covid years….
Glamping in an empty house for 4 months
The Yes Tribe
Saying yes to the book!
Being inspired by The Salt Path
5,000 word chapter..
Seeing her words and drawings in print
Being a creative person and loving the creative process
The biggest book of YES!
Her writing journey and putting her story down on paper
Book: 630 Miles Braver - midlifing on the South West Coast Path
Writing every morning
Connecting with the London writers salon
Discussing the book with Mike and reliving the memories
Book get published on the 15th April
25th April 2025 - The Salt Path movie goes live in the UK
Walking from her home in Somerset to Cornwall
Saltlines Performance
Going walking solo again in 2024 (after 10 years)
Re routing over Dartmoor, crossing flooded rivers and challenging walking!
Making new friends and being invited to a wedding!
The next adventure…..
Wanting to walk the coast of mainland Great Britain
1st October 2025…..
The route and the plan
Walking anticlockwise from Poole Harbour to Brighton to London
The rules…
Daily distances… going for lower millage days
Costs and estimated budget needed for the 2 of them over the 2 years 4 months
Renting the house out and paying for the challenge
The challenge of Scotland
King Charles 3rd Coastal Path
Snow or midgets - what’s the best time of year to be in Scotland
The right to roam in Scotland
John O’Groats Trail
The inlets in Western Scotland…
Figuring it out when you get there
Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from enjoying the adventure
Raising funds for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance
Raising awareness about the positive benefits of adventure for any age
Working as an Ambassador for Adventure Mind
Registering for a Guinness World Record
How to connect with Zoe & Mike while they are on their adventures
Final words of wisdom and advice
Bravery and taking on new challenges
The power of discovering that adventure has no age limit
Finding ways to step outside your comfort zone
Reading and listening to other people doing similar things
The power of writing things down
What do you want to do and how do you feel about it
Keep a diary and a record of what you’ve done
Reflect back on the journey, what would you do again, what would you do differently?

Social Media

Website www.headrightout.com

Instagram @headrightout

Facebook @headrightout

Head Right Out Podcast

Book: 630 Miles Braver: Midlifing on the South West Coast Path

Book: Biggest Book of Yes: 49 Short Adventure Stories (The Big Book of Yes 3)

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Shannon Hogan: Ultra Endurance Athlete & Author of The Unforgiving Hours: The Grit, Resilience, and Perseverance at the Heart of Endurance Sports 0

Apr 8, 2025

Shannon Hogan is no stranger to pushing physical and mental limits. A seasoned ultra runner, mountain biker, and open-water swimmer, she has conquered some of the toughest endurance events on the planet. From setting records at the Pigtails Challenge 100K to tackling the gruelling Leadville Trail 100 and the Javelina Jundred, Shannon thrives in the world of extreme endurance sports. She’s even braved the icy waters of the Escape from Alcatraz swim and finished ten consecutive Boston Marathons—proving time and again that she’s built for the long haul.

In this episode, we dive into Shannon’s journey—from her early days in San Diego to competing in elite endurance events around the world. She shares her insights on grit, resilience, and the mental strategies that help athletes endure the toughest races. We also talk about her new book, The Unforgiving Hours: The Grit, Resilience, and Perseverance at the Heart of Endurance Sports, which explores the deep mental and emotional strength required to push through extreme challenges.

Shannon’s passion for endurance sports goes beyond personal achievement. She’s spent years supporting fellow athletes—whether it’s crewing ultra races, kayaking alongside swimmers in open water crossings, or inspiring the next generation of female endurance athletes. She believes in the power of women designing blueprints for each other in sport and life, breaking down barriers, and finding strength in shared experiences.

This is an episode packed with wisdom, motivation, and a firsthand look at what it takes to embrace the toughest challenges. Whether you’re an endurance athlete or just looking for inspiration to tackle your own goals, you won’t want to miss this conversation!

Tune in now and get ready to be inspired.

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Thank you for your amazing support!

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Show notes

Who is Shannon
Being a long time athlete of many different sports (trail running, mountain biking, cold water swimming
Living in the Pacific North West of America
Growing up in San Diego
Starting to race mountain bikes in New England
Getting into running in Northern California
Connecting with other runners
The trail running community
Being surrounded by role models
The women who have inspired Shannon in her life
Being excited to talk about women designing blueprints for other women
Having the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way in the outdoors
Bicycles becoming popular and the impact on women’s lives
The barriers to women to play sports and get involved in the outdoors
Bigfoot 200 Race
The Arizona Monster - 300 mile race 170hr cut off
The growth of long distance running over the past few decades
MOAB 240
Courtney Daulwalter - winning the MOAB 240 outright!
Speaking to women to learn their stories
Grit, resilience, perseverance in ultra endurance sports
Exceptional athletes and how they adapt as they go
Being exceptional at remaining calm
Being able to suppress the flight or fight instinct (the para-sympathic nervous system)
Being calm and able to perform at a higher level
Keeping your head in the game.
Falling into flow
Remaining calm when things get difficult
Going on course while running and the mental impact on your race
Leadville 100
Racing at elevation and the impact on your body
Western States Endurance Run (100 miler)
Race to Alaska
Not letting setbacks impact you too much
Every event is a stepping stone to the next bigger thing because you learn so much
Never worry alone and why it applies to long distance challenges
Share the burden with your crew, a pacer or even a stranger
Connections made during races
Find a battle buddy, find your partner for the day
What happens when things go wrong
Being sidelined by injury
Being a volunteer and the benefits it can bring
Book: The Unforgiving Hours: The Grit, Resilience, and Perseverance at the Heart of Endurance Sports
The time commitment while training for big events
The pressure on women
Being careful with their free time
How to connect with Shannon
Final words of advice for women who want to take their adventures and challenges to the next level
Taking a long time to be an overnight success
Be patient with yourself and not compare yourself with anyone

Social Media

Instagram @the_unforgiving_hours

Bluesky - @unforgivinghours.bsky.social

Book: The Unforgiving Hours: The Grit, Resilience, and Perseverance at the Heart of Endurance Sports

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Dr. Caitlin Massone: Overcoming Eating Disorders Through Endurance Sports, Neuroscience & Nature – Author of Running from Perfection 0

Apr 1, 2025

Dr. Caitlin Massone, ultra-runner, mountaineer, neurologist, and first-time author, sharing the story of her 14-year battle with eating disorders, and how she recovered in an unconventional way through finding endurance sports and nature.

Her book, "Running from Perfection," comes out this spring (April 26th 2025).

Part memoir, part neuroscience, her story delves into the neurobiology of eating disorders, how our brains form habits and addictions, and how nature and exercise can help us heal from mental health disorders such as eating disorders, anxiety, and depression.

Since regaining her health, Caitlin has run numerous marathons and ultramarathons, including a 50 mile race on the Mountains-to-Sea trail, and recently completed the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier (93 miles in three days). She has also embraced mountaineering, summiting Mount Rainier and Mount Baker, and is planning to climb Denali in 2026.

Her story is about perseverance, overcoming mental health obstacles, and finding passion in sports that have transformed her from a 100-pound girl with anorexia to a strong, 150-pound athlete who is ready to take on new challenges!

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about eating disorders, mental health challenges, and recovery. Please listen with care, and reach out for support if needed.

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Thank you for your amazing support!

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Show notes

Who is Caitlin
Being based in New Jersey
Working as a practicing neurologist
Working 7 days on and 7 days off
Developing new interests, in running, hiking, backpacking and mountaineering
Writing about her long term eating disorder and how she found ultra endurance sports
What a neurologist does
How her working schedule came about
Her path from medical school, to residency, and completing her fellowship
Her early years growing up in New Jersey
Loving soccer (football) from 5 years old and playing varsity
Losing her love of sports and nature at 16
Nature and nurture in the formation of eating disorders
Being abandoned by her father
Little Miss Perfect….
Dealing with pressure
Type A personality and how they turned against her
What people don’t know about eating disorders
Starting to binge eat
Balancing it out with exercise
Taking a job in Colorado
Being exposure to nature at it’s best
Quitting cold turkey
Doing short hikes and runs outdoors
Getting to the top of her first 14,000 ft
Seeking professional help and working with a therapist
Keeping her eating behaviours very private
Good or bad habits…
Habit formation in the brain and the role that exercise plays
Exercise junkie
Not being preoccupied with food
Having a better outlook on it
The battle going on inside your brain
Primitive urges and self talk
Mantras - Powerful and perseverance
Running her first half marathon while in medical school
Her running journey being slow and gradual
Starting running ultra marathons in 2020
Race strategy and getting use to time on feet and breaking it down into small chunks of time
Spacing out nutrition throughout the race
Fuelling and attitude to food during races
Working with a running coach for the past 2 years
Trying to keep things easy
Getting into mountaineering
International Mountain Guides
Planning to climb Mt Denali
The use of oral contraceptive pills past the age of 35
Building the mental resilience
Eating Disorder Survivor Symbol
Getting her tattoo done
Social media…. Not being hugely active
Women in Mountaineering
Sunny Stroeer
New book goes live April 26th 2025
Final words of advice
Finding someone to listen
The power of talking and opening up to people

Social Media

Book: Running from Perfection: My Journey from Eating Disorders to Endurance Sports--And the Neuroscience Behind It

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