In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Sara Eydmann — ultra-marathon runner, counsellor and therapist based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
At 30 years old, Sara is no stranger to pushing her limits. From attempting to run 500 miles to taking on the North Coast 500, her journey into ultra-running has been anything but straightforward. But behind the miles is a powerful and deeply honest story about mental health, identity, resilience and learning to change the narrative.
Growing up as an only child, Sara was always active — until an eating disorder at 14 forced her to stop exercising completely. Years later, she found her way back to running, initially using it as a way to control her weight. During lockdown, her running became increasingly intense, driven and compulsive. With the support of therapy and a coach, she began learning how to train with more structure, balance and self-awareness — eventually making it to the start line of her first marathon in 2023.
Shortly after, she signed up for her first ultra.
In this episode, Sara shares her experience of being late diagnosed with Autism at 27 and ADHD at 29 (AuADHD), and how that diagnosis helped her better understand herself, her anxiety, and the way her brain works — particularly in high-stress, high-performance environments.
We dive into:
- Attempting to run 500 miles — and the reality of getting injured 256 miles in
- Managing anxiety at the start line
- Working with a crew and handling the overwhelming admin side of big challenges
- Dealing with a stress fracture and the emotional fallout of stopping
- The mental battle of ultra-distance running — self-talk, fear, surrender and staying rational
- The financial and logistical realities of funding endurance challenges
- Having her dad there for support
- Trusting the process instead of fearing the outcome
Sara speaks candidly about what it feels like to “lose your head” mentally during a challenge, the lessons she’s taken from injury, and how she’s learning to run from a place of curiosity rather than compulsion.
Now preparing to move to France for a year to focus on training, immerse herself in the culture and learn French, Sara is continuing to explore what’s possible — on her own terms.
This is an episode about endurance, identity, healing, and redefining success.
Trust the process. Don’t fear the outcome.
*there is mention of eating disorders and running for weight loss - we do not go into specifics
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. 
Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Sara; 30 years old, Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Moving to France later on in the year
- Ultra runner and working as a counsellor and therapist as a day job
- Mum to 2 cats
- Late diagnosed with Autism (27 years old) and ADHD (29 years old) (AuAHDH)
- Growing up as an only child and doing lots of sports at a young age
- Needing to stop exercise at 14 due to an eating disorder
- Getting back into running over the past few years
- Training for her first marathon and managing the driven compulsion
- Listening to her coach, not overtraining and being more structured in her training
- Doing therapy throughout the years
- Only running to control her weight
- How running got very intense over lock down
- Making it to the start line of her first marathon in 2023
- Signing up for an ultra distance on a loop course on the month after.
- Her journey with anxiety and getting to the start line of races
- Getting to a point of just wanting to do - wanting to try and see
- Shifting her mindset by surrendering to what could happen
- Reflecting on her first marathon in Scotland
- Being diagnosed with AuADHD and how it changed things
- Muddling through life and finding school really difficult
- Building her confidence to voice her needs
- Learning to understand herself more
- Running the North Coast 500
- Dealing with a stress fracture in her knee
- Wanting to take on this challenge
- Dealing with the admin side of the challenge and why it was so stressful
- Making the best of the situation
- Road running and your bones…
- Getting injured 256 miles in….
- The lessons from the experience
- Figuring out the financials to fund a challenge like this with AuADHD
- Wanting to focus on the running
- Being in a high stress, high performance situation
- Running strategy for the challenge
- Working with a crew and how it would work
- All of the issues and challenges that came along
- The mental side of the challenge and what’s going on inside her head
- Self talk - you’ve got this - keep going
- Not hitting the wall, but mentally losing her head and not being rational anymore
- Having her dad there to support
- Managing her fear and putting plans in place to manage them
- Making the decision to move to France for a year
- Spending time focusing on her training
- Being introverted and wanting to immerse herself in the culture and learn french
- How can people follow along and connect with Sara
- Trust the process and don’t fear the outcome
Social Media
Website: mind-and-miles.com
Instagram: @
Youtube: @
Substack: @
In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, I’m joined by Starre Vartan — science and environment writer, author, and lifelong question-asker whose work sits at the powerful intersection of the human body and the natural world.
With a background in geology and biology, Starre began her career as an environmental geologist before pivoting into journalism to tell the stories behind the science. Over the past 15+ years, she’s written for publications including National Geographic, Scientific American, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and New Scientist, becoming known for her ability to make science both rigorous and deeply human — especially when it comes to women’s bodies.
We dive into Starre’s latest book, The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us About the Power of the Female Body, a myth-busting, research-driven celebration of women’s endurance, longevity, adaptability, and strength. From the messages girls receive about their bodies at a young age, to puberty, bone density, menopause, and why women often excel in endurance sports, Starre unpacks the science that has been overlooked — and what it means for women’s health, sport, and everyday life.
We also talk about Starre’s upbringing between Australia and the U.S., the influence of her formidable grandmother, growing up active and outdoors, and how reconnecting with strength training later in life has left her feeling more powerful than ever. This conversation is about listening to your body, trusting its wisdom, and reclaiming strength — physically, mentally, and scientifically.
If you’ve ever been told women are the weaker sex, this episode will change how you think about the female body forever.
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. 
Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Starre
- Working as a scientist journalist focusing on women’s health recently
- Being based in a beach town south of Sydney, Australia
- Growing up in NYC
- Being a dual citizen with Australia and America
- Book: The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells us about the Power of the Female Body
- The dedication to her grandmother -the strongest women’s she’s ever known
- Growing up with her grandmother
- Doing her age appropriate chores; stacking wood, working in the garden, being involved and active in the running of the house
- The messages that young girls receive about their bodies from a young age
- Heading off into the woods to go on adventures
- The lessons learned from her grandmother
- Muscles and bone density for women and why puberty is such an important age for girls
- Puberty in girls and athletics
- The knowledge gap for women in sports
- Women, endurance and the longer races
- Differences between all human beings
- The science and muscle and getting surprising results
- Women’s body fat and location
- Visiting Japan to research longevity
- How women’s body handle diseases
- The risks that men take
- Finding purpose in life and figuring out your life goal
- Making changes in her own life
- Starting to weigh lift 3 years ago
- Can you grown bone once you are at the stage where you have more extreme bone loss
- Bone loss in women during menopause
- Prof Belinda Beck
- Feeling empowered by lifting heavy weights
- Becoming a stronger runner and dancer
- Starre’s ultimate life goal and purpose
- Using AI in scientific ways
- Wanting to be as strong as her grandmother
- How to connect with Starre online
- Starting a new newsletter—Palimpsest of Flesh
- Vodcast
- Words of advice and wisdom for the stronger sex
- Reflecting back on life in her 20s
- Listen to your body and the wisdom it holds
Social Media
Website: starrevartan.com
Instagram: @
Bluesky: @
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/
From ultra-light hotel bikepacking on a road bike to six-month expeditions in remote regions on a heavily laden hybrid, Emma has experienced nearly every form of bike travel, including ultra-endurance racing.
She is a passionate advocate for slow travel as a means to reconnect with nature, embrace minimalism, and discover alternative ways of living. Her travels have shaped a deep commitment to sustainability, wild camping with minimal impact, and challenging the idea of nature as a park or playground, separate from our everyday lives. You can sign up to her newsletter for monthly updates and tips.
She is particularly keen to empower others, especially women, to embrace solo adventures, and she shares both practical guidance and philosophical reflections through her writing and events.
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Emma
- Working as a cycling journalist and tour guide
- Moving around a lot and not really having a home base
- Currently writing a guidebook on French Guiana
- Having a normal childhood and not being particularly sporty
- Growing up in France and starting running at 16
- Running and rowing throughout university
- Taking a gap year after university and heading to South America in 2016/2017
- Fundraising for 6 months before starting from Ushuaia and heading to Lima in Peru.
- Having a very small/tight budget
- Wild camping as much as possible
- What it was like on the trip - starting in January and dealing with prevailing winds all the way
- Travelling in a group of 3 and what it was like
- Being totally tolerant for a month
- Doing a few more little trips, before heading with her partner on a European cycle trip
- Journaling on the trip and writing a little bit each evening
- Her bike set up and how it’s changed over the years
- Getting a vintage road bike, a carbon road bike, a gravel bike….
- Dealing with saddle sores
- Brooks Leather Saddle
- Planning and logistics
- Spreadsheets….
- Route planning and starting with google, to find official routes, or to see if other people have created a route
- bikepacking.com
- komoot.com
- Thoughts on being brave
- Managing personal fears
- Encountering risk in everyday life
- Following gut instinct
- Moving away from being a nice girl
- Travelling on your own
- Being allowed to change your mind
- Deciding to do more cycling competitions
- Ultra races and why the winners are the ones who sleep the least
- Trying out new challenges
- How expensive ultra endurance races can be
- The joy of long trips and how it can change your perspective of time
- The dream 6 month to a year trip
- Wanting to go back to South America or cycling from Europe to Asia
- Being content with taking her time on trips
- The cycling guidebook about French Guiana.
- How to connect with Emma online
- Final words of advice for other women who want to go on adventures and discover more of the world
- Do it in a simple and gradual way.
- The power of keeping it simple
Social Media
Website: www.emmakarslake.com
Newsletter: www.emmakarslake.com/
Insta: @emma_up_cycles
Linkedin: Emma Karslake
Lorraine Lewis is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Lewis Foundation, an award-winning cancer charity providing free gift packs and ongoing support to adult cancer patients across 17 hospitals in the Midlands. Founded from lived experience, the charity has become a lifeline for thousands of people diagnosed with cancer.
Beyond her role as a charity leader, Lorraine is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, inspiring audiences ranging from school children to corporate professionals. She has delivered talks for organisations including The Eden Project, the European Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and AJ Bell, sharing powerful messages of resilience, purpose and hope.
Lorraine’s remarkable journey has captured national attention. She has been featured in publications such as The Sun and HELLO! Magazine, and has appeared on Channel 4 News, highlighting her work and personal story.
Her dedication to community service has been recognised through numerous accolades, including the HELLO! Magazine Inspiration Award, Great British Entrepreneur Award, and the prestigious Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award. In recognition of her services to cancer, Lorraine was recently invited to meet Their Majesties The King and Queen.
In addition to her charitable work, Lorraine is an author, with her memoir Dare To Dream chronicling her journey from lawyer to charity founder. She also hosts the podcast “See Through The Big C”, amplifying the voices of those living with cancer, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals.
A passionate artist, Lorraine discovered her love for art in her forties and continues to explore creativity alongside her enthusiasm for fitness, including HYROX competitions, running, and ultra-distance challenges—living proof that it’s never too late to dream, create, and push beyond perceived limits.
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Lorraine
- Being based in Northampton
- Co-founder of The Lewis Foundation which supports cancer patients in hospital
- Writing her book, 'Dare to Dream’
- Her early years growing up
- Not being sporty and always trying to get out of PE
- Being into reading and writing
- Her dream of wanting to become a barrister
- Being supported and encouraged by her parents
- Her determination and resilience
- Not knowing how she would achieve her goals
- Doing old school research by heading to the library
- Creating her own opportunities to gain the experiences she needed
- Doing the Bar Vocational Course
- Not having time for sport or physical activity
- £50k of student debt….
- Being determined to make it happen
- Dealing with challenges and changes
- How it changed their life
- Starting to question everything and why there must be more to life
- What can be done?
- Wanting to make people feel better
- Dealing with cancer, death and grief
- Supporting people with cancer
- Bringing joy to peoples days
- Getting into fitness and ultra running to raise funds for the charity
- Deciding to sign up to do a Tough Mudder (Obstacle Run)
- Wanting to push herself more physically and step outside her comfort zone
- Running out of money for the charity
- How Mike supported the charity with a £50k donation
- The kindness of strangers
- Deciding to take on the 3 Peaks Challenge
- Taking on more and more running challenges
- Being consumed by the Lewis Foundation and starting to neglect herself
- Rat Race
- The Wall
- Discovering Hyrox
- Getting back on her feet and being more active and more healthy
- Starting to feel stronger mentally and more resilient to handle challenges
- January 2025 - and doing her vision board and goals for the year
- Deciding to sign up for the 70 mile race
- Not training for the ultra in the best way…
- Being at the start of the race
- The struggle during the race and crossing the finishing line
- Feeling physically broken but knowing it was her mental resilience that got her across the finish line
- The mental side of running 70 miles
- Setting a big challenge for 2026
- Taking on a 100 mile ultra! The Rat Race Castle to Castle
- The Lewis Foundation will be celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary in 2026
- Starting to follow a specific running program
- Being pushed in her training
- Making sure to eat better
- The challenges of fuelling while being coeliac
- Feeling in a much better place physically
- Needing to exercise at 6am
- Training about 35 hrs a week
- What is the race strategy….
- Breaking down the training
- Fuelling her training and needing to eat more
- Not being afraid to consume food—especially carbs
- Taking supplements to help with iron levels
- Creatine and omega-3
- The benefits of hiking poles/sticks
- Rotating trainers
- The financial impact of taking on challenges/runs etc
- How to connect with Lorraine on social media
- Podcast: See through the big C
- Final words of advice
- The importance of living your life
- Make the most of the time we have on this planet
Social Media
Website: www.lorrainelewisbcah.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/
Youtube: @
Instagram: @
Book: Dare to Dream
Alex is a qualified International Mountain Leader, Polar Guide, and a professional Photographer based in St. Moritz, Switzerland. From scaling the world’s highest peaks to leading expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, she thrives where the wild meets the extreme.
Her passion for high-altitude exploration took her on a relentless quest; climbing the highest mountain on every continent, culminating on the summit of Mt. Everest in 2018. She became the first ever Hungarian to climb the Seven Summits. This journey ignited her mission to guide others through the raw beauty of the mountains and beyond.
In the winter, she guides private snowshoe and fat bike around St. Moritz; in the summer, she leads exhilarating hiking and mountain biking adventures across the Alps. Between her Alps seasons, she's found working in the Polar regions (Antarctica: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and lead crevasse rescue guide. Arctic: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and polar bear guard)
Her expertise extends far beyond Europe, guiding bespoke expeditions across the globe.
An endurance athlete at heart, Alex is always chasing the next adventure—whether Polar ski crossing, racing mountain bikes, or pushing limits in the mountains.
As a professional photographer and drone pilot, she uses her lens to capture the world’s most remote landscapes, advocate for environmental conservation, and document the stories of the Polar regions. Her work is deeply inspired by mountains, polar history, pioneering female explorers, and the delicate balance of nature.
In her recent book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin, Alex shares her experiences of climbing these mountains, and she also explores the journey that shaped who she is today: all the highs and lows. I hope to bring these peaks closer to readers by including short historical notes alongside each climb and sharing everything she learned along the way. The book is also rich in photographs, helping to bring both the stories and these beautiful mountains vividly to life.
First TGP episode - August 25th 2020 - Alexandra Nemeth the first Hungarian to climb the 7 summits!
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Alex
- Being born in Hungary, but spending most of her adult life in the UK
- Deciding to move to the Swiss Alps to work as an International Mountain Leader
- Climbing the 7 Summits and becoming the first Hungarian to do so
- Coming on the Tough Girl Podcast - August 25th 2020
- What’s been the biggest changes over the past few years
- Making the decision to move from the UK to Switzerland
- Having a plan to live in the mountains
- Waiting for the right opportunity.
- Packing up her car in 2020
- What life has been like in Switzerland
- Being a qualified Mountain Bike Guide
- The Next chapter in her life
- Becoming an International Mountain Leader (IML)
- Working 2 part time jobs to make a living
- Finding a community in Switzerland
- Ending up doing things on her own
- Needing to prioritise herself and gaining her qualifications
- Focusing on navigation
- The 4 stages of the IML
- Becoming a polar guide
- Getting a job on an expedition ship
- What is ship life like?
- Documenting her journey in a book!
- Connecting with nature can be incredible powerful
- Dealing with her fears, most noticeably her fear of heights
- Choosing to heal in nature
- Turning her passion into a job
- Putting together expeditions to Peru
- Keeping it fun and exciting
- Planning for adventures and expeditions
- How to start and why you need to build things up
- Being on a ship for the next 2 months
- International Women’s Day 8th March 2025
- Free Snowshoe Tour for Women!
- Doing a hut to hut tour!
- Teaching women winter survival skills
- How to connect with Alex on social media
- Advice who want to follow their dreams and passions
- Don’t let excuses stop you on your way. Stay on the path, even if you have to slow down.
- Live your life without excuses!
Social Media
Website alex7summits.com
Instagram @alex7summits
Email: alex7summits@gmail.com
Book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin
Bonita Norris became the youngest woman to reach both the summit of Mt Everest at just 22 and the North Pole at 23, and her story is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, she shares the journey that took her from school trips in North Wales to climbing some of the world’s highest peaks, navigating extreme environments, and pushing the limits of what’s possible.
Bonita reflects on the early steps that built her career in mountaineering—starting with beginner climbing courses, funding her expeditions, and preparing for the Himalayan peaks. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of summiting Everest, managing fear in remote and hostile environments, and how these experiences shaped her life and perspective.
Now a mother of two, Bonita also discusses how she balances adventure with family life, inspiring her children to embrace courage and curiosity. From attempting K2 to climbing the Matterhorn after an eight-year hiatus, she emphasises the importance of showing up, trusting the process, and meeting opportunity with determination.
Whether you’re chasing literal mountains or metaphorical ones in your own life, Bonita’s insights, lessons in bravery, and personal stories will motivate you to take the next bold step.
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Bonita
- The youngest person to have reached both the summit of Mt Everest (age 22) and the North Pole (age 23)
- Book: The Girl Who Climbed Everest (2022)
- Mother of 2 children
- Growing up and her early years
- Going on a school trip to North Wales and loving every moment of hiking in the mountains
- Finishing her A’levels and going off to South America to climb to Machu Picchu at 18
- Not realising she could make a career out of mountaineering
- Alison Hargreaves’s dying on K2 in 1995
- Mothers and taking risks
- Being in her 2nd year at university and going to a mountaineering talk at the Royal Geographical Society
- Realising that she wanted to climb and wanting to climb Mt Everest
- I don’t know how, but I’m going to make it happen
- Being inspired and maintaining the inspiration/motivation
- Why it felt so meaningful
- 2 years - 24 months to gain the skills, knowledge and funding
- Starting with a beginners climbing course
- Working backwards from her goal
- Completing the smaller milestones and trusting in the process
- Funding and paying for everything
- Heading off on her first Himalayan Expedition - Manaslu (eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres (26,781 ft))
- Getting a job, using her student loan and receiving a grant from her university
- Having 6 months to find £50k to join her team going to Everest.
- Getting out of bed bad making another call
- Speaking with Capital FM on the radio
- How everything turned around
- Getting the money, getting the sponsorship
- Why you don’t need to be an Olympic Athlete to climb Everest
- Why you need to work on the actual problem - don’t work around the problem
- Fitness before heading of to Nepal
- Doing multi-days of training without rest
- If you want to get good at climbing mountains, climb mountains
- Reflecting back on the experience
- Worrying about what may go wrong on the mountain
- Reaching the summit and how it’s changed her life
- Understanding the risks at 22
- Thoughts on letting her children climb Everest
- Climbing Everest with her daughter in the future
- Attempting to climb K2 and managing fear in remote, hostile environments
- Encouraging bravery and courage in her children
- Climbing the Matterhorn in 2025 after 8 years off climbing
- Not knowing if she would still enjoy it
- Taking the time to figure out what is next
- How you can connect with Bonita
- Final words of advice
- Put yourself out there and luck will meet you half way
- You have to show up
Social Media
Website: www.bonita-norris.com
Linkedin: Bonita Norris
Jacquetta Megarry didn’t grow up in the outdoors, and she certainly didn’t see herself as an adventurer—or a publisher. But turning 50 sparked a journey that would transform her life. From walking the West Highland Way with friends to summiting Mt Kilimanjaro, Jacquetta discovered the power of pacing yourself, listening to your body, and building unshakeable self-belief.
Her adventures inspired her to found Rucksack Readers, a guidebook company that helps hikers navigate trails around the world. Over 25 years later, Jacquetta shares stories from her experiences—from hiking in the UK during Storm Amy, to trekking the Inca Trail, to exploring Antarctica—along with lessons on making mistakes, learning from them, and embracing challenges at any age.
In this episode, Jacquetta shares how stepping outside your everyday life can open doors to new passions, transform confidence, and even create a career doing what you love. She offers practical tips for hikers, insights into publishing, and encouragement for women ready to explore the world on their own terms.
This episode is for you if you:
- Want inspiration to start a new adventure at any age
- Dream of hiking, trekking, or exploring the outdoors
- Are curious about publishing guidebooks and sharing your knowledge
- Believe it’s never too late to embrace challenges and grow
Ready to be inspired? Hit play and let Jacquetta take you on a journey of mountains, maps, and life-changing adventures.
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Jacquetta
- Growing up in London and going to school there
- Living all her adult life in Scotland
- Living in Edinburgh
- Founding Rucksack Readers a guidebook company
- Not being sporty or into the great outdoors at a young age
- Turning 50 and deciding to go and walk the West Highland Way with 4 female friends to celebrate 200 years of womanhood
- Feeling dissatisfied with the official guidebook
- This frustration lay dormant for 18 months
- Heading off to climb Mt Kilimanjaro for the first time and why the altitude was a great leveller
- How climbing Kilimanjaro gave her the self belief in order to make a career change
- Going from working in IT to starting a guidebook company
- The importance of pacing yourself and listening to your body
- Building self belief on the mountain
- How only 9 out of the 16 made it to the summit
- Feeling health, taking photos and enjoying the experience
- Doing something so far outside your normal everyday life and how it can make you think differently about life
- Becoming a publisher and having the confidence to think you can write a guidebook after one experience
- Deciding to do the Inca Trail in 2001 and the challenges involved in gathering the info for a guidebook
- Why would you not want the paper to be rainproof?
- Hiking the Dales Way during Storm Amy
- Creating little map booklets for hikers (waterproof)
- Apps verses Guidebooks
- Planning a walk with ChatGPT
- The structure of the guidebook
- Mapping and keeping route information updated
- Being a volunteer - on the Xtreme Everest Project
- Dealing with altitude sickness - keeping well hydrated and monitoring her heart
- Maintaining a base level of fitness…
- Celebrating 25 years of Rucksack Readers
- Writing about the mistakes made in publishing
- Talking about failure and mistakes and the lessons made
- Visiting Antarctica and wanting to go sea kayaking and see the emperor penguins
- Dealing with the cold and the conditions on the ship
- How her hiking has changed now entering her 70s
- The joy of being a publisher and being able to follow her passions
- Future challenge and revisiting the Dales Way
- Succession planning for Rucksack Readers
- Having a year of consolidation and looking after the future
- How to connect with Jacquetta and Rucksack Readers
- Discount code for the listeners of the Tough Girl Podcast—use toughgirl for a 20% discount of all books
- Final words of advice for other women who want to go on more adventures and challenges around the world
- Mistakes and being afraid of getting it wrong.
- Get out there, make the mistakes, and be sure to learn from them.
Social Media
Website: rucsacs.com
- use toughgirl for a 20% discount off books - valid until 20th January 2027
Instagram: @rucksack_readers
Facebook: Rucksack Readers
Sabrina Pace-Humphreys is back on the Tough Girl Podcast for her third appearance, sharing her incredible journey as a runner, coach, and advocate for representation in trail running. From being a mum of four and grandmother of three, to taking on some of the toughest ultramarathons in the world, Sabrina’s story is one of resilience, community, and the relentless pursuit of goals.
In this episode, Sabrina reflects on her time at the UTMB, the challenges of race preparation, and the lessons learned when things don’t go to plan. She also shares updates on her work with Black Trail Runners, supporting women and runners of the global majority, and gives a sneak peek into her new book, Start Where You Are: The Beginner’s 5k Running Guide for Women.
Whether you’re chasing your first 5k, dreaming of ultra distances, or passionate about creating inclusive running communities, Sabrina’s insights, advice, and personal stories will inspire you to lace up and claim your mantle as a runner.
Listen to past episodes with Sabrina on the Tough Girl Podcast
July 7th 2020 - Sabrina Pace-Humpreys - Ultra runner, going from Anxiety to Accomplishment - Running the MDS
August 30th - 2022 - Sabrina Pace-Humphreys - Co-founder of Black Trail Runners and running Britain’s most brutal race
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Sabrina Pace-Humphreys
- Run coach, personal trainer and community builder
- Advocate for representation in running
- Mum of 4, grandmother of 3
- 3rd time on the Tough Girl Podcast!
- Speaking with Sabrina on August 30th 2022
- The final things we talked about - Back to the Trails, creating a vision board, wanting to participate in the UTMB race and wanting to write a 2nd book about running
- What’s happened over the past few years
- 2023 Survivor!
- Not being able to hide being a hype woman!
- Why you will either love it or hate it
- Being voted out in the 2nd week
- Why it was such a bizarre experience seeing herself
- Having an episode of poor mental health after the show and feeling out of control
- Using her voice to motivate a team
- Coming out of the low moments and the connection to running, community and friendships
- Her go to tools
- Update on Black Trail Runners
- Running social runs with students of the global majority
- Creating a sustainable charity and model
- HERE FOR THE WOMEN'S RACE
- Being involved in a steering committee to get more women in the trail running space
- Creating the black and gold t-shirt - “Here for the women’s race”
- Her journey to the UTMB
- Running stones and collecting them
- UK race - Arc of Attrition and Ultra Trail Snowdonia
- Applying via the ballot
- The planning and preparation for UTMB
- B and C races, planning weekends in Snowdonia and France
- Using an altitude chamber for training
- Booking accommodation for the UTMB a year in advance
- Financial access to races
- £15,000 for races, accommodations, travel costs, gear, supplements etc
- August on the start line of the UTMB
- Working on a film to be released next year
- Not wanting to let anyone down
- Not liking the pre-race faff
- Why it was different to what she thought it would be
- The brutal conditions and being timed out
- Tweaking her calf the week before
- The weather challenges and the impact on the racers
- Not being able to get out of the slump
- How the race made her question everything
- Being supported by her husband and friends
- Battling cutoffs
- Not having it in her and the end of the race
- Working on her running book!
- New Book: Start Where You Are: The Beginner’s 5k Running Guide for Women
- How you can connect with Sabrina
- Final words of advice and wisdom
- You can do hard things
- Claiming the mantle - I am a runner
Social Media
Website: www.
Instagram: @sabrunsmiles
New book: Start Where You Are: The Beginner’s 5k Running Guide for Women
Becky Wandell is a Teacher, Writer, Tour Guide, Volunteer, and Solo Traveler. At 47, while weathering a difficult divorce and the death of four close relatives, she clawed her way up from the depths of grief and, in her words, set out to “find her way back to Becky again”.
To do this, she quit her job, sold all of her belongings and charted a plan to complete a series of adventures she had always dreamed of doing. Joining the US Peace Corps, learning to speak Spanish and gaining her confidence in solo travel and living abroad set the stage for several years of living her best life throughout South America; a life rich with opportunities to learn, grow, serve others through volunteering, integrate deeply into cultures, and make connections - especially with women.
Then, in 2024 at the age of 55, she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada.
It was there, with thousands of footsteps across the desert, over the mountains and back home to the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, she was finally able to release the last of her regrets, coming away from the trek feeling lighter, freer, more confident and beautiful than ever before.
Turns out, living life to the fullest and fulfilling all your dreams brings joy.
Now, Becky works as a seasonal Tour Guide in Alaska which allows her to spend the rest of the year living out of her backpack, always ready for the next adventure.
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Becky
- Teacher, writer, solo traveller, volunteer and tour guide
- Starting her life in the Mid-West
- Knowing she always wanted to live by mountains
- Starting to work for the forest service in environmental programs
- Having a wonderful career and life
- Needing to make a pivot in her life and needing to figure out what she really wanted to do
- Joining the Peace Corps at 47
- Wanting to travel more, learn a new language and experience more of the world
- Deciding to hike the Pacific Crest Trail at 55 from Mexico to Canada
- Gaining a huge amount of confidence
- Wanting to slow travel more and working as a tour guide in Alaska
- Living her dream and being the best beaky she can be
- The pivot at 47
- The love letters….. the origin story to her relationship
- Giving up her dreams and “compromising”
- Typing out all the things that she wanted to do back then
- Sacrificing her dreams
- What the Peace Corps is
- Learning so much about herself, other people and cultures
- Living in Ecuador with a family and leaning the language
- Her new path and dealing with lonely moments
- Losing her parents
- Slow travel and volunteering around South America
- Workaway
- Spending 2 years travelling around Patagonia
- Her dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
- Feeling ready to take on the hike
- Not having fears or concerns before the hike
- Letting go of fear
- Getting her trail name
- Challenging sections on the PCT
- Why 700 miles in the desert was the real challenge
- Being supported by her friends during the tough moments
- The mental game
- Doing hard things
- Writing a letter to herself
- Can she push her body that hard to make the hike happen
- Preparing for the trail really well
- Needing to hike her hike her way
- Learning about her last name
- Sharing a little video from the end of the PCT
- Finally identifying as a tough girl
- How to connect with Becky
- Final words of advice
- Give up the fear, your going to be ok
- Start planning, take the step.
Social Media
Blog: onthewingadventures.com
Instagram: @beckysonthewingadventures
What does it mean to challenge the limits of both body and mind—and to redefine what success looks like along the way? Denisa Krásná, scholar, author, and adventurer from the Czech Republic, takes us on a journey into the world of women in extreme sports.
From her early days trekking with her parents to highlining hundreds of meters above the ground, Denisa has always been drawn to adventure, isolation, and pushing herself beyond comfort. She co-edited Flow: Women’s Counternarratives from Rivers, Rock, and Sky, an inspiring anthology celebrating diverse women’s voices in adventure sports—whitewater kayaking, climbing, mountaineering, and highlining—challenging stereotypes and redefining what it means to be successful in the outdoors.
In this episode, we explore:
- Denisa’s path from scholar to adventurer and author
- How fear, frustration, and failure can become tools for growth
- The mental game behind highlining and extreme sports
- Stories of resilience, creativity, and empowerment from women across the globe
- Why inclusivity, mentorship, and community are key to thriving in adventure sports
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a woman seeking inspiration, or simply curious about the stories behind extreme adventure, Denisa’s insights will leave you reflecting on your own limits—and inspired to push past them.
Tune in for a conversation about courage, flow, and the power of women redefining adventure on their own terms.
***
🎙️ 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 Denisa
- Growing up and living in the Czech Republic
- Working as a scholar at university
- Loving research and writing about her adventure
- Writing books and academic articles
- Her early years growing up
- Travelling with her parents all the time
- Going on trekking adventures around the world from places like lapland to Nepal
- Her love for being outdoors and being isolated
- Being introverted
- Wanting to talk to adults and discuss ideas
- Her passion for reading, researching and academics
- Being active every single day
- New Book: Flow: Women’s Counternarratives from Rivers, Rock, and Sky
- How the book came about with her friend Alena Rainsberry
- Getting a grant to work on outdoor counternarratives
- Being do-ers and getting things done
- Reaching out to potential authors
- The gap in the literature
- What does counternarratives mean?
- What the typical story of success currently is in outdoor sports
- Wanting to show that success is something that should be defined by the individual - it should be fluid.
- Including stories from professional athletes who define success in the more conventional way
- Representation of women in adventure stories
- The stories that resonated and made her think in a different way
- Why every story can make you think
- The unique view of Rae Raptor aka Cheryll Glotfelty
- The advantages that her age gives her from money and time
- Talking about fear and how fear manifests in so many different ways
- Rocky Mountain Books
- Denisa view on fear and how she experiences it
- Why her view on fear is very rational and being able to distinguish between the objective and subjective fear
- Highlining and slacklining
- Her journey into highlining
- Buying a slackline during covid
- Why the improvements were related to the frequency of training
- Having quick initial progress
- Being introduced to the local slacklining community and getting a mentor
- The state of flow
- Why flow is also a word game and why it has multiple meanings
- The photo on the cover of FLOW - with Brenda Gor
- What free style highlining is and how it is different from walkers
- The mental side of highlining - zoning out
- The importance of preparing before you even get on the line
- Using rituals to get mentally into the right state of mind
- The number one cause of death in highlining
- Human mistakes and how it can happen to experienced professionals
- Why it’s good to be slightly afraid
- Always respect that you are doing an extreme sport
- Why the mental game is different for everybody
- Needing to take a few steps to get into the mental zone
- Specific training needed for the sport
- Frustration with slacking and not seeing progress
- Why you should’t give up when you first start
- Why the start can be very painful
- Why you need to trust the process
- Focus on the positive things
- Don’t lean into the frustration
- Needing to work on the mental side of highlining
- Walking 200m lines and falling once at the end on the seemingly easy part
- The struggle at the end
- Fighting the doubts in her mind
- Why these sports are like a mirror into our inner selves
- Flow, Fear, Frustration, Falling - dealing with a sense of Failure
- The lessons learned from failure - Dorothea Hamilton
- Women being framed as too ambitious and that being seen as a negative
- Climbing half dome with Alena Rainsberry
- Why it was amazing and traumatic!
- How to connect with Denisa
- Final words of advice for other women who want to take on more adventure sports
- Why it’s important to find people to do the activity with, people who support you and people who motivate you.
- Reading memoirs written by other women
Social Media
Website: www.riversrocksky.com
Instagram: @vegi.deni.slacks
Book: Flow: Women’s Counternarratives from Rivers, Rock, and Sky
Happy New Year! I’m taking a moment to look back at the last six months of 2025—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what the numbers tell me about the year so far. I reflect on the journey I’ve been on, the adventures, the challenges, and the mindset shifts that have shaped my life.
I talk about working in longer blocks, thinking in decades not years, and the balance between pushing hard and giving myself space to rest. I share what I’m learning about consistency, structure, and getting intentional with my time, energy, and goals.
I also get real about needing magic, wanting change, and how to show up even when life throws curveballs. If you’re looking for a little reflection, motivation, and some Tough Girl honesty, this episode is for you.
Thank you for all your support! Love Sarah x
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Happy New Year - Welcome to 2026
- Reflection blog post
- Looking at the numbers in 2025 - Because data sometimes tells the story better than feelings.
- Looking ahead to 2026
- Working in longer blocks
- Thinking in decades, not years
- 2025 to 2035 - The purple decade
- Level 2 Psychology Course
- The importance of structure
- Where it may lead
- Consistency
- Gym, Aim, Mone
- New Tough Girl Buffs!
- Adventure Funds and Emergency Funds
- Editing the GR10 vlogs!! (2 left to be edited)
- Booking in future guests for the Tough Girl Podcast
- Editing the SWCP Vlogs
- Consistency
- Digital clense - laptop and phone
- Boring…
- Need some magic, needing a timeline shift
- Needing for something to be different
- The power of reframing situations
- Continuity or seasons
- Do I need more down time?
- 2 - Sarah’s….
- Wanting to be busy and productive
- Wanting to be in my soft girl era
- Why a lot can change over the next 6 weeks
- What is going to happen?1
- Leaving it up to fate, the universe, to magic
- Drive it, make the decisions, you take the steps to make it happen, put in the work
- Getting intentional
- Ebbing and flowing between the two
- The journey I’ve been on, from where I’ve started
- The journey that you’re on
- Dealing with life curveballs
- Words of comfort
- The future is exciting
- Go in with our best foot forward
- Keep positive, keep showing up
- Thank you for your support
- Thank you to the amazing women who have shared their story on the podcast
- How can I live my life differently?
- Scrolling through the past episodes on the website
- Evergreen episodes
- Thank you!
***
Previous Reflections/Solo Episodes
Jan 2nd 2025 - Sarah Williams: Reflections on the South West Coast Path, Health, Money & Future Plans for 2025
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.
Nov 2, 2023 - Sarah Williams - Planning and Preparation for thru hiking the 3,000 km Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand. #ChallengeWithZOLEO
Sep 10, 2023 - Sarah Williams - Solo Reflections: A Look Back at the End of 2022, Adventures and Challenges in 2023
Aug 4th 2022 - Sarah Williams - Reflects on the end of 2021 and the start of 2022.
Aug 4th 2021 - Sarah Williams - Reflects on the end of 2020 and the start of 2021.
Aug 7th 2020 - Sarah Williams - Reflections on 2019 & and the start of 2020.
Aug 4th, 2019 - Sarah Williams - Reflections on 2018 and the start of 2019. Plus plans for Tough Girl Challenges.
Dec 25, 2018 - Sarah Williams - Cycling the Pacific Coast Highway & Baja Divide
Sep 4, 2018 - Sarah Williams - Planning and Preparation for the Pacific Coast Highway & the Baja Divide!
Sep 19, 2017 - Sarah Williams - Thru hiking the Appalachian Trail (2,190 miles) in 100 days!
Social Media
Instagram @toughgirlchallenges
Facebook @toughgirlchallenges
Youtube @toughgirlchallenges
Patrons www.patreon.com/c/
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/
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/
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
Sheryl Ramstad’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. After surviving a catastrophic plane crash with less than a 1% chance of survival, Sheryl’s life was forever changed. What began as her first solo flight at age 29 became a harrowing journey through life-threatening burns, multiple surgeries, overwhelming grief, and two years of excruciating rehabilitation.
But this isn’t just a survival story—it’s a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and the unbreakable human spirit.
In this powerful conversation, Sheryl shares how she transformed unimaginable trauma into a life of purpose, service, and adventure. From shifting her mindset from “Why me?” to “What’s next?” to supporting burn survivors in Peru, going back to school at 62, raising three children, becoming a grandmother, and even climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro—Sheryl embodies what it means to live fully, bravely, and without regrets.
With her first book “Living Life Full Throttle: Surviving, Serving, and Summiting” published in January 2025, Sheryl reflects on a decades-long journey of healing, reinvention, and choosing courage over fear. Her story will inspire you to embrace challenges, pursue new beginnings at any age, and live life full throttle.
If you’re looking for a reminder of what’s possible—even in your darkest moments—this episode will stay with you long after you’ve listened.
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Sheryl
- Being based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
- Being retired and writing her first book
- Surviving her first solo plane flight at 29 years old
- How this impacted how she lived the rest of her life
- Leaving work and no longer having an excuse not to write her story
- Having 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren
- Having the book published in late January of 2025
- The key moment when life changed
- Changed her focus from survival to service
- Being grateful for everyday and wanting to make her life meaningful for herself and for others
- Supporting burn survivors in Lima, Peru
- Being given a 1% chance of survival
- The importance of her faith, friends and family
- Applying for nursing school at 62
- Learning new skills
- Instead of asking why me - I ask - what’s next
- Looking towards the future
- Having a strong family support system
- Having her faith to fall back on
- Reflecting back on writing her book
- Why it’s been a life long process
- Serving
- Books for Africa
- Deciding to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa
- Deciding what to do with life
- Following a few simple principles
- Living life with no regrets
- Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all
- Do nothing in moderation - give your whole heart to everything that you want to try
- Going back to school at 62 and being a student again
- Don’t be afraid to ask others for help
- Getting back on a plane
- Mental health and support for people going through traumatic experiences
- Raising her children
- What’s next
- Being a life long learner
- Maybe writing another book
- Wanting to encourage people to live their life full throttle
- Why it’s a matter of perspective
- How to connect with Sheryl
- How to buy her book
- Being happy to connect with people
- Final words of advice for women listening
- Don’t be guided by your fear, be guided by the facts and the evidence - do what you feel led to do, so you don’t go to your grave with any regrets.
Social Media
Website: www.
Book: Living Life Full Throttle: Surviving, Serving and Summiting A Memoir
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/
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
Lani Woods is a passionate cyclist, adventurer, and creative force behind a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts. Known for blending her love of cycling with a flair for design, Lani leads initiatives like Triple Crown Adventures to inspire others to explore the world on two wheels. Whether organizing group adventures in Hawaii or crafting unique cycling gear, she’s dedicated to building an inclusive, adventure-loving community.
* Marked as explicit — just one F bomb!
***
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
- Who is Lani
- Being based in Hawaii
- Being a full time adventurer
- Loving to travel and explore
- Being a curious soul
- Growing up in Southern California
- Not being athletic when she was younger
- Getting into athletics in her 30s
- What happened in her 30s
- Having kids at a young age and being in a long term relationship
- Deciding to leave an abusive relationship
- Wanting to feel stronger and release the relationship stress
- Getting back into running and how it made her feel better
- Getting back into the gym and how it helped her mental health
- Deciding to try an obstacle course race
- Dealing with injury and needing to rehab after 3 surgeries
- Getting into bike riding
- Deciding to ride 20 miles to the beach and back
- Feeling the rewards after doing something hard
- Deciding to ride a 100 miles
- Being inspired by the Race Across America
- The self confidence piece
- Being attracted to challenge
- Gaining new knowledge about cycling
- Hosting 2 podcasts :-
- Podcast - Unrelenting Humans
- Podcast - Black with Endurance
- Joining Major Taylor Cycling Club, Los Angles
- Riding from San Francisco to Los Angles
- Wanting to do more business with women
- Tripe Crown Adventures - where the name came from (the California triple crown, riding 3 double centuries in a year)
- Adventure Femmes
- Hosting her first event in Hawaii
- Honolulu Century Ride
- Lanikai Pillbox Hike
- New event happening in 2026
- Training….
- Working with different mentors
- How many bikes…
- Making the decision to move to Hawaii
- Dealing with the heat in Hawaii
- Bucket list races
- Being in a place where she knows what she’s capable of and want she can accomplish
- Wanting to create her own challenges
- Wanting to create more than be apart of other people races and challenges
- Her love for road cycling
- Travelling in Europe
- Bike packing adventures?
- Lael Wilcox
- Jenny Graham
- Lael Rallies
- How to connect with Lani
- Final words of advice for women who want to get into cycling and go on more adventures
- Stay curious, fail big and don’t wait for anyone else
- Don’t be afraid to make your own way—do what you feel is right for you.
Social Media
From a council estate on the Isle of Wight to conquering some of Europe’s toughest mountain ultras, Charlotte Fisher’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Less than three years ago, she had never run competitively. Today, she’s a full-time ultra runner chasing elite races like UTMB and Western States 100, proving that it’s never too late to find your path.
In this episode, Charlotte shares how a charity ultra challenge sparked her running journey, the lessons learned from 50km races to brutal 100-mile mountain ultras, and how running transformed her mindset, confidence, and life. She opens up about the highs, the lows, and the mental toughness required to push through physical limits — from hospitalised near-sepsis to standing on podiums in Europe’s toughest races.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner, an aspiring adventurer, or someone searching for purpose, Charlotte’s story is a powerful reminder that mountains, miles, and mindset can transform your life.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
- How Charlotte went from zero running experience to winning her first ultra
- Lessons learned from extreme races and mountain ultras
- Mental toughness, mindset shifts, and life transformation through running
- Training, fueling, and recovery strategies for endurance athletes
- Why adventure, self-discovery, and community make ultra running so addictive
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
Show notes
Who is Charlotte?
- From the Isle of Wight, UK – where she now lives, works, and trains
- Runs her own dog-walking business
- On a mission to become a full-time professional ultra runner
- Began running less than 3 years ago, starting with a charity ultra with no running experience
Growing Up on the Isle of Wight
- Childhood on a council estate in a rural village
- Outdoor play, but no sporting background
- No sailing or traditional Isle of Wight coastal sports experience
- School pushed her toward law due to academic ability, despite being naturally creative
- Initially chased a law career for financial security, not passion
Leaving Home & Early Adulthood
- Moved to London at 19 for university
- Pivoted from law to Geography degree after a crisis of direction
- Took a gap year to travel and try to “find her path”
- Felt lost through early 20s — unsure of what she should be doing with her life
How Running Entered Her Life
- Started running in Feb 2022, almost accidentally
- Signed up for a 106km Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge with zero running background
- Motivation: Raise money for the hospice that cared for her Aunt Jane, and raise awareness for bowel cancer
- First ever long run attempt: a 35km treadmill run to “qualify” for a guided 50km group run
From First 50km to Winning 106km – All Within 12 Weeks
- Completed first 50km guided run with a coach – extremely tough but gave her belief
- Didn’t run again for 6 months afterwards!
- Hired a coach and trained for 12 weeks for the Isle of Wight 106km race
- Won the race on her ultra debut — a shock to herself and everyone else
- Immediately hooked on ultras — discovered a talent for running “abnormally far”
Rapid Rise to 100 Miles & First Big Reality Check
- Next challenge: 100-mile North Downs Way (Centurion) just 6 months into running
- Won the race — but it was a harsh lesson in mental toughness and fuelling
- Ran through Storm Anthony — torrential rain, strong winds and brutal conditions
- Severe stomach issues, under-fuelled, no proper nutrition strategy
- Learned the importance of fuelling, hydration, and race strategy
Becoming a Mountain Ultra Runner
- Stepped up to technical mountain ultras with Ultra Trail Snowdonia (UTS)
- Originally entered the 100-mile UTS (one of Europe’s toughest races) with no mountain experience
- Only 50% finish rate – often as few as 8 female finishers
- Multiple recce weekends in Snowdonia to train – huge learning curve
- 10 days before UTS she became seriously ill & hospitalised with suspected sepsis
- Still ran the race, finished near the back — emotionally tough but transformative
- Returned the following year 13 hours faster, finishing 3rd and becoming the only woman to finish the UTS 100 twice
Mindset & Transformation Through Running
- Running gave her purpose, discipline, and identity
- Sober for almost 2 years — running helped her leave behind her old lifestyle
- Mental health, confidence, and self-belief have skyrocketed
- Found something where hard work = reward — a completely new feeling after years of feeling lost
Training, Fueling & Recovery – What’s Changed?
Then vs now:
| Early Ultras | Now as an Elite Athlete |
| No fuelling strategy | Structured carb-based fuelling plan |
| No gels, random aid-station food | Precise nutrition to avoid GI issues |
| Minimal recovery | Dedicated recovery shakes & sports therapy |
| Little mountain experience | Regular training trips to European mountains |
- Works with a sports therapist weekly during heavy blocks
- Body now adapts well to 100-mile training & recovery
- Enjoys the solitude, adventure, and freedom of trail running
Favourite Races & Future Goals
Dream Races:
- UTMB – Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (secured elite entry for 2026)
- Western States 100 (USA)
Confirmed Upcoming Races:
- UTMB Mallorca
- Arc of Attrition (January)
- Ultra Trail Snowdonia (May)
- UTMB Chamonix (August)
What Charlotte Loves About Ultra Running
- Adventure, exploration, and seeing the world on foot
- The community, the challenge, the self-discovery
- Prefers mountain ultras over flat/road or backyard ultras
- Loves the beauty, technicality, and grit of long-distance trail running
Where to Find Charlotte
Instagram:
@charlottefisher (shares training, races, and inspiration)
Key Takeaways from Charlotte’s Story
- You don’t need a background in sport to become an athlete
- It’s never too late to discover what you’re meant to do
- You can start from zero — and still reach elite level with dedication
- Mountains, miles, and mindset can transform your life
Social Media
Instagram @charlottefisher
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/
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/
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/
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
Anna Humphries is an adventurer, expedition leader, and founder of The Mountain Girl, whose life is dedicated to getting people outdoors and showing them what’s possible when you push past your comfort zone.
A trained Mountain Leader, Scout Leader, and key member of the Bear Grylls Survival Academy team, Anna has designed and led survival programmes across the UK and around the world. Her work spans everything from logistics and programme development to standing on the frontlines with groups of young people, teaching them resilience and grit in the wild.
Adventure runs through her veins. She has hiked to Everest Base Camp, raced through the National Three Peaks Challenge multiple times — her fastest in under 20 hours — and was part of the first female team to Stand Up Paddle Board across the English Channel. Whether it’s trail running, paddle boarding, or exploring high peaks, Anna thrives on testing her own limits while inspiring others to do the same.
Through The Mountain Girl, Anna champions accessibility in the outdoors, especially for women and young people. She believes in the power of nature to build confidence, connection, and courage.
Her mission is simple: to encourage more people to experience the wild, to discover their inner strength, and to prove to themselves that they are tougher than they think.
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/
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
Show notes
- Who is Anna
- Founder of Mountain Girl
- Growing up close to the Malven Hills
- Being the role model that she needed when she was growing up
- Her early years
- Having an older sister and a twin sister
- Why the Malvens were an adventure playground for her
- Why her teenage years were tough
- Not being in love with herself
- Never feeling as though she fitted in
- Losing her way
- Role models
- Trying 27 jobs….
- Dealing with the doubt in her brain
- The stories she was telling herself
- Describing yourself in different adjectives
- Wanting to be strong and adventurous
- Starting to follow people who inspired her on instagram
- Needing to lose weight and feeling unhealthy
- Tapping into her inner child
- Taking 2 years to lose weight, and getting rid of the hate in her head
- Adventure - Love - Happiness
- I am - I am - I am
- Developing Mountain Girl
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Receiving her gold award
- Volunteering in Scouts
- Badge motivation!
- Starting to head off on her own adventures
- Getting her qualifications and upping her skills
- Becoming a Mountain Leader and how it opened up future opportunities
- Future events happening in 2026
- Visiting Mt. Everest Base Camp
- Setting herself big challenges
- Wanting to share her adventures
- Being adventure driven and not ego driven
- Paddle Boarding across the English Channel
- Becoming a SUP coach
- Overcoming her fear of heights
- Taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge
- The importance of rewards
- How you can connect with Anna
- Final words of advice
- Be the person you needed when you were growing up
- Start to explore social media see what it going on
- Find the inspiration and follow it
- BE IT!!!
Social Media
Website www.themountaingirl.co.uk
Instagram @themountaingirluk
Facebook: @themountaingirluk
Bear Grylls Survival Academy - beargryllssurvivalacademy.com/
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/
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/
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
Instagram @farmingfutures_cycle
Youtube: @
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/
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/
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.
Instagram @beachy_runner
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/
Facebook www.facebook.com/
Book: Running the World: A Runner's Odyssey of Struggle and Triumph in the World Marathon Majors