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Tough Girl Podcast

The Tough Girl Podcast is all about inspiring and motivating YOU! I will be interviewing inspirational women from around the world, who’ve faced and overcome difficult challenges and situations, they will share their story, their knowledge and provide advice and essential tips for you to overcome your own personal challenges. Please check out the Tough Girl Challenges website - www.toughgirlchallenges.com and follow on twitter @_TOUGH_GIRL
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Now displaying: November, 2022
Nov 29, 2022
Adriana in her own words:
 
“My aim is to become the youngest person to complete all 14 8000m peaks. The current record is 30 years 166 days, held by Mingma "David" Gyabu Sherpa, an absolute legend with whom I got to climb on both K2 and Everest. My plan would be to summit all 14 in 3-4 years meaning I would be 23 years old when I complete my mission.
 
In 2021 I summited three of them, Mt. Everest, Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Manaslu all within 6 months.
 
This is a challenge of both mental and physical resilience, power and grit.
 
High altitude mountaineering is one of the deadliest sports in the world, this doesn't scare me. It ignites a fire of passion inside me.”
 
“Be the trailblazer of your own life”
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t miss out. 
 
Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media especially in relation to adventure and physical challenges. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you.
 
Show notes
  • Who is Adrianna 
  • Being a full time mountaineer
  • Living between London and Nepal
  • Starting to climb at 9 years old
  • Doing the 3 peaks challenge in 24hrs and becoming the youngest person to complete the challenge (this record has since been broken)
  • Getting into endurance events with her dad
  • Role models in the adventure/mountaineering world 
  • The why behind climbing Everest
  • Wanting to be unique and different
  • Feeling under pressure to go to University 
  • Why university wasn’t for her and quitting after 3 months
  • Trying to make a living from mountaineering
  • Having Nimsdai Purja as her guide
  • Paying for expeditions
  • Being supported by her parents
  • Reaching out for sponsorship
  • The work that goes on behind the scenes
  • Connecting with the North Face
  • Taking on the Welsh 3000ers in 24hrs  at 16 years old 
  • Starting at 3am on Crib Goch a grade 1 scramble
  • Climbing Aconcagua - her first taste of altitude and why it was a boring climb
  • The hardest part of the climb
  • Coping with the down time, dull days 
  • The mental side of mountaineering 
  • Learning the art of patience
  • Facing and dealing with fear in the mountains
  • Letting the negative thoughts in and not being able to think straight
  • How things can change in minutes 
  • Trying to stay calm
  • Magical moments in the the mountains 
  • Being inspired to take on the 14,000 project
  • Training and fitness to take on the 8,000m peaks
  • Plans for 2022 and the next few years
  • March - May 2022 - Kangchenjunga (Summited May 17th 2022), Lhotse (Summited May 22nd 2022), Makalu, (Summited May 28th 2022)
  • Flying to Pakistan for K2 and BroadPeak (Both Submitted July 2022)
  • How climbing with her guide works - Gelje Sherpa IG @gelje_sherpa_ 
  • The current record for climbing the 14, 8K peaks is 36 for a woman - Adrianna would be 23 (she has 4 more mountains to climb)
  • Connect with Adrianna (see below)
  • Final words of advice 
 
Social Media
 
 
Instagram: @adri.brownlee 
 
Facebook: @adriana.brownlee 
 
Nov 22, 2022
Carla is a Clinical Psychologist, queer vegan and a lover of all things outdoors; adventurer, runner, endurance cyclist and lapsed climber based near the Peak District in the UK. She is an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities taking up space in the outdoors and is a committee member with the awesome Peak Queer Adventures (PQA) based in Sheffield and member of the Women of Colour Cycling Collective (WCCC). 
 
Carla’s love of the outdoors started from an early age, however gender roles and expectations sadly stopped her from fully embracing that love as a teenager. She reconnected with the outdoors and solo adventures after moving to North Wales to undertake her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in her mid-twenties, and hasn’t looked back. 
 
She was awarded the Ultra Distance Scholarship in 2021, which is aimed at increasing representation of BAME cyclists in ultra distance cycling and getting them to the start line of an ultra distance race, a typically overwhelmingly white and male niche of cycling. 
 
This amazing opportunity has been life-changing and she’s gone from not being confident at all in her cycling abilities, to cycling 500km off road from Edinburgh to Manchester, her longest, hardest ride to date. She’s met the most amazing people, grown in confidence and felt like she’s found her people. 
 
She started an Instagram account after winning the Scholarship, to document her journey from (almost couch) to 2000km with the hope of inspiring queer people and people of colour, particularly black womxn, to get on their bikes and enjoy nature. 
 
You can find her at @acurlyoutdoors; check out Peak Queer Adventures at @peakqueeradventures and the Women of Colour Cycling Collective at @wccc_uk. 
 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media especially in relation to adventure and physical challenges. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and support.  Thank you.
 
Show notes
  • Who is Carla
  • What she loves
  • Being based in the Peak District, UK
  • Wanting to encourage others to take up space in the outdoors
  • Her early years and growing up with a passion for the outdoors
  • Getting to explore in the woods
  • Her love of nature and wanting to protect the environment
  • Not feeling comfortable in secondary school with her body and spending time in the outdoors
  • Training to be a Clinical Psychologist in North Wales
  • Going out early in the morning to avoid people
  • Spending time in the mountains
  • Feeling the fear and doing it anyway
  • The Devils Kitchen - located behind Llyn Idwal nestled within Cwm Idwal in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia National Park.
  • Gaining new skills and knowledge 
  • Feeling brave 
  • Thinking about becoming a Mountain Leader (ML) but not seeing herself represented and not feeling comfortable
  • Recording good quality mountain days and keeping a track of what she was doing
  • Getting new gear
  • Looking for opportunities in the mountains 
  • Getting into wild camping, trail running and climbing
  • Finding community and connecting with other people who are interested in the outdoors
  • Enjoying spending time on her own
  • Meditation through movement
  • Getting into cycling and connecting with the cycling community
  • The Ultra Distance Scholarship  An initiative increasing diversity and representation within ultra distance cycling and racing 
  • Being inspired by Vera Ngosi-Sambrook 
  • The power of taking action
  • The reality of taking on an ultra cycling challenge
  • Focused training from November 2021 - August 2022
  • Dealing with injuries and saddle sores
  • Wanting to do long rides with other people
  • Using instagram to reach out and connect with people 
  • Learning how to cycle off road
  • The Pennine Rally - 100 riders, 500 kilometres and five days of testing off-road riding from Edinburgh to Manchester down Britain’s backbone.
  • Fuelling as a vegan
  • Outdoor Provisions make Natural Energy Bars & Nut Butters - Use code TRYOP for 25% off Starter Packs 
  • Accidental vegan food
  • Being on the start line and what the rally was like
  • Cycling approx 100k per day 
  • The impact on her confidence after completing the rally
  • Dealing with the low points and self doubt
  • Mental resilience and the mental challenge of taking on a challenge
  • Drawing on her skills and knowledge from working as a Clinical Psychologist 
  • Using the grounding technique 
  • The power of music to change your mood
  • Dealing with her nerves 
  • Being optimistic and calm
  • Giving herself permission to get off and push if she needed to
  • Taking the pressure off 
  • Plans for 2023 and wanting to do an ultra cycling race
  • How to connect with Carla
  • Her beautiful bike - “Betty”
  • Frame bag by Wizard Works
  • Final words of advice
  • The power of finding your people, your tribe and your community
  • Sharing your passion with other people
  • Getting into climbing via taster days 
 
 
Social Media
 
Instagram 
 
@acurlyoutdoors 
 
@wccc_uk 
 
@peakqueeradventures 
 
Nov 17, 2022
Shona's most herself when she's moving outdoors - paying attention to and connecting with beauty. She works as a counsellor and a life coach. She lives a simple and contented life in the highlands of Scotland, sprinkled with adventures.
 
Shona has shared her passion for the outdoors on previous episodes of the tough girl podcast. 
 
You can listen to those episodes here. 
 
 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out. 
 
To support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Sign up as a Patron -  www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 
 
Show Notes
  • Who is Shona
  • Living in Inverness
  • Woking as a counsellor and a life coach
  • Her passion for connecting with other people and the natural world
  • First speaking with Shona on Jul 9, 2019 - Taking on new challenges at 40 & her preparation for thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail
  • Catching up with Shona after completing the PCT - Dec 26, 2019 - Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail - 2,650 miles SOBO from Canada to Mexico!
  • Catch up - what’s been going on
  • Reflecting back on 2020
  • Making a commitment to herself to work as a counsellor again
  • Getting out of her own way
  • 2020/2021 - deciding to take on a new challenge
  • Deciding to climb all 282 munros across Scotland in 282 days
  • Climbing Suilven with Shona - watch the vlog   
  • The challenges of mountaineering in the winter
  • Not knowing if she could do it
  • Starting to think what’s possible
  • When things don’t work out how you planned
  • Dealing with the difficult days
  • Why it’s about the journey
  • Planning the adventure 
  • Embracing flexibility 
  • Doing the Highland Wilderness Journeys - with Anna Danby 
  • Anna Danby Wild Roots Highland Guiding
  • Walking the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand 
  • Winding down life in Scotland
  • Renting out her house while she’s away
  • Getting the right gear - new rucksack and sleeping bag 
  • RAB Mythic 400 
  • Road walking and hitchhiking
  • Wanting to enjoy photography and wiring while in nature 
  • Giving herself permission 
  • Living a life of adventure and living a life of freedom
  • Connecting to people through her work
  • Saying no to things
  • Documenting the journey while on the TA 
  • How to connect with Shona
  • Inviting people to get curious - what do they want? How do they want to live?
  • Being inspired by Mary Oliver - “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
 
Social Media
 
 
Life Coaching - www.shonafitness.co.uk 
 
Instagram - @walkwildcoach
 
Nov 15, 2022
Purusha Gordon - mum of two, aged 43 is no longer a stranger to wild challenges after a change of mindset 6 years ago transformed her life. 
 
Having battled with depression and weight gain after the arrival of her children, Purusha realised something had to change. Approaching her 40’s in the worst shape and health she’d ever been in, Purusha’s mission became to create a healthy lifestyle, to rebuild confidence and self belief, living life for each day.
 
After completing 40 challenges in her 40th year, the love and passion for living life healthy and well opened up an opportunity to take on the challenge to build a team and row unsupported across the Pacific Ocean in 2021. 
 
Purusha believes it is never too late to make a positive change to your physical and mental health and with a bucket load of determination and hard work, 6 years later she has set a new World Record, rowing across the Pacific Ocean as part of the Ocean Sheroes team. 
 
Pulling together a challenge of this enormity in a global pandemic took a big dose resilience and positivity to overcome hurdle after hurdle. 
 
Purusha now spends her time speaking about her journey to health and works under the umbrella of The Health and Wellbeing Expert. 
 
Using her experience in this field Purusha is passionate about helping individuals and organisations create healthier, happier and more balanced lives. 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
You can support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.
 
Show Notes
  • Purusha, in her own words
  • Purusha's journey to the Pacific Ocean
  • Growing up as a sporty child
  • Her fondness for water
  • Having children in her mid-30s
  • Smoking, drinking coffee, and weight gain
  • What it’s like to go on a five-day detox
  • Experiencing postnatal depression
  • Why did Purusha decide to go on a detox
  • What she did to get back into fitness
  • Losing weight and feeling better
  • Signing up for Tough Mudder
  • Completing 40 challenges in her 40th year
  • Challenges in preparation for the Pacific race
  • 18 months of preparation during the pandemic
  • Finding a team to complete the race
  • How the team came together during the global pandemic
  • What motivates Purusha
  • Feeling empowered and stronger
  • Rowing the Pacific Ocean in 35 days, 14 hours and 32 minutes
  • Everyone having a role to play on the boat
  • Putting friendship at the top of priorities
  • Living life in the present and in the moment
  • Disengaging from technology and its beauty
  • The magical moments she had while rowing the Pacific Ocean
  • Some of Purusha's future plans and challenges
  • Moving into the health and well-being space
  • "It's never too late to do anything."
  • The story behind her first name
  • Final words of advice
 
Social Media
 
Website: www.thehealthandwellbeingexpert.com 
 
Instagram: @purusha.gordon 
 
Health & Wellbeing @thehealthandwellbeingexpert 
 
Twitter: @purushagordon
 
In June 2021, Ocean Sheroes set off in The Great Pacific Rowing Race, a 2,700 mile row from San Francisco, California to Waikiki, Hawaii.
 
Aiming to break the current female-four World Record of 50 days, 8 hours and 14 minutes, set in 2014, Bella Collins, Purusha Gordon, Lily Lower and Mary Sutherland set a NEW WORLD RECORD of 35 Days, 14 Hours and 32 Minutes
 
Instagram: @oceansheroes 
 
Nov 8, 2022
Rue founded Outdoor Afro as a social enterprise in 2009. 
 
The now national not-for-profit celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Headquartered in Oakland, California, Outdoor Afro incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2015. Today, the staffed organization includes more than 100 trained volunteer leaders, led and designed by Rue to innovate not-for-profit as movements of change. 
 
International cruise line Hurtigruten Expeditions made cruise industry history with the creation of its Black Traveler Advisory Board. Hurtigruten invited Rue to become one of its founding members. Rue took an 18-day Antarctica voyage in February 2022 to help drive change and new opportunities for Black people in the adventure cruise industry, increasing visibility and inclusivity of Black travellers.
 
When Rue shares stories from the land, people of all walks of life listen. She’s served on national platforms with congresspeople, outdoor professionals, corporate partners, and global leaders.
 
“Nature Swagger” is Rue’s first book by American publisher Chronicle Books. This project is a beautiful combination of breathtaking photos and compelling stories of Black joy in nature. The book releases to the public Nov. 1, 2022. 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t miss out. 
 
You can support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Sign up as a Patron -  www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 
 
 
Show Notes
  • Who is Rue and what she does
  • Living in Northern California 
  • Growing up between the city and a ranch
  • Early childhood memories from spending time in nature
  • The importance of hospitality
  • Learning more about her family
  • Having a natural curiosity for the environment 
  • The stories that weren’t being told
  • Sharing a new narrative of the Black experience
  • The origin story of Outdoor Afro in 2009
  • Asking herself the question - what does she really want to do?
  • Growing through outdoor experiences
  • Being an early adopter of technology 
  • Growing a team of 120 Outdoor Afro Volunteer Leaders 
  • The joy of nature and the joy of being outside
  • The importance of remaining a practitioner 
  • Her love of the water
  • Spending time in Antarctica 
  • The importance of having the right gear
  • Designing a new clothing collaboration with REI
  • REI X Outdoor Afro
  • Wanting to solve problems especially with fit and function
  • Wanting to wear bright colours 
  • 2022 and what a year it’s been 
  • Why Outdoor Afro has been a 13 year overnight success story 
  • Writing her book over the past 2 years 
  • Book: Nature Swagger Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors 
  • How to connect with Rue on the Socials
  • Her plans/visions for 2023
  • Thinking about succession planning for Outdoor Afro
  • Final words of advice 
 
Social Media
 
Website ruemapp.com 
 
Instagram @ruemapp 
 
Facebook @RueMapp 
 
Twitter @RueMapp 
 
Book: Nature Swagger Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors. 
 
An exquisite combination of beautiful photography and compelling stories, this book from Outdoor Afro founder, Rue Mapp, celebrates Black joy in nature. 
 
Filled with breathtaking photography, inspiring stories, profiles, and spotlights from Outdoor Afro group members, prominent Black leaders in outdoor spaces, and other organizations, this book inspires Black communities to reclaim their place in the natural world. Interspersed throughout are essays from Mapp on the rich history of Black involvement in the outdoors, activism, and conservation, as well as resources for readers who want to deepen their own connection with the elements. A perfect blend of gorgeous photographs, awe-inspiring stories, and Black history, this collection is the perfect gift for anyone looking to heal in these sacred natural spaces.
 
https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/nature-swagger
 
Nov 1, 2022
Gill in her own words:
 
“My name is Gill Castle, and in October 2011 I gave birth to my son, Sam, at 34 weeks gestation, a traumatic birth which resulted in a permanent stoma (colostomy). Over the following years I have set out to prove to myself, and others, what is achievable with a stoma, as initially I was presented with a lot of “no, you can’t do that with one of those”. I also wanted to overcome the trauma of the birth, which resulted in the loss of my job as a police officer, and which forced me to create a new identity for myself. 
 
On my website I signpost people to all the amazing organisations out there who can help, like the Birth Trauma Association, the Masic Foundation, Purple Wings, Samaritans, Colostomy UK to name but a few. 
 
Am I superwoman? Absolutely 110% not. Lots of women suffer like me and come out the other side ok. But when you are experiencing such a load of shite there is often no one who has made it out onto the other side who is shouting about the good life that is possible. 
 
I want to be that person. I want to show that girl who was living through hell that it can turn out ok in the end. 
How will I do it? Simply by my actions. I will gladly, happily, discuss people’s trauma with them, and discuss my own, in PM, I understand that talking and discussing helps. But I want to just SHOW you by everything I do, every smile I have, that you can be happy, you can do things. The same for people with stomas.
 
But, this is also true for ANYONE. I want to sweep people along with my enthusiasm for life and encourage you all to just get OUT THERE and TRY something. Anything! We all have our own desires and goals. So many people say to me that they would “love” to do something “but I’m too scared” . 
 
WAIT UP! Have you actually tried it? How do you know then? 
 
I understand trauma, I understand pain, I understand fear. But right now I understand HOPE and JOY. 
 
That’s it really, just me, doing my thing, being happy, being active and encouraging people to do to the same.” 
 
  • During this episode there is a lot of poo chat and very open and honest conversations about child birth injury and recovering from trauma.  If you are not sure if you should listen to this episode- for what ever reason - I would encourage you to ask a friend to listen to it first to make sure it is suitable for where you are in your journey. The episode will always be here, so there is no pressure for you to listen to it now.
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t miss out. 
 
To support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media especially in relation to adventure and physical challenges. Sign up as a Patron -  www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 
 
Show Notes
  • Who is Gill?
  • How animals and the outdoors are important parts of her life 
  • Starting to have sailing lessons at eight
  • Enjoying sailing with her brother until seeing the film Jaws
  • Not going back to the sea for about 30 years 
  • Her next big challenge in 2023 - swimming the English Channel
  • Reasons for taking up the challenge 
  • What is a stoma and how it is formed
  • Dealing with mental health issues 
  • How a stoma impacts Gill's life
  • Feeling lucky and starting to embrace her life
  • Saying YES to everything 
  • Doing her first sprint triathlon
  • Doing Olympic distance and half Ironman
  • Sharing her journey for the first time in public to raise awareness 
  • Raising over £5000 for the Birth Trauma Association
  • Training and nutrition 
  • Biggest challenges and lessons that changed her life
  • Gill's experience at a swim camp 
  • Why she doesn't want to watch Jaws again
  • Overcoming her fear of open water 
  • Getting her slot in Dover to swim the English Channel
  • Getting full sponsorship from Hollister Incorporated
  • Planning and preparation for the event 
  • Getting a shoulder injury
  • How she’s getting back into training
  • "The more miles, the better" 
  • Working on the mental side of the channel swim 
  • Struggling with relaxation

 

Social Media
 
 
Instagram @stoma_chameleon 
 
 
 
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