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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: 2022
Apr 14, 2022
Omie in her own words:
 
“I’m a keen swimmer and swim teacher, having worked in the leisure industry since 2013. In my teaching role I've worked with a variety of different ages and abilities both in the UK and abroad.
 
I have been exploring the issue of diversity in aquatics and the leisure industry with my own project titled, ‘If 71% of the world is water, how can we feel at home if we don't know how to swim?’. 
 
I currently work for the Black Swimming Association in community engagement and communication and volunteer in my spare time for Pride in Water, and work as a volunteer swim host for Mental Health Swims in the London region.”
 
“Swimming has given me so much – employment, friendships and both physical and mental health benefits.”
 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday 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. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.
 
Show notes
  • Who is Omie
  • Her work and love for swimming
  • Getting into swimming from a young age
  • Her love for teaching people
  • Not being able to join a swim club
  • Swimming competitively for her school
  • Role models who inspired Omie growing up
  • What she wanted to be 
  • Being academic at school
  • Talking with non swimmers
  • Teaching people how to swim
  • Wanting to make people feel as comfortable as possible
  • The joy of swimming
  • Loving outdoor swimming
  • Swimming in London
  • The support of the outdoor swimming community
  • The stress of swimming in pools
  • Advice and tips for outdoor swimming
  • Go with experienced people when it’s your first time
  • Why you need to be prepared
  • Working for the Black Swim Association
  • Working on a research project with the University of Portsmouth regarding Bone Density
  • Engaging with community leaders across the UK
  • Mental Health Swims and being a swim host
  • Working with Patagonia in 2021 on the Outsiders Project
  • What’s changed in swimming over the past few years
  • Plans for 2022 and wanting to go with the flow a bit more
  • Managing her mental health and putting herself first
  • Needing to talk about other stuff apart from swimming
  • Enjoying reading and writing 
  • Needing a creative outlet
  • Connect with Omie on the socials 
  • Final words of advice
  • The power of community 
  • Being surrounded by people who are proud of you and support you
 
Social Media
 
Website: omie-dale.com 
 
Instagram: @omiedale 
 
Twitter: @omie_dale 
 
Apr 12, 2022
Abhejali Bernardova (44, Czech Republic) of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team completed an extreme ultra-triathlon from Dover to Prague, during which she covered a total of 1111 km across the 3 disciplines: 34 km swimming, 895 km cycling, 182 km running. It took her 7 days, 12 hours and 5 minutes. 
 
She started on Monday September 13 2021 at 3am from Dover. In very challenging conditions, with the wind at force 5, she swam the English Channel in 15 hours and 33 minutes. The only other successful crossing on the same day was a 5-person relay team. It was her last chance to swim this year and the swim had already been postponed a few times. 
 
Restrictions did not allow her to stay in France, so she had to take a detour back to Dover and then take a ferry to France. She then cycled from Calais to her hometown of Cheb, near the Czech/German border. 
 
The cycling leg, which took her 4 days, was approximately 900 kilometres through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. She arrived in Cheb on Saturday afternoon, then ran 182km to Prague, arriving on Monday afternoon. Her daily average was 220km cycling and 2 marathons running. 
 
The Czech athlete successfully completed her first English Channel swim 10 years ago. In 2018 she became the 1st Czech, the 10th person in the world, 4th woman and the 1st person from a landlocked country to complete the Oceans Seven*, seven difficult long-distance swims around the world. She is also the only Czech holder of the Triple Crown** of long-distance swimming. 
 
With her ultra-triathlon she aims to connect people and places and inspire others to break down and cross barriers in their own lives. If she can go from the UK to the Czech Republic under her own steam, then we really are closer to each other than we realise, we just put up unnecessary walls between us. She also tries to inspire others to overcome their own limits and show that these limits are often self-created. 
 
 (*) Oceans Seven include: English Channel, Gibraltrar Strait, Tsugaru Strait, Catalina Channel, Molokai Channel, North Channel, Cook Strait – all solo, non-wetsuit. See also: https://www.openwaterpedia.com/wiki/Oceans_Seven
(**) The Triple Crown includes: English Channel, Catalina Channel, around Manhattan. https://www.openwaterpedia.com/wiki/Triple_Crown_of_Open_Water_Swimming 
 
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. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and sign up - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.
 
Show notes
  • Her love for swimming in the ocean
  • Wanting to share her adventures 
  • Her childhood and growing up in the Czech Republic 
  • Learning to swim in Russia
  • Not coming from a sports family 
  • Hearing about the English Channel
  • Starting meditation at 18 years old with Sri Chinmoy 
  • Wanting to know herself better
  • Wanting to step outside her comfort zone
  • Going to university and getting into running
  • Going after longer and longer distances
  • Running a marathon doing laps
  • “I can do more”
  • Swimming the English Channel in 2011
  • Getting into flow while swimming
  • Completing the Oceans 7 Challenge in 2018
  • Coping with the cold water
  • Taking cold showers in the morning
  • Being scared by sharks
  • Beautiful moments while swimming
  • Advice for going further with swimming 
  • Tips and advice for recovery
  • Sleeping for 7 hrs a night
  • Being a Peace Ultra Runner 
  • The Peace Run 
  • Loving the 24hrs races
  • When it gets difficult on the 24hr races
  • Deciding on a new challenge
  • The logistical challenges of putting the plan together
  • Being dependant on the weather for the swim
  • The training involved to get physically ready for the challenge
  • How her body has changed from 34 to 44
  • Needing more time to recover
  • Finishing in Prague
  • “I can do it - I have already done it”
  • Use your imagination even while training to tell yourself you can do it
  • Why you should DREAM BIG!!! 
  • Future dream challenges
  • Adventure blues….
  • Thank you to Abhejali
 
Social Media
 
Website: abhejali.cz 
 
Instagram: @abhejali
 
Apr 7, 2022
Rebecca Lowe is a freelance journalist from London who specialises in human rights and the Middle East. 
 
In 2015-16, she cycled 11,000km solo from London to Tehran. 
 
Her first book, THE SLOW ROAD TO TEHRAN, documenting her year-long journey, paints a living portrait of the Middle East through its people, politics and historic relationship with the West, and challenges much of the perceived wisdom about this region of the world. It was published in March 2022 by September Books in the UK and MVG in Germany.
 
During her career, Rebecca has written for the Guardian, BBC, Independent, Huffington Post, Economist, Sunday Times Magazine, Daily Mail, Evening Standard, Spectator and IranWire, as well as numerous travel, music and sports magazines. 
 
From 2010-15, she was the lead reporter at the International Bar Association, where she focused on human rights and the rule of law, and in 2018 she contributed to the adventure travel anthology THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS: TRAVEL STORIES THAT MAKE YOUR HEART GROW, published by Summersdale. 
 
Rebecca is a Fellow at the Royal Geographical Society and holds a BA in English Literature from Cambridge University and an MA in Journalism from Stanford University, where she was awarded a scholarship.
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
To find out more about supporting the Tough Girl Podcast and becoming a patron please visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast
 
Show Notes
  • Who is Rebecca
  • Being a journalist for over a decade
  • Becoming interested in the Middle East 
  • Deciding to quit her job and cycle from London to Iran
  • Becoming a new mum while finishing off her new book
  • The challenges of motherhood and juggling work
  • Being adventurous and having an independent spirit
  • Being into sports and playing with the boys
  • Where her interest in the middle east came from 
  • Always wanting to become a writer 
  • Explaining what the Arab Spring is (2010- 2011)
  • Her journey with cycling 
  • Trying to find a bike via sponsorship
  • Learning to cycle with Panniers
  • Packing everything!!
  • Not feeling prepared before the trip
  • Learning how to deal with new situations
  • Getting into her cycling rhythm
  • Going from West to East
  • Feeling overwhelmed by undertaking big challenges
  • Concerns and fears before starting the journey 
  • The challenges of being a journalist while travelling
  • Taking precautions before the trip 
  • The benefits of being a woman in the Middle East
  • What it was like day to day
  • Having a budget of £15 per day 
  • Trying to avoid the heat
  • The wonderful food!
  • Learning different cultures 
  • Getting to the end of the trip and being ready to finish
  • Dealing with punctures
  • Arriving into Tehran and getting to the finish line
  • Missing the Uk 
  • The lessons learning from time spend on the road
  • Feeling more confident and being able to cope with new situations
  • Connect with Rebecca
  • Final words of advice 
  • Start slowly and push those boundaries
  • Why you can go on Big Adventures
  • Mantra and powerful quotes
 
Social Media
 
Website: thebicyclediaries.co.uk  
 
Instagram: @reo_lowe 
 
Twitter: @reo_lowe 
 
Apr 5, 2022
Kumbi in her own words:
 
“I’m Kumbi, a fun loving adventurous woman. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe and came over to England to study nursing when I was 18.
 
I love all things outdoors, from climbing, hiking, camping, cycling.
 
I am a senior nurse in the NHS, and I have been very thankful that I have the ability to go outdoors and destress. 
 
It is one of the places that I am able to practice Mindfulness, which has kept me grounded through some of the most challenging times that I have experienced during this pandemic.
 
I hope to share my love and inspire others to explore and be adventurous!”
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The tough girl podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast
 
Show Notes
  • Who is Kumbi
  • What she does and her love of the outdoors
  • Being an outgoing child
  • Spending time in the outdoors
  • Wanting to be a lawyer
  • Her current role in the NHS
  • Looking at health inequalities
  • Making the move to the UK
  • Growing up speaking English
  • Her university days and not having a car
  • Going back to the start of the pandemic
  • Being redeployed to 111 (Non emergency help line in the UK)
  • Needing to have a break between work and home life
  • Getting back into climbing again 
  • Becoming a member of Extreme Sports Central 
  • Making the transition from the gym to climbing outside
  • Joining the British Mountaineering Council (BMC)
  • The Women's Trad Festival 
  • Overcoming fears while climbing
  • Learning to be kind to herself
  • Breaking problems down step by step
  • Looking at diversity in the sport
  • “Climbing is for all and everyone is welcome”
  • The role models and women she looks up to 
  • Learning to be kind to herself
  • Climbing goals for 2022
  • Magical moments in the outdoors
  • Type 2 and Type 3 fun
  • Being a speaker at Kendal Mountain Festival
  • Wanting to be a role model
  • Final words of advice
 
Social Media
 
Instagram: @here_climbs_krumbles 
 
Mar 31, 2022
Nicola Hardy worked in IT in South Yorkshire for a decade before diving into freelance life as an adventurer and outdoor writer in 2019. She began by climbing all 282 of Scotland's Munros and - after her plans to hike 3000km in New Zealand were scuppered by Covid - she continued adventuring closer to home. 
 
In 2020 she walked 330km from her birthplace in Sheffield to her new home in Cockermouth, Cumbria, journeying on foot across three national parks; and in 2021 she climbed all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District over seven long weekends, a quirky book-by-book peak-bagging adventure.
 
Nic in her own words:
 
“I'm basically half IT organised spreadsheet nerd and half outdoor adventure loving hiker. I've taken a series of steps over the last 5 years to make my life as outdoorsy and adventurous as possible. I quit my job and sold my house in April 2019 and had 6 months of Scottish hill walking adventure, since then I've dabbled in route writing, gear reviewing, festival speaking, outdoor magazine/website writing whilst spending as much time outdoors around all that as I can. 
 
I also now work a 2-day a week job to keep regular income coming in whilst doing my freelance work and adventuring around that. Flipping the 5-day working week on its head and ensuring my love for the outdoors doesn't become stressful due to the need to focus constantly on monetising it.”
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8 supporting the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.
 
If you’re interested in Inov-8 products, get your exclusive 15% discount code by signing up HERE
 
Show Notes
  • Who is Nicola Hardy?
  • Getting into the outdoors 5 years ago
  • Being inspired by her parents to be active
  • Growing up in Sheffield
  • Falling in and out of love with running
  • Reaching her early 30s in a senior management role
  • Living to work 
  • Making changes to her life in 2016
  • Planning some walks in the Peak District
  • Spending more time in the outdoors in 2017
  • Wanting to go higher, further and to really challenge herself
  • Making a commitment to spending time outdoors
  • Deciding to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro and getting a team together 
  • Having 100 followers on Instagram
  • Meeting her partner James though an IG meet up
  • Peak Bagging and getting to explore more of the Lake District
  • Enjoying the planning of routes
  • Wanting to do more but being held back by work commitments
  • Making big changes to her life
  • Selling her house and quitting her job
  • Wanting to make a full time living from Adventure
  • How she approached the first few months
  • Planning to hike all 282 munros in Scotland in a 6 months period
  • Wanting to try a thru-hike
  • Not looking after herself when it came to nutrition
  • Wanting to have a healthy work life balance 
  • Going tunnel vision on a task
  • Wanting to leave a legacy and to show people they can make brave choices
  • Connecting with adventurers through instagram 
  • Getting into volunteering 
  • Walking home 2020
  • Settling in the Lake District
  • 2020 and working with Komoot
  • Working 2 days per week and having 5 days off to adventure 
  • Creating a life that works for her
  • Talking through the planning process of turning an idea into reality
  • Starting with maps and picking something which is a bit quirky
  • Using public transport to get around all the Wainwrights in the Lake District.
  • Nutrient and current diet
  • Making sure to fuel adequately during hikes
  • Maintaining fitness and what training looks like
  • Magical moments out in the mountains
  • Getting nervous about parking
  • Working as an ambassador for Inov-8
  • Inov-8 creating gear for the fast and light, hiker market
  • Super light hiking boot - ROCFLY G 390 - World’s first hiking boot with Graphene foam. 390g
  • My next challenge…
  • Advice and top tips for other women who want to get into the mountains 
  • The benefits of spending time with other people who have more experience 
  • Trying new things and figuring out what you enjoy
  • Dealing with the rain in the mountains and reframing it
  • Finding the one sport that you love
  • Finding ways to get through the tough times
  • Connect with Nic on the Socials 
  • Future plans for 2022…
 
Social Media
 
Website adventurernic.com 

Instagram @adventurer.nic 

Twitter @adventurernic 

Facebook @adventurer.nic.official 

Komoot Adventurer Nic
 
Recent adventures are all catalogued in a series of komoot 'Collections' here - https://www.komoot.com/user/979759071586
 
***
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8 
 
Website: www.inov-8.com 
 
Instagram: @inov_8 
 
Mar 29, 2022
Tasha, 43, from London is the founder of Black Girls Do Run UK. 
 
In 2019, Tasha set up the online community to inspire black women to run for their health, fitness and mental wellbeing.  
 
Tasha talking about running:
 
“I am a runner and running is definitely part of my identity and how I am often identified by others. For me, being a runner is to simply be someone who runs, enjoys running and becomes miserable if they cannot run – because it is such a big and important part of your life and who you are. It is not about racing, speed, distance, fitness levels or running daily, it is a feeling where life isn’t quite right without running.”
 
Listen to Tasha on the Tough Girl Podcast as she shares more about her life, her passion for running, how she got into running, what she loves about it as well as giving you lots of top tips to help you with your running journey. 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8.
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
 
Show notes
  • Who is Tasha
  • Living in London
  • Being a runner for 23 years
  • Doing her first race in 1999
  • Growing up with an older sister in there early 80s
  • Spending time in the outdoors
  • Being a runner at school and being encouraged to join the athletics team
  • Running 800m and 1500m
  • What happened after leaving school
  • Her early 20s and not being active
  • Exercising 3x a week?
  • Wanting to lead an active lifestyle
  • Loving the treadmill
  • Going running outside for the first time and why she loved it
  • Doing her first 5k and why it helped to change her life
  • Being encouraged to sign up for her first race
  • Being a runner and identifying as such
  • How running makes her feel
  • Her running journey 
  • Being inspired by the London Marathon
  • Doing the London Marathon in 2000 and raising money for charity 
  • How it felt finishing the race
  • Doing the Paris Marathon in 2004
  • The women who have inspired Tasha 
  • Being inspired by Paula Radcliffe
  • How you entered the London Marathon before it being online
  • Being inspired by everyday women
  • Making running work for her 
  • Fitting running into her life and having to be creative with her time
  • Choosing to run at 5am
  • Training for a half marathon in April 
  • Founding Black Girls Do Run UK in 2019
  • Her goals for Black Girl Do Run UK and how it has grown over the years
  • Keeping the community together during Covid
  • How running has changed over the past 23 years
  • Representation in magazines and in races
  • Advice for new runners
  • Why the most important thing is that your moving
  • Losing your running mojo
  • Training herself to run without music
  • Using Strava
  • Connect with Tasha and Black Girls Do Run UK
  • Final words of advice and wisdom
  • Start small and be consistent
 
Social Media
 
Instagram: @blackgirlsdorunuk 
 
Facebook: @blackgirlsdorunuk 
 
Twitter: @bgdrunuk 
 
***
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8 
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
Website: www.inov-8.com 
 
Instagram: @inov_8 
 
Mar 24, 2022
Miriam in her own words:
 
“I am also an ordinary ultra runner. I have finished eight 50 mile ultras, three 100 mile ultras, six 24-hour, 1 48-hour ultra, and one 60 hour ultra. I also ran several virtual ultras and marathons during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
I began running ultras after watching Leslie Stahl interview elite world-class ulta runners Dean Karnazes and Pam Reed on 60 Minutes in 2004. 
 
I have been running ultras since 2005. Prior to running ultras, I completed nine marathons, eight half-marathons, one 10 miler, and five 5Ks. I have been running competitively since 1989.
 
I am a published author, freelance writer, interviewer, and book reviewer. You can read my publications in the Writing Life tab. In my blog you'll find interviews with ultrarunners, such as Jacob Moss, Kevin Hoegler, Dean Karnazes, Camille Herron, Bart Yasso, Charlie Engle, Pamela Chapman Markle, Catra Corbett, Gene Dykes, and Peter Morgan.I  write book reviews, and articles about gardening, the national parks, spirituality, cancer caregiving, and more. 
 
I am a cancer caregiver. I have been running virtual ultra running events during the Covid-19 pandemic to raise money for a GoFundMe campaign I established - Ultra Care for Cancer Caregivers." 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by @inov_8
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
 
Show notes
  • Who is Miriam
  • Born and raised in Connecticut 
  • Starting to get into running after a break-up
  • 2005 - running her first 50 mile Ultra Marathon
  • Getting hooked on ultra running
  • Why she loves running
  • Plotting her next ultra
  • Turning 63 years young
  • Being a writer and a blogger in 2017
  • Writing for the Huffington Post and working on her memoir 
  • Being her husbands cancer care giver 
  • Learning more about her childhood and early years
  • Not being athletic as a child 
  • Being the tallest girl in the class
  • Using running to reduce stress
  • Running 9 marathons but finding that there were too many people
  • Placing 3rd in her first 24hr race
  • Running a 3 mile loop around a lake in Massachusetts
  • Dealing with some health challenges
  • Having a hysterectomy in 2012
  • Dealing with complications post surgery
  • Allowing her body time to heal
  • Going back to her first ultra
  • Running an ultra of gratitude
  • Mental resilience while running
  • Using running to heal her body
  • Feeling blessed to be running
  • Why she knows she is never running alone
  • Feeling god’s presence 
  • Running with purpose 
  • Coming in dead last in her 2nd ultra and why it was joyful 
  • Focusing on track ultras
  • Making running work for her and John
  • Celebrating her 60th birthday by running 60 miles on a 1 mile loop
  • Dedicating a run to John and his surgeons 
  • Running for others and wanting to raise funds for Cancer Care Givers
  • Ultra Care for Cancer Care Givers 
  • Training for her 30th ultra track race
  • 99 laps to go!
  • Pacing while running on a track 
  • Running speed to reach 100 miles 
  • How her running speed has changed over the years
  • Starting off fast on track races
  • What can happened during track ultra races
  • Dealing with variables that you can’t control
  • Not wanting to risk any injury
  • Fuelling and nutrition while running ultra races
  • Having a vanilla milkshake at 50 miles 
  • The power of ginger and how it helps with feelings of nausea 
  • Dealing with sleep deprivation at mile 60/70
  • Starting to do strength training and going indoor climbing
  • Not doing anything differently for rest and recovery
  • Sleep is overrated!!!!
  • Waking up automatically at 7am 
  • Going to bed at 1am/2am 
  • Her love of reading and writing book reviews for her website blog
  • Having over 1,300 books in her home 
  • How you can connect with Miriam
  • How she got the name UltraMiriam
  • Final words of advice to get you into ultra running
  • Why you should work your way up and build up endurance
  • Why you shouldn’t compare yourself to other runners
 
Social Media
 
Website: www.miriamdiazgilbert.com
 
Facebook: @ultramiriam
 
Twitter: @ultramiriam
 
Instagram: @ultramiriam 
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZtmb5-6ke5qkoVGMVRpCqw 
 
***
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8 
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge. 
 
Website: www.inov-8.com 
 
Instagram: @inov_8 
 
Mar 22, 2022
In 2019 Sarah was crowned World Cup champion by the World Mountain Running Association. 
 
After a series of seven races throughout the season, including a win in Wales, Sarah secured victory with a second place in Slovenia, the final race in the series.
 
Sarah is a Cumbrian-based athlete, a brand ambassador for Inov-8 – who sponsor the Lakeland Trails series – an Irish international mountain runner (representing her country no less than 25 times!), a qualified ecologist and a professional running coach. 
 
She lives with her partner – and fellow Inov-8 brand ambassador – Paul Tierney and their two border collies, Quilla and Lupo, in a shepherd’s hut in Windermere.
 
“You can’t have a good race every time, but you can gain something from each and every run.  If you have a bad race, find one or two positives to take away from it, even if it’s just something you now know you’d do differently, and then start looking ahead to the next one.”
 
Info/Stats:
 
  • UK Athletics-Certified Trail & Fell Running Coach
  • PhD Biogeochemistry, MPhil Chemistry BSc (Hons) Biochemistry
  • Mountain Running World Cup Winner 2019
  • Italian Mountain Running & Vertical Kilometre Champion 2020
  • Top ten - World/European Mountain Running Championships - 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018
  • Winner, Snowdon International Mountain Race 2014, 2015, 2019
  • European Cross Country Championships Team Gold 2012
  • Irish Cross-Country Champion 2014
  • 5k PB 15:46 / 10k PB 33:33
 
Listen to Sarah now! 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8.
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
 
Show notes
  • Being based out of the Lake District usually
  • Woking as a running coach
  • Living in a camper van in Spain
  • Welcoming the sunshine
  • Doing van life for the past 5 years
  • Heading to the Alps and Ireland
  • Growing up and her early years
  • Racing short races from 6 years old
  • Moving to America and having the American high school experience 
  • Moving back to the UK at 21
  • Being on the girls track team
  • Going to college/university to study biochemistry and joining the running team in her final year of Michigan State University 
  • Training with the university team and learning how to become a better runner
  • Her ambitions with running 
  • What happened after leaving university  
  • Not seeing a future in running and focusing on getting a job in the UK
  • Doing a Masters at Sheffield University, UK
  • Winning her first race in 5 years
  • Key races and her love of the Italian mountain races 
  • How running makes her feel 
  • Loving the simplicity of running 
  • Getting into cycling 
  • What is mountain running and how it’s different from ultra running 
  • Climbing at a 30% gradient
  • Running uphill? Running or power walking?
  • Why walking is encouraged
  • Not fully trusting her ankles 
  • Magical moments in races that really stands out
  • Training and working with a running coach - Robbie Simpson 
  • Example of a training session for the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Race 
  • Dealing with injury
  • Rest and recovery 
  • Mental side of running and Sarah’s top tips and advice 
  • Writing down goals….
  • The Dream Race — Jungfrau Marathon 2022
  • Taking the van to Switzerland
  • Having 3 passports!
  • The early start of van life and how it progressed
  • A day in the life of Sarah
  • Nutrition and fueling being a vegetarian and focusing on protein at every meal
  • Working with a running coach
  • Being supported by Inov-8 and working as an ambassador
  • Connect with Sarah online 
  • Final words of advice and wisdom for women who want to get into running
  • How having the right gear can help with confidence in the mountains 
 
Social Media
 
Website: www.missinglinkcoaching.co.uk 
 
Instagram: @missinglinkcoach 
 
Facebook: @MissingLinkCumbria 
 
***
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8 throughout March.
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
Website: www.inov-8.com 
 
Instagram: @inov_8 
 
Mar 17, 2022
Lois @lois_lo_lo - lives in Luton, is a GP, Teaching lecturer in Medical Education and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead. She is passionate about running and staying active and sharing her enthusiasm for running with others. 
 
She has always been interested in sports, playing netball and basketball competitively for many years. Running was always a reserve activity for her, something to do between seasons, when she felt guilty about her inactivity. This all changed after her second son, and a move to Luton. Not having the time to play netball, and balancing work with her young family, Lois initially began home HIIT workouts and circuit training, but frequent interruptions for nappy changes and feeds left her feeling unsatisfied. 
 
She decided to go for a run one afternoon and was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable and uninterrupted this session (or type) of exercise could be. She immediately swapped her home workouts for outdoor runs. These quickly increased infrequency and within a few months Lois was running 4-5km every day. 
 
She hasn’t looked back since, and except for a few days in 2019, and no missed days since March 2020, Lois has been running daily ever since. Most recently her #NoExcuses ethos was put to the test, during her last pregnancy. 
 
Struggling with nausea and vomiting in the first trimester, ever changing bra sizes, and pubic-symphysis (pelvic) pain in the last trimester all meant that Lois relied heavily on the habit she had built up over the past 2 years to get her through her runs. She managed to continue to run throughout her pregnancy, and continues to run daily, including just 9 hours after delivery!
 
For Lois, running is more than just about the physical movement- it’s become meditative, a tool of self-discipline, a reminder how incredible our bodies are, and continues to be her self-care time- a time when she can focus solely on herself. 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
Throughout March the Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8. Get your exclusive 15% discount code by signing up HERE
 
Show Notes
  • Who is Dr. Lois
  • Having been involved in sports since a young age
  • Being competitive in school
  • Playing netball and basketball at university
  • Enjoying team sports and being socially active
  • Becoming a mum
  • Spending time with her family and what she loves to do with them
  • Pregnancy and giving birth to her youngest
  • Running after having her first child
  • Wanting to go out and move after birth
  • Enjoying activities like running, netball and basketball
  • Moving to Luton
  • Exercising on her own after her second son
  • Challenges and how she managed her time
  • Giving time for herself
  • Running regularly five months after her second childbirth
  • Trying to be consistent and doing an early morning run
  • "Being intentional is being consistent."
  • Having no reason why she shouldn't run
  • Not wanting to miss out on running for whatever reason
  • Using a running app
  • Being part of running clubs and communities
  • Identifying herself as a runner
  • Doing her best to keep up
  • Benefits of running for her physically and psychologically
  • Finding running as meditative
  • Her thoughts about running with a baby
  • Bad runs in her running journey
  • Losing control of her body in the first trimester
  • Getting back to running and enjoy it as her goal
  • Quick Fire Questions
  • Final words of advice
Social Media
 
 
***
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by @inov_8
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
You can still get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge. 
 
 
Mar 15, 2022
After a few months of feeling unwell, Sara’s life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour.
 
Following a haemorrhage and major brain surgery that left her unable to walk, with impaired vision and balance, as well as permanent profound hearing loss, she has been focused on getting back everything the tumour took away from her, and much more.
 
Now she’s sharing the story of how she overcame adversity to get from sickbed to summits.
 
During this episode Sara shares more about how she got back into running, going after her first ultra and how she approaches new and difficult challenges.
 
Sara in her own words about her next challenge:
 
“In September 2022, to show others that despite life throwing curveballs our way we can still achieve, I aim to run from Land's End to John 'Groats. I will be covering a distance of approximately 855 miles over 20 days.
 
I'll be leaving from Land's End on the morning of Monday 5th September, and with the help of some friends l'll be running between 40 to 50 miles a day, mostly on road.
 
Yes, I have my concerns. Running, however, is the least of them! I wonder how much of a problem my tinnitus will be with having road noise around me for approximately 10 hours a day. I worry about not hearing traffic around me (as I have no direction of sound). 
 
I'm also apprehensive about how I will cope with fatigue and the nausea associated with it. I have good support around me though, and we're working hard in training to overcome these issues as best we can.”
 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by @inov_8
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
Show notes
  • Who is Sara
  • 46 years old
  • Her love of challenges and taking on her next big challenge
  • Growing up in Chester and her early years
  • Not fitting in at school and focusing on school work
  • Meeting her husband and going waking at the weekends
  • Getting married and having children
  • Getting back into running about 10 years ago
  • Starting with couch to 5k
  • Using running to help with children behaviour
  • Sticking with running but not have a plan
  • How running helped to maintain her sanity
  • Why running became enjoyable
  • Having a love/hate relationship with running 
  • Why you have to push yourself 
  • Being diagnosed with a brain tumour 
  • Needing to have an operation in May 2018
  • Having a rare complication 
  • Dealing with everything that was going on
  • The challenges of recovery
  • Losing her hearing and struggling with balance
  • Wanting a new normal which would be better that the old normal
  • Getting back into running after surgery
  • Struggling with motion sickness
  • Deciding to sign up for an Ultra Marathon 
  • The challenges of fatigue
  • Wanting to push her limits
  • Meeting Danielle Gibbons @danigibbo1  
  • Starting to train for her first ultra
  • Not being able to go longer than 40 mins 
  • Running her own ultra - The Sandstone Trail
  • Being supported by friends and family
  • Why running fast isn’t an option 
  • Deciding to run the length of the UK (LEJOG)
  • Looking for support and funding and building up a support team
  • The mental approach for taking on these big, physical challenges
  • Having to figure out the process
  • Breaking down the process into individual steps
  • Taking it one step at a time
  • Figuring out sleep 
  • Wanting to run 40 - 45 miles a day
  • Learning how to manage fatigue 
  • Writing her book - Sickbeds to Summit 
  • Dealing with the trauma and addressing the feeling it brings up
  • The good stuff that has come out of the challenges
  • September 2022
  • Finals words of advice
  • “Don’t overthink it and don’t talk yourself out of it” 
 
Social Media
 
Website: www.saracrosland.com 
 
Instagram: @saracrosland 
 
Facebook: @sickbedtosummits 
 
Twitter: @saracrosland 
 
********
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by @inov_8
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE 
 
You can still get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.
 
Website: www.toughgirlchallenges.com/marchdailymile
 
Mar 10, 2022
Janelle in her own words:
 
“Trail runner born and raised in the front range of Colorado. Started running as a kid with my dad then picked it back up in high school and went to Colorado State University on track and cross country scholarship. 

Started racing on trails in 2020 and have had a couple wins at broken arrow sky race and the golden trail national series race in the Azores.
 
Signed on with Inov-8 as an ambassador at the beginning of 2022”
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8 supporting the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
Show Notes
  • Who is Janelle
  • Being nomadic and moving between places
  • Growing up in Colorado
  • Playing a lot of soccer growing up 
  • Getting into running with her dad
  • Running well in track and getting a scholarship to a local college
  • Becoming an An All American in the steeplechase
  • Finding trail running
  • Being a smoker in high school
  • Feeling like a natural runner
  • Feeling her best while running
  • Her dreams as a little girl and wanting to be a professional soccer player
  • Her love of running and what’s going through her head
  • Working through issues while running
  • Mantra and the power of simple words
  • Strength, freedom, fast
  • Positive Self Talk
  • What is an All American…
  • Making the transition from the track to running trails
  • Falling in love with trails running
  • Being competitive and her relationship with competition
  • Focusing on the experience of running
  • Leaving college and not having a plan
  • Money as a motivator 
  • Living a very frugal lifestyle
  • Magical moments while out running 
  • Challenges while out running on the mountains
  • Hitting mile 23 and struggling and needing to walk the final few miles
  • Being inspired by other runners
  • Training for races and what a typical week looks like
  • Wanting to be more focused with training 
  • Loving running all distances from 1 mile to marathons 
  • Running goals for 2022
  • Tips and advice for running uphill
  • Advice for running downhill
  • Loving toe-yoga 
  • The Broken Arrow Race
  • Rest and recovery after a race
  • Advice for new runners 
  • Running in a place that inspires you!
  • Advice for runners who have lost their mojo
  • Why the hardest part is just getting out there and going
  • Connect with Janelle
  • Instagram vibes
  • Quick Fire Questions
  • Final words of advice
 
Social Media
 
Instagram: @janellelincks 
 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8 
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge. 
 
Website: www.inov-8.com 
 
Instagram: @inov_8 
 
Mar 8, 2022
Mariam Kilpatrick is a Women's Health Physiotherapist and ultra-runner based in Glasgow, Scotland. She is an outdoor enthusiast and can usually be found up a hill in the Highlands of Scotland or travelling and exploring new places with her young family in their camper van. 
 
It may come as a surprise to a lot of people, but Mariam only took up trail running after the birth of her daughter in 2017 when her husband decided to surprise her by entering her into an "ultra" six months after giving birth. As it happened, it turned out it was as part of a team relay with 3 other people and she was assigned to run 10 miles out of the total 50-mile race. 
 
Nevertheless, Mariam stepped up to the challenge and worked hard to achieve her postpartum goal of running 10 hilly miles in the Ochils - her first experience running on the trails in Scotland. Since then, she has been bitten by the bug and to date has run several trail marathons, mountain and sky-running races and ultramarathons with her most recent achievement in 2021, running the full West Highland Way, Scotland's most famous long distance trail which is 96 miles (155km) long. Her goal was to run it in under-24 hours. 
 
As a women's health physiotherapist and a mother herself, Mariam's biggest passion is helping new mums through their postpartum journey. She hopes that her own personal experience will inspire and empower other women to achieve their goals  - whether it's returning to their sport such as  running, or simply just feeling back to themselves again after giving birth.  
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday & Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8 supporting the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
 
Show notes
  • Who is Mariam
  • Being based in Scotland
  • Her love of the outdoors and exploring Scotland
  • Wanting to help other women return to running and sport after having a baby
  • Her early years and where her accent comes from 
  • Growing up in New Zealand and moving to Australia
  • Taking up trail running after having her daughter in 2017
  • Being entered into a 50 mile trail ultra marathon 6 months after giving birth…
  • Meeting her husband and moving to Scotland
  • Her pregnancy and birth story 
  • Working what a PT and doing gym classes
  • Getting back to fitness after giving birth
  • Putting on 3 stone during pregnancy
  • Getting into running after pregnancy 
  • Using the walk run strategy and trying to build up time on feet
  • Training for the final 10 miles of an ultra
  • Not feeling ready for the race
  • Being coached by Jonny @jonnykilpatrick 
  • Starting to identify as a runner 
  • Juggling training and childcare
  • How the running goals evolved over time
  • Thinking about running the West Highland Way (95 miles) in a day
  • Wanting to see what else she could do
  • Entering the WHW ballot 
  • Following a training plan 
  • Figuring out how to fit in running around her life and work
  • Not being able to race the WHW due to covid and restrictions
  • Going ahead with the challenge
  • Making the challenge work for her and her family 
  • Doing the technical section in the pitch black
  • Coming off caffeine before the WHW
  • Having stomach issues
  • 80s power ballads
  • Counting and keeping the legs moving
  • Getting the nutrition in 
  • Feeling emotional and crying it all out
  • The final push - wanting to run the distance in 24 hrs
  • Wanting to get it done
  • The final 14 miles 
  • 4 miles downhill and giving everything she had left
  • The finish of the run
  • 23 hrs and 57 mins
  • The picture from the finish line - https://www.instagram.com/p/CQWWl92rHXO/
  • Connect with Mariam 
  • Final words of advice for runner and new mothers
 
Social Media
 
Instagram: @mariam_kilpatrick
 
***************************
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8 throughout March.
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
Website: www.inov-8.com 
 
Instagram: @inov_8 
 
Mar 3, 2022
Sophie in her own words:
 
“I am a solicitor and mum of one, currently pregnant with my second. I’m a runner, outdoor swimmer, paddle boarder and host of the What Next Mum Podcast. 

I have been running for 12 years and have run plenty of half and full marathons. 

When I had my son I had a real fear that I would lose my identity as a runner but that hasn’t been the case. 
 
Since having him I cycled the 100 mile ride London 4 months post birth and ran a one day 100km/62 mile race.
 
Since then I have continued to do my own self made running adventures, including running the Jurassic Coast over 3 days, the West Mendip Way and running along the Wye Valley. 

I started the What Next Mum Podcasts, so I could talk to like minded women and share their stories to inspire other mums to ditch the mum guilt and get out there. 

I am also a keen outdoor swimmer, this is my fifth winter. I’m a rubbish swimmer but love being in the water and will be swimming to the Isle of Wight in September."
 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8.
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge. Run 1 mile everyday in March. 
 
Show Notes
  • Who is Sophie 
  • Being pregnant with her 2nd child
  • Being an outdoor enthusiast 
  • Getting pregnant at 40
  • Feeling a little bit anxious
  • Growing up in a large family
  • Liking running at school
  • Turning 16 and dropping all sports
  • Moving to Japan for 3 years
  • Starting work as a solicitor and taking up running again
  • Her running journey
  • Being encouraged to get into running 
  • Identifying as a runner only recently 
  • Getting into trail running
  • Stopping and starting with running
  • Life in her 20s
  • Needing time for herself after her first child was born
  • Training for a 100k/62 mile race in a day
  • Being told she didn’t need to finish the race
  • The challenges of running 100k in a day 
  • Trying to enjoy the day as much as possible
  • Giving birth… 
  • Getting back into running 
  • Using the bike for cross training
  • Starting the What Next Mum Podcast
  • Wanting to connect with other mum runners
  • Finding time during lockdown
  • Why it’s ok for mums to put themselves first
  • Mum guilt 
  • Having a good support network
  • The power of support from other women
  • Running with her brother Bob
  • Nutrition and eating while ultra running
  • Trying to stay away from sugar
  • Carrying gear in a 25L bag
  • Structuring the day 
  • Magical moments on trips and type 2 fun!
  • Getting in to FKTs (Fastest Knowns Times)
  • Being less interested in racing
  • Wanting to run the Isle of White Coast Path
  • Working with a coach and using a 16 week training plan
  • Getting some new ideas for training
  • Cold water swimming while pregnant
  • Running while pregnant and supporting the bump
  • How to connect with Sophie
  • Final words of advice
 
Social Media
 
Website: www.whatnextmum.com 
 
Instagram: @Ruffles_onthemove 
 
Facebook: What Next Mum Podcast 
 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8 
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge. 
 
Website: www.inov-8.com 
 
Instagram: @inov_8 
 
Mar 1, 2022
Amy Bushatz is an Alaska-based journalist and host of the podcast Humans Outside. 
 
Since September 1, 2017, she’s spent at least 20 minutes outside every day as part of an experiment to see how building and keeping a daily nature habit can change her life. What she found was benefits including making her happier, healthier and more creative while improving her relationships, making new friends and more. 
 
Since starting her outdoor journey Amy has also become an ultra runner, skier, backpacker, camping enthusiast and tried ice climbing, glacier trekking, snowshoe running, ATVing, cliff jumping, forest bathing, rock climbing, high-ropes courses and more. 
 
Amy and her family live in Palmer, Alaska with their two dogs.
 
*Content Warning - there is mention of disordered eating during this episode, we don’t go into specific details.
 
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. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8.
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
 
Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge. Run 1 mile everyday in March. 
 
Show notes
  • Who is Amy
  • Her early years and not being outdoorsy
  • Being married with kids
  • Getting into running and fitness
  • The benefits of spending time outdoors
  • Working as a journalist for 20 years
  • Deciding to move to Alaska without ever having been there
  • The weather in Alaska and dealing with the cold 
  • Needing a goal and setting herself a new challenge
  • Deciding to spend 20 mins outside every day for 1 year
  • Creating the rules
  • How it’s changed her life
  • Spending time with her family and how it’s improved relationships
  • Her running journey 
  • Connecting with the ultra running community
  • Overtraining and dealing with injury
  • Going straight for the Resurrection Pass 100 Miler
  • Dealing with the cold and the elevation gain and loss over the race
  • What she would do differently
  • The mental side of the race
  • Not putting on the layers 
  • Hoarding food and clothing and not being able to accept help
  • Feeling emotional on the trail - walking and crying
  • Having a scarcity mindset - even though it’s not reality
  • Not joking about food
  • Getting to 70 miles and mentally processing not reaching the 100 miles
  • Knowing that she can do hard things
  • Not wanting to train for another 100 miler
  • Wanting to do the 50 miler
  • Recovery from the 70 miles
  • #HumansOutside365
  • Final words of advice 
 
Social Media
 
Personal
 
Website: amybushatz.com
 
Instagram: @amybushatz
 
Twitter:  @amybushatz
 
 
Humans Outside Podcast  #HumansOutside365
 
Podcast Website: https://humansoutside.com/ 

 

Instagram: @humansoutside 
 
Twitter: @HumansOutside 
 
Facebook: @HumansOutside 
 
Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/Humansoutsideblog
 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8 
 
Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE
 
Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge. 
 
Website: www.inov-8.com 
 
Instagram: @inov_8 
 
Feb 24, 2022
Kelly in her own words:
 
“I’m passionate about the outdoors, it’s a love started from childhood adventure, grew into teenage curiosity, and now is a form of adult stress relief. Fitness for leisure, health, and well-being is more important to me than the competition or the ability to perform well at any one thing. To be, on the go is something I do for me. 
 
My former self trying to be better for my future self. Me vs Me. 
 
I swim in the pool, lakes, and sea, I cycle with TWR, hike with Black Girls Hike and have only started running with Black Trail runners this year. 
 
I try for fun and I try to give my best at each event. I am a beacon of light to get more people into multi-sport events because of representation in the recreational sports and fitness sector.
 
At school I loved geography, physics, and mathematics. I started working in construction at 14, now having 10 years experience I left my last job as an assistant site manager. I have matured into an enthusiast for the built environment. An inquisitive mind towards, towards all things related to sustainable development. 
 
My undergraduate degree is in Project Management for Construction, my masters in Flood Risk Assessment, Modelling and Engineering and I have full intention to do my PhD in Flood Risk Development and Sustainability.” 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
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
  • Who is Kelly Smith
  • Being based in Brighton, UK
  • Why adventuring in the outdoors is her passion
  • Moving slowly 
  • Not sleeping well at the moment
  • Weighted blanket
  • Growing up in London and her early years
  • Moving to Brighton at 17 years old
  • Getting into the outdoors
  • The shift from childhood to adulthood
  • Being a weird kid 
  • Her 16th birthday and walking in the rainforest
  • The last day of her A’levels
  • Missing the boldness of her youth
  • Finding the South Downs and falling in love with the outdoors
  • Being a planner
  • Getting into sports and fitness
  • Joining the cycling community and being encouraged to do a triathlon
  • Trying a tri
  • Why it’s about how she feels
  • Remembering back to her first triathlon
  • Being impacted by covid
  • How getting outdoors helped with her mental health
  • Working with Swim England as an Ambassador
  • Going after her Summer Mountain Leader Qualification
  • The challenge of getting the training days
  • The costs of travelling around the UK
  • Navigation skills and learning 
  • The Kelly Smith Project - 3 Peaks - 3 Isles
  • Working in the construction industry for 10 years
  • Doing her Masters
  • Filming her documentary and the plan
  • Taking 3 weeks to film the project
  • Being ambitious!
  • Doing B roll in February and filming in April
  • Connect with Kelly
  • Top tips and advice to encourage you to get outside
 
Social Media
 
Website: kellysmithonthego.com 
 
Instagram: @kellysmith.onthego 
 
Feb 22, 2022
Quinn in her own words:
 
“I live in Estes Park Colorado. For five years, I worked as a climbing ranger, doing technical Search and Rescue, in Rocky Mountain National Park. To compliment the rescue and medical component of this job, I taught Wilderness Medical Courses. 
 
Rest days…. what are those? Climbing, mountain running, triathlons, mountain biking, summit handstand and mini golf—- were just a few sports I was into. I cherished pushing my body and my mind, finding comfort in the uncomfortable. 
 
I have a few climbing first ascents, speed records and some mountain running records all over the western US and even across the globe 

In October 2017, I fell over 100 feet while climbing on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and sustained a spinal cord injury. 
 
I am currently paralyzed from the waist down. 
 
Movement and advocacy for public lands was a big part of life and vocation. That hasn’t changed, I still need to be active, adventure and break barriers. 
 
This past summer, 2021, I become the first person to hand-cycle the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from the Canadian Border to the Mexico border in 25 days. 
 
My advocacy in public lands continues, as well as, advocacy for spinal cord research—- to improve mine and others quality of life.”
 
 
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. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
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
  • Who is Quinn
  • What she does
  • Her love for playing outside
  • Her early years
  • Working for the National Park Service 
  • Her journey into rock climbing
  • Getting her dream job
  • Being encouraged to do more with her life
  • Taking her EMT course and how all her skills combined together
  • Becoming a Technical Rescue Ranger and what it’s like being in the field 
  • Dealing with a T11 Spinal Cord Injury 10/2017
  • Slipping and falling 100ft
  • Being paralysed from the waist down
  • Being rescues and transferred to the hospital
  • The transition to a new type of life and way of living
  • The challenges of getting back into the outdoor 
  • Wanting to get back into swimming after 3 months
  • Getting an off-road hand cycle 
  • Completing the Tour Divide in 2021
  • How getting e-assist helped with access 
  • Being able to keep up with friends
  • Figuring out the technical side of the challenge
  • Taking on the White Rim in Utah a 100 mile challenge
  • Learning about the underlying issues and figuring out the solutions
  • Why preparation is key 
  • Leaning how to calm the brain
  • Doing the Tour Divide as an independent time trail
  • Being the first hand cyclist to the the Tour Divide
  • Learning to calm the brain
  • Why sweating the small stuff is important
  • The magical moments from the Tour Divide 
  • Trail Angels
  • Quick Fire Questions - food, music, podcasts, mantra & mottos 
  • “This wheelchair does not define me”
  • Access to the outdoors…
  • Keeping fit and active and what that looks like
  • Raising money for the Kelly Brush Foundation
  • 2 Exciting trips planned for the future
  • Climbing Kilimanjaro and going to Bosnia
  • How to connect with Quinn
  • Final words of advice for other women who are going through a tough time in their life
  • The power of community and the power of asking for help
 
Social Media
 
Website: www.quinnbrett.com 
 
Instagram: @quinndalina 
 
Feb 15, 2022
Preet recently became the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition in Antarctica. She completed the 700 miles in 40 days pulling all of her kit and equipment and tackling temperatures of -50° with wind chill. When she reached the South Pole she said on her audio blog:
 
“This expedition was always about so much more than me. I want to encourage people to push their boundaries and to believe in themselves, and I want you to be able to do it without being labelled a rebel. 
 
I have been told no on many occasions and told to “just do the normal thing”, but we create our own normal. 
 
You are capable of anything you want. No-matter where you are from or where your start line is, everybody starts somewhere. 
 
I don’t want to just break the glass ceiling, I want to smash it into a million pieces. Who’s with me?”
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
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
  • Who is Preet
  • Deciding to go to Antarctica
  • Why she wants to inspire people to push their boundaries
  • Starting with google
  • Getting to the start line
  • The challenges of Covid and funding
  • Being the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition
  • 700 miles in 40 days
  • Getting back to the gym and needing time to recover
  • Going back to November 2021
  • Flying to Chile first and spending 2 weeks there
  • Sorting out all the food and gear
  • Getting the flight out to Antarctica 
  • Being dropped off on the ice and being alone
  • Taking it one day at a time
  • Fears and concerns before the start
  • Feeling excited…
  • Picking up the wrong backpack
  • Being on her own on the ice
  • The joy and excitement of the challenge
  • What a typical day was like
  • The mental side of the challenge
  • Tips and tricks to get through the day
  • Being a head of schedule 
  • Slowing down towards the end and not sleeping
  • Not stopping for 40/50hrs
  • Arriving into the South Pole and feeling good!
  • Why it’s ok to do things that are different
  • Why it’s good to question things
  • Being called disrespectful
  • Feeling more and more comfortable in herself
  • Voicing her opinions 
  • Why change is not a bad thing
  • Making new traditions with her family
  • Celebrations and Coke Zero
  • Having her first shower
  • Heading back to the South Pole
  • Phase 2 of the plan
  • Sponsorship for the future challenges?
  • Setting up an adventure grant for women
  • Connect with Preet and be kept upto date with her future adventures and challenges
  • Final words of advice
  • Why you can achieve anything
 
Social Media
 
Website: www.polarpreet.com 
 
Instagram: @polarpreet 
 
Facebook: @polarpreet
 
We first spoke with Preet in July 8th 2021- you can listen to Preet here - https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/chandi
 
Feb 10, 2022
Gail Muller is an adventurer, writer and educator. She was told at 14 she’d need to use a wheelchair by the age of 40, but at 41 embarked on one of the world’s toughest treks over 6 months in the USA – The Appalachian Trail.
 
For fifteen years she struggled with muscular-skeletal issues, chronic pain and the mental health issues that arise from them, but she never gave up hope of healing and resolution.
 
Her debut memoir 'Unlost' is an inspiring, uplifting and moving account of one woman’s incredible journey into the unknown. A love letter to the healing power of the wild outdoors and an incredible testament to the strength of the human spirit, Gail’s story is for anyone who has ever felt stuck in a rut, lost or scared.
 
She has recently returned from the Continental Divide Trail - a massive hike across the United States where she battled with unmarked trails, grizzly bears, wildfires, weeks at altitude and raging snowmelt-filled river fords. Gail will recount how through all of her journeys, she found has grit, determination, and hope in the darkest of times.
 
Unlost: A journey of self-discovery and the healing power of the wild outdoors by Gail Muller, published by Thread, was released on the 7th September 2021.
 
*Content Warning - Mention of sexual assault and thoughts of suicide.
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
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
  • Who is Gail Muller
  • Being a teacher and an educator
  • Talking to us about her adventures and what she’s overcome
  • Growing up in Cornwall and what it means to be Cornish
  • Her teenage years
  • Being told she would end up in a wheelchair in her 40s
  • Working on super yachts and in the film industry
  • Dealing with back pain which became chronic
  • Learning to treat herself with kindness
  • Finding a solution while in Italy
  • Feeling suicidal and wanting to end it all
  • Don’t give up hope and why a solution is just around the corner
  • Wanting to use her body to do something magnificent 
  • Losing a loved one
  • Starting to save to go up on a big adventure
  • Learning outdoor skills
  • Fears and concerns before heading of to hike the Appalachian Trail
  • Dealing with sexual assault and panic attacks
  • Heading south bound on the AT- starting with Mt. Khatardin and the 100 mile wilderness
  • Enjoyment, love and magical moments
  • Trail magic and trail angels
  • Making new friends and connecting with a trail family
  • Snacks…
  • Deciding to go south bound
  • Wanting to be more alone on the trail
  • Walking on the CTD in summer 2021
  • Not wanting to road walk in smoke
  • The plan for 2021 and how it changed 
  • Full time adventuring….
  • Writing her first book - Unlost
  • Hiking with 2 broken bones in her foot
  • Making a plan for 2022
  • South West Coast Path, UK
  • Being diagnosed with ADHD recently
  • Becoming best friends with her body
  • How to connect with Gail
  • Meet Bill
  • Words of advice to inspire you
  • Why you should never quit on a bad day
 
Social Media
 
Website: https://gailmuller.com
 
Instagram: @thegailmuller
 
Facebook: @thegailmuller
 
FB Group @Unlostoutdoors
 
Feb 8, 2022
Jessica’s ‘adventure activism’ is, by her own admission, a bit of an accident as she hates exercise and considers herself to be the most unlikely athlete. 
 
However, over the last decade she has been taking on some of the world’s most iconic physical and mental endurance challenges to turn the sadness she’s been through into something positive and at the same time raise awareness of what it means to struggle to conceive and to encourage new ways of thinking about family. 
 
She has run the London Marathon; swum the English Channel; and is still on her journey to climb Mount Everest and complete the iconic ‘Pond to Peak’ Challenge. 
 
She is a member of the British Mountaineering CouncilThe RamblersThe Long Distance Walkers Association; and the SerpentineHampstead Ponds and Dover Open Water Swimming Clubs; and has used her sporting challenges to raise thousands of pounds for charity including Fertility Network UK.
 
We first spoke to Jessica in Oct 2018 - you can listen to that episode here: 
 
https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/jessica-hepburn 
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
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
  • Who is Jessica
  • How she would describe herself and what she does
  • Dealing with a decade long struggle on trying to conceive 
  • Wanting to do something different with her life
  • Completing her childhood dream of swimming the English Channel 
  • Being an adventure activist 
  • Wanting to be the first women to complete the “Pond to Peak” Challenge
  • What Jessica was up to in 2019
  • Making a change in her career and setting up her own arts’ festival 
  • Her dream of heading to Everest in 2020
  • Climbing Mt. Elbrus and having a tough time
  • Swimming to get fit for climbing mountains
  • Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2015/2016
  • Why the Everest journey has been so hard 
  • Being an unlikely mountaineer and athlete 
  • When things don’t go according to plan 
  • Having to learn from failure
  • Does swim training translate to walking in the mountains?
  • The benefits of cold water and why she does it regularly 
  • Not being fast enough on the mountains
  • Needing to get into strength training and build muscle
  • Heading to the peak district and the Lake District
  • Training with the Elite Ramblers in the UK 
  • Dealing with the first lockdown in 2020
  • Being able to stop, slow down and relax
  • Finding the blessings 
  • How lockdown impacted on motivation for training and keeping fit
  • The different types of adventures 
  • Why adventure has become such an important part of her life
  • Getting the confirmation that Everest was going to go ahead in 2021
  • Getting to base camp and feeling prepared
  • How everyone has an opinion on Everest
  • Why her expedition was a non summit
  • Dealing with cyclones at camp 2
  • Cyclones, Chest Infections and Covid
  • Making a rookie mistake
  • Why you need a buff!!!
  • Making the decision to turn back…
  • Acceptance and coming to peace 
  • Why climbing mountains have become so meaningful
  • Making it a battle - a battle with nature
  • Wanting to go back in the future
  • Turning 50 at the end of 2020
  • How to follow along with Jessica and her future adventures 
  • Final words of advice to motivate and inspire more women to take their next steps into the world of adventure
 
Social Media
 
Website: www.jessicahepburn.com 
 
Instagram: @jessica_hepburn_ 
 
Facebook: @jessicahepburnauthor 
 
Twitter: @JessicaPursuit 
 
 
Feb 3, 2022
Namratha believes one should find ways to be more grounded and closer to nature. She has found that for herself through meditation and trekking. 
 
Namratha would love to do her part in encouraging people to pursue a healthy lifestyle. She always thinks that one should be mentally and physically fit to be able to do what one wants irrespective of the age. 
 
Listen to Namratha as she shares more about her childhood, how she got into trekking and why she decided on this challenges, she talks us through her planning and preparation, how she dealt with the tough days and where her mental resilience comes from.
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
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
  • Who is Nam?
  • What her family was like
  • Growing up in a small town
  • Working as a HR professional
  • Being introduced to trekking by her husband in 2013
  • Role models while growing up
  • Longing to get back into the mountains
  • Being inspired to be fit
  • Getting into trekking and her first experiences
  • Being encouraged to go trekking
  • The 50 Alpine Lakes Challenge
  • Dealing with early onset arthritis
  • Working o strengthening the muscles in her knee
  • Trekking with a guide who knows the routes 
  • Dealing with the altitude
  • Doing the challenge while having a full time job
  • Dealing with challenges like snowfall and lightening while out trekking
  • Listening to her body and making the right decision at the time
  • Having a favourite lake
  • Learning to travel solo and building up confidence
  • Learning to become more comfortable with herself
  • Advice for women who want to travel solo
  • The need to prepare and to do your homework
  • Female guides on the mountains
  • The challenges on her body and how it adapted
  • Go to food on the mountain
  • Wanting to get more people fit and healthy
  • Wanting to create a webpage 
  • Final words of advice to inspire you. 
 
Social Media
 
Instagram: @namrathaurs 
 
Facebook: @namratha.nandish 
Feb 1, 2022
Easkey on Freedom, Mindfulness and Connection: 
 
Freedom - “I find freedom in movement, in nature, through new experiences. Freedom has the qualities of spontaneity, passion, flow, adventure, risk, independence and creativity. It’s about expressing myself creatively, doing what matters most, and the power of play.”
 
Mindfulness - “I’ve always believed surfing is an amazing tool for a mindfulness practice. It’s very much about mindfulness-in-movement. If I truly get into why I surf, it’s because we can enter this heightened state of awareness – a flow state where, if even just for a moment, there’s complete focus and immersion in the present.”
 
Connection - “Surfing helps me understand the meaning of connection. Surfing demands a letting go of expectations and requires our total presence in the moment so that we begin to take notice of our surroundings, to be a little awed and humbled through direct contact with nature.”
 
About Easkey:
 
Easkey is the first Irish woman to be nominated for the Global WSL Big Wave Awards but there’s more to Easkey than surfing. It is her intellect and her quest to learn and create change in an often unfair world that really defines her. A scientist, academic and social activist, with a PhD in Environment and Society, Easkey is always one to look in places others aren’t for the answers to difficult questions. Her curiosity and passion for fairness and gender equality are the qualities that others to her.
 
Named an ‘Agent of Change’ by Surfer magazine in their special Ocean Edition, her work is deeply influenced by the ocean and the lessons learned pioneering women’s big-wave surfing in Ireland and the sport of surfing with women in Iran, which led her to be invited to give an inspiring TEDx talk: Just Add Surf. Her ground-breaking journey to Iran in 2013 introduced the sport of surfing to women and local communities and is featured in the award-winning documentary film, “Into the Sea”. Passionate about facilitating creative & collaborative processes, she founded Like Water, a platform to explore innovative ways to reconnect with who we are, our environment and each other, through water. Easkey draws on the sea as an active metaphor to dive deep into the power of presence and embodiment of natural cycles. She designs and delivers international summits and global leadership programmes specialising in experiential learning, nature connection, immersive embodiment practices, community engagement and social impact, including the annual Wavemaker retreat in Portugal and Move Like Water retreat for women. She is the author of ‘50 Things to do by the Sea’ and is currently finishing a new book called ‘Saltwater in the Blood.’
 
Easkey is a one off, wild hearted and free spirit. She’s ridden some of the biggest days in Ireland; no audience, no blue skies, no golden sands, just her and a crew she trusts. Doing something she loves; chasing cold water mountains.
 
You can listen to Easkey on the Tough Girl Podcast.
 
New episodes go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. 
 
 
Show notes
  • Who is Easkey and what she does
  • Being a lover of the ocean
  • Wanting to understand how we relate to the world 
  • Growing up by the beach 
  • Having a connection with the ocean
  • Meeting other women who surfed
  • Starting to compete at a young age
  • The limited pathways for women in surfing 
  • What it was like in the early 90s
  • Getting into free surfing and exploring new waves
  • The link between science and surfing
  • Being an agent of change by Surfer Magazine
  • The sport of surfing with women in Iran
  • How her relationship with surfing has changed
  • The ripple effect 
  • Filming a documentary 
  • Spending time by the ocean 
  • The healing power of water
  • Blue Health 
  • Book - Blue Mind: How Water Makes You Happier, More Connected and Better at What You Do 
  • Blue Mindfulness - How big wave surfing has taught me to live in the moment
  • The mental training for big wave surfing 
  • Learning to trust her body
  • Spending time away from the water
  • How has surfing changed over the past 30 years
  • Gender equality in surfing and the work being done to close the gender gap
  • Representation in surfing and how do you create a more inclusive ocean
  • How do you break down barriers and create more opportunities 
  • The work of Lauren Hill Book: She Surf: The Rise of Female Surfing  
  • Who are the women that have inspired Easkey
  • The power of one women story 
  • The influence of mentors 
  • Meet Wolfie! (The dog!)
  • Having the idea for the book and putting pen to paper
  • Keeping a journal to keep track of her own thoughts
  • Being full time in academia and wanting to write more freely 
  • Not seeing women in front of or behind the camera
  • The feminine perspective of surfing and sharing that
  • Plans for the future
  • Working as a blue health researcher in relation to surf therapy 
  • Putting the science into practice
  • Connect with Easkey 
  • The meaning behind her name and where her name comes from
  • Final words of advice for women who want to get more ebb and flow in their life
  • The power of breath
  • Learning to let go in water
  • Taking a moment to reset
  • What to do if water holds fear for you
 
 
Social Media
 
 
Instagram: @easkeysurf 
 
Twitter: @Easkeysurf 
 
 
Jan 27, 2022
Laura in her own words:
 
“I’m a 35 yo Veterinary Surgeon, ultra/long distance cyclist, hiker and runner who loves having adventures... and this year, 2022 I plan to break the tandem around the World Record with my husband Stevie.
 
I started out in life not at all sporty or fit but adventurous: white water kayaking, cycling, hiking and camping.  
 
I realised mid-twenties I wanted to get fitter as well and this coincided with meeting Stevie and being introduced to long distance cycling where I completes a range of long distance events on solo and Tandem including the infamous Paris-Brest-Paris solo and Lejog on a tandem.  
 
I then took up running and after a couple of false starts ran wainwright's coast to coast by myself in May with Stevie as support, 190miles in 5 days.  We have also completed some of the more epic long distance walks I the UK such as Offas Dyke and the Pennine Way, camping along the way with our dog Geoffrey (as well as West Highland way, Ridgeway and Hadrians wall)
 
2022 is the big one though! 18,000 miles, 180 days, 2 people, 1 bike!! We set off in June to attempt to break the current Tandem World Record!”
 
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. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
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
  • Who is Laura
  • Her passion for long distance cycling
  • Growing up adventurous, but not being sporty when younger
  • Getting into Lyrica!
  • Drifting away from sports during uni and work
  • Starting her fitness journey again 
  • Audax - a long distance cycling club 
  • Studying to become a Veterinarian 
  • Meeting Stevie at a beer festival
  • First dates and getting the tandem bike out
  • Never being a gym goer
  • Getting back to the basics and building things gradually
  • Say hello to the dogs!!
  • What she loves about long distance cycling
  • Being competitive with herself
  • Her first 100 mile race
  • The Super Randonneur award
  • Tactics for riding on the bike as a team
  • All Points North an unsupported cycling event across the north of England.  
  • The planning and the logistics 
  • Magical moments!
  • The challenge for 2022!
  • Deciding to cycle around the world on a Tandem!!!
  • The route…
  • Starting in Berlin, Germany 
  • 180 days…
  • The money, the budget and paying for the challenge
  • Getting the initial sponsorship
  • Wanting to be sponsored by Alpkit
  • The approx start date… 5th June 2022
  • Having supportive bosses
  • The final bit of preparation and what’s involved
  • Riding throughout winter and getting use to riding in all weathers
  • New podcast - Stoked to be here! 
  • How to follow along with the journey
  • Final words of advice for other women who want to take on a big, exciting challenge
 
Social Media
 
Website: www.stelatandem.com 
 
Instagram: @SteLa_Tandem 
 
Facebook: SteLa Tandem Round the World Record 
 
Twitter: @SteLaTandem 
 
Jan 25, 2022
Shilletha Curtis -  Trail name “Dragonsky” is 30 years old and is from New Jersey, USA. 
 
She is an established writer and hiker and is inspiring to be the second Black woman to achieve the Triple Crown of hiking (The AT, PCT, CTD). 
 
She recently completed the Appalachian Trail and is preparing for the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). 
 
She graduated from Rutgers in 2014 and has worked in the social work and veterinary field for years. 
 
She is currently working as a freelance writer and is working on her book.
 
Listen to Shilletha on the Tough Girl Podcast as she shares more about her life, her passion for hiking and spending time in the outdoors.
 
New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
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
 
  • Growing up in New Jersey, USA
  • Graduating in 2014 with a degree in social work
  • Getting into writing since Covid
  • What her younger years were like
  • Having a passion for reading
  • Never being exposed to hiking 
  • Her journey of getting into the outdoors
  • Getting into hiking in 2020
  • Hearing about the Appalachian Trail for the first time
  • Getting obsessed with the AT and making the decision to thru-hike it
  • Living from paycheck to paycheck 
  • Figuring out how to pay for the hike
  • Joining AT Facebook Groups…
  • Asking about her safety 
  • Dealing with racism and threats 
  • Being supported/sponsored by the Appalachian Trail Conservatory (ATC)
  • Using the GoFundMe platform to raise funds for her hike
  • Safety while on the trail 
  • Needing people at certain points for safety
  • Not being excited while on the trail and just being scared
  • Being a triple minority and always having to look and check behind her back at all times
  • Journalling and writing while out in the woods
  • Being exhausted 
  • Having a strategy for hiking the AT
  • The Matrix World
  • Listening to her body 
  • Wanting to experience freedom while hiking 
  • Starting the trail in February….
  • Dealing with the cold weather
  • Her trail name and where it came from 
  • Connecting with a trail family 
  • Her summit day on October 5th 2021
  • Cover your poop!
  • Loving the rock scrambling and feeling empowered and happy
  • Feeling proud of herself
  • Biggest lessons learned from the experience of spending 9 months on the trail
  • The power of being present
  • Learning how to live and what freedom means 
  • Wanting to live life how she wants to 
  • Sharing her journey and how people can follow along
  • Working on new writing projects
  • The significance of 29.5
  • Chasing the seasons
  • Top pieces of advice for Black women who want to take on a challenge like hiking the Appalachian Trail
  • Words to live your life by 
  • Why she’s going to keep on hiking 
 
Social Media
 
Instagram: @I_Am_Dragonsky 
 
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/IAmDragonsky 
 
Blog post - Not Just Another Hiker June 12, 2020 
 
Jan 20, 2022
Helen in her own words:
 
“Full time global hobo cycling the world on AU$100/week creating vlogs, blogs, and photo’s as I go.
 
On the road in one form or another since 2004. I left the UK with a round-the-world ticket on what should have been my ‘year out’ but never properly returned. 
 
Living out of a backpack ever since, I taught English in South Korea, travelling back overland along the Silk Road before emigrating to Australia in 2007 where a travel fundraising job meant I continued to move from place to place every week or two.
 
In Australia I took up bicycle touring and in 2016 set out on an ambitious first bike tour through the outback along the Gibb River Road, Tanami, and Oodnadata tracks. 
 
In 2017 I returned to work for a year while training for and running the New York Marathon, before returning to full-time bicycle touring.
 
In spring 2018 I set out into The Beast From The East to ride a loop of the UK coast and down to Sicily and back.
 
In 2019 I rode up the Norwegian coast to the North Cape and back through the Baltic states. 
 
In early spring of 2020 I set out to Istanbul getting caught in lockdown in Germany, waiting and changing course as borders closed and reopened, finally arriving in Istanbul a year late in September 2021.
 
Totalling 58,000kms over 5 years so far.. 
 
From here the plan is to continue on riding to Africa, via the the Middle East (pandemic & borders permitting!)"
 
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. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
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
  • Being a full time global hobo
  • Where she is at the moment
  • Her childhood and growing up in the UK
  • Living in Australia for 10 years
  • Going on a round the world gap year at 26 years 
  • Why she’s never stopped travelling
  • Taking up cycling over the past 4/5 years
  • Taking the train from Asia back to Europe
  • Finding a job teaching English in Korea
  • Travelling back to the UK along the Silk Road
  • Making the move to Sydney, Australia 
  • Not being into sports or fitness at a young age
  • Getting into running in her early 30s
  • Living on her bike since 2018
  • What are the realities of travelling on the road full time
  • Her day to day routine while riding
  • Cycling in the desert in Australia 
  • Enjoying her own company 
  • Magical moments from her trip
  • Enjoying the type 2 fun
  • Interacting with people from different countries 
  • Using Warmshowers 
  • Safety while travelling
  • Using a spot tracker in Australia but not in Europe
  • Getting robbed while in Greece
  • The lessons learned from the experience 
  • Insurance…and the challenges of getting it while bike touring
  • Bike gear and equipment 
  • Learning bike maintenance 
  • Wanting to spend time in Africa
  • How covid impacted Hels while travelling 
  • Starting up Youtube and how it’s going 
  • Travelling on AU $100 per week
  • Living off savings and earnings from Patreon and Paypal
  • Keeping costs down and budgeting
  • Staying in her tent or Warmshowers hosts
  • How she’s uses her mobile phone and the power of free wifi
  • Sharing her story on social media 
  • Being supported and encouraged by people online
  • Thoughts while cycling 
  • Quick Fire Questions
  • What to remember when things are getting hard
  • Advice for wanting to be a full time Hobo and travelling full time
  • Why you should start of small
  • How to follow along with Hels and be kept upto date with what she’s up to
 
Social Media
 
Instagram: @hels.on.wheels 
 
Facebook: @Helsonwheelswithmlt 
 
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/helsonwheels?fan_landing=true
 
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UChGPMqRpwEtIHsDWR50pGZA
 
Jan 18, 2022
Nocciola The Drawer (Hazel Oakes) is an artist and designer from the UK. She has lived in 8 different countries, visited almost 40 countries between 5 continents. She’s hiked the peaks of the Balkans, completed half marathons and the Athen’s marathon. 
 
Hazel is military trained and has a joy for life, for sharing and inspiring other women to become more adventurous. 
 
Hazel has a nomadic spirit and feels her sense of community with women anywhere in the world.
 
She specialises in bright, colourful, bold artwork that combines female characters with lively patterns. All with the aim to uplift, inspire, empower and celebrate women.
 
She is inspired by the seasons, women, childlike imagination, travel, making the most of the moment, street art and graffiti. She spends her time illustrating, creating large murals and drawing on anything (paper, canvas, plates, walls). 
 
Nocciola The Drawer is spreading her joy of life one splash of colour at a time!   
 
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. 
 
The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. 
 
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
  • Who is Hazel
  • Being based in Italy at the moment
  • Her aims and goals 
  • Spreading her joy for life - one splash of colour at a time!
  • Wanting to move her body and to follow her passions
  • Being a creative explorer
  • Where her passion for art and adventure came from
  • Getting her creative side from her mum
  • Getting her adventurous side from her dad
  • Doing all the dance classes from a young age
  • Her teenage years - and the pressure to get a normal job
  • Loving art at school
  • Wanting to learn about fashion design
  • Joining the Officer Training Core OTC
  • Following both of her passions
  • The next step in her career
  • Deciding to do a Masters course at Kingston University 
  • Working with brides and helping them to feel comfortable in their bodies
  • Wanting more adventure and booking a one way ticket to Australia 
  • The different pathways and journeys that can be taken
  • Spending time in Australia!
  • Loving to travel and spending time in Canada and Italy
  • What does Adventure mean to Hazel
  • The why and the how of challenge
  • The power of taking small steps
  • Don’t compare yourself to how other people have done it
  • Living a nomadic lifestyle 
  • Taking advantage of the travel opportunities that become available
  • Getting to know a new place 
  • Her love for walking and exploring
  • Peaks of the Balkans
  • Working as a trip manger in Italy 
  • Taking on new challenges every few years
  • Dealing with the heat
  • Why Nocciola? What it means
  • Being a full time artist…
  • Tips for being more creative
  • Curiosity and amazement 
  • The Tough Girl Mural and how it came about 
  • Follow Hazel on line 
  • Future plans for 2022
  • Top tips and advice to motivate and inspire you
 
Social Media
 
Website: www.nocciolathedrawer.com
 
Instagram:
 
@nocciolathedrawer
@nocciolatheexplorer 
 
Facebook: @nocciolathedrawer 
 
Youtube: Nocciola The Drawer 
 
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