Info

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
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
2024
March
February
January


2023
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2022
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October
September
August


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: Page 3
Aug 4, 2023

Nicki Bass is a Business Psychologist, Army Veteran and host of The Everyday Adventure Podcast.  Having always loved the thrill of adventure sports and having served around the world, she has first-hand experience of how being taken outside of your comfort zone can dramatically improve your ability to face life's challenges. Currently studying for a Doctorate in Occupational Psychology, this experience gives her a unique insight into how resilience theory and practice align. On leaving the Army in 2017 she set up her own consultancy, Resilience at Work, using the principles of adventurous training to help professionals to build their resilience and leadership skills.
 
Knowing the challenges that many people (including herself!) face in trying to live adventurously amongst the many commitments in their lives, Nicki was motivated to launch The Everyday Adventure Podcast in May 2020. The aim was to share the stories of ordinary people who had managed to find time for their own adventures - both physical and psychological - and hopefully inspire others to do the same. Since then she has spoken to over 65 guests from a wide variety of backgrounds, exploring their motivations, challenges & the benefits they have experienced. Having given a TEDx talk on the subject in January 2022, She is passionate about everyday adventures and the power they have to bring joy, confidence and energy to our daily lives.

 

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. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast Thank you.

 

Show notes

  • Who is Nicki
  • Spending 17 years in the Army
  • Re-training as a Business Psychologist
  • Her love for adventure sports - especially surfing and skiing 
  • Setting up Resilience at Work
  • Her early years growing up
  • Being active but not sporty
  • Doing a ski season
  • Joining the Army before the age of 25
  • Being taken outside your comfort zone and how that has developed resilience 
  • What is resilience?
  • Why resilience is different from grit
  • Making the transition out of the army
  • Wanting to work for herself 
  • Starting out with a plan and how it evolves
  • Balancing a new business, family life and adventure sports
  • Adjusting her expectations 
  • Adventuring with children and teaching them resilience
  • Why everything can be an adventure for kids
  • Putting yourself first 
  • Dealing with the guilt of putting yourself first
  • Figuring out her time
  • 1 month of everyday adventures in 2021
  • Having something to look forward to
  • Starting the Everyday Adventure Podcast
  • Working with Fran Turauskis (Editor) 
  • How to connect with Nicki
  • Ted Talk - 
  • Final words of advice 
  • Why your adventure is valid - no matter the size
  • Finding a way to start 

 

Social Media

Website: www.resiliencework.co.uk

Instagram: @resilienceatwork

Facebook: @resiliencework

Podcast: The Everyday Adventure Podcast

TEDx Moseley: The Life Changing Power of Everyday Adventures

 

Aug 1, 2023

Amanda is an Australian park Ranger whose career has taken her from the turquoise blue coast of South Australia to the broad red deserts of Central Australia and now the subtropical rainforests of the East Coast. She loves having the best job in the world in which she gets the opportunity to fight fires, monitor threatened species, use chainsaws and heavy machinery (aka fun toys), audit and hike long distance trails, occasionally fly across the landscape in a helicopter, and (the greatest privilege of all) work with Traditional Owners looking after Country. Well, that and clean toilets of course, can’t leave that out.

Inspired by the many Rangers she has worked with in her career, and with no film making or expedition experience, Amanda set off on a new mission on World Ranger Day (July 31) last year called Walking the Thin Green Line Oceania. 

Over 366 days, through 8 nations and across 3 oceans, Amanda will travel over 80,000km meeting Rangers and recording their stories in a documentary. 

She will also hike more than 1500km to honour the more than 1500 Rangers killed in the line of duty since official records began in 2009. 

Amanda will be raising vital funds for the Thin Green Line Foundation’s Oceania Fund to support Ranger led projects around the Oceania region.

Amanda will complete her epic self-funded journey on World Ranger Day this year on the southernmost point of mainland Australia at Wilson’s promontory National Park after more than 35,000km of driving, close to 200 Ranger interviews, more than 25 terabytes of footage, dozens of walking trails and peaks, over 30 flights, more than a dozen boats and ferries, 8 sim cards, 2 Garmin inReach’s and more illnesses than you can count on one hand.

***

Don't miss out on new episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast that are released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Hit the subscribe button to stay updated.

By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can help increase the representation of female role models in the media especially in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast to contribute. Thank you for your support!

***

Show notes

  • Who is Amanda
  • Working as a Park Ranger on the East Coast of Australia 
  • Being a passionate conservationist 
  • Not being scared of doing her own things
  • Her passion for the environment and getting people excited about it
  • Wanting to encourage women and young girls to pursue their dreams
  • Her early years and growing up wanting to be a geologist 
  • Being sports and enjoying spending time outside 
  • Her journey to becoming a Park Ranger 
  • Starting work as a fine dining chef
  • Learning about the slow food movement in Italy 
  • Being involved in the ‘Youth Food Movement’ 2008 
  • Wanting to do more to contribute to the world
  • Going to The University of Queensland, Brisbane to study Natural Resource Management 
  • Doing a course called - Protected Area Management 
  • Being inspired by Rangers and the work they were doing 
  • South Australian Graduate Ranger Program 
  • What do Park Rangers do - in Western Australia 
  • Walking the thin Green Line 
  • Preparation and planning for the Expedition
  • The Thin Green Line Foundation, Australia 
  • How the idea came about
  • Hiking 1,600km by the end of her journey to reflect on the 1,600 rangers who have lost their lives while serving 
  • The goals for the expedition and what she wants to achieve
  • Spending 366 days on the road 
  • Starting on World Ranger Day - 31st July 2022 and finishing on World Ranger Day 31st July 2023 
  • World Ranger Conference 2024, France 
  • The Route Map 
  • Planning, logistics and financing the expedition
  • Connecting with people and getting tips and advice from film makers
  • Starting with a map, crunching the numbers and figuring out what the weather was doing
  • The challenges and obstacles with planning along the way
  • Only being able to plan a few weeks in advance and dealing with the stress that brings
  • Self funding the challenge and receiving financial support from her sister and other family members
  • Losing sponsorship due to floods in Eastern Australia and needing to make alternative arrangements 
  • Feeling comfortable taking calculated risks
  • Being all in and knowing the financial risks
  • Meeting incredible people on the journey
  • Speaking to Rangers and filming them for the documentary 
  • Visiting Papua New Guinea, Indonesia
  • The connection between rangers
  • What’s going to happen over the next 6 months
  • Having a 3 year plan 
  • Making a documentary about the journey and wanting to share the stories
  • Going back to work full time work in August 2023
  • The lessons learned from the trip
  • Becoming the first ‘Ranger Ambassador’ for the Thin Green Line Foundation
  • The unique challenges faced by female rangers
  • The importance of having women involved in conservation
  • How to connect with Amanda
  • Final words of advice 
  • Why you should consider working in conservation especially in Protected Area Management

 

Social Media

Website: www.walkingthethingreenline.com 

Instagram: @walkingthethingreenline 

Facebook: @walkingthethingreenline 

The Thin Green Line - “A global not-for-profit organisation that provides support to rangers, because rangers are the frontline professionals protecting wildlife and the natural world. We do this by providing effective training, vital equipment, and emergency support to rangers and their families, and developing strong global networks for rangers and their communities.”

Website: thingreenline.org.au 

 

 

Jul 27, 2023

Anna is an Outdoor Instructor working for Land and Wave in Dorset. She loves being on the water, or in the woods, every day sharing her love of adventure with everyone she instructs. 

Anna has always loved being outdoors and wanted to find a job that would allow her to enjoy that all year round. From school, she followed a conventional path to university, and became a Civil Engineer working in construction.

Recently she decided to take the leap and turn her passion into a job. It was quite a drastic shift from Engineer in London, to Outdoor Instructor in Dorset, but one she is loving. 

She was able to change career so quickly following an intensive Outdoor Instructor Training Course in the winter, where she gained qualifications needed for the job, and is now gaining experience every day.

***

Get ready for an exciting month of July on the Tough Girl Podcast, as we shine a spotlight on women working in the outdoors. Sponsored by Land & Wave - join us as we delve into their stories, gain insights, and discover valuable tips from their incredible experiences. 

Don't miss out on these empowering episodes released every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - hit the subscribe button and be part of the adventure!

***

Show notes

  • Anna working as a newly qualified Outdoor Instructor 
  • Working for Land & Wave
  • Living in an 8 person tent on site at Land & Wave (excuse the noise from the wind!)
  • Growing up near Birmingham 
  • Being a member of Scouts 
  • Doing Duke of Edinburgh Award 
  • Joining the University Royal Naval Units (URNU) 
  • Taking a gap year after university and going travelling around South East Asia for 4 months 
  • Moving to London to work in construction 
  • Thinking about making a career change and wanting to work outdoors
  • Not knowing what she wanted to do
  • Making the decision to change careers and what that looked like
  • Googling - Outdoor Instructor Training (OIT) Courses 
  • Picking Land & Wave 
  • The challenges of the course and the realities of spending 15 weeks training in winter
  • Dealing with the cold weather 
  • Enjoying spending time on the water and learning new skills (Canoeing, SUP & Kayaking)
  • Loving the variety of the work
  • What happened after the 15 week course
  • Challenges of working in the outdoor industry
  • Sharing her love of the outdoors with clients
  • What it’s like being a woman in the industry
  • Learning new skills and why it take time to build experience 
  • Outdoor Instructor Apprenticeships 
  • Having a long term career plan?
  • Thinking through different options 
  • Why age doesn’t matter
  • Working towards her own personal goals training to become a Paddlesports Leader 
  • Working towards her Mountain Leader (ML) Qualification 
  • Doing her ML training with Louise Tully
  • The struggle with getting Quality Mountain Days (QMD) in while living in Dorset
  • Connecting with other women in the outdoors who are also doing their qualifications 
  • Magical moments 
  • Helping people to build self confidence
  • Why the first step is always the hardest
  • Remembering what it is you love about your job and why it’s important to enjoy the journey and appreciate each stage your at. 

 

Social Media

Website: www.landandwave.co.uk

Instagram: @landandwave

Facebook: @landandwave

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@landwave9920

 
Jul 25, 2023

Sian Sykes was born on the edge of Snowdonia and enjoyed growing up in beautiful North Wales. During her adult life, she used to work in Creative Media in London as a Project Director. However after working 15 years and working 18 hour days in the industry, she wanted a better balance in life, to reconnect with nature and to be closer to the sea and mountains. 

That's when she re changed her focus in life and moved back home, to do what she loves doing. Now she guides people stand up paddle boarding in beautiful places.

Since working in the city, Sian has travelled the world, building up vast experience of leading expeditions to Nepal, Mongolia, India, China, Peru, Morocco and the Alps.

Sian loves a SUP challenge! Sian has completed a number of record breaking SUP challenges. She was part of the first team to cross England on a paddle board, she was then the first person to ever SUP solo the 3 British lakes, Llyn Tegid, Windermere Lake and Loch Awe in 3 days, all unsupported. Sian was also the first person to circumnavigate Anglesey on a SUP which took her 5 days to complete the 120km journey in very challenging sea state conditions.

Sian is a real activist, Sian’s recent achievement was a big expedition with a real purpose by highlighting the epidemic we face with disposable single use plastics. She was the first person to SUP circumnavigate Wales (solo and unsupported), a 1000km journey along canals, rivers and sea. She raised money for charity, collecting plastic along the way, inspiring others to make a pledge against plastics and educational talks.

Sian enjoys linking her love for the water and mountains through SUP. Her love for the outdoors is infectious, and she’s inspired people of all ages and from all walks of life to get out and SUP.

***

Get ready for an exciting month of July on the Tough Girl Podcast, as we shine a spotlight on women working in the outdoors. Sponsored by Land & Wave - join us as we delve into their stories, gain insights, and discover valuable tips from their incredible experiences. 

Don't miss out on these empowering episodes released every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - hit the subscribe button and be part of the adventure!

***

Show notes

  • Who is Sian
  • Growing up and being introduced to the great outdoors by her mother at 3 weeks old
  • Her love for the outdoors 
  • Her teenage years 
  • Going to university and how she changed 
  • Chasing wealth and status
  • Working in Advertising in Manchester and London 
  • Making a career change after 15 years 
  • Living for work
  • Feeling detached from who she actually was
  • Not feeling fulfilled anymore
  • Wanting to make a U turn 
  • Getting qualification in the outdoors
  • 6 months working in London and 6 months working in the outdoors
  • Separating from her ex-husband 
  • Discovering paddleboarding by chance and loving it
  • Crossing England from Bristol to Reading on a paddle board
  • Gaining experiences and choosing the qualifications
  • The community in Llanberis, Wales 
  • Building up contacts and connections
  • Volunteering in outdoor centres and taking groups on Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • Needing to prove herself 
  • Going after her International Mountain Leader Award which took 3 years to achieve
  • Talking about the financial concerns of making a career change
  • Making the transition into the outdoor industry
  • Stand Up Paddleboarding Adventures and Expeditions
  • SUP around Anglesey 
  • Plastic Pollution in coastal areas
  • Being warned about adventure blues 
  • Starting up her own business and becoming freelance 
  • Finding your passion
  • Surfers Against Sewage - We are Ocean Activists. We are the voice of the ocean. Campaigning for a thriving ocean, thriving people.
  • Anglesey becoming the first county to become plastic free
  • Water Skills Academy (WSA) 
  • WSA - SUP Expedition Guide 
  • Advice for women who want to get more qualifications in the outdoor industry
  • How to connect with Sian
  • Final words of advice for other women who want a career in the outdoors

 

Social Media

Website: www.siansykes.com 

Instagram: @sian_sykes 

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@psychedpaddleboarding 

 

 

Jul 20, 2023

In today's fast-paced world, many of us dream of breaking free from the shackles of the corporate world and embracing a life filled with adventure, purpose, and personal fulfilment. Meet Tatty Pettigrew, a courageous woman who made that dream a reality. With an unwavering spirit and a thirst for spending time outdoors, Tatty escaped the confines of her corporate career in London and embarked on a remarkable journey that combines people, education, adventure, and the great outdoors.

Growing up, Tatty was sporty but never considered herself particularly outdoorsy. It was during her teenage years that she discovered the transformative power of outdoor adventures while participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE). This experience ignited a spark within her, and she became an advocate for the program, recognising its ability to shape young minds and in-still a love for the outdoors.

Her journey into the outdoor world began with thorough research and introspection. Tatty wanted to ensure she was making the right decision, and her meticulous nature led her to spend two years weighing her options and considering the potential risks and rewards. Supported and encouraged by her family, she finally found her path.

Committing to the Outdoor Instructor Training Course offered by Land & Wave. This intensive 15-week residential program immersed her in the world of outdoor instruction. From coasteering to climbing, she pushed herself outside her comfort zone, developing not only her skills but also her self-confidence.

Building a career in the outdoors wasn't without its challenges, but Tatty persevered. Starting as a seasonal instructor, she gained valuable experience in various locations, including New Zealand, where she volunteered for a children's charity. Over time, she transitioned into freelance work, relishing the flexibility it provided. Through dedication and hard work, she built a strong portfolio of clients and established herself in the industry.

Tatty Pettigrew's story serves as a powerful reminder that we all have the ability to break free from the ordinary and pursue a life filled with passion and purpose. Her unwavering spirit, determination, and love for the great outdoors exemplify the essence of the Tough Girl Podcast. Join us in celebrating Tatty's remarkable journey and be inspired to create your own path of exploration, challenge, and transformation.

***

Get ready for an exciting month of July on the Tough Girl Podcast, as we shine a spotlight on women working in the outdoors. Sponsored by Land & Wave - join us as we delve into their stories, gain insights, and discover valuable tips from their incredible experiences. 

Don't miss out on these empowering episodes released every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - hit the subscribe button and be part of the adventure!

***

Show notes

  • Who is Tatty
  • Living in Dartmouth, Devon for the past 3 years
  • Working as an outdoor instructor
  • Growing up, being sporty but not outdoorsy
  • Doing Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) in her teenage years and why she’s a massive advocate for it now
  • Deciding to give up her corporate career in London and retrain as an outdoor instructor 
  • Experiencing the outdoors during a team building day at work
  • Finding out about Outdoor Instructor Training Course
  • Attending an Open Day with Land & Wave 
  • The questions and concerns before making the decision 
  • The fear of making a mistake and doing the wrong thing
  • Researching and thinking for about 2 years before making the final decision.
  • Doing the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
  • Exploring all of her options for getting into the outdoors
  • Her process for making decisions 
  • Trying to figure out what the right option is 
  • Being an over thinker and suffering from ‘analysis paralysis’ 
  • Being supported and encouraged by her family 
  • How the pandemic impacted on her decision making 
  • What the Outdoor Instructor Training Course looked like 
  • 15 weeks, full time residential (including food & accommodation), kit package, and training Monday to Friday 9 to 5pm 
  • Building up experience during the summer months 
  • Enjoying all the waterspouts especially coasteering 
  • The challenges of climbing and being pushed outside her comfort zone
  • The challenges of training over the cold winter months (Oct - Feb) and being lucky with the weather
  • Working as a volunteer for a children’s charity in New Zealand (food and accommodation covered)
  • Not being able to move to New Zealand due to lockdown.
  • Building up a career in the outdoors and what that looks like
  • Starting off as a seasonal instructor and doing seasonal work in New Zealand
  • Branching out into the freelance work and being able to get plenty of work
  • Enjoying the flexibility of freelance work 
  • Building up her portfolio of clients over the past few years
  • Working hard during the season April - October
  • Using the winter time to work on gaining new skills and focusing on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 
  • What it’s like being a woman in the outdoors 
  • Being surrounded by good female role models in the industry 
  • The women who’ve inspired Tatty on her journey
  • Anna McNuff 
  • Sue Barrett - Adventure Queen Mother follow on IG @adventurequeenmother
  • Getting the balance right between work and personal time
  • Working towards her Mountain Leader Qualification
  • Sea Kayaking Leader Qualification 
  • Forest School Leader 
  • Volunteering with the Lifeboat Crew for The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) 
  • Discussing, the potential for injury, the wear and tear on your body as you get older, and the potential impact of motherhood on your outdoor career
  • Moving from the steady pay check from the corporate world to being freelance and being self employed
  • Financial stress? Especially during the winter months when there isn’t as much work.
  • Keeping track of finances, being planned and organised. 
  • Doing the last two legs of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
  • Spending 3 months sailing from Seattle to London   
  • Making friends for life and why the people made the challenge
  • How to connect with Tatti on Instagram
  • The 3 words which resonate - Explore. Challenge. Transform.

 

Social Media

Instagram: @tatti.pettigrew

 

 

Jul 18, 2023

Patricia Boardman, a former textile designer, has transformed her love for the outdoors into a thriving career as a freelance outdoor instructor. With a strong belief that anyone can pursue their passion for the outdoors, Tricia's journey showcases the power of perseverance and a deep connection with nature. From teaching young adults the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award to leading groups on mountain expeditions across the UK, Tricia's days are filled with diversity and adventure.

For the past 15 years, Tricia has dedicated herself to working as an outdoor instructor. A few years ago, she made the courageous decision to transition into full-time freelancing, allowing her to fully immerse herself in her passion. Her genuine love for the outdoors and her desire to push herself out of her comfort zone have been the driving forces behind her success.

Growing up in South Manchester, Tricia developed a love for hiking and camping in her late teens. She found like-minded individuals who shared her passion for walking, forging lifelong friendships along the way. Inspired to progress further in the outdoor industry, Tricia pursued her Mountain Leader (ML) Qualification, a milestone she achieved despite not having the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award during her school years.

In a male-dominated environment, Tricia persevered, accumulating quality mountain days and fitting in training around her work commitments. She honed her skills in navigation and micro-navigation, pushing herself to be the best she could be. Gradually, she began picking up weekend work and building her reputation through word-of-mouth recommendations, steadily establishing a network of connections in the industry.

Tricia reflects on the early years of her career, recognising the challenges she faced as a woman in the industry. However, her unwavering determination and passion for working with people propelled her forward. Over time, she had the opportunity to lead expeditions with children in destinations such as India, Peru, and even climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Witnessing young adults progress and grow, particularly during her time in Peru, solidified her love for her work.

The pandemic brought about changes in Tricia's life, including being made redundant. However, armed with some savings, she took the leap into full-time outdoor work, embracing the freedom and fulfilment it brought. She shares practical advice for women seeking to gain experience in the outdoors, emphasising the power of asking and being truthful about one's abilities.

As a sole trader using her own name, Tricia finds joy in the variety of her work and the balance between her personal love of the outdoors and her professional pursuits. She plans to expand her qualifications, particularly in water-based activities and cave leading. Despite the occasional challenges, Tricia remains motivated, continuously striving to improve her climbing skills and push her boundaries.

Tricia is passionate about promoting diversity in the outdoors and is particularly motivated to inspire girls, especially in faith schools, to embrace nature and adventure. Being of mixed heritage—half Indian and half Scottish—she takes pride in being a role model for the girls she teaches and strives to make the outdoors accessible to all.

With her infectious enthusiasm, Tricia shares magical moments she has experienced in nature and her unwavering dedication to helping people reach their full potential. Her final words of advice serve as an inspiration for women who aspire to work in the outdoors, along with valuable guidance on obtaining qualifications and pursuing their dreams.

***

This episode of the Tough Girl Podcast was sponsored by Land & Wave! We hope you've been inspired by Patricia Boardman's incredible journey and her passion for the outdoors. Remember, with perseverance and a love for nature, anyone can turn their dreams into reality. 

Stay tuned for more empowering stories and don't forget to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on new episodes, released every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time. Thank you for joining us on this adventure!

***

Show notes

  • Tricia Boardman
  • Woking as an outdoor instructor for the past 15 years
  • Deciding to go full time as a freelancer a few years ago
  • Her love for the outdoors 
  • Making friends with people at 17/18 years old with people who loved walking
  • Liking to push herself out of her comfort zone
  • Going on day hikes and camping
  • Growing up in South Manchester
  • Studying textiles at college and working in a bar part time 
  • Deciding to take on her Mountain Leader (ML) Qualification 
  • Not getting the chance to do the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award as it wasn’t available at her school 
  • Meeting people who already had their ML qualification and being encouraged to do it.
  • Wanting to progress further in the outdoors
  • Learning in a male dominated environment 
  • Getting her quality mountain days in and fitting in the training around work
  • Doing solo days and spending time walking in the outdoors 
  • Focusing on navigation and micro navigation 
  • Starting to pick up a few pieces of work here and there at the weekends
  • What it was like being a woman in the industry when she first started working in it 20 years ago
  • Thinking about working full time in the outdoors
  • Getting the opportunity to lead a few expeditions with children abroad, to India, Peru, and taking on Kilimanjaro 
  • Helping young adults progress and grow 
  • Loving her time spend in Peru
  • Making changes to her life after the pandemic
  • Being made redundant and having some money behind her while making the transition to working outdoors full-time.
  • Her love for working with people 
  • Getting work when she first started out 
  • Building up a network and connections, and being recommended via word of mouth
  • Gaining experience in the industry via work shadowing and volunteering with waking groups
  • Practicalities of getting work experience and how to go about it
  • Advice and tips for women who want to gain more experience in the outdoors
  • The power of asking people 
  • Why it’s important to be truthful about what you can and can’t do
  • What a typical week looks like during busy season
  • Loving the variety of the work 
  • Working as a sole trader and using her own name
  • The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) 
  • Thinking about getting further qualifications - especially water based qualifications 
  • Cave Leader Qualification 
  • Tips for dealing with the bad days 
  • Balancing work with her personal love of the outdoors 
  • Working slowly towards climbing all of the Wainwrights 
  • Wanting to go up a grade in climbing 
  • Climbing with friends who climb harder than her, in order to push herself to get better and make progress
  • Buying a van in September 2022  (Transit - long wheel base) and doing the renovation with her partner (Nick).
  • Take the van on a climbing trip to the South of France and following the sunshine before heading back to the UK
  • Living in the van (instead of camping) to help keep costs down while working
  • Pay for a day’s DofE work (£130 - £150)
  • Making a living from working in the outdoors and taking on other additional jobs throughout the winter months.
  • Being booked up with work throughout the summer months
  • Diversity in the outdoors and her thoughts of working in the industry 
  • Working in Faith Schools and helping to inspire girls to get outdoors and spend time in nature
  • Being half Indian and half Scottish and feeling proud that she can be a role model to the girls she is teaching
  • Wanting to make the outdoors accessible
  • Being encouraged by her mum “don’t let anyone stop you, just do what you want to do” 
  • Discrimination in the outdoors? And how things have changed over the years
  • Magical moments in the outdoors and why she loves spending time in nature
  • Her passion for helping people to reach their potential 
  • Final words of advice for other women who want to work in the outdoors
  • Advice for getting your qualifications 

 

Social Media

None 
 

 

Jul 13, 2023

Tori is one half of West Country Adventures. She is a qualified teacher, and kayak coach turned climbing coach, aiming to inspire and support women in their ambition to become independent rock climbers.

During our conversation, Tori candidly shares the challenges of working in the outdoors, particularly the wage disparities and financial challenges faced by women. She offers advice on how to gain experience, emphasising the importance of volunteering, shadowing, and observing others at work.

Tori's own journey involved studying outdoor education, travelling, managing a climbing retreat in Spain, and joining a team of polar explorers going up to the North Pole. Through these experiences, she has gained a wealth of knowledge and skills, and now offers valuable insight into the opportunities available for those interested in pursuing a career in the outdoors.

Tori is passionate about the outdoors and the benefits it offers, particularly for mental health. She also highlights the changing landscape of the industry, with governing bodies working to encourage women to work in the outdoors and provide support for them.

***

Get ready for an exciting month of July on the Tough Girl Podcast, as we shine a spotlight on women working in the outdoors. Sponsored by Land & Wave - join us as we delve into their stories, gain insights, and discover valuable tips from their incredible experiences. 

 

Don't miss out on these empowering episodes released every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - hit the subscribe button and be part of the adventure!

 

Show notes

  • Who is Tori
  • Working with female clients 
  • Being athletic and loving team sports
  • Studying at Exeter College 
  • Being a member of the Scouts 
  • Embarking on a career in the outdoors
  • Teaching in a formal classroom setting 
  • The wage disparity between the outdoors and other industries
  • Studying outdoor education and what it was like
  • Starting out with very little knowledge 
  • Developing personal skills
  • Needing to be to 18 to work in the outdoors
  • Doing her Bachelor’s degree (Geography and Outdoor Education) at Manchester Metropolitan University 
  • Is university worth it?
  • How to connect with and contact employers
  • Advice for getting experience
  • Why a wide range of experience is essential
  • Looking for volunteer opportunities 
  • Shadowing and observing others at work
  • Don’t go too niche too soon
  • Going travelling to Europe after university 
  • Managing a climbing retreat in Spain
  • Taking on a full time apprentice role in Yorkshire
  • Joining a team of polar explorers going up to the North Pole
  • Teaching polar explorers how to canoe on their sledges
  • Loving paddlesports and climbing 
  • The opportunities available 
  • Leading overseas expeditions (After qualifying as a Mountain Leader (ML) and First Aider)
  • Teaching on youth development programs
  • Making the time for experiences outside and why it’s important
  • Benefits for your mental health
  • The challenges of working in the outdoors
  • Wages and money 
  • Costs of equipment and clothing 
  • Dealing with the miserable days
  • The financial challenges of women working in the outdoors
  • Women dropping off in the qualifications/award system in their late 20s
  • Flexibility and wages and why it’s even harder when you have children
  • How the Industry has changed over the past 16/17 years
  • The support from governing bodies to encourage women to work in the outdoors
  • Dealing with knocks to her confidence
  • Mountain Training and their 5 year plan (2021 - 2025) 
  • Gear for women that fits 
  • Running women only courses
  • Concerns about dealings with periods
  • How to connect with Tori
  • Final words of advice

 

Social Media

Website: www.westcountryadventures.co.uk

Instagram:

@itsadogslife_climbing
@westcountry_adventures 

 

 

Jul 11, 2023

Jennie has found her calling in the breathtaking landscapes of Dorset. As an outdoor instructor working for Land & Wave, she brings her passion for adventure to life, inspiring others to embrace the wild side of nature.

Growing up on a farm in Cheshire, Jennie discovered her love for water and sailing at an early age. Spending time in North Wales and later working on sailing yachts in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, she developed a deep connection with the outdoors and a thirst for exploration.

However, as life progressed and her children embarked on their own journeys, Jennie realised it was time to pursue her own dreams. Seeking fulfilment beyond her role at a local primary school, she found herself at a crossroads. After the loss of a close family member, she embarked on a soul-searching journey, determined to follow her passion for the outdoors.

The decision to join the Outdoor Instructor Training at Land & Wave was a turning point. Despite initial doubts and concerns, Jennie realised that age should never hold someone back from pursuing their dreams. With unwavering support from her children, parents, and partner, she made the bold move to Dorset, renting out the family home and immersing herself in the 15-week training program.

Jennie's dedication and love for water activities shine through as she shares her experiences from the first season of work. From challenging weather conditions to connecting with clients, she has embraced every aspect of her new career. Drawing inspiration from role models and mentors within the industry, Jennie continues to learn and grow, setting her sights on future qualifications such as Paddle Sport Leader (PSL) and Mountain Leader.

Balancing the demands of work and personal time in the outdoors is a constant endeavour, but Jennie remains determined to avoid burnout. Coping with the physicality of the job and managing logistics is a part of her daily routine, and she has valuable advice for women aspiring to make a career in the outdoors.

 

Get ready for an exciting month of July on the Tough Girl Podcast, as we shine a spotlight on women working in the outdoors. Sponsored by Land & Wave - join us as we delve into their stories, gain insights, and discover valuable tips from their incredible experiences. 

 

Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 am UK time to be inspired by empowering stories of women working in the great outdoors. Don't miss out on this adventure - hit the subscribe button and be a part of the wild ride!

 

Show notes

  • Who is Jennie
  • Growing up on a farm in Cheshire
  • Being the youngest of 3
  • Her love for water and sailing
  • Spending time in North Wales 
  • Working on sailing yachts in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean
  • Meeting her husband and having children 
  • Starting to work in her local primary school
  • Not feeling fulfilled 
  • Losing a close family member
  • Thinking about what she wanted to do next
  • Deciding to follow her passion for the outdoors
  • What it was like when her children left home 
  • Figuring out the next stage in her life
  • Being scared of making a change
  • Learning to see change as an opportunity 
  • The starting point and putting a plan in place
  • Going around in circles to start
  • Becoming qualified as a dog groomer and starting her own business from home
  • Doing research into outdoor providers 
  • Thinking about the costs, the location and the timings
  • Attending an open day at Land & Wave
  • How everything felt right 
  • Fear and concerns before committing to start the Outdoor Instructor Training 
  • Was she too old at 48?
  • Why fear should not hold you back
  • Making it work financially and logistically 
  • Having support from her children, her parents and partner
  • Moving down to Dorset in May and starting to rent out the family home
  • The Outdoor Instructor Training Course - 15 weeks, 15 qualifications.
  • Paying for a kit package
  • Attending an open weekend and meeting other people on the course
  • Her love for the water activities 
  • Getting a job at the end of the course
  • What the first season of work has been like; from the clients, to the work, and the weather
  • Role models and mentors
  • Learning from other instructors 
  • Future career steps and making plans for the winter
  • Wanting to do her, Paddle Sport Leader (PSL) Qualification through Land and Wave
  • Looking at doing her Mountain Leader Qualification
  • Getting the balance right between work and spending time in the outdoors
  • Burnout?
  • Coping with the physicality of the work
  • The logistics of moving kit around
  • Advice for other women who want to make a career in the outdoors

 

Social Media

Website: www.landandwave.co.uk

Instagram: @landandwave

Facebook: @landandwave

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@landwave9920

 

 

Jul 6, 2023

Join us as we dive into the captivating story of Rachael Crewesmith, an extraordinary mountaineer, rock climber, hill walker, and mountain bike guide. Discover how Rachael fearlessly defies boundaries in a male-dominated industry, taking on epic challenges and inspiring others along the way.

Rachael in her own words: 

“I’m a mountaineer, rock climber, hill walker, mountain biker and occasional paddler. I divide my time between the sprawling Scottish Highlands and the compact but wild mountains of Snowdonia where I work as a mountaineering instructor and mountain bike guide.

I have ridden my bike across Nepal, round and round the Strathpuffer 24 hr endurance course and down the twisty, rooty trails of the forests of the Highlands. I have climbed up 100 Munroes (and counting), El Capitan in Yosemite, to 6000m in the Himalaya and up the north face of Ben Nevis. My favourite day out ever was climbing The Original Route on The Old Man of Hoy, on Orkney. 

I’ve also spent time just travelling for travelling sake, especially in Asia. I visited Burma (Myanmar) at the same time as President Obama and witnessed the carnival of the first US state visit ever. I have walked across the living root bridges of Cherrapungee in north-eastern India and ridden the Darjeeling steam train. I have had dinner with the Nepali Army in Bhojpur and breakfast with the monks of north-eastern Thailand. I love coming home to the UK and realising just how amazing our diverse country is. From laverbread in South Wales to fresh mussels cooked in a jetboil on a Hebridean island, I love our country and all it has to offer.”

 

Get ready for an exciting month of July on the Tough Girl Podcast, as we shine a spotlight on women working in the outdoors. Sponsored by Land & Wave - join us as we delve into their stories, gain insights, and discover valuable tips from their incredible experiences. 

Don't miss out on these empowering episodes released every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - hit the subscribe button and be part of the adventure!

 

Show notes

  • Who is Rachael
  • Working as an outdoor professional 
  • Living in Llanberis in North Wales
  • Where her love of the mountains comes from 
  • Being obsessed with hockey from a young age
  • Being inspired by her mum - who has previously swum the English Channel!
  • Having a year out between school and university 
  • Spending time in Nepal and going to Everest Base Camp at 18
  • Meeting a boy who was into climbing
  • Joining the mountaineering club at Nottingham University 
  • Why climbing didn’t come naturally to her
  • Studying archeology at university 
  • Working as a hockey coach
  • Leaving university and getting a job at a climbing wall
  • Not having a plan in her career
  • Not knowing what she wanted to do 
  • Becoming a Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI) 
  • Following up and doing her Mountaineering Climbing Instructor (MCI) 
  • Becoming a Mountain Leader (ML) and doing 40 qualifying days 
  • Loving the variety of what she can do with her qualifications 
  • The challenges of working in the outdoor industry
  • Making the transition to becoming a freelancer
  • Why it’s important to build connections and networks
  • Getting work 
  • The advantages of being a women in the outdoors
  • Elitism in the industry
  • Observing other women working in the industry
  • Working with certain choice companies and what she’s looking for
  • Pay in the industry as a mountaineering instructor and mountain leader
  • Asking for more money and being paid what your worth
  • Favourite type of work to get 
  • Remaining positive when dealing with miserable weather while out working
  • Professional enthusiasm!
  • Winter Mountain Leader Qualification 
  • 10% of Winter ML holders are female
  • Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI)
  • Women in Mountain Training Conference 2022
  • The importance of networking 
  • Proximal Role Models - Rebecca Williams 
  • Women’s Trad Festival 
  • Irish Women’s Rock Festival 
  • Advice for women who want to gain more qualifications
  • Dr. Will Hardy - completion rates of Mountain Leader Qualification 
  • Bangor University and Mountain Training PhD - Developing excellence in outdoor provision: enhancing training pathways for outdoor qualifications. 
  • Why you should practice with a variety of people 
  • Tips for finding people to train with 
  • Women in Mountain Training Facebook Page
  • Climbing the ‘Old Man of Hoy’ part of the Orkney archipelago off the north coast of Scotland.
  • What VS means in climbing - Very Severe 
  • An explanation of traditional climbing grades
  • Balancing the job/work with your love/passion for the outdoors
  • Being able to pick and choose her work
  • Being a Trustee of Cam&Bear Fund for Adventure 
  • How to connect with Rachael  
  • Wanting to run the Welsh 3000ers in under 12 hrs 
  • “Think big, start small, but do start”

 

Social Media

Website: rachcrewe.com 

Instagram: @rachcrewe 

Twitter: @rachcrewe

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-crewesmith-75211530/

 

 

Jul 4, 2023

Sophie Tanner is an Outdoor Adventure Activity Instructor and the Director of Land & Wave, a thriving outdoor company based in Dorset, UK. With a passion for inspiring more females to join the outdoor industry, Sophie is dedicated to providing training, employment, and incredible experiences to encourage women to embrace the great outdoors.

As one of the four Directors of Land & Wave, Sophie plays a vital role in shaping the company's direction and success. She has a deep understanding of what Land & Wave does and the positive impact it has on people's lives.

Born and raised in Dorset, Sophie's love for the outdoors began at an early age, she spent countless hours at the beach and by the water, fostering a connection with nature that would shape her future. Encouraged by her family to engage in sports and spend time outdoors, Sophie developed a strong affinity for exploring and trying new things.

At the age of 16, Sophie contemplated her life's path. She desired to attend university but still yearned for opportunities to spend time outside. Taking a gap year at 18, she embarked on an adventure to Australia and New Zealand, immersing herself in the wonders of the natural world. This experience solidified her passion for outdoor adventure and led her to pursue a degree in Outdoor Adventure Recreation at university.

During her summer holidays, Sophie made the most of her time by working at kids' holiday clubs and providing sports coaching in schools. She eagerly prepared for life after graduation, taking a nine-month journey to Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Colombia, and Canada. These travels enriched her perspective and further fuelled her desire to make a difference in the outdoor industry.

Upon joining Land & Wave, Sophie dedicated herself to acquiring additional qualifications necessary for her outdoor pursuits. She obtained her First Aid qualification and completed her Mountain Leader training in Wales, paving the way for her to work full-time in the outdoors. Sophie thrived on the physical challenges of her job while also emphasising the importance of rest and recovery.

Recognising the barriers that women face in the outdoor industry, Sophie offers valuable advice for other women who aspire to work in this field. She shares her insights on dealing with challenging situations, encourages more women to sign up, and organises Open Days with Land & Wave to provide opportunities for women to explore outdoor career options.

Throughout her career, Sophie has witnessed significant changes in the outdoor industry over the past 15 years. She discusses these transformations and offers advice to women and girls seeking to gain experience in this dynamic field. Sophie highlights the Outdoor Instructor Fast Track Route and the thrilling activity of Coasteering as pathways for women to connect with Land & Wave.

To connect with Land & Wave and learn more about their initiatives, Sophie encourages listeners to explore the company's website and social media channels. In her final words of advice, Sophie leaves a lasting message for aspiring outdoor enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

 

Get ready for an exciting month of July on the Tough Girl Podcast, as we shine a spotlight on women working in the outdoors. Join us as we delve into their stories, gain insights, and discover valuable tips from their incredible experiences. Don't miss out on these empowering episodes sponsored by Land & Wave. 

 

New episodes released every Tuesday and Thursday throughout July at 7am UK time - hit the subscribe button and be part of the adventure!

 

Show notes

  • Being 1 of 4 Directors of Land & Wave
  • What Land & Wave does
  • Living in Swanage
  • Growing up in Dorset and her early years
  • Spending time at the beach and by the water
  • Being encouraged by her family to get into sports and spending time outdoors
  • Working with her older sister Rosie
  • Her love for exploring and trying new things
  • Thinking about what she wanted to do with her life at 16
  • Wanting to go to University but still wanting to spend time outside
  • Taking a gap year at 18 to go to Australia and New Zealand
  • Studying an Outdoor Adventure Recreation Course at University
  • Making use of her summer holidays
  • Working at kids holiday clubs and doing sports coaching in schools 
  • Making plans for after graduation
  • Going travelling for 9 months visiting; Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Columbia & Canada.
  • Starting at Land & Wave
  • Getting additional qualifications needed for the outdoors
  • Doing her First Aid qualification and doing her Mountain Leader training in Wales
  • Wanting to work full time in the outdoors
  • The challenges of working in the outdoor industry 
  • Dealing with the physicality of the job
  • Rest & recovery 
  • Advice for other women who want to work in the outdoor industry 
  • Barriers for women working in the outdoor industry
  • Dealing with challenging situations while at work
  • Encouraging more women to sign up
  • Open Days with Land & Wave
  • What has changed in the industry over the past 15 years 
  • Advice for women and girls who want to gain experience in the outdoor industry
  • Outdoor Instructor Fast Track Route 
  • Coasteering 
  • How to connect with Land & Wave
  • Final words of advice

 

Social Media

Website: www.landandwave.co.uk

Instagram: @landandwave

Facebook: @landandwave

Youtube: @landwave9920

 

 

Jun 27, 2023

Mardi Fuller advocates for racial equity through writing, speaking and community building.  

A lifelong backcountry adventurer, in January 2021 she became the first known Black person to hike all 48 of New Hampshire’s high peaks in winter.  She lives in Boston where she works as a nonprofit communications director and volunteers with the local Outdoor Afro network.  

She writes for Outside magazine, SKI magazine, Melanin Basecamp and more.  

Mardi is committed to personal and corporate Black liberation and thereby, liberation for all humanity.  She believes deeply in nature's healing power.

Mardi was involved in the short film, “Mardi & the whites”

Film Abstract

“Mardi Fuller has a rich relationship with nature that has evolved and deepened throughout her life. In the last 20 years she’s dedicated much of her time to exploring the landscape in the White Mountains (unfortunately coined “The Whites” by New Englanders) on Abenaki land. 

In that time Mardi summited all forty-eight 4,000 footers several times in all four seasons, often as the only Black person on the mountain. She has experienced great joy from communing with this landscape, but the overwhelmingly white hiking community that is so seeped in white supremacy and colonialism complicates her experiences. 

Recently, she has focused on creating more opportunities for Black folks to join her in appreciating this magnificent wilderness. Enjoying this land with her community has been a liberating balm that has strengthened her sense of identity as an outdoorswoman. 

“Mardi & the whites” is a peek into Mardi’s relationship with the White Mountains, the great outdoors, and the community that surrounds them; Above all, it’s a celebration of Black liberation in the wild.”

Mardi’s Quote about the film “The film is about my 20-year journey as an outdoorswoman in the super white White mountains of New Hampshire. It's about the pain and loss I experienced amidst a hiking community wed to the invisibility of whiteness. At the same time, I benefited from the grounding force that is Nature. Over the years and through much identity formation and development, I found a path of Black liberation.”

 

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 Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

  • Who is Mardi
  • Living in Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  • Her passion for the outdoors and spending time outdoors
  • Growing up in the suburbs close to NYC  
  • Discovering backpacking while at college
  • Starting to explore the White Mountains 
  • Studying Spanish and French at College and spending time studying abroad
  • Spending time in Europe
  • The joy of travelling and experiencing other cultures 
  • Making the decision to move to Boston and her reasons for staying
  • Her love of the mountains 
  • Hiking in the summer or winter?
  • The importance of being prepared for winter hiking
  • Up skilling and gaining new knowledge 
  • Why Mt Washington is one of the most deadly mountains in America
  • Appalachian Mountain Club - is dedicated to the protection, enjoyment & understanding of the outdoors across the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic regions. 
  • Figuring out your own layering system to keep warm while walking in Winter
  • Learning how to set your own personal expectations
  • Wanting to hike all 48 mountains in New Hampshire over 4,000 feet (1219 meters)
  • Her motivation for finishing off the remaining mountains to complete the 48 mountains in New Hampshire
  • The film - Mardi and the Whites
  • Paula Champagne - Visual Storyteller 
  • Talking about her personal experiences in the mountains 
  • Learning about the history of racial exclusion for people of colour
  • Having to suppress her identity while out in the mountains and why it’s an ongoing journey 
  • How have things changed over the past 20 years with regards to race and racism
  • Speaking out against white supremacy and white dominance 
  • Shilletha "Dragonsky" Curtis - Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2021 
  • “Redlining” all the trails in a state and the racial undertones from the name
  • The importance of acknowledging tribal land - as a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land.
  • Hiking Mt. Katahdin in Winter and her goals for winter 2023 and wanting to finish the New England 67 mountains 
  • Hiking all 67 New England 4,000 Footers
  • How to connect with Mardi 
  • Final words of advice for women who want to spend more time in the outdoors.

 

Social Media

Instagram @wherelocsflyfree

Watch the Film - Mardi & The Whites 

Linktree - https://zez.am/wherelocsflyfree 

 

 

Jun 20, 2023

Steph is a Mum to a her nearly 6 year old son, a soldiers wife, and Operations manager for Forces Wives Challenge (FWC). In July 2019 Steph and her families' world was turned upside down when she became suddenly very unwell, and was subsequently diagnosed with a neurological disorder. 

Going from an active, full time working Mum and a keen horse rider, to fully dependant on a wheelchair, with complex health issues and requiring 24/7 care to support with everyday tasks, was life changing. With sheer determination, an incredible support network and a passion for adventure, less than two years later Steph was back in the saddle and aiming for the next challenge in life. 

Steph found her new 'place' within the FWC community and her role quickly developed from there, with her now being FWC's operation manager. 

This year Steph will take on a huge challenge alongside a team of Forces Wives when she takes on the 'Ride to Freedom' (R2F). Created by Steph, R2F will see the team tackle the challenging terrain surrounding the WW2 freedom across the Pyrenees mountains. The team will spend 5 days on horseback covering 130km of technically difficult mountain tracks, with the only the team supporting Steph in every aspect of the expedition.

Join us as we follow Stephanie Quintrell's incredible journey of resilience, determination, and empowerment as she takes on the challenging Ride to Freedom and inspires others to never give up on their dreams.

***

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. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast Thank you.

 

Show notes

  • Who is Steph
  • Being based in the East Midlands
  • Working as the Operations Mangers for Forces Wives Challenge (FWC)
  • The founder of FWC - Heather Sharp 
  • Wanting to be involved with FWC but not being able to participate in the hikes and the mountaineering expeditions
  • How her role has developed over the years 
  • Her early years growing up and her love for horses
  • Having her own horse from when she was 12
  • Being a member of The Pony Club 
  • Working in the care sector 
  • Getting ill at 28 and having to use a wheelchair 
  • Struggling with chronic pain and exhaustion when she was younger
  • Being diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis (MS) in her early 20s but still having an active lifestyle 
  • How her whole world changed within 48hrs 
  • The challenges of treating her condition 
  • Adapting to a new way of living 
  • Not being able to look after herself or her son
  • Getting back to horse riding after 2 years 
  • The feeling of freedom
  • The Ride to Freedom - what it is and what’ s involved 
  • Wanting to get involved in a new challenge and making the challenge accessible 
  • WW2 Freedom Trail (chemin de la Liberté) escape route to Spain 
  • Being supported by an amazing team of women 
  • The power of adventure and how it can bring people together
  • Wanting adventure to be inclusive and accessible 
  • Doing practice expeditions/training weekends in the UK
  • Working through her fears and concerns before the start of the challenge 
  • Wanting to create a short film about the journey 
  • How people can connect with Steph and FWC
  • Final words of advice and wisdom for other women who would like to take on new challenges and adventures 

 

Social Media

Website - www.forceswiveschallenge.org/ride-to-freedom

Instagram: 

@forces_wives_challenge 

@steph_backinthesaddle

Facebook : @forceswiveschallenge

Twitter: @ForcesWivesChal 

 

 

Jun 15, 2023

An ex city-lawyer whose first qualification was as a tennis coach, and whose first love has always been sport, Catherine has spent the second half of her career combining her twin passions of sport and leadership through her business, Sport and Beyond Ltd. 

Catherine brings a unique perspective to the mindset and approaches that deliver exceptional and sustained performance. She has had the privilege of working with many of our elite athletes and coaches, as well as a large number of the leading CEOs in the sports sector and elsewhere. She maintains strong links to the legal sector both through coaching senior lawyers, and through her role as Chair of O Shaped, an organisation aimed at making the legal profession better. Catherine is also a Trustee on the Board of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

About The Book: 

Staying the Distance showcases the much-needed leadership lessons that sport can teach us: how to improve, perform and achieve, in ways that are effective and sustainable.

Leadership can be hard. It can certainly be relentless. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the well-being, health and sustained performance of many senior leaders, and yet strong leadership remains central to the performance of every single organization.

Business leaders are very familiar with drawing lessons from elite sport, particularly around teams, leadership and high performance. But we have all been missing a trick. Day in, day out, sport has been showing us not only how to improve, perform and achieve, but how to do so on a sustained basis, consistently delivering results when it matters. This book shines a light on these unseen lessons, and provides a clear and practical roadmap for how to deploy them in the reader's own leadership practices.

With Catherine Baker's unique view into world-class sport and top-level business, and with insights from top performers in both worlds, this book provides a fresh and dynamic take on how - consistently and over the long term - to bring out the best in yourself, and in those you lead.

 

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 Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

  • Who is Catherine?
  • Having a varied work life from tennis coach to corporate lawyer
  • Working as a leadership and mindset coach
  • Mother of 3 sons
  • Being sporty from a young age and being labelled as a tomboy
  • Being a twin and the twin relationship 
  • Being 1 of 2 girls in an all boys school 
  • Going to boarding school at 8 
  • Playing both tennis and hockey
  • Going down the route of becoming a lawyer
  • Trying to balance work and hockey training 
  • How team sports took a back seat to work
  • Being on secondment in Singapore for 5 months
  • Having a set of core principles and how they developed
  • Wanting to make most of the opportunities 
  • Recognising her privilege 
  • Practical tips for taking advantage of those opportunities 
  • The importance of having really clear goals
  • Getting the idea for her new book - Staying the Distance: The lessons from sport that business leaders have been missing
  • Working out her own personal mission
  • Balancing career, family and sports 
  • Wanting to do everything to the best of her ability
  • You can do anything, but you can’t do everything
  • Who is the book for?
  • The Huddle - a free resource to help you strategise, motivate and perform.
  • Thoughts on decision making - going with your gut, your emotions, or values….
  • Confirmation bias
  • Why it’s sensible to give yourself time to make decisions
  • Deciding to do the The Great North Swim 
  • Dealing with setbacks and failure 
  • Chapter 2 - How to leave behind fear
  • How to connect with Catherine
  • Final words of advice - “Success really is a team sport, so think carefully about who you have around you.” 

 

Social Media

Website: sportandbeyond.co.uk  

Twitter: @sportandbeyond1 

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/catherinehbaker/ 

Book: Staying the Distance: The lessons from sport that business leaders have been missing 

 

 

Jun 13, 2023

Genny is aiming to be the first Aruban to ski to the North and South Poles to raise awareness on the devastating effects of Lyme Disease.

Genny was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in the summer of 2016 after suffering from its debilitating effects and misdiagnosis for three harrowing years. She went from being a fit and active person to being so fatigued that she was bed bound for months. 

A few years on from diagnosis, Genny has recovered and become passionate about making diagnosis affordable, available and prompt in the UK, where she now lives. She is determined that no one else should suffer as she did.

Genny is excited and a little bit nervous about the challenge of skiing to the South Pole. She hopes to inspire others to aim high, dream big, work hard, and never settle for someone else’s interpretation of what they can achieve. 

As the first Aruban woman to attempt such a feat, Genny sees it as an honour to represent her home country and inspire others to pursue their dreams.

We first spoke with Genny on - 26th January 2021.  You can listen here:  https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/genny-brown

 

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. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast Thank you.

 

Show notes

  • Who is Genny
  • Moving to the UK, 15 years ago
  • Her training to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole in late 2024/25
  • Speaking to Genny on the TGP in January 26th 2021
  • What’s been going on since we last spoke
  • Coming to realise how much there is still to learn
  • The beginning of 2021
  • Starting to make plans for 2022 with regards to training 
  • Needing to get more on ice experience 
  • Heading to Norway for training 
  • Working with Helen Turton from Newland Expeditions
  • Getting physical fit by pulling tyres in the UK
  • Knowing her tent mate - Ellen aka @randogirl42
  • Wanting to dedicate her life to polar pursuits
  • Needing to get her act together and getting more sponsors
  • Developing uterine fibroids and how they impacted on her quality of life
  • Needing to have surgery to remove the uterine fibroids.
  • The recovery period after her surgery
  • Putting a plan in place with help from Helen
  • Needing to do more bespoke training and doing a mini solo expedition on her own
  • Needing to test new equipment out in the cold
  • Cold weather management 
  • Getting back into the gym and building back her strength again
  • Underestimating how long it took to recover
  • Building back up her confidence
  • The start of 2023
  • Doing her basic polar training course in Norway
  • Having to face her fears and overcome them
  • Needing to work on her mindset 
  • Continuing to show up for herself and doing all the right things
  • Making the best of the situation and focusing on her camp craft
  • Putting a lot of pressure on herself to be perfect
  • Woking with a therapist to identify the reasons why her fear had occurred 
  • Hillenberg Tent 
  • The challenges of solo expeditions 
  • Dealing with the negative thoughts and learning to enjoy the journey 
  • Taking the time to unplug
  • Being by yourself and spending time with your own thoughts
  • Plans for the rest of 2023
  • Focusing on sponsorship
  • Making progress over the past few years
  • Wanting to learn to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations 
  • Wanting to develop her mountaineering skills
  • Planning for 2024 and what needs to be done to achieve her polar goal
  • How to connect with Genny
  • Final words of advice for other women who want to pursue their big dream 
  • Stop holding yourself back
  • Needing to factor in rest and recovery

 

Social Media

Website: www.antarcticaruban.com 

Instagram: @antarcticaruban 

Facebook: @antarcticaruban

Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/expedition-kit-for-genny-brown-antarctic-aruban 

 

 

Jun 8, 2023

Tegan in her own words: 

“Once upon a time… I was studying to be a lawyer. 

Then I drew some comics in a competition to win a bicycle, which I rode across Spain, telling the story of my adventure through a comic blog. 

This kind of adventure storytelling was too fun to not wildly pursue, so I spent the next few years finding ways to go on more adventures (which included an 11,000km bike trip through Africa with my family, and a 10 Iron Man triathlon around New Zealand), while figuring out how to turn it into a real job. 

Today, I work full-time as a cartoonist, speaker and endurance cyclist. I am currently working on a book, setting up a comic merchandise shop in South Africa and training to try again to set a women’s record of the fastest cycle from Cairo to Cape Town in Oct 2022 February 2024.” 

The challenge: Cycling Africa: Cairo to Cape Town. 1 continent, 8 countries, 10,800 kilometres, and 58,000 elevation, setting a women's world record that needs to exist.

 

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. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast Thank you.

 

Show notes

  • Who is Tegan
  • Her love of going on big adventures on her bike
  • Growing up in South Africa
  • Spending a lot of time outside
  • Living in Cape Town
  • Going on a family cycle adventure 
  • Cycle touring
  • Being inspired by Tom Allen 
  • Her first solo trip in Spain 
  • Getting lost, falling off the bike and figuring it out
  • Feeling completely free
  • Transitioning into the adventure life
  • Her love of adventure
  • Professional Adventurer?
  • Problem solving while on the road
  • Cartooning and why it’s more like writing 
  • Making decisions after university 
  • Trying to figure out what to do next
  • Feeling a lot of pressure
  • Reflecting back on her earlier work
  • Being encouraged to follow her passions
  • Heading off to New Zealand to do 10 Iron Man 
  • Trying to figure out how to make money
  • Adventure Grants
  • Altum Consulting 
  • Training plans and joining a triathlon club
  • The planning and preparation 
  • First blind woman attempting to climb Mt. Everest - Shawn Cheshire 
  • What does success look like on an adventure?
  • Anticipating unexpected challenges
  • Where the idea came from to cycle from Cairo to Cape Town
  • Finding out that there was no women’s record for the Cairo to Cape Town cycle 
  • 2019 - applying for the Guinness World Record to find out what the rules were
  • Planning and researching for the challenge 
  • Wanting to start in October 2022
  • Needing to go through the civil war in Ethiopia 
  • Working with a cycling coach for the past few years
  • Figuring out the funding and the support team
  • Being delayed in Egypt and needing to wait 6 weeks
  • Feeling ill and needing medical help 
  • Having a seizure and ending up in hospital 
  • Processing everything that’s happened
  • Trying to figure out what was wrong
  • Having her dream fall apart in front of her eyes
  • Getting back to cycling and training
  • Hormonal problems?
  • Looking after herself and prioritising her mental health 
  • The therapy of talking
  • Plans for 2023 
  • Heading to France do to an Alt Tour of the Women’s Tour de France
  • Staying with Katherine Bertine 
  • The Women’s Tour - UK 
  • Tour de France Femmes
  • Funding for adventures and making a living
  • Working with Komoot
  • Turning 30 and how her mindset is changing
  • Having less fear and coming-out the other side
  • How to connect with Tegan
  • Final words of advice 

 

Social Media

Website: teganphillips.com 

Instagram: @teganphillipscomics 

 

 

Jun 6, 2023

Seanna in her own words:

“I am Seanna (pronounced like Shauna) and I am deep into my healing journey. I am a survivor of multiple severe traumas and some debilitating psychosis. I have been to some of the darkest places and led a very limited life for some time.  

As well as medication and therapy, I have found that carving out an intentional life and staying true to my values has helped me to not only survive, but truly thrive. After spending two months as an inpatient in a trauma clinic, I discovered embodied healing practices, and later qualified as a breathwork facilitator. 

I aim to live a life that is aligned with who I am, focusing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing as well as a life full of adventure. 

In 2022, I thru hiked the Israel National Trail over two months on my own, which is over 1,000 km. The inner journey was even more powerful than the tangible one, and now I give talks on overcoming adversity and being guided by intuition to live your best, most intentional life.” 

  • Content Warning - During this episode; mental health, trauma, self harm, dark thoughts and psychosis is discussed. 

 

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 Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

  • Who is Seanna?
  • Being on an 8 month sabbatical 
  • Recording this from Vietnam 
  • Having an adventurous spirit but not fitting into games
  • Not liking any type of game (sports, board games etc)
  • Joining the Army Cadets 
  • Taking 2 gap years to travel
  • Being concerned about what other people thought of her
  • Being a competitive cheerleader and competing in the world championships in Florida 
  • Booking a flight to Arctic Sweden to walk a small section of the Kungsleden Trail (The Kings Trail)
  • The joys of spending time in nature and how it makes her feel
  • Her running journey and signing up for her first marathon at 19 on the South Downs
  • Being ill aged 21/22 
  • Giving up smoking in 2012 and starting to run again
  • Doing her first Ultra Marathon - 50km on the Thames Path Challenge 
  • Biting off more than she can chew, not feeling ready - and why it’s ok to try your best and just muddle through.
  • Running for Joy
  • Feeling her feelings
  • Training for the Thames Path Challenge with running coach Toby - IG 
  • Queer Running Club
  • Struggling with consistency
  • Running with her mum and step dad
  • Magical moments while running 
  • Deciding to take a sabbatical and the planning for her time off
  • Spending 2 months in a trauma clinic in 2018
  • Being inspired to hike the Israel National Trail
  • Making the decision and how it felt right
  • Feeling difficult emotions but knowing how to feel them and cope with them in a sensible way
  • Not feeling ready to leave the trauma clinic 
  • Planning during the covid lockdowns 
  • The Israel National Trail 
  • Getting water on the trail and arranging water drops
  • Dealing with flash flood warnings and the dangers of hiking during those times
  • The Red Guide Book - The full guide to the Israel National Trail - Fourth Edition, 2020 
  • Not feeling safe putting her tent up and not listening to her gut
  • Magical moments with trail angels
  • Money/costs and going over budget (£1,500 for 2 months)
  • How to connect with Seanna 
  • Plans for the next few months
  • Leaving London and moving to Devon
  • Final words of wisdom for women who want to make some changes in their life

 

Social Media

Website: www.seannasworld.org 

Instagram: @seannasworld 

Ko-fi:  ko-fi.com/seannasworld

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@seannasworld6502  

 

 

May 30, 2023

Zahra Rose, a brand ambassador for Sports Shoes and The North Face, and has achieved incredible feats such as trekking to Everest, Broad Peak, and K2 Base camps, as well as summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. 

In addition to her love for adventure, Zahra is an active member of the Muslim Hikers Community and uses her social media platform to promote representation of Muslim women in outdoor activities. 

Zahra is a strong advocate for breaking down stereotypes of the "Hijabi woman" and inspiring the next generation to pursue their dreams.

 

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. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast Thank you.

 

Show notes

  • Who is Zahra Rose
  • Being raised in Hastings, South England
  • Having 2 younger sisters 
  • Feeling out of place
  • Struggling to make friends locally
  • Seeing people who looked like her for the first time
  • Moving to London to study fashion design
  • Feeling confident and knowing herself well
  • Being inspired by her father who was a runner
  • Getting involved in sports
  • Wearing the headscarf at 14
  • Feeling the need to change her personality
  • Feeling confident and self assured
  • Representing her faith and feeling a sense of responsibly 
  • Starting travelling after university 
  • Why travelling is an important part of life
  • Getting into hiking at 14
  • Her first charity trip to Snowdon
  • The struggle of climbing her first mountain 
  • Wanting to encourage other muslim women to get outdoors
  • Creating a vision board every year
  • Connecting with Haroon Mota from Muslin Hikers 
  • Planning to go to Everest Base Camp, Nepal 
  • Training and preparation for the trip
  • The importance of training your mind
  • Starting her day with yoga
  • The power of acceptance 
  • Checking in with yourself on a regular basis
  • Spending time in Nepal
  • The challenges on the hike to base camp
  • Dealing with the adventure blues
  • Planning the next challenge/adventure 
  • Needing something to look forward to
  • Climbing Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa
  • Summit night
  • Praying while on adventure
  • Heading to Broad Peak and K2 Base Camps
  • The final push to get to base camp
  • Being supported and encouraged at the the tough moments
  • Being a member o fMuslim Hikers - Inspiring Muslims to get OUTDOORS. 
  • How to connect with Zahra Rose
  • Final words of advice to motivate and inspire other women and girls to get active and spend more time in the outdoors
  • Why nothing is beyond your limits
  • Her plans to reach 40 countries 

 

Social Media

Instagram: @ZahraRosea

Muslim Hikers - Inspiring Muslims to get OUTDOORS. 

Website: muslimhikers.com

Instagram: @Muslim.Hikers 

 

 

May 23, 2023

Allie Mason is an autistic children’s author and micro-adventurer who has just published her first book, The Autistic Guide to Adventure: Active Pursuits from Archery to Wild Swimming for Tweens and Teens. 

Allie lives in the English countryside with her partner and their beloved Labrador. The purpose of her writing is to give neurodivergent young people a place where they recognise themselves and feel that they belong.

Allie in her own words:

“When I was 23 years old, I was diagnosed as autistic. It was a bittersweet moment for me. On the one hand, it answered a lot of questions that had been accumulating since I was a child. On the other, it highlighted that a lot of the struggles I had faced when I was younger could have been avoided with the right support.

I was (and still am!) an avid reader, but I never felt that I recognised myself in the pages of a book. The characters didn’t face the same struggles as me, didn’t think the same way, so as much as I tried to immerse myself in these fictional worlds, there was always something missing.

Now, as an adult, I write books that neurodivergent kids and teens, like I once was, can see themselves in.”

***

About the book:The Autistic Guide to Adventure: Active Pursuits from Archery to Wild Swimming for Tweens and Teens. 

Outdoor adventuring can be life changing - it makes you physically and mentally stronger, takes you to new places and introduces you to new friends, as well as being an exhilarating challenge - but it can be stressful when there are unexpected social and sensory challenges involved. Allie Mason, autistic adventurer extraordinaire, is here to help.

Join Allie as she introduces activities ranging from archery to stargazing, sailing to fossil hunting, snorkelling to nature-writing - and so much more. Each easily digestible factsheet comes with a short introduction, a summary of the sensory experiences involved, suggestions on approaching activities for when you're just getting started, as well as a handy budgeting system.

With personal anecdotes and interviews with awesome autistic athletes, this book will give you the support you need to take on the great outdoors.

***

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 Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

  • Who is Allie
  • Chilling with her dog at home
  • Her early years growing up 
  • Being diagnosed as autistic at 23 (Feb 2020)
  • Feeling strange from a young age and knowing she was different
  • Feeling isolated and being bullied 
  • Why her diagnoses was liberating
  • Understanding that she wasn’t broken and that there is nothing wrong with her
  • Her outlook on life 
  • Being trusting, truthful and taking things at face value
  • Not understanding social etiquette very well
  • Wanting to gentle educate people by just being herself
  • Understanding different Neurotypes 
  • Getting an assessment done to diagnose autism
  • Signing up for a roller-skate marathon in Berlin
  • Training for 18 months and what that looked like 
  • Thriving on structure 
  • Raising money for charity - Ambitious About Autism
  • Taking any reference to the roller-skate marathon out of the book
  • What happened on the day of the marathon and why things didn’t go according to plan 
  • Dealing with injury and still wanting to do the challenge
  • Being told to get off the course after 5km
  • The lessons learned from the negative experience 
  • Feeling emotions of frustration, resentment and feeling wronged
  • How can organisers of the event could have handle having to take people off the course 
  • Support for autistic people who enter larger events 
  • Wanting to do the event again
  • Equality and Equity
  • Having the idea for her book while thinking about doing the roller-skate marathon
  • New book: The Autistic Guide to Adventure: Active Pursuits from Archery to Wild Swimming for Tweens and Teens 
  • The contents of the book and how to use the guide
  • Highlights from the Autistic and Adventure manifesto - “Trying the thing, asking for support, respecting your limits and being an adventurer”
  • Top tips for “trying the thing”
  • Not being afraid to fail
  • Who the book is aimed at
  • The importance of representation and sharing stories from autistic athletics 
  • Future projects in 2023
  • Working on book 2
  • Wanting to take a sensory space on tour around the UK
  • How to connect with Allie
  • Final words of advice 
  • Being inspired by Al Humphreys

 

Social Media

Website: www.alliewrote.com 

Instagram: @alliewrote  

TikTok: @alliewrote  

 

 

May 16, 2023

A couple of years ago, Julia embarked on a solo hike along England's 630-mile South West Coast Path. Since then, she has cycled King Alfred's Way, a 217-mile mainly off-road cycle route in southern England, and walked the Camino Frances and Camino Portuguese!

But Julia's adventures don't stop there. In between her travels, she's been busy writing about her experiences, hoping to inspire others to embrace their own bucket lists. 

During this process, she's discovered a love for hiking and is also writing walking guidebooks to encourage others to get outdoors and explore.

Julia's story is a testament to the power of setting goals, pursuing your passions, and living life to the fullest.

 

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. Sign up as a Patron -  www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

 

Social Media

Website www.juliags.com 

Instagram @juliagsauthorspeaker 

Facebook @juliagsauthor 

Youtube @JuliaGSAuthorSpeaker 

 

Listen free of charge to the first three chapters of Live Your Bucket List: www.juliags.com/liveyourbucketlist 

Free Pilgrimage Planner pdf: www.juliags.com/camino
Julia's books: www.juliags.com/writing
15 short walks on the Malvern Hills: www.cicerone.co.uk/short-walks-on-the-malvern-hills-first 

 

 

 

May 11, 2023

India Pearson, is an Outdoors Advocate, Presenter, and Yoga Teacher based on the Kent coast. 


India's passion for wellbeing and nature has lead her to produce and host the podcast 'Start a Ripple ...' which celebrates the power of moving in nature for the mind, body and environment. Guests have included TV adventurer Ben Fogle, Olympian Michelle Griffith Robinson, BBC Spring Watch Presenter Megan McCubbin and Emmy Award Winner Doon Mackichan.

You can also find India presenting in front of the camera, on the highly successful Youtube Channel Holiday Extras Travel Guides, which over the last 4 years, has taken her all over the world making documentary style videos on sustainable tourism. 

During her time with Holiday Extras India co-founded a sustainable travel podcast 'Green on the Go' which saw her speak to industry professionals and travellers about eco tourism. In 2019 India won the Holiday Extras Difference Award for her efforts to encourage customers and colleagues to travel and live more sustainably.

As a lifestyle model India has worked with a variety of brands across different industries both nationally and internationally. 

India uses social media for discussions based around her passions and expertise in paddle boarding, yoga, environmental activism, and getting outdoors as a new mum to her daughter Malou. India has been featured in publications such as Women's Health and Women and Home, and is also also an ambassador for Gill Marine and Hatha Paddle Boards.

When she's not presenting, India can mostly be found by the sea, either on her stand up paddle board or practicing yoga on the beach. 

In 2020 India founded Fin & Flow, a hub for like minded people to connect through wellbeing activities by the sea such as yoga, paddle boarding, and beach cleans.

 

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 Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

  • Who is India?
  • Living in Kent with her partner and daughter
  • Her love of the sea
  • Working as a SUP and Yoga teacher
  • Being an Outdoor Advocate and being passionate about the outdoors
  • Having a very outdoorsy childhood 
  • Her podcast - 'Start a Ripple ...' which celebrates the power of moving in nature for the mind, body and environment.
  • Wishing she learnt how to surf when she was younger
  • Memories of playing in the waves
  • Going to college and studying dance, before moving to London
  • Dealing with anxiety and getting into yoga for the breathing
  • Feeling the benefits and knowing that she wanted to teach it
  • Doing the 200hr teaching training inThailand
  • Doing a SUP/Yoga Teacher Training Course
  • Doing a refresher water safety course
  • What can people expect from a SUP/Yoga class
  • The benefits of moving in nature and wanting to share it with others
  • The ripple effect of spending time in nature
  • Deciding to start the podcast and being on it’s 5th Series 
  • Pregnancy and being active and spending time outdoors
  • Dealing with Postnatel Anxiety 
  • Self care tips for new mums during stressful times of the year
  • Why comparison is the thief of joy
  • How her views of adventure have changed since having a baby
  • Dealing with a change in her identify and how she viewed herself
  • The challenges of going back to work after maternity leave
  • Taking her daughter on adventures 
  • Future plans for 2023
  • Armchair Adventure Festival 2023 (Use TG10 to get a 10% discount)
  • How to connect with India
  • Final words of advice for new mums and parents

 

 

Social Media

Website: www.finandflow.co.uk 

Instagram @with_india 

 

The Start a Ripple podcast was founded on the belief that ripples are made when we connect movement with nature, not only for our mind and body, but also the environment too. Every episode India speaks to a guest who shares their story and approach to moving in nature, with the hope that these conversations will encourage you to get outside, move, dream big, and start making your own ripples.

 

Listen here - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1718611

 

 

May 9, 2023

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Saanvi Sita Mylavarapu, a seasoned hiker, backpacker, rock climber, and youth advocate for the great outdoors. Since the age of six, Saanvi has been exploring the stunning landscapes of the United States, and has completed some of the most challenging hikes in the country, including Kala Pathar, Half Dome, and Mt. Whitney. She recently accomplished the feat of reaching the Everest Base Camp, and is now gearing up for a 120-mile trek across the Tour du Mont Blanc in Europe this summer.

Saanvi has hiked over 800 miles and has visited more than 25 National Parks, making her a true champion of nature conservation. Her passion for the environment has been recognized by national media outlets, who have featured her on the front page of newspapers and in articles in major magazines.

As a National Park Trust Ambassador, Saanvi has been supported by the National Park Service, renowned conservationists, mountaineers, and wildlife photographers. She is also the founder of 'Young Roots', an environmental and ecology club at Frisco ISD, and runs 'Nature Worthy', a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness of the benefits of connecting with nature. 

Join us as Saanvi shares her insights on the transformative power of nature, and her vision for a more sustainable future.

 

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 Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

  • Who is Saanvi
  • Moving from Dallas to Texas
  • Planing to complete the Tour du Mont Blanc trek in Europe 
  • Turning sixteen 
  • Reflecting on her childhood and growing up 
  • Her first road trip at 6 years old and visiting the National Parks
  • Her love for hiking and spending time outdoors
  • Enjoying the peace and quiet
  • Feeling under pressure at school 
  • Being self motivated and driven 
  • Being a National Park Student Trust Ambassador 
  • Going to the Junior Ranger Programs 
  • Climbing Mt. Whitney and why it was so strenuous 
  • Breaking through mental barriers 
  • Feeling mental drained and how to change her state
  • Getting into rock climbing and what she enjoys
  • Hiking and climbing Half Dome and why it was so tough
  • Being inspired by her mum
  • Hiking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal
  • Wanting to climb the mountains in the future
  • Dealing with cold hands and feet
  • Using the phrase “you can do this”
  • Future dreams and ambitions 
  • Preparing to hike Tour du Mont Blanc
  • Doing high altitude running
  • The Saanvi Speaker Series 
  • The importance of spending time in nature 
  • Founder of 'Young Roots', an environmental and ecology club
  • Her views on carbon footprints and climate change
  • The power of making little changes in their life
  • Being inspired by Emily Harrington 
  • How to connect with Saanvi
  • Final words of advice 

 

Social Media

 

Instagram: @chalkbagsntents 

 

 

May 2, 2023

Jen Price, is a former British Army Officer who spent the entirety of 2022 undertaking an extreme set of adventure and endurance challenges on behalf of the Veteran’s Foundation. 

The solo challenge she set herself was to complete 12 challenges in 12 months, in quick succession. The challenges were multi-discipline and included the Devizes to Westminster international canoe race, an ironman, a multistage desert ultra-marathon, summit of Aconcagua, and a 1000 mile self supported Lands’ End to John O’Groats cycle. None of the challenges were events she had attempted before and, in total, she covered over 3500km and climbed two of the Seven Summits. 

Jen has raised nearly £35,000 for the Veterans’ Foundation and she continues to fundraise in her spare time by speaking about the challenges at schools, universities and business. She also has two outstanding challenges to go this year (replaced due to severe weather) which she will also fundraise for: paddle boarding across the English channel and climbing the famous Matterhorn.

 

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 Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

  • Joining the Army in 2012
  • Why she joined the Army 
  • Deciding to raise funds for the Veterans’ Foundation 
  • Being inspired by the Tough Girl Podcast!
  • Her role in the Army and being physical robust
  • Doing cross country ski racing and competing for the Army
  • Joining the cadets at university 
  • Deciding to leave the army after 10 years
  • How the dream was turned into a plan - the practical steps that were taken
  • Starting with the desert marathon and building the rest of the challenges around it
  • Paying for the adventures and challenges 
  • Being able to borrow equipment to help keep costs down
  • Being supported by her friends and family 
  • Being frugal to keep costs down
  • The stress of planning and doing challenges throughout the year
  • Training for the variety of challenges 
  • The challenges of the desert marathon (challenge 10) and feeling broken
  • Self appreciation and not putting so much pressure on herself to achieve
  • Dealing with the feelings of shame
  • Her experience with climbing Aconcagua and the challenges she faced with the cold and the altitude
  • 28% oxygen!!
  • Doing a 1000 mile solo self supported Lands’ End to John O’Groats cycle
  • The 2 remaining challenges left for 2023
  • The lessons learned from the challenges
  • Sharing more about experience addiction 
  • Taking a step back from adventuring and figuring out the next steps in her life
  • If you’re not on an adventure, you should be planning your next one”
  • How to connect with Jen
  • Wanting to write a book about the challenges
  • Final words of advice for other women and girls
  • Not caring what other people think and why it can be powerful 

 

Social Media

Website: jennevolve.co.uk  

Instagram: @jennevolve

Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/team/teamridge  

 

 

Apr 27, 2023

Emily is an adventurer, solo traveler, mountaineer, quote collector, and all around lover of things that get people out of their comfort zones. Put on her first international flight at 3 weeks old, she's been adventuring in one way or another ever since. 

From wandering the forests of Sweden alone at the age of nine, to solo trekking in the Himalayas of India, to joining the circus as a professional aerialist, Emily is a big fan of the "just get out there and do it" mentality. She considers it her mission in life to inspire others to go outside, travel, and get curious about everything. As John Muir so aptly put it, "going out is really going in.”

Emily is a columnist and longtime contributor to Outside. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, Adventure Journal, REI, and Backpacker, among others. 

Emily has visited every national park in the United States, and her book Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks, came out in February 2023.

 

About Feral: A bracing memoir about self-discovery, liberating escape, and moving forward across an adventurous and volatile American landscape. One year. One national park at a time.

“After a decade as an assistant to high-powered LA executives, Emily Pennington left behind her structured life and surrendered to the pull of the great outdoors. With a tight budget, meticulous routing, and a temperamental minivan she named Gizmo, Emily embarked on a yearlong road trip to sixty-two national parks, hell-bent on a single goal: getting through the adventure in one piece. She was instantly thrust into more chaos than she’d bargained for and found herself on an unpredictable journey rocked by a gutting romantic breakup, a burgeoning pandemic, wildfires, and other seismic challenges that threatened her safety, her sanity, and the trip itself.

What began as an intrepid obsession soon evolved into a life-changing experience. Navigating the tangle of life’s unexpected sucker punches, Feral invites readers along on Emily’s grand, blissful, and sometimes perilous journey, where solitude, resilience, self-reliance, and personal transformation run wild.”

We first spoke with Emily on 17th December 2019. You can listen to that episode here - https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/emily-pennington 

 

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 Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

  • Who is Emily 
  • Working as a journalist and writing for; The New York Times, The Guardian, Condé Nast Traveler and Lonely Planet
  • Speaking to Emily on the Tough Girl Podcast - 17th December 2019. You can listen to that episode here
  • Going back to early 2020
  • Saving up $30K for the adventure of a lifetime
  • Having a goal to visit all 62 National Parks in the United States
  • How Covid impacted her life and work as a travel journalist 
  • Having a home base in LA and quitting her job
  • Starting her adventure on 6th January 2020
  • Living out of her mini van #VanLife and what life was really like while on the road
  • Being mindful of climate change and the impact her travel would have
  • The transition to full time travel and living in a different way
  • Having anxiety about travelling especially solo travel
  • Expectations verses reality 
  • The importance of having downtime while travelling
  • Tips for managing her anxiety 
  • Leaning into meditation, online therapy, and medication
  • Being caught in the smoke from the wild fires 
  • National Parks and the amount of people wanting to use the space
  • The challenges of meeting people while being on the road and the challenges during covid
  • Magical moments
  • Adventuring with a partner and the impact on their relationship
  • Spending time in Alaska
  • Thinking about what home really means
  • The writing experience and why it was like intensive therapy everyday for 6 months
  • Reflecting back on the journey and the experience of writing the book
  • The key takeaways from the experience
  • The importance of rest and scheduling in downtime 
  • Getting comfortable sitting with discomfort
  • Making better choices and having more compassion
  • Wanting to travel to meaningful places and learn more about herself 
  • Deciding to move to Colorado and work full time as a writer
  • Reflecting on her quality of life and wanting to spend more time in the mountains
  • Plans for a second and third book
  • How to connect with Emily 
  • Final words of advice for women who want to go on a big trip or take on a new adventure

 

Social Media

Website: www.brazenbackpacker.com 

Instagram: @brazenbackpacker 

Twitter: @BrazenBackpack

Book: Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks 

 

Apr 25, 2023

Vivianette Ortiz is a Latina originally from Puerto Rico. She grew up in the beach and mountain town of Patillas, Puerto Rico. She grew up running the hills of her hometown, bodyboarding, loving the ocean, and playing hide-in-seek barefoot through the farmlands. 

Vivianette moved to North Carolina at the age of 17. She is a dedicated mother, daughter, and granddaughter. For a long time, she worked countless hours daily with 2 or 3 jobs at a time. Her adventurous soul went dormant for many years due to everyday responsibilities.

Since arriving in North Carolina she has always gone back to the island to visit family and enjoy the feeling of freedom there. Going back to the island would help the homesickness she felt here on the mainland. Due to Covid restrictions, her traveling ceased for a while she found herself extremely homesick and depressed. 

Through social media, she found a North Carolina hiking group page. Discovering the outdoors again provided her with a connection to home. Her love for nature and the Latino community led her to be one of the founders of the group Latinos Aventureros en las Carolinas. She is proud to combine her love for the outdoors with her passion for the Hispanic community through her role as the Executive Director of Latinos Aventureros. 

She has completed over 130 hikes throughout the Carolinas in 2022, and 76 hikes in 2021. 

In 2022 was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Peru, and completing the Inca Trail. She hopes to start the Appalachian Trail by sections in 2023.

 

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 Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

  • Who is Vivianette
  • Her passion for going outside and travelling 
  • Working as a disability rights advocate
  • Growing up in Puerto Rico
  • Being an ocean girl and her passion for the water
  • Not being encouraged to spend time in the outdoors
  • Being dedicated to work and working 2/3 jobs to support her family
  • Being a single mother
  • Moving to North Carolina at 17 years old
  • The impact of Covid
  • Being very depressed and looking for things to do
  • Joining a social media friend for a hike
  • Her first memorable sunrise hike on Roan Mountain 
  • The gradual change after going on more hikes
  • Finding her passion of spending time in the outdoors
  • Practical tips and advice 
  • Hiking with her children
  • Starting Latinos Aventureros in October 2021
  • Building a camping gear closet 
  • Being able to take families out camping 
  • Doing the Inca Trail in 2022
  • Planning for 2 years 
  • The challenges of the trail 
  • Just keep going 
  • The mental side of hiking 
  • Why self motivation is important
  • Plans for 2023
  • Finding education and training for the leaders
  • The importance of resting and figuring out what your body needs
  • Making time to go hiking on her own
  • Hiking without an agenda
  • Plans for section hiking the Appalachian trail in 2023
  • Support, sponsorship and funding for the Latinos Aventureros
  • The Year of the Trail 
  • Disability rights and hiking 
  • The need for disability rights advocates 
  • Looking up trails on line to see if they are accessible 
  • All Trails App
  • How you can use your voice 
  • How to connect online
  • Advice for women who want to get out hiking and spend more time in the outdoors
  • Why it’s ok to ask for help
  • Words of encouragement in Spanish 

 

Social Media

Instagram @vivi.la.exploradora

Facebook - Vivianette Ortiz

Facebook Group - Latinos Aventureros en las Carolinas

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/latinosaventureros

 
Apr 20, 2023

On 5th June 2022 Laura set off on the back of a tandem, with husband Stevie, from the Brandenberg Gate in Berlin... 180 days later she returned having circumnavigated the World and with a new Guinness World Record! 

But, the ride wasn't straightforward; with closed borders, sickness, monsoons, sub -10 degree temperatures and a motorcycle collision that nearly ended the trip it took everything to reach the finish line on target. 

Laura blogged and updated social media throughout the trip and relied on her skills in project management and from her ultra-distance background to make the trip a success, as well as the ultimate team work of surviving 6 months on a bike with her husband.

We first spoke with Laura on 27th January 2022 - You can listen to that episode here

 

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 Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you. 

 

Show Notes

  • Who is Laura 
  • Spending 6 months cycling around the world on a tandem bicycle and breaking the Guin
  • Stats from the challenge 
  • Starting on the 5th June 2022
  • Needing to cycle 18,000 miles
  • Visiting over 21 countries
  • Speaking to Laura previously on the Tough Girl Podcast - 27th January 2022 - You can listen to that episode here 
  • Getting to the start line and feeling ready?
  • Planning for over 18 months to get to the start line
  • Being in an accident 2 weeks before the start
  • Dealing with the risks of cycling on the road 
  • Getting back on the bike - sooner rather than later
  • The start line in Berlin
  • Settling into a cycling routine 
  • What the daily routine looked like
  • The challenges on the journey 
  • Day to day challenges - from logistics, navigation, accommodation, food 
  • Dealing with the ongoing pressure 
  • Boarder closures and being flexible with changing plans
  • The crash in Malaysia and why it was a critical moment
  • Not knowing if they wanted to continue 
  • Being open and honest with each other 
  • Being as prepared as possible 
  • Flying to Australia 
  • Impacts on their relationships 
  • Advice for couples/partners who adventure together
  • Losing time and distance and getting behind schedule while riding in India 
  • Needing to make up 6 days and 600km
  • How to up the pace?
  • Highlights from the trip
  • Riding through New Zealand in 8.5 days
  • The route
  • Finishing the trip - the challenges in the final days
  • Getting back safely and doing what they said they were going to do
  • The achievement…..
  • Adventure blues and what happened next
  • Recovering physically 
  • Quick Fire Questions
  • Tough Girl Buffs (Black, Grey & White - Send me a DM £15 P&P UK Only)
  • Tandem WOW - Catherine Dixon (Cat) and Rachael Marsden (Raz) cycling around the world to set a new tandem WR! 
  • How to connect with Laura
  • Writing the book
  • Final words of advice to motivate and inspire you with your next challenge
  • Don’t under estimate what you can do
  • Why you might surprise yourself with what you can do

 

Social Media

 

Website: www.stelatandem.com  

Instagram: @stela_tandem 

Facebook: SteLa Tandem Round the World Record 

Twitter: @StelaTandem 

Youtube: SteLa Tandem 

 

 

1 « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next » 29