At the end of 2024, I wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect, and share some personal insights from the past six months.
In this special solo episode, I open up about my experiences hiking the South West Coast Path, the lessons I’ve learned about health and fitness, and how I’m approaching financial planning and future adventures.
From the challenges of dealing with health setbacks to the triumphs of completing tough hikes, this episode is an honest and raw look at my journey.
I also delve into thoughts on ageing, longevity, and the exciting plans I have for 2025, including more adventures, personal growth, and professional goals.
If you’re curious about what goes on behind the scenes of Tough Girl Challenges or simply want some motivation to tackle your own goals, this episode is for you.
Join me for an honest conversation about health, money, and embracing the adventures ahead!
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Show notes
- Welcome to the reflections episode
- Recording in the dead time between Christmas and New Year
- Who am I?
- The mission of Tough Girl Challenges
- Making assumptions - that you know a lot about me!
- Setting the scene
- Focusing on the previous 6 months (August 2024 - December 2024)
- Home on the Wirral
- The restful, calm bedroom where I work from
- Giant map of the World
- Snake plant
- Peace Lilly Plant
- Living at home since 2014
- Keeping structured and focused during the interview
- My early 30s, banking, stress, travelling for 2 years
- Spending time in South America and designing life I wanted to lead
- How podcasting has changed my life
- Starting podcasting in 4th August 2015
- Goodpods list
- Previous adventures and challenges
- Running challenges - Marathon des Sables
- Cycling challenges - Cycling from Vancouver to Cabo san Lucas 2018
- Hiking and thru-hiking
- Question from Adele Vickers
- How my adventures and challenges have evolved over time
- Feeling like a failure on the Appalachian Trail
- The importance of showing up even when you don’t feel like it
- Not enjoying the North Island of New Zealand (roads etc)
- Reflection on the Te Araroa Trail podcast episode
- Enjoying spending time in the wilderness, solo
- Pursuing similar challenges in the future
- Adventuring over the past 18 months none stop
- Achieving everyday and feeling like I’m making progress
- Working on balance
- Documenting the journey so far
- Focusing on the South West Coast Path, health, fitness, financial goals, new job and future goals
- Armchair Adventure Festival 2024
- South West Coast Path (SWCP)
- Zoe Langley-Wathen
- Training and preparation for the SWCP
- Dealing with severe anaemia and not going into the hike fully fit
- Documenting the trail daily and sharing on social media
- Sponsored by ZOLEO #ChallengeWithZOLEO
- Wearing INOV8 #gifted. Use TOUGHGIRL10 for a 10% discount
- Tooth pain, teeth issues, visiting the dentist, needing a filling and root canal…
- Accommodation, distances, costs, walking with friends on the SWCP (James, Zoe, Gigi)
- Level of enjoyment (71%) fatigue (44%), ease of terrain (48%)
- Ankle issues, and focusing on bullet proofing my ankles going forward
- Overall throughs on the SWCP and why I highly recommend it as a hike
- The reality of what people think thru-hiking is versus what it is actually like out on the trail
- The Salt Path - book & new film in 2025
- Being home in September and focusing on health
- Scientific research into ageing at 44 and me turning 44 in 2025
- Caroline Paul: How Outdoor Adventures Improve Life as We Age - Lessons from 'Tough Broad’. Discover how embracing bravery and the outdoors can lead to a fulfilling and adventurous life at any age.
- Ageing and adventuring - 16 adventures over the next 16 years
- 6 years until I’m 50 (WTF)
- Health, wellness & longevity
- Needing to put money into my SIPP (Private Pension - Self Invested Personal Pension)
- Needing to make more money, without losing my freedom
- Patrons & Patreon
- Getting back into strength training, working with Franco - https://www.humalforces.com/
- Dr. Stacy Sims - Leading Global Expert on Female Physiology and Endurance Training. Author of ROAR.
- Lifting heavy weights, getting my protein in (with Protein Rebel)
- AIM Health where cutting-edge medical science meets holistic well-being
- Seeing Dr Cathy
- Treatment - Cryotherapy, Red Light Bed, Rebalance Bed, Hyperbaric Oxygen and Hydrogen Therapy & Compression Therapy
- Feeling Amazing!!
- What 2025 is hopefully going to look like…. Work at AIM until end of April 25 (also doing strength training, editing podcast and vlogs etc), Travel/adventure from May to early September, work at AIM until next April 2026.
- Summary of financial goals
- Editing the Vlogs for New Zealand (22 for North Island and 27 vlogs for the South Island) and why I’m happy with what I’ve created.
- Sponsorship for 2025 - podcast & vlogs with INOV8 & ZOLEO
- Question around the feeling of failure - my response with tips and advice to help you
- The power of REFRAMING
- My failure in boxing
- Plans for 2025 - English Camino in Spain, The Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal, spending time with Adelaide in Norway
- Not feeling excited about doing a long hike such as the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
- GR10 - Through the French Pyrenees: Le Sentier des Pyrenees.
- 10 year anniversary of the Tough Girl Podcast!
- Final 2 questions - what have I changed my mind on in the last year and books I’ve been reading
- Running a 100 miler…
- THANK YOU for listening and supporting the Tough Girl Podcast
- The 10 year anniversary, a change in branding and the next decade…
- My word of 2025 - Longevity
- Needing to put legacy plans in place
- Connect with me and watch the vlogs on YouTube
- Support the work I do via Patreon
Previous Reflections/Solo Episodes
Aug 1, 2024 - Sarah Williams: Reflecting on the Past 6 Months and Future Plans for 2024 – Insights, Challenges, and Adventures.
Mar 14, 2024 - Sarah Williams - Reflections & Learnings from the 3,000km Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand.
Nov 2, 2023 - Sarah Williams - Planning and Preparation for thru hiking the 3,000 km Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand. #ChallengeWithZOLEO
Sep 10, 2023 - Sarah Williams - Solo Reflections: A Look Back at the End of 2022, Adventures and Challenges in 2023
Sep 4, 2018 - Sarah Williams - Planning and Preparation for the Pacific Coast Highway & the Baja Divide!
Dec 25, 2018 - Sarah Williams - Cycling the Pacific Coast Highway & Baja Divide
Social Media
Website: www.toughgirlchallenges.com
Instagram: @toughgirlchallenges
Facebook: Sarah Williams