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In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Manika Gamble — an Atlanta-based trail runner who thrives on testing her limits in some of the world's toughest ultra races. Manika's running journey started with casual neighbourhood runs, but soon she found herself racing 155-mile desert ultras in Africa, tackling Mongolia's Gobi March, and pushing through multi-stage, extreme endurance events. She shares the highs, the lows, and the mental grit it takes to keep moving when every muscle is screaming. We dive into: Training by feel, without a watch or GPS Fueling, hydration, and surviving the desert heat Coping with pain, blisters, and fatigue without relying on painkillers Recovery strategies, sleep, and balancing life with training The mental challenges of multi-day ultra races Staying motivated and tackling new adventures outside your comfort zone Manika's message is simple: don't let fear hold you back. Find what excites you, lean in, and see what you're capable of. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Manika Being based out of Atlanta, USA  Trail Runner Currently training for a race our in Morocco Running every since she was a child but being new to long distance running Always being an active child  Going out for the track team and how it became her whole life Focusing on 100 m and 400 m hurdles Wanting to run further Dreaming of the day she would be able to run casually  Starting with 20 min runs throughout the neighbourhood  Signing up for more and more races from 5k, up to Marathon distance  Deciding to take on an ultra race  Seeing a YouTube video of a man running in Namibia, Africa  Signing up for the race and giving herself a 1 year time line to train for  The running logistics and what her training looked like  Being a laidback person when it comes to a training schedule  Not running with a watch or gps tracking device  Training based on feel and time  Leaning about fuelling and nutrition and how to manage herself in the desert Carrying everything she needed on her back for 7 days while running through the desert Learning how to hydrate probably  What worked well nutrition wise while racing  Using Tailwind Powder  The mental and emotional side of the challenge Why it was so tough  Why it was such a beautiful race  Issues with her feet and dealing with blisters  Dealing with pain and not being able to block it out  Not being able to take pain medication - due to the heat and potential damage to organs  Telling herself - you're not going to stop  Trying to divert her mind from the pain  Camp life  Finishing the race and the thoughts running through her head  Never Again…. Sprinting V Longer Races What does recovery look like? Incorporating creatine into her diet, resting more, prioritising sleep and taking on less races  Taking 5g of creatine in the morning, and 5g in the evening Taking other supplements, Magnesium, potassium and starting to take athletic green in the future  Trying to have a well rounded diet based on feel with a focus on protein, fibre and carbs Trying the carnivore diet but not having the energy to run Waking at 4am - but staying in bed till 6am  Not napping during the day   Heading over to Mongolia to race the Gobi March (250km across the desert) Racing the Planet  Racing on green trails through the Mongolian Desert  Getting very tired of eating the same food day after day  How things changed mentally having done the Nambia Race previously  Getting bored of the green pastures - being ready for it to be over  Feeling mentally drained on her 2nd Ultra  Too much too soon? Racing in Mongolia only 6 weeks after Nambia  Racing the Planet - Grand Slam Challenge  Trying to raise funds to race an ultra in Antarctica ($14,100) Fitting training into her life and work  Having a pretty flexible schedule and stating to work with brand Using running as work  Stone Everest, Atlanta Challenge (May 16th & 17th)   Races for 2026 Training for a team relay 100k challenge  Running a Marathon in Morocco Running a 3 day stage race through Utah  How to connect with Manika on social media  Advice and top tips for other women who want to take on new challenges Outside of just do it  Don't allow fear to rule you Find something that intrigues you and go with that    Social Media Instagram: @manikaruns  Youtube: @ManikaRuns   

Lisa Jackson is a hypnotherapist, running writer, Runner's World columnist, and the author of three bestselling running books, including Your Pace or Mine?, Running Made Easy, and her deeply personal latest release, Still Running After All These Tears – A Runner's Journey Through Grief. Originally from South Africa and now based in Worthing, UK, Lisa is a veteran of over 100 marathons and two 56-mile ultramarathons — despite often coming last. A proud reminder that endurance sport isn't about talent or speed, but about showing up, again and again. In this powerful and emotional episode, Lisa shares her journey into running, from hating sport as a child to rediscovering running at 30, navigating disastrous races, and learning to reset expectations through walk-run strategies. She opens up with raw honesty about her husband's terminal lung cancer diagnosis, how running helped her survive the darkest moments of caregiving and grief, and what it means to lose — and slowly rebuild — your running mojo. We dive into running through trauma, comfort eating and wine, the power of a ten-minute run, and why sometimes one mile is more than enough. Lisa also speaks openly about death and dying, dignity at the end of life, writing living wills, DNR decisions, death doulas, and how facing mortality can bring clarity, purpose, and peace. This is a conversation about resilience, realistic goals, choosing hope over fear, and why tenacity will always beat talent. Lisa's story reminds us that running doesn't need to look impressive to be meaningful — especially when it helps carry you through loss and into hope. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lisa Writer and Author of 3 running books  Her latest book: Still Running After All These Tears – A Runner's Journey Through Grief Being based in sunny Worthing  Her early years and coming from a running family Hating sports at a young age  Doing a 5k fun run when she was 10 Not running again for 20 years  Turning 30 and realising her life was at a crossroads Wanting to walk in the footsteps of her parents Being invited to a Race for Life event  Being supported by other women Entering the Great North Run  Everything that went wrong! Being offered a place in the London Marathon Wanting to do another marathon…. Running the Edinburgh Marathon and having an horrendous experience Trying a walk run strategy  Her recovery after the Paris Marathon  Writing her first book: Running Made Easy Jeff Galloway  Book: Your Pace or Mine? Having her husband diagnosed with terminal lung cancer  Learning a lot about cancer, mindset and dealing with medical professionals Turning wounds into wisdom  How running played an important role during her husbands illness Dealing with her loss of running mojo Giving people a roadmap; through trauma, grief and through terminal illness Life lessons for help in a challenging situation  Running through trauma and grief  Being a goal orientated person Wanting to run 100 marathons and visit 100 countries  Throwing her goals out of the window and focusing on keeping her husband alive for as long as she could  Turning to comfort eating and drinking wine  The power of a ten minute run Running mojo - "Running will be your salvation"  Being told to stop running  Needing to reset and recalibrate her expectations for herself Setting the target of running 1 mile Running a park run Running her first marathon in 7 years  Peter Rook Being a cancer thrivers partner Writing her book - running after all these tears Why it was the most difficult book she's written  Feeling drained by the writing Why the tears were healing and necessary  Being a supporter for Dignity in Dying  The realities of death  What stage the bill (Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill) is at  Talking about death and dying Making peach with our lives Anything that needs to change with our lives going forward  Making the decision to live in hope not fear Marie Curie Writing a living will Signing a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) for her husband while he was in hospice. How to have a good death Living her life with a sense of purpose Wanting to have someone hold her hand at death Having a death Doula  Wanting to die at home in her own bed Future plans in relation to running and travel The importance of goals  Why its the journey and not the destination Heading to visit Libya  Running the Brighton Marathon in 2026 Wanting to 100 Park Runs Wanting to run 100 Half Marathons  Doing a half ironman….. Being inspired by IronGran  Writing her bucket list Being very good with money Running a 100 mile race….. Not being a naturally talented runner The triumph of tenacity over talent! Wanting to preserve her body as much as possible  Treating her body with respect Coming last in 25 marathons How to connect with Lisa on social media Funny moments in the book! Final words of advice Start every run with a 5 minute walk  Make it as fun as you can Enjoy youself as much as you can  Don't live your life with regrets Why a 10 min run will make you feel like a new person Why running can be your salvation to  Social Media Instagram: @lisaflamingojackson  Facebook: @LisaFlamingoJackson

Meet Dr. Erin Ayala, a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant from Minnesota, specialising in supporting female endurance athletes. With over a decade of research and clinical experience, she's a published author, sought-after speaker, and advocate for mental health in sport. In this episode, Erin shares insights on: Building mental resilience for endurance challenges Strategies for coping with performance pressure and burnout Balancing high-level competition with wellbeing Lessons from her own journey as a competitive cyclist A must-listen for anyone looking to strengthen their mind while chasing big goals. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Dr Erin - Licensed Psychologist and certified mental performance coach  Being based in the twin cities, Minnesota, USA Her love for working with female athletes Her backstory and being a multi-sport athlete in High School Getting to grad school and starting to get into running  Joining a run club and getting the running bug Working her way up to marathons Meeting her spouse and getting into cycling, triathlons and doing Ironman Moving to Minnesota in 2016  Joining a cycling club and being encouraged to start racing bikes Gravel racing for the past 10 years Growing up in a small, midwestern town. Wanting to look after herself better  Being a workaholic and not prioritising her health or wellness  Stretching herself to thin and not feeling proud of what's going on inside Being very achievement driven Needing to match the internal to external  Being consistent with therapy since undergraduate  Why running and riding can be therapeutic but it can never replace working with a licensed therapist.  Thoughts while running and how they have changed over the years  Being a smoker, waking up coughing and not feeling good Starting running to be healthy and fit again Why it became so much deeper so much quicker  External motivation can only get us so far  The internal motivation is what keeps us going  How running helps her prioritise her "me" time Figuring out the WHY Wanting to get off Strava, not following anyone on it, and not worrying about the social comparison game Getting sucked into the world of social media Starting with your WHY and what does that actually mean  What words do you want people to use to describe you as a person Setting herself up for success  Why her favourite clients are women in their 50s Getting the balance right between going after your goals and managing a relationship  Being supported on her bike adventures, both on and off the road    Doing really long road trips and going back country hiking together  Doing 2 big events per year Planning a race strategy and what the mental side of a race strategy looks like  Nothing new on race day and why the same applies to mental work and mental skills It's never too soon to start.  Doing meditation every day via a free app 3/4 weeks out and getting series about her race goals  Being ready to reassess her goals based upon life circumstances  Taking into account- life - when setting race goals  Life gives us training scores too Tips and tricks while being on the start line to get into the zone. The cognitive piece and psychological piece  Here are my pre-race jitters Feeling anxious at the start line e.g. going to the bathrooms multiple times before the start. Take a deep breath? Breathing  The importance of low and slow breathing and how it helps to balance out the nervous system. The concept of the pain cave  Courtney Dauwalter Taking it to the next level- finishing strong - the final push over the finish line Figuring out - What is the most difficult or most important part of the race? Visualising success…. Toxic positivity  How am I going to respond once the feeling hits? If - then - situation  Responding and dealing with failure and set backs  Letting the disappointment settle in  Reminding yourself that just because you didn't reach your goal didn't mean you are a failure and did anything wrong  Doing everything right and still not hitting your goals  Outcome goals are how we compare to other people  Set process goals and why they are more effective than outcome goals Starting a new podcast with Fiesty Media  Focusing on what she can do The noise on the internet The Feisty Women's Podcast - January 12th 2026 was the launch date - with weekly episodes going forward. Women and sleep and why women are more efficient sleepers than men Focus on the basics Taking on the more taboo topics Book: The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells us about the Power of the Female Body. By Starre Vartan  Sports psychology and why there is so much work to do in this space for women  Research which is specific for women The lack of large scale studies in sports psychology for women How to connect with Erin online  "Skadi"- The Norse Goddess of ice, snow and mountains Words of advice to motivate and inspire other women and girls  Being willing to ask the hard questions around where our expectations are coming from  Why it's ok to make our own rules and break them  Going back to your value system Does leaning into this experience make sense for me?   Social Media Website: www.skadisportpsychology.com  Instagram: @skadisportpsychology @feisty_womens_performance Fiesty Media Podcast: feisty.co/podcasts 

Jennifer is an adventurer, wellness professional, and founder of The Adventure Wellness Club, helping women connect with nature, challenge themselves, and build lasting friendships through experiences grounded in the 3 Cs: Challenge, Connection, and Community. She designs international hiking adventures and UK-based experiences that blend movement, mindfulness, and wellness. Her work spans everything from planning logistics and designing programs to facilitating group hikes, yoga, sauna and ice-bath sessions, and breath work. Jennifer lived in Trentino, Italy for four years, where she learned to speak Italian and fell in love with the mountains and the sports within them, including ski touring. Over time, she has also run ultra marathons and bike packed long distances. Adventure is what makes her feel alive! As a late-diagnosed ADHDer, her adventures are rooted in wellness and informed by research like the 3 Day Effect, showing that just three days immersed in nature can boost attention, creativity, and emotional resilience — benefits especially meaningful for neurodivergent women. Each international trip ends with a sauna experience, which she considers essential for physical and emotional wellbeing. Her experiences encourage women to step outside their comfort zones while feeling supported, mindful, and fully present. Through adventure, movement, and shared experiences, Jennifer helps women slow down, feel capable, and reconnect with themselves and each other. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x   Show notes Who is Jennifer Original from Manchester, but now based in Sheffield When her running journey started Maintaining a good level of base fitness Running 50k in January  Feeling the need to go for a run Getting into ultra running  Supported a guy who did the Bob Graham Round and running one of the legs If he can do it - I can do it to Knowing that she was capable of achieving  Breaking down the goal  Seeing the behind the scenes of planning a run and how it inspired her The Japanese Odyssey  Doing the next best thing - signing up to a race in Italy  Being supported by people along the way  Running the Edale Skyline with Barefoot John  Digging into the planning and learning new planning skills Being impulsive and spontaneous  Being determined enough to do it  Why it's not just about the planning, but also about the execution  Coming up with a rough plan  Planning, hormones, structure  Not having the energy for hill reps and feeling fatigued Beating herself up for not achieving it Having to reframe the situation  The night before the race and doing a race strategy with Chat GPT  Working with a coach - S&C and following a 12 week running plan  Why there isn't a right and a wrong - why it's what works for you Looking at the training plan and listening to her body  Running the ultra marathon while menstruating  Fitting training into life and work  Running to her cleaning job  Starting a marketing contract for 4 days a week Having a rest day on Monday Being forced to find the time Combing running with life  Starting with a running coach and training for a 50k in April in Wales (She Ultra)  The Ultra Race in Italy - being the only British women running   Her aim for the race Why it's not about the other people racing - it's about you Treating it as a fun day out - chatting to people in the mountain huts, changing her top, taking things steady Teaching herself that she could do it Sprinting towards the end, just trying to get there  Gaining new experience  SheUltra Race  Wanting to build her confidence in her physical abilities  Getting into plyometrics - for building bone density  Founding the Adventure Wellness Club and what it's goals are Wanting to bring people together to share her passion  Being diagnosed with ADHD and starting to understand how her brain works and working on her self confidence  Pushing herself out of comfort zone with travel and adventure Delivering her first trip in 2025 Teaching herself that you can make your idea a reality  Ending each trip with a sauna and spa experience  The "3 Day Effect" - spending 72 hours disconnected from technology and surrounded by nature has a breadth of benefits for your mind. Why adventure is key to wellness Looking at herself with more compassion Why it's not just a focus issue Why a diagnosis does change everything Trying medication and working with a nurse practitioner  Starting to realise how awesome she is Seeing yourself in a different way  Issues with ADHD, perimenopause and mental health  Her feelings with turning 40 Becoming more comfortable with not having children Being more comfortable with how her life is Wanting to age as strong as she can - keep pushing it, keep learning what it is capable of  Wanting to go ski touring in New Zealand  How to connect with Jennifer on social media  Developing her website at the moment Final words of advice for other women who want more adventure in their life  The thing that you're thinking of doing that seems scary, follow the thread of that curiosity, it's there for a reason.    Social Media Website: www.adventurewellness.club  Instagram: @adventurewellness.club  Facebook: @adventurewellnessclub  

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we're joined by Marie "Lootie" Leautey, the second woman in history to run around the world solo and unsupported — and the fastest woman to do it. Lootie's journey began in France, far from the running world. A former smoker and corporate finance professional, she swapped cigarettes for daily runs at 25, building up to her first marathon in just eight months. That spark turned into an audacious dream: to run across the globe — 26,000+ km, across four continents, relying entirely on herself. Starting her run in Europe in December 2019, Lootie faced deserts, mountains, and long stretches between resupply points, carrying only a 12–15kg stroller packed with her essentials. Along the way, she experienced the kindness of strangers, the thrill of new cultures, and the incredible mental discipline required to run a marathon every day for years. Beyond the physical feat, Lootie shares how her journey is rooted in purpose: raising funds for Women for Women International, honouring her grandmother's legacy, and inspiring women to ask themselves, "Why am I doing this, and is it aligned with who I want to be?" This is a story of grit, adventure, and the extraordinary power of chasing your own path — a reminder that there's very little you can't achieve once you set your mind to it. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lootie Becoming the 2nd woman to run around the world - solo and unsupported Fastest women to run around the world  Her early years growing up in France Coming from a sporty family but not being interested in running Her love for team sports  Being a smoker Being out of shape at 25/26 years old Swapping her cigarettes for a run ever day Her wake up call in Greece while learning how to windsurf Building up to a marathon distance- 8 months later Leaving France when she was 20  - working in finance for big corporates  Having the idea to run around the world Going on Google - has anyone run around the world before The World Runners Association (WRA)  Her route and the rules and how they gave her structure  Needing to cross a minimum of 4 continents, and run in one continuous direction  Running a minimum distance of just under 30,000 km (The runner must cover a total of at least 26,232 km on foot) Making the decision and the commitment  Understanding her WHY and having it at the forefront of her mind  Self financing the challenge  Deciding to run a marathon per day  Taking 2 years in the planning and preparation  Running without time pressure The daily thoughts, the novelty of running  Never thinking of giving up as this is exactly what she wanted Her running set up - and keeping it as light as possible (12 - 15kg) Researching with google maps - trying to figure out her location every 40km The longest distances without resupply - and knowing she would need to camp and to be self sufficient.  Having a stroller with waterproof bags  The mental side of the challenge while running  Having a sensory experience while running  Not being bored on any of the days - even while crossing the desert in Australia Speaking French, English, German and Greek Starting her run in Europe and why it was such a challenge (covid) Starting 6th December 2019 After leaving Europe and heading to America (Getting an exception from the WRA) Arriving in New York in Mid November 2021 What daily life was like on the road  Starting running at dawn and being done by lunchtime  What the afternoons would look like  Carrying 2 GPS trackers - and updating the info daily (or as often as possible when wifi was available) Going to bed by 9pm and sleeping very well throughout the challenge - going from sleeping 5hrs a night to 9/10 hours of sleep at night Eating what you find, eat until you are not hungry anymore Not being dependent on certain types of food, drinks, gels, supplements etc Running in South America (her first visit was on the run), starting in Patagonia  Running up to 4,000m of altitude  Being inspired by her Grandmother who was the director of the first feminist library in France   Being taught the differences between the treatment between men and woman  Being encouraged to do what ever she wanted Wanting to use her voice to share that message with women  Running for Women for Women International  Wanting to rise $1 per km run  The challenges of running in Australia: - road trains, distances between resupply points The kindness of strangers  Running in Australia between May and August - which is Autumn time  Finishing the world run in Sydney, Australia and coming to the end of the run and the experience. Feeling a little bit of satisfaction and also wanting the run to continue - a cocktail of strong and contradictory emotions  Feeling at peace now - 3 years after the run The day after and not needing to run anymore Never missing the running, even though she enjoyed it everyday  Struggling to run casually after the end of the world run Flying back to France and going back to the normal world  Having a publishing contract in France and being ready after 2/3 months to start writing about the experience Feeling that the adventure was so rich - that she wanted to write the story in English and finding a publisher in the United States The next challenge…. Deciding to run across Africa Wanting to be a teacher How to connect with Lootie on social media  Final words of advice for other women who want to take on their own personal challenge Whatever you're doing — at work or in your life — pause and ask yourself: Why am I doing this? And how aligned is it with who I am, or who I want to become? There's very little you can't do once you set your mind to it. Her motto - Wanting to see the world, enjoy it and appreciate every step of the way.    Social Media Website: lootie-run.com  Instagram: @lootierun Facebook: @lootierun Strava: www.strava.com/athletes/48402997   

Stephanie Ho is a 24-year-old adventurer, endurance athlete, and exercise physiologist based on the Gold Coast, Australia. From rock climbing and ocean swimming to triathlons and mountain expeditions, Stephanie has always chased the outdoors — but her biggest goals lie in the polar regions. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Stephanie shares her journey from discovering hiking and camping as a teenager to trekking Everest Base Camp, running 43km a day for a week, and skiing 540km across Greenland. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of polar expeditions, the lessons she's learned in extreme environments, and what it takes to keep motivation alive when the goal seems impossible. Stephanie is now preparing for a solo 1,200km expedition to the South Pole in 2026 — hauling a 100kg sled through temperatures as low as -50°C — a feat that, if successful, will make her the first Australian woman to achieve it. Along the way, she talks logistics, training, nutrition, dealing with fears and unsolicited advice, and the importance of listening to your body while chasing what sets your soul on fire. This conversation is a masterclass in mental toughness, gratitude, and stepping beyond your comfort zone. Stephanie's story will inspire you to dream big, push limits, and embrace adventure — no matter your age or background.  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time).  Support the Tough Girl mission via Patreon: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast *** Show notes Who is Steph Being based on the Gold Coast, Australia  24 years old Working as an exercise physiologist - both in the office and in a clinical setting  Her love for any activity that is outdoors from rock climbing to hiking, cycling, ocean swimming, skiing and doing triathlons  Her main goal is to train for big skiing expeditions and big mountain expeditions  Her early memories and not being encouraged to be that active  Growing up as an only child  Wanting to do more running How things changed at 14 and going camping for the first time in her life Finding friends who wanted to go hiking and camping  Heading over to Nepal to do the Everest base camp after graduating high school  Wanting to spend some time alone reflecting on the past 18 years  Having a good reset before starting university  Why her trip to Nepal was so formative  Trekking to Everest Base camp in Winter  Getting up to 5,500 metres Climbing Kala Patthar, Nepal  Enjoying being in the cold, remote environment Knowing that her next big adventure was going to be Antarctica  Starting to plan her training trips to Norway and Greenland  Having everything put on hold until 2023 Doing her Polar Training course in Norway Skiing across Greenland in 2023 Doing more solo expeditions in the polar regions Planning to head to the South Pole at the end of 2026 Polar training and the lessons learned  Being part of a team to do the Greenland crossing in May 2023 30 days on the ice - starting on the west coast and heading to the East coast  Learning how to cope in the cold and the wind Dealing with polar thigh Why the journey has been rewarding and feeling a lot of pride with what's been achieved. Thinking about what's next and struggling to be satisfied with the achievements  Running for 43k a day for 7 days… Learning how to suffer mentally while out on the ice Staying positive and the other lessons learned to help mentally  Practicing gratitude and being grateful for where she it  Keeping the motivation alive The logistics and finances to pay for the expedition  Working with ALE  Training and what that looks like Recovery and paying more attention to nutrition  Being vegetation, but eating some white meat, such as chicken and fish Having cold showers Concerns and fears to mange before the trip Managing unsolicited opinions and advice  How to connect with Stephanie  Advice to motivate and inspire other women to step outside their comfort zone Don't be afraid of what other people might think of you.  Listening to your body and what you want to do  Do something that sets your soul on fire    Social Media Website: solosouth.com.au   

Birgit Hermann is a global leadership coach, speaker, executive leader, ocean advocate, professional freediver, and extreme endurance athlete who translates lessons from the edge into meaningful impact for people and planet.  She supports purpose-driven leaders to turn bold challenges into grounded, values-led action. She has raced the Marathon des Sables, run a marathon in Antarctica, freedived beneath Arctic ice without a wetsuit, and cycled across the African continent — often as the only woman on the start line. Alongside these edge-tested experiences, Birgit brings over 20 years of leading and coaching teams across marine conservation, climate resilience, international development, and peace building in more than 20 countries. Based between Timor-Leste, Germany, New Zealand, and Egypt, she is the founder of Inspired by Nature and the author of B.O.L.D.E.R.™ — a leadership framework forged at the edge and built for real-world change. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Birgit Growing up in Germany Spending a lot of her life in Asia- Pacific, specifically New Zealand Considering herself a change maker  Working in management positions in relation to climate change adaptions, marine conservation, supporting livelihoods and communities to make changes for the better  Growing up sporty and active  Becoming an outdoor lover after moving to New Zealand  Being a competitive swimmer for many years Trying all sports from judo, to volleyball and cycling  Being interested in different cultures and travelling  Deciding to do her Masters Degree in New Zealand  Deciding to take on Tour d'Afrique Cycling 12,000km from north to south Africa Feeing unsettled and wanting more from life  Getting her courage together to sign up for the challenge  Planning and training for a 4 month challenge Changing her perspective on what's possible  The physical achievement and trusting herself Realising how all the small steps accumulate over time especially at the end of the journey and looking back on what's been achieved Knowing that there was more to what she believed she could achieve  Deciding to spend more time in Africa  Freeing herself up to be open to something new  Testing herself in a new environment  Making something close to impossible happen Starting to think and dream big  Why the physical experience can change your mindset  Knowing that the next step was the right step  Why it wasn't easy  Deciding to head back to New Zealand Being a pioneer and looking to find a role model  Continuing to take on big challenges Living in Timor-Leste in 2016  Wanting to share her experiences of traveling the world while doing endurance challenges  Her experience in Antarctica and wanting to raise awareness and funds for climate change Learning how to free-dive and the benefits experienced  The importance of relaxing - truly relaxing The journey over the last 3 years and putting all the lessons together Boosting her confidence and starting to work for herself Deciding to write her book Being a trail blazer, and shifting culture The lessons to be learned  Inspire change, shift culture and build sustainable impact - without burnout!  Who would benefit from reading from the book Wanting to make a positive change in the world Shout out for the Tough Girl Podcast! How to connect with Birgit Final words of advice for other women who want to live bolder  Talk about it!! Why it's the first step - talking about it out loud.  There will be people who will support you.  Social Media Website: www.birgithermann.com Instagram: @b_inspiredbynature Facebook: @b.inspiredbynature Youtube: @b.inspiredbynature  Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/birgithermann Direct link to the book: www.birgithermann.com/bolder.html  

Amanda Duling is an endurance athlete, writer, and founder of One Gear Short of Normal™.  A post-bariatric, perimenopausal gravel cyclist and Ironman 70.3 finisher, Amanda uses grit, science, and unapologetic humour to tell the stories no one else is telling about endurance sports, women's bodies, and doing hard things later in life. Through her writing and community work, she challenges the "suffer in silence" culture of endurance athletics and advocates for smarter fueling, better hygiene, realistic training, and radical honesty—especially for women navigating menopause, major weight loss, and endurance sport at the same time. When she's not riding gravel roads or lifting heavy things, Amanda writes research-backed, laugh-out-loud essays on endurance life, parenting, and why choosing your hard matters more than perfection. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Amanda Living in Kansas City, USA Working as an IT professional during the day Mum to a special needs son  Building a brand in relation to being a post-bariatric endurance athlete  Publishing an e-book in relation to saddle sores  Why reinvention is possible  Growing up in a small rural community  Being into reading, writing and art Having a lot of anxiety about her body and body image Enjoying being active  Not having the confidence when she was younger  Getting married and settling down Having gastric bypass surgery in her early 40s  Having an Roux-en-Y gastric bypass - having a large portion of her stomach removed along with a large portion of her small intestines  Having the surgery at the beginning of COVID and being stuck at home Her journey with food, health and fitness  Going for walks with her husband  Finding the motivation for the next step Feeling uncomfortable wearing shorts and form fitting clothes  Starting to walk a little quicker  Hiring a personal trainer at the gym to gain some of the lost muscle back Seeing her strength coming back  Thinking about doing a half marathon  Finding a couch to 5k program  Not making a lot of progress due to not being able to eat a lot Starting to work with a dietician  Having to re-learn eating  Passing out after exercise and having no energy  Dumping syndrome - when the body is not able to process sugar UCAN and Waxy Maize Finding support through community  Joining a run club and meeting new people  Being able to complete the half marathon  Confidence and having confidence around her body Building her self confidence When things started to change Showing up to different races Doing hard things  Wanting to encourage individuals starting out to volunteer at a couple of events Overcoming a challenge during a race Gravel cycling/racing, and why it's the hardest disciple in endurance sports Unbound Gravel Race  Breaking down the challenge into smaller and smaller steps and grinding it out Logistics of gravel racing in relation to hydration and fuelling  Electrolytes UCAN Fuel— ucan.co  Running on sheer grit  What training looks like and why she needed a lot of structure Training Peaks Learning about heart rate training  Training in the morning and making training work for her and her family The importance of social interactions during workouts Being surrounded by the right people and how it can help with motivation  How to connect with Amanda on social media Her love for writing and sharing her stories on Substack Final words of advice to motivate and inspire you The importance of showing up    Social Media Website: onegearshortofnormal.gumroad.com/l/prrdc thecookiewaitlist.com Instagram: @onegearshortofnormal Facebook:  Amanda McMahon  Substack: @onegearshortofnormal1 Youtube: One Gear Short of Normal  

Growing up near Boston, Sugar discovered hiking in her early twenties while exploring the White Mountains of New Hampshire. After getting sober at 30, she found herself with the clarity, time and capacity to pursue the life she truly wanted. What followed was a decision to live authentically, prioritise long-distance hiking, and become what she proudly calls a professional dirtbag. In 2021, Sugar set out on the Appalachian Trail. While she knew she was a strong hiker, she also faced the uncertainty of what it would mean to walk the trail as a trans woman. Feeling the isolation of not seeing many stories like her own pushed her to begin writing, speaking openly, and becoming someone other queer and trans hikers could reach out to. Since then, she has become the first known trans woman to complete the Triple Crown of long-distance hiking, founded TrailQTs – a free mentoring programme supporting first-time queer and trans thru-hikers – and in 2024 pioneered the Divide to Crest Route, a 3,000-mile backcountry journey from the Mexican border in New Mexico to the Canadian border in Washington. In 2025, Sugar set a new women's self-supported speed record on the Appalachian Trail southbound, breaking the previous record by more than a day and a half. In this episode, we dive into sobriety, transition, representation, burnout, post-trail blues, building community, and what it really takes to push the body day after day. Sugar also shares practical advice on training, fuelling on a budget, protecting your feet, and why big dreams are built through small, steady steps. This is a conversation about courage, visibility, and creating the path you wish had existed when you started. *** New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time). Hit subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lyla Using she/her programs  From the North East of the USA Living in New Hampshire Working with kids and doing bar tending and other odd jobs Growing up just north of Boston, on the North shore, about 3 hrs away from the Appalachian Trail Playing team sports  Getting into hiking in her early 20s, with the help of a friend  Hiking in the White Mountains in New Hampshire  Getting sober at 30 years old and being sober for over 8 years now How it changed her life, having more time and capacity to do more hiking Spending time exploring the local trails in the area  Starting her gender transition  Knowing she was trans in her late 20s but not having the capacity to do anything about it Getting sober and how it opened up lots of doors for herself  Living her authentic life  Deciding to leave her job, sell her car and go and hike the Appalachian Trail Hiking the Appalachian Trail in late March 2021 Spending the past 5 years making long distance hiking her priority Being a professional dirtbag Channeling all of her energy and resources into hiking  Managing fears and concerns before taking on the Appalachian Trail  Knowing she was a strong hiker Having concerns related to being a trans woman on trail and what unique challenges she would face Trying to learn more about other trans experiences on the Appalachian Trail Feeling a bit alone and not wanting others to feel the same way Deciding to write for an outdoor website called the trek Sharing more of her life online The power of seeing trans people in the outdoors  Speaking publicly and telling her authentic story Trying to be someone queer and trans folk can reach out to  Wanting to be accessible for other people  Documenting and sharing her story while hiking  Blog post - Trans competent on trail  Magical moments while being on the trail  Getting her trail name "Sugar" Suffering with burnout and adventure blues? Post trail depression and planning for it  Mental health and the importance of spending quality time in nature  Mental health habits and what's worked for her Having a rich community of people in her support network Having people who understand where you're coming from  Having good friends  Spending time along Self supported FKT SOBO on the Appalachian Trail  Pushing yourself hard while on the trail Day 1 of the project and why it was a year before starting on the trail The first couple of weeks and the challenging terrain  Why it's fun for her The physical challenge for her body and thinking more about millage  Wanting to know how much she could push her body The planning and preparation before the start of the hike  The Divide to Crest route  Trying to figure out how to make it financially viable  Looking for sponsorship from outdoor brands Physically training and breaking it down into 3 separate chapters The Arizona Trail  Why your feet are everything The New England Trail  Using her home as basecamp Dealing with a little tendonitis at the start Getting hiker legs Food and nutrition while on the trail Taking a B vitamin supplement every day to help with energy Taking electrolytes especially with the hot weather Maple syrup and salt  Doing the trail on a budget - salt, fat, carbs…. Eating foods that she can stomach while on the trail The importance of getting calories in  The idea behind the Divide to Crest Route Getting into route creation  The Great Basin Trail  Finding out more info about the Divide to Crest Route How to connect with Lyla on social media Finals words of advice for women who want to take on a new challenge and step outside their comfort zone Think about scaffolding  Why you don't need to do everything at once.  Build your skillsets over time What can you do this year to move you closer to your goal.    Social Media Instagram @seltzerskelter  

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we're joined by Sara Eydmann — ultra-marathon runner, counsellor and therapist based in Edinburgh, Scotland. At 30 years old, Sara is no stranger to pushing her limits. From attempting to run 500 miles to taking on the North Coast 500, her journey into ultra-running has been anything but straightforward. But behind the miles is a powerful and deeply honest story about mental health, identity, resilience and learning to change the narrative. Growing up as an only child, Sara was always active — until an eating disorder at 14 forced her to stop exercising completely. Years later, she found her way back to running, initially using it as a way to control her weight. During lockdown, her running became increasingly intense, driven and compulsive. With the support of therapy and a coach, she began learning how to train with more structure, balance and self-awareness — eventually making it to the start line of her first marathon in 2023. Shortly after, she signed up for her first ultra. In this episode, Sara shares her experience of being late diagnosed with Autism at 27 and ADHD at 29 (AuADHD), and how that diagnosis helped her better understand herself, her anxiety, and the way her brain works — particularly in high-stress, high-performance environments. We dive into: Attempting to run 500 miles — and the reality of getting injured 256 miles in Managing anxiety at the start line Working with a crew and handling the overwhelming admin side of big challenges Dealing with a stress fracture and the emotional fallout of stopping The mental battle of ultra-distance running — self-talk, fear, surrender and staying rational The financial and logistical realities of funding endurance challenges Having her dad there for support Trusting the process instead of fearing the outcome Sara speaks candidly about what it feels like to "lose your head" mentally during a challenge, the lessons she's taken from injury, and how she's learning to run from a place of curiosity rather than compulsion. Now preparing to move to France for a year to focus on training, immerse herself in the culture and learn French, Sara is continuing to explore what's possible — on her own terms. This is an episode about endurance, identity, healing, and redefining success. Trust the process. Don't fear the outcome. *there is mention of eating disorders and running for weight loss - we do not go into specifics  ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Sara; 30 years old, Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Moving to France later on in the year Ultra runner and working as a counsellor and therapist as a day job  Mum to 2 cats  Late diagnosed with Autism (27 years old) and ADHD (29 years old)  (AuAHDH) Growing up as an only child and doing lots of sports at a young age  Needing to stop exercise at 14 due to an eating disorder Getting back into running over the past few years Training for her first marathon and managing the driven compulsion  Listening to her coach, not overtraining and being more structured in her training  Doing therapy throughout the years Only running to control her weight  How running got very intense over lock down  Making it to the start line of her first marathon in 2023 Signing up for an ultra distance on a loop course on the month after. Her journey with anxiety and getting to the start line of races Getting to a point of just wanting to do - wanting to try and see  Shifting her mindset by surrendering to what could happen Reflecting on her first marathon in Scotland Being diagnosed with AuADHD and how it changed things  Muddling through life and finding school really difficult  Building her confidence to voice her needs Learning to understand herself more Running the North Coast 500 Dealing with a stress fracture in her knee Wanting to take on this challenge Dealing with the admin side of the challenge and why it was so stressful  Making the best of the situation Road running and your bones… Getting injured 256 miles in…. The lessons from the experience Figuring out the financials to fund a challenge like this with AuADHD Wanting to focus on the running  Being in a high stress, high performance situation  Running strategy for the challenge  Working with a crew and how it would work  All of the issues and challenges that came along The mental side of the challenge and what's going on inside her head Self talk - you've got this - keep going Not hitting the wall, but mentally losing her head and not being rational anymore Having her dad there to support  Managing her fear and putting plans in place to manage them Making the decision to move to France for a year Spending time focusing on her training  Being introverted and wanting to immerse herself in the culture and learn french How can people follow along and connect with Sara Trust the process and don't fear the outcome    Social Media Website: mind-and-miles.com Instagram: @saraeydmann Youtube: @Saraeydmann Substack: @saraeydmann  

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, I'm joined by Starre Vartan — science and environment writer, author, and lifelong question-asker whose work sits at the powerful intersection of the human body and the natural world. With a background in geology and biology, Starre began her career as an environmental geologist before pivoting into journalism to tell the stories behind the science. Over the past 15+ years, she's written for publications including National Geographic, Scientific American, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and New Scientist, becoming known for her ability to make science both rigorous and deeply human — especially when it comes to women's bodies. We dive into Starre's latest book, The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us About the Power of the Female Body, a myth-busting, research-driven celebration of women's endurance, longevity, adaptability, and strength. From the messages girls receive about their bodies at a young age, to puberty, bone density, menopause, and why women often excel in endurance sports, Starre unpacks the science that has been overlooked — and what it means for women's health, sport, and everyday life. We also talk about Starre's upbringing between Australia and the U.S., the influence of her formidable grandmother, growing up active and outdoors, and how reconnecting with strength training later in life has left her feeling more powerful than ever. This conversation is about listening to your body, trusting its wisdom, and reclaiming strength — physically, mentally, and scientifically. If you've ever been told women are the weaker sex, this episode will change how you think about the female body forever. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Starre Working as a scientist journalist focusing on women's health recently  Being based in a beach town south of Sydney, Australia  Growing up in NYC Being a dual citizen with Australia and America  Book: The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells us about the Power of the Female Body  The dedication to her grandmother -the strongest women's she's ever known  Growing up with her grandmother  Doing her age appropriate chores; stacking wood, working in the garden, being involved and active in the running of the house  The messages that young girls receive about their bodies from a young age Heading off into the woods to go on adventures  The lessons learned from her grandmother  Muscles and bone density for women and why puberty is such an important age for girls  Puberty in girls and athletics  The knowledge gap for women in sports Women, endurance and the longer races Differences between all human beings  The science and muscle and getting surprising results Women's body fat and location  Visiting Japan to research longevity  How women's body handle diseases The risks that men take  Finding purpose in life and figuring out your life goal  Making changes in her own life Starting to weigh lift 3 years ago Can you grown bone once you are at the stage where you have more extreme bone loss Bone loss in women during menopause Prof Belinda Beck  Feeling empowered by lifting heavy weights Becoming a stronger runner and dancer Starre's ultimate life goal and purpose  Using AI in scientific ways Wanting to be as strong as her grandmother How to connect with Starre online  Starting a new newsletter—Palimpsest of Flesh Vodcast Words of advice and wisdom for the stronger sex  Reflecting back on life in her 20s Listen to your body and the wisdom it holds   Social Media Website: starrevartan.com Instagram: @starrevartan Bluesky: @starrevartan.bsky.social Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/starrevartan/membership    

From ultra-light hotel bikepacking on a road bike to six-month expeditions in remote regions on a heavily laden hybrid, Emma has experienced nearly every form of bike travel, including ultra-endurance racing. She is a passionate advocate for slow travel as a means to reconnect with nature, embrace minimalism, and discover alternative ways of living. Her travels have shaped a deep commitment to sustainability, wild camping with minimal impact, and challenging the idea of nature as a park or playground, separate from our everyday lives. You can sign up to her newsletter for monthly updates and tips. She is particularly keen to empower others, especially women, to embrace solo adventures, and she shares both practical guidance and philosophical reflections through her writing and events.  ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Emma Working as a cycling journalist and tour guide Moving around a lot and not really having a home base Currently writing a guidebook on French Guiana  Having a normal childhood and not being particularly sporty  Growing up in France and starting running at 16  Running and rowing throughout university  Taking a gap year after university and heading to South America in 2016/2017 Fundraising for 6 months before starting from Ushuaia and heading to Lima in Peru. Having a very small/tight budget  Wild camping as much as possible  What it was like on the trip - starting in January and dealing with prevailing winds all the way Travelling in a group of 3 and what it was like Being totally tolerant for a month Doing a few more little trips, before heading with her partner on a European cycle trip Journaling on the trip and writing a little bit each evening  Her bike set up and how it's changed over the years Getting a vintage road bike, a carbon road bike, a gravel bike…. Dealing with saddle sores Brooks Leather Saddle Planning and logistics  Spreadsheets…. Route planning and starting with google, to find official routes, or to see if other people have created a route bikepacking.com komoot.com Thoughts on being brave Managing personal fears Encountering risk in everyday life Following gut instinct  Moving away from being a nice girl Travelling on your own Being allowed to change your mind Deciding to do more cycling competitions  Ultra races and why the winners are the ones who sleep the least Trying out new challenges How expensive ultra endurance races can be The joy of long trips and how it can change your perspective of time  The dream 6 month to a year trip Wanting to go back to South America or cycling from Europe to Asia Being content with taking her time on trips The cycling guidebook about French Guiana. How to connect with Emma online Final words of advice for other women who want to go on adventures and discover more of the world Do it in a simple and gradual way. The power of keeping it simple    Social Media Website: www.emmakarslake.com Newsletter: www.emmakarslake.com/newsletter Insta: @emma_up_cycles Linkedin: Emma Karslake

Lorraine Lewis is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Lewis Foundation, an award-winning cancer charity providing free gift packs and ongoing support to adult cancer patients across 17 hospitals in the Midlands. Founded from lived experience, the charity has become a lifeline for thousands of people diagnosed with cancer. Beyond her role as a charity leader, Lorraine is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, inspiring audiences ranging from school children to corporate professionals. She has delivered talks for organisations including The Eden Project, the European Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and AJ Bell, sharing powerful messages of resilience, purpose and hope. Lorraine's remarkable journey has captured national attention. She has been featured in publications such as The Sun and HELLO! Magazine, and has appeared on Channel 4 News, highlighting her work and personal story. Her dedication to community service has been recognised through numerous accolades, including the HELLO! Magazine Inspiration Award, Great British Entrepreneur Award, and the prestigious Prime Minister's Point of Light Award. In recognition of her services to cancer, Lorraine was recently invited to meet Their Majesties The King and Queen. In addition to her charitable work, Lorraine is an author, with her memoir Dare To Dream chronicling her journey from lawyer to charity founder. She also hosts the podcast "See Through The Big C", amplifying the voices of those living with cancer, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals. A passionate artist, Lorraine discovered her love for art in her forties and continues to explore creativity alongside her enthusiasm for fitness, including HYROX competitions, running, and ultra-distance challenges—living proof that it's never too late to dream, create, and push beyond perceived limits. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lorraine Being based in Northampton Co-founder of The Lewis Foundation which supports cancer patients in hospital   Writing her book, 'Dare to Dream'  Her early years growing up  Not being sporty and always trying to get out of PE Being into reading and writing  Her dream of wanting to become a barrister Being supported and encouraged by her parents Her determination and resilience  Not knowing how she would achieve her goals  Doing old school research by heading to the library Creating her own opportunities to gain the experiences she needed  Doing the Bar Vocational Course  Not having time for sport or physical activity  £50k of student debt…. Being determined to make it happen Dealing with challenges and changes How it changed their life Starting to question everything and why there must be more to life What can be done? Wanting to make people feel better Dealing with cancer, death and grief Supporting people with cancer Bringing joy to peoples days Getting into fitness and ultra running to raise funds for the charity Deciding to sign up to do a Tough Mudder (Obstacle Run)  Wanting to push herself more physically and step outside her comfort zone  Running out of money for the charity How Mike supported the charity with a £50k donation  The kindness of strangers  Deciding to take on the 3 Peaks Challenge  Taking on more and more running challenges Being consumed by the Lewis Foundation and starting to neglect herself Rat Race  The Wall  Discovering Hyrox  Getting back on her feet and being more active and more healthy  Starting to feel stronger mentally and more resilient to handle challenges January 2025 - and doing her vision board and goals for the year Deciding to sign up for the 70 mile race Not training for the ultra in the best way… Being at the start of the race  The struggle during the race and crossing the finishing line Feeling physically broken but knowing it was her mental resilience that got her across the finish line The mental side of running 70 miles Setting a big challenge for 2026 Taking on a 100 mile ultra! The Rat Race Castle to Castle  The Lewis Foundation will be celebrating it's 10th Anniversary in 2026  Starting to follow a specific running program  Being pushed in her training Making sure to eat better  The challenges of fuelling while being coeliac  Feeling in a much better place physically  Needing to exercise at 6am Training about 35 hrs a week What is the race strategy…. Breaking down the training  Fuelling her training and needing to eat more  Not being afraid to consume food—especially carbs Taking supplements to help with iron levels  Creatine and omega-3 The benefits of hiking poles/sticks Rotating trainers The financial impact of taking on challenges/runs etc How to connect with Lorraine on social media Podcast: See through the big C  Final words of advice  The importance of living your life  Make the most of the time we have on this planet   Social Media Website: www.lorrainelewisbcah.co.uk  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-lewis-bcah  Youtube: @Seethroughthebigc  Instagram: @lorraine_lewisbca Book: Dare to Dream   

Alex is a qualified International Mountain Leader, Polar Guide, and a professional Photographer based in St. Moritz, Switzerland. From scaling the world's highest peaks to leading expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, she thrives where the wild meets the extreme. Her passion for high-altitude exploration took her on a relentless quest; climbing the highest mountain on every continent, culminating on the summit of Mt. Everest in 2018. She became the first ever Hungarian to climb the Seven Summits. This journey ignited her mission to guide others through the raw beauty of the mountains and beyond. In the winter, she guides private snowshoe and fat bike around St. Moritz; in the summer, she leads exhilarating hiking and mountain biking adventures across the Alps. Between her Alps seasons, she's found working in the Polar regions (Antarctica: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and lead crevasse rescue guide. Arctic: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and polar bear guard) Her expertise extends far beyond Europe, guiding bespoke expeditions across the globe. An endurance athlete at heart, Alex is always chasing the next adventure—whether Polar ski crossing, racing mountain bikes, or pushing limits in the mountains. As a professional photographer and drone pilot, she uses her lens to capture the world's most remote landscapes, advocate for environmental conservation, and document the stories of the Polar regions. Her work is deeply inspired by mountains, polar history, pioneering female explorers, and the delicate balance of nature. In her recent book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin, Alex shares her experiences of climbing these mountains, and she also explores the journey that shaped who she is today: all the highs and lows. I hope to bring these peaks closer to readers by including short historical notes alongside each climb and sharing everything she learned along the way. The book is also rich in photographs, helping to bring both the stories and these beautiful mountains vividly to life. First TGP episode - August 25th 2020 - Alexandra Nemeth the first Hungarian to climb the 7 summits!  ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Alex Being born in Hungary, but spending most of her adult life in the UK Deciding to move to the Swiss Alps to work as an International Mountain Leader Climbing the 7 Summits and becoming the first Hungarian to do so Coming on the Tough Girl Podcast - August 25th 2020  What's been the biggest changes over the past few years  Making the decision to move from the UK to Switzerland  Having a plan to live in the mountains  Waiting for the right opportunity.  Packing up her car in 2020 What life has been like in Switzerland  Being a qualified Mountain Bike Guide  The Next chapter in her life Becoming an International Mountain Leader (IML) Working 2 part time jobs to make a living  Finding a community in Switzerland  Ending up doing things on her own  Needing to prioritise herself and gaining her qualifications  Focusing on navigation  The 4 stages of the IML  Becoming a polar guide  Getting a job on an expedition ship  What is ship life like? Documenting her journey in a book! Connecting with nature can be incredible powerful Dealing with her fears, most noticeably her fear of heights Choosing to heal in nature  Turning her passion into a job Putting together expeditions to Peru Keeping it fun and exciting  Planning for adventures and expeditions  How to start and why you need to build things up Being on a ship for the next 2 months International Women's Day 8th March 2025 Free Snowshoe Tour for Women! Doing a hut to hut tour! Teaching women winter survival skills How to connect with Alex on social media  Advice who want to follow their dreams and passions Don't let excuses stop you on your way. Stay on the path, even if you have to slow down.  Live your life without excuses!    Social Media Website alex7summits.com  Instagram @alex7summits  Email: [email protected] Book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin  

Bonita Norris became the youngest woman to reach both the summit of Mt Everest at just 22 and the North Pole at 23, and her story is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, she shares the journey that took her from school trips in North Wales to climbing some of the world's highest peaks, navigating extreme environments, and pushing the limits of what's possible. Bonita reflects on the early steps that built her career in mountaineering—starting with beginner climbing courses, funding her expeditions, and preparing for the Himalayan peaks. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of summiting Everest, managing fear in remote and hostile environments, and how these experiences shaped her life and perspective. Now a mother of two, Bonita also discusses how she balances adventure with family life, inspiring her children to embrace courage and curiosity. From attempting K2 to climbing the Matterhorn after an eight-year hiatus, she emphasises the importance of showing up, trusting the process, and meeting opportunity with determination. Whether you're chasing literal mountains or metaphorical ones in your own life, Bonita's insights, lessons in bravery, and personal stories will motivate you to take the next bold step. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Bonita  The youngest person to have reached both the summit of Mt Everest (age 22) and the North Pole (age 23) Book: The Girl Who Climbed Everest (2022)  Mother of 2 children Growing up and her early years  Going on a school trip to North Wales and loving every moment of hiking in the mountains  Finishing her A'levels and going off to South America to climb to Machu Picchu at 18 Not realising she could make a career out of mountaineering Alison Hargreaves's dying on K2 in 1995  Mothers and taking risks Being in her 2nd year at university and going to a mountaineering talk at the Royal Geographical Society  Realising that she wanted to climb and wanting to climb Mt Everest  I don't know how, but I'm going to make it happen Being inspired and maintaining the inspiration/motivation Why it felt so meaningful  2 years - 24 months to gain the skills, knowledge and funding Starting with a beginners climbing course Working backwards from her goal Completing the smaller milestones and trusting in the process Funding and paying for everything Heading off on her first Himalayan Expedition - Manaslu (eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres (26,781 ft)) Getting a job, using her student loan and receiving a grant from her university Having 6 months to find £50k to join her team going to Everest. Getting out of bed bad making another call Speaking with Capital FM on the radio How everything turned around Getting the money, getting the sponsorship Why you don't need to be an Olympic Athlete to climb Everest  Why you need to work on the actual problem - don't work around the problem  Fitness before heading of to Nepal  Doing multi-days of training without rest If you want to get good at climbing mountains, climb mountains Reflecting back on the experience  Worrying about what may go wrong on the mountain Reaching the summit and how it's changed her life Understanding the risks at 22 Thoughts on letting her children climb Everest Climbing Everest with her daughter in the future Attempting to climb K2 and managing fear in remote, hostile environments Encouraging bravery and courage in her children  Climbing the Matterhorn in 2025 after 8 years off climbing  Not knowing if she would still enjoy it Taking the time to figure out what is next How you can connect with Bonita Final words of advice  Put yourself out there and luck will meet you half way  You have to show up   Social Media Website: www.bonita-norris.com  Linkedin: Bonita Norris