Tough Girl Podcast Lis van Lynden: Cycling 5,000 Miles with MS – A Story of Grit, Kindness & Adventure
Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2013, Lis van Lynden has refused to let the condition define her limits. With no prior cycling experience or training, Lis set off in 2022 on a solo, unsupported ride around the entire coastline of Great Britain—covering 5,000 miles over seven months and raising over £13,000 for MS charities.
Her journey didn’t stop there. Lis went on to cycle the Irish coastline and most recently visited 12 of the UK’s national parks by bike, with plans to complete the final 3 in 2025.
Along the way, she’s faced physical challenges, experienced incredible acts of kindness, and become a passionate advocate for others living with MS.
Lis’s story is one of courage, conviction, and living life on her own terms—no matter the obstacles.
***
Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, dropping every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women.
Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
Thank you for your amazing support!
***
Show notes
- Who is Lis
- Half Dutch, Half British
- Growing up abroad
- Moving to London and training as a teacher
- Losing her brother in a sailing accident
- Losing her father to bowl cancer
- Working in West Dulwich for 12 years
- Thinking there must be more to life
- Being interested in adventure travel
- Climbing Kilimanjaro and doing a mountaineering course
- Slowing the group down
- The first signs of having Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- 2008 packing in her job and doing a history degree with the Open University
- Losing her mother to lung cancer
- Meeting someone and buying a house together
- Getting diagnosed in 2013 with MS
- Going through a divorce
- Heading to Svalbard in 2018
- Reading “one man and his bike’ by Mike Carter
- Book: One Man and His Bike: A Life-Changing Journey All the Way Around the Coast of Britain
- “Can I do this? Could this be my adventure challenge?”
- Having 100% conviction
- Being inspired by and supported by Verdangi Kulkarni
- Being consumed by her dream
- 2020 and dealing with lockdowns
- 2022 7th May - Ready to start the journey!
- No training and doing 68 miles on the first day.
- Ripping up the rules….
- 7 months, 3 days and 1 hour
- 1 month into the journey and how everything had changed
- Going off medication and feeling free
- Heading to Northern Ireland
- Meeting Ann Whatmore on the road (her episode on the TGP goes live on 5th June 2025)
- MS Symptoms and dealing with it on the road
- Wanting to make changes in her life and live life to the fullest
- Trying to figure out a different way of earning income
- Movement, eating well and sleep
- The power of helping ourselves and the importance of mindset
- Getting through the shitty days
- Reframing
- Next challenge
- How to connect with Lis on social media
- Final words of advice for other women who want to take on a new challenge
Social Media
Just giving: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lisvanlynden
Instagram: @coddiwomple2wander
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lis.vanlynden
Twitter: @LisvlTravels