Tough Girl Podcast Anna Humphries – Adventurer, Expedition Leader & Founder of The Mountain Girl: Inspiring Confidence, Connection & Courage in the Wild
Anna Humphries is an adventurer, expedition leader, and founder of The Mountain Girl, whose life is dedicated to getting people outdoors and showing them what's possible when you push past your comfort zone.
A trained Mountain Leader, Scout Leader, and key member of the Bear Grylls Survival Academy team, Anna has designed and led survival programmes across the UK and around the world. Her work spans everything from logistics and programme development to standing on the frontlines with groups of young people, teaching them resilience and grit in the wild.
Adventure runs through her veins. She has hiked to Everest Base Camp, raced through the National Three Peaks Challenge multiple times — her fastest in under 20 hours — and was part of the first female team to Stand Up Paddle Board across the English Channel. Whether it's trail running, paddle boarding, or exploring high peaks, Anna thrives on testing her own limits while inspiring others to do the same.
Through The Mountain Girl, Anna champions accessibility in the outdoors, especially for women and young people. She believes in the power of nature to build confidence, connection, and courage.
Her mission is simple: to encourage more people to experience the wild, to discover their inner strength, and to prove to themselves that they are tougher than they think.
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Show notes
- Who is Anna
- Founder of Mountain Girl
- Growing up close to the Malven Hills
- Being the role model that she needed when she was growing up
- Her early years
- Having an older sister and a twin sister
- Why the Malvens were an adventure playground for her
- Why her teenage years were tough
- Not being in love with herself
- Never feeling as though she fitted in
- Losing her way
- Role models
- Trying 27 jobs….
- Dealing with the doubt in her brain
- The stories she was telling herself
- Describing yourself in different adjectives
- Wanting to be strong and adventurous
- Starting to follow people who inspired her on instagram
- Needing to lose weight and feeling unhealthy
- Tapping into her inner child
- Taking 2 years to lose weight, and getting rid of the hate in her head
- Adventure - Love - Happiness
- I am - I am - I am
- Developing Mountain Girl
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Receiving her gold award
- Volunteering in Scouts
- Badge motivation!
- Starting to head off on her own adventures
- Getting her qualifications and upping her skills
- Becoming a Mountain Leader and how it opened up future opportunities
- Future events happening in 2026
- Visiting Mt. Everest Base Camp
- Setting herself big challenges
- Wanting to share her adventures
- Being adventure driven and not ego driven
- Paddle Boarding across the English Channel
- Becoming a SUP coach
- Overcoming her fear of heights
- Taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge
- The importance of rewards
- How you can connect with Anna
- Final words of advice
- Be the person you needed when you were growing up
- Start to explore social media see what it going on
- Find the inspiration and follow it
- BE IT!!!
Social Media
Website www.themountaingirl.co.uk
Instagram @themountaingirluk
Facebook: @themountaingirluk
Bear Grylls Survival Academy - beargryllssurvivalacademy.com/team/anna-humphries