Tough Girl Podcast Stephanie Quintrell - Forces Wives Challenge - Ride to Freedom across the Pyrenees mountains. A Disabled Mum's Journey to Empower Others.
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.
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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:
Facebook : @forceswiveschallenge
Twitter: @ForcesWivesChal