Tough Girl Podcast

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Susan Norman — a former National and World Champion in whitewater kayaking and rafting, hydrologist, coach, and now author of RISK: A Life Saved by the River. Susan’s story is one of courage, flow, and resilience. From the roaring rapids of international whitewater competition to the quiet, uncertain waters of parenting her young nephew, she’s navigated life’s toughest challenges with the same instinct, grit, and grace that made her a world-class paddler. Now retired from her career with the U.S. Forest Service and living in Lake Tahoe, California, Susan reflects on how rivers shaped her identity — not just as an athlete, but as a woman learning to make her own risk assessments, trust her judgement, and face fear head-on. In this conversation, Susan opens up about: Finding belonging and strength in the early days of women’s paddling The lessons whitewater taught her about resilience and decision-making Her journey into writing and how storytelling became an extension of adventure What it really means to take good risks — on the river and in life Get ready for a deeply thoughtful episode about flow, fear, and finding freedom through the wild power of water. ***  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 Susan Norman Living in Lake Tahoe, California Working for the US Forest Service Being retired for 7 years  Starting her journey and learning new creative writing skills Book: RISK: A Life Saved by the River  Her childhood (with her twin brother) and early years  Her interest in rivers and how her father inspired her  Her transition from teenager to adult  White water paddling as an amateur sport  Competing as a teenager  Jamie McEwan  Wanting to increase her skill set Going to high school in the early 1970s  Not having many older female role models  Dads and daughters on the river  Forming a tribe and connecting with the other girls during her teenage years  The relationship with her mum who was diagnosed with MS  Being raised by a single father  Replacing family with the paddling community  Being part of the first wave of women getting into a high level of paddling Paddling amongst the best paddlers in the world  Analysing and making decisions based on her own risk assessments  Learning to trust her own judgement A life saved by the river  Working with a writing coach  Telling her story, while raising her nephew Taking her nephew on river trips  Taking 6 years to write the book  Trying to figure out how to raise a child  Facing hard things and not being able to see a path through  Not knowing how things will turn out and taking it one day at a time Taking challenging in small steps Giving an ultimatum to her partner  Going through the teenage years Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) Adventuring with children and why you should go as soon as you can  The power of outdoor adventure sports Managing fear while on adventure and parenting  River boarding and learning about the flow of the river water How to connect with Susan  Final words of advice with regards to risk and making tough decisions Find the good risk    Social Media Website www.susannormanauthor.com  Facebook: Susan Norman   

In this candid and raw Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode, we reconnect with the unstoppable Vedangi Kulkarni — the youngest woman to have cycled around the world, who’s recently returned from doing it again. Now based in Inverness, Scotland, Vedangi opens up about her second attempt at cycling around the globe — this time not just for the journey, but in pursuit of a Guinness World Record. From racing Lael Wilcox to navigating border delays, funding pressures, and the relentless physical and mental toll of riding across five continents, Vedangi doesn’t hold back.  This conversation is about pushing limits, embracing failures, and finding strength when things don’t go to plan. Highlights from the episode include: Breaking a record in the Himalayas (Manali–Leh Highway) in 2023 Preparing to cycle the world again in 2024 — and finding sponsorship, gear, and coaching Struggles of travelling on an Indian passport and the challenge of visa logistics Being delayed at borders, detained, and ultimately forced to return to the UK mid-ride due to visa expiry Restarting in 2025, finishing the ride under the blazing Indian summer sun Dealing with the post-expedition blues and finding her footing again Vedangi’s story is one of resilience, honesty, and fierce determination. Despite knowing she wouldn’t get the world record, she kept going — driven by passion, grit, and the belief that stories worth telling are born from adversity. Now, she’s looking ahead to her next expedition, ramping up her YouTube and Substack presence, and continuing to speak openly about the realities of life as a woman of colour in adventure sport.  Heads-up: This episode includes some strong language.  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 Vedangi From India but currently based in Inverness, Scotland  The Adventure Shed  Coming back from her 2nd ride around the world  Speaking to Vedangi in Sep 22, 2020 - Vedangi Kulkarni - The youngest woman to have circumnavigated the world on bicycle.  Tough Girl Extra Oct 27, 2022 - Vedangi Kulkarni - Adventurer and endurance athlete moving into mountain biking and crossing Svalbard.  The focus of this episode - what Vedangi has been up to over the past couple of years Deciding to cycle around the world again 2023 - visiting the Himalayas and going after a point to point record. GWR for being the fastest women to cycle the Manali-leh Highway  Getting her win  June 2023 - starting to be vocal about her goals in 2024 Getting the sponsorship and funding in place  Needing £20k  Working with Canyon Bikes  Speaking to the bike experts  Getting a gravel bike and specking it like a road bike Being an Ambassador for RAB  Working with Tailfin - and having custom build gear  3D printed mounts  Struggling to get sponsorship from Indian companies Getting only 1 Indian Sponsor at the last moment Training and working with Jon Fearne from E3 Coaching   Following a training plan and putting in the best effort with it Applying for visas and planning the route with an Indian passport   The challenges of getting to the start line Racing against Lael Wilcox (who was attempting the same record at the same time) “Why do I think I can do this? I don’t stand a chance”  Mental blocks and challenges The challenges of travelling on a weaker passport  Having no room for errors - everything needs to go to plan Why it wasn’t a level playing field  Speaking with Lael before heading off - women supporting women Knowing that she wasn’t going to get the record and keeping on going Having a good story to tell Dealing with setbacks and failures and keeping on going  The route and how it was slightly different to the first time Starting on the East Coast of India Riding across Mongolia and then on to Australia  Challenges with border crossings and getting detained and delayed  Needing to fly back to the UK on Christmas Eve due to UK visa regulations  Needing to stay in the UK for 2 months  Getting back to India in March 2025 to finish the ride  The challenges of the heat - going from Scottish winter to an Indian Summer Feeling satisfied once the ride was finally done.  Adventure blues after the ride Planning her next record attempt and expedition.  Wanting to push her limits further Why health isn’t guaranteed  One precious life and you’ve got to get out there and live it Balancing everything that’s going on  How to connect with Vedangi on social media  Kickstarting her YouTube again Getting more active on Substack  Final words of advice for women who want to push on through their barriers Embracing failure and not letting it dim your light - it’s not always going to go to plan  Be motivated to try your best The journalling process and how it can help mentally with self-esteem    Social Media Website: vedangi.info  Instagram: @thisisvedangi LinkedIn: Vedangi Kulkarni  Twitter: @thisisvedangi Facebook: @wheelsandwords  YouTube: @thisisvedangi Link to donate me a small amount: [Buy Me A Coffee]   

In this Tough Girl EXTRA episode, we catch up with Tiphaine Muller, the intrepid French adventurer who continues to push her boundaries through long-distance cycling and remote, high-altitude trekking. Now 31 and based in Chamonix, France, Tiphaine has spent the last decade traveling the world by bike, exploring five continents. Her latest journey saw her pedaling from the Alps to the Himalayas before tackling one of the toughest and most remote treks on earth: The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) in Nepal. This conversation picks up from where we left off in her first Tough Girl Podcast interview (November 2021) — where she shared her early adventures and passion for slow travel. This time, we dive deep into her 2024 journey:  Cycling from France to Nepal through the Balkans, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and the Himalayas — all while managing extreme heat, border crossings, and a strict budget of €10/day.  Hiking the Great Himalaya Trail solo (West to East), over 80 days, through towering 5,000m+ passes, remote villages, and ever-changing terrain — while battling physical exhaustion, route-finding issues, and high-altitude nutrition struggles. Tiphaine candidly shares: The logistics and challenges of arranging permits for restricted zones without a guide Her coping strategies for trekking alone in high mountains Cultural highlights from cycling through Turkey and Iran How she funds her travels and balances life back home as a social worker Her future goals — including film-making and another epic cycle across South America This episode is a deep, honest reflection on the highs and lows of big adventures and what it takes — mentally, physically, and emotionally — to keep moving forward when things don’t go to plan.  Don’t miss this inspiring update from a woman who truly lives the spirit of adventure, one pedal stroke and step at a time.  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 Tiphaine 31 years old Living in Chamonix, France  Travelling on and off for the past 10 years  Going on 3 big bicycle trips 1st Tough Girl Podcast episode - November 18th 2021 2nd Big Cycle Trip - Cycling from Mexico to Alaska This episode focusing on cycling from France to Nepal and hiking the Great Himalaya Trail  Thinking about the next challenge Hiking the High Route of the Pyrenees solo  Joking about the Great Himalaya Trail  Figuring out the visa and trying to plan for the trail  Planning for 6 months and working out how to make it work with the seasons Starting in March 2024 The Route - Cycling Europe really fast in 1 month Going through the Balkan Countries, Greece then the ferry over to Turkey Across Georgia, Armenia, Iran and the Stan countries  Highlights and magical moments from the cycle ride  Why Turkey is one of her favourite countries  Why Iran was really demanding  The bike and gear setup for 6 months  Dealing with extreme heat and needing to ride during the night to escape the heat  Funding the trip and living off savings Living off a daily budget of 10 euro per person per day (while cycling) Earning money working as a social worker  Day to day rhythm while riding on the bike  Having a rest day every 10 days  The Great Himalaya Trail and wanting to walk West to East  Needing to go to Katmandu first to sort out all the permits  Taking a rest in Katmandu for 10 days Busing to the start of the trail  Having 80 days to walk the trail  Why the first 2 weeks were super hard  Getting lost of the trail; no signs, no gps on the phone, incorrect maps, not knowing which track was the correct one Struggling to stick to the schedule, due to the permits  Not having a guide  Dealing with problem after problem  Walking in the high mountains  Needing to have guides while walking in Nepal…. Going through a trekking agency - who will allow you to get the trekking permits without a guide  The restricted areas close to the borders  Mixing the high routes and the low routes Finding resupply and food on the trail The challenges of cooking at altitude Struggling to get the calories in and needing to focus more on food Needing to eat, even when not hungry  Paying for food - and taking cash for 80 days… Coping with the altitude and the high passes over 5,000m Hiking without a guide  Connecting with other hikers and Nepalese people  What’s app group for GHT preparation!  Hiking or cycling?! Reaching the end of the hike in December Deciding to continue cycling for another 2 months and visiting China and Malaysia  Writing another book? Focusing on film and making 2 videos - a bike film and a hike film!  Plans for the future? Wanting to visit South America on the next big bike and cycle trip How to connect with Tiphaine on social media Final words of advice  To do something big you need to start with something little  Trust yourself    Social Media Instagram @littlemisspedals  

Jenn is a long-distance walker, community leader, and passionate advocate for women’s wellbeing in the outdoors — especially during menopause. From battling endometriosis, PCOS, and the trauma of an early medical menopause in her 20s, she was once told she couldn’t live the active, adventurous life she craved. She’s spent the last few years since proving otherwise — one footstep at a time. What began as a personal outlet for healing has evolved into something much bigger: being able to connect women to their strength through hiking, movement, and community. Whether she’s leading local walks, multi-day hikes, backpacking or pushing her own limits, she walks with the intention that creating space for people to feel heard, safe and be around nature is of the upmost importance. A qualified lowland leader, speaker, and founder of a thriving women’s walking community in Kent, she brings insight, humour, and unflinching honesty to conversations about menopause, mental health, leadership, and what it means to feel powerful in your body again — especially when the world told you not to try. Through her trail stories — from ultra hikes to quiet woodland days — she shows that adventure isn’t about speed or summits. It’s simply about showing up. 🎙️ 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 Jenn and running MJ Outdoor Adventures  Her aim to get everyone outdoors, regardless of what stage of life people are at  Her early years and not being sporty or outdoorsy  Getting into fitness in her mid to late 20s Going through an early menopause in her early 20s Gaining weight very quickly  Feeling very uncomfortable in her own body Starting walking and moving into swimming and yoga Getting into hiking and how her passion came alive  Currently 39 years old Talking about perimenopause and menopause  Reflecting back on what happened 20 years ago  Only hearing from doctors, not hearing other voices or having other support available.  Not having a clue what was happening  Discovering hiking and her hiking journey  Shifting the weight and starting to get more energy once she started walking  Signing up for ultra challenges  Adapting gear to make it work for her Lowland Leaders  Taking a leap of faith and quitting her day job  3 months into the adventure  Working in retail and making the transition  Setting up her first walking group Women’s Wellness Walks  The power of women sharing their stories  Peri-menopause - and how it’s starting earlier and earlier  51 symptoms of menopause…  Vitamin D and bone density loss What can women do, to manage the symptoms of peri-menopause  Strong not skinny and the importance of keeping mobile  Mental health and balancing hormones How the outdoors have helped Solo hiking and the power of spending time alone in the Highlands of Scotland  Isle of Wright Ultra - 100km  Wanting to prove to everyone that she could do it Achieving 75km and not hitting the 100km Having to shift her mindset  Learning grace for herself  Practicing mindfulness on the trail  Saxon Shore Way, Kent The power of nature Walking as part of a group  Community and friendships  Learning how to be in the outdoors  How it helps to build confidence  Meeting Mike! The W trail in Patagonia (Feb 2026)  The Greensand Way  Working as an Ordnance Survey Champion  North Down’s Way Ambassadors  The challenges of wailing in February in the UK Fast packing and going from hotel to hotel, or from B&B to B&B Doing what works for you The stats from the North Down’s Way (National Trail UK)  Being a woman in the outdoors industry  How to connect with Jenn and sign up for her walks  Final words of advice for other women who want to get outside more  Finding your tribe and the right footwear!!    Social Media Website: www.mjoutdooradventures.co.uk Instagram: @mjoutdooradventures   

At age 55, Belgian runner Hilde Dosogne set out to break boundaries — and did just that.  In 2024, she ran 366 marathons in 366 days, earning her the title of Guinness World Record holder for most consecutive marathons in a year.  What makes Hilde’s journey so extraordinary is not just the distance she covered, but the relentless dedication she showed while working part-time and managing her daily life with laser-focused discipline. Known as Marathon Woman 366, Hilde didn’t grow up in a sporty family. In fact, she didn’t seriously take up running until her 40s. But once she did, she never looked back — moving from her first marathon with her husband in 2013 to ultra events like the Marathon des Sables and the legendary Spartathlon in Greece. Inspired by endurance runner Candice Burt, who ran an ultra a day, Hilde set a goal that was bold yet (just) manageable alongside her career — a marathon every single day for an entire year.  From battling injuries and illness, to running through Belgian storms and even dislocating a finger mid-run, Hilde’s story is one of mental toughness, resilience, and unwavering self-belief. In this episode, Hilde shares: Why she decided to take on this incredible challenge How she structured her days and managed recovery The highs and lows of running every single day The mental strategies that helped her keep going Her thoughts on aging, performance, and redefining what's possible at 55 The deep sense of joy and freedom she finds in running Hilde’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to start something extraordinary — and that the only limits are the ones we place on ourselves.  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM UK time. Subscribe and be inspired by stories of women pushing their physical and mental limits across adventure, endurance, and exploration.  Support the mission to increase the visibility of female role models in adventure and sport: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast Show notes Who is Hilde Living in Belgium 55 years old Married with 4 children aged between 18 and 26 years old Working in a chemical company and being passionate about running Being known as Marathon Woman 366 Not growing up in a sporty family and not being encouraged to do sports when she was younger Getting into running after her children were growing up  Being focused on building up her career and raising her children  Reaching 40 years old and wanting to lose some weight and deciding to run a marathon with her husband in 2013 How her running progressed and wanting to run more marathons and then wanting to run faster and then further Getting a lot of satisfaction from achieving her goals and pushing her limits Deciding to run the coastline of Belgium - 74km Wanting to know what else she could do  Deciding to run the Marathon des Sables in Morocco  Struggling with sleep in the open tent, and dealing with the sandstorm and the noisy people in the tent Running Spartathlon Ultra Race  Running from Athens to Sparta - having 36 hrs to complete the race  Needing to qualify for the Spartathlon Running 170km in 24 hrs in 2022 Running the race again in 2023 and running 1 hr faster than the year before Being inspired by Candice Burt running an ultra marathon everyday  Realising that running an ultra marathon a day would take up too much time everyday Deciding to run a marathon everyday and break a world record  Feeling that running a marathon everyday would be achievable while working at the same time Starting to plan for the event in summer 2024 - wanting to run with other people  Applying to Guinness World Records and figuring out the logistics for evidence  The time commitment involved and trying to run with other people  Being commitment to the hours she was running  The hard days, especially when she was feeling sick  Dealing with stomach pain and covid.  Falling while running and dislocating her finger  Dealing with bad weather especially at the start of the year  Struggling with her sleep and feeling too excited from the running both physically and emotionally  Sleeping during her lunch break Needing to have her days very strictly scheduled  The time commitment of running, social media and the info for Guinness World Records The mindset of taking on a daily challenge like this Her resilience coming from having a strict childhood and being very disciplined Seeing her running as a job  Feeling gratitude for while she was running  Raising funds for breast cancer patients  Being supported by the people who ran with her and also supported via social media  Daily recovery strategies - having a recovery shake, baths, stretching and a massage 1x per week Being supported by her husband in the house  Getting to the end of 366 marathons Running the last week in pain, due to a hamstring injury  Preparing an event for the last day Her body was telling her to stop running  Stopping running on the 1st January 2025  Feeling very happy that it was over! Getting back into running/walking 10 days later  Wanting to do the Spartathlon for the 3rd time Becoming the 24hrs running Belgium Champion  Listening to podcasts and music to pass the time Not experiencing many affects from perimenopause and menopause  Nutrition and fuelling while running a marathon everyday  Which is harder running a fast 5k or running a longer distance? Stretching, foam rolling, core stability exercises and bike riding The biggest lessons learned from taking on this challenge Why the human body can do much more than what we think Doing this challenge at 55 years old Running an average time of 4hrs 5 mins for each marathon Why you can start running at any age Training for the Spartathlon 2025 with a running coach  Running coach Benny Fisher   How to connect with Hilde on line Words of advice for runners The mind is stronger than the body If you think you can’t anymore, you have to think you can do it. Even if you are at a low point in a race. You need to know that it can get better. Why the only reason to stop is if you have a serious injury. Believe that it can get better Think about how you will feel when you give up  Think about the people that support you and they will be very happy that you finish and disappointed if you don’t Do it for a charity, so you know you are not only doing it for yourself.  You have to be strong psychically and mentally Prepare yourself for the difficult moments in the race and think through all the different scenarios that could happen   Social Media Website: www.hildedosogne.be/en  Instagram: @marathonwoman366/  Facebook: @marathonwoman.2024  Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/51029211  

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we journey into the heart of the Amazon and the mind of a remarkable woman pushing the boundaries of science, culture, and conservation—Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza. Rosa is a Peruvian chemical biologist, National Geographic Explorer, UN Harmony with Nature Scientist, and the founder of Amazon Research Internacional.  Splitting her time between Bath, England, and the Peruvian rainforest, Rosa blends cutting-edge research with ancestral knowledge to protect biodiversity and uplift indigenous communities. Her journey—from a curious child growing up in Peru to leading expeditions in the Amazon, researching the legendary Boiling River, studying stingless bees, and authoring The Spirit of the Rainforest—is nothing short of extraordinary. Rosa shares how she learned expedition skills later in life, why documenting indigenous science is crucial, and what it means to be a female scientist navigating international platforms like the UN and COP16. This conversation is packed with insight into climate resilience, overcoming self-doubt, and the healing power of nature, science, and community. Rosa’s message is a powerful call to action for women everywhere: follow the questions that stay in your head—you never know where they may lead.  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 Rosa Currently living in Bath Being based between England and Peru  Working as a Peruvian scientistic National Geographic Explorer  Leading science and conservation efforts in the Amazon Rainforest  Having a deep connection to her indigenous roots  Her early years living in Peru and relationship with her grandmother Spending time in the city and the mountains Being fascinated by the things she couldn’t understand  Loving space and wanted to know everything about the planet Having a fascination for science Wanting to dedicate her life to the Amazon  Getting her PhD in Chemical Biology from Michigan University  Taking a year off to get more work experience and reconsidering her whole life Being able to study traditional Chineses medicine in Beijing in her last year of undergrad The Amazon Boiling River Ted Talk - Andrés Ruzo  Book: The Boiling River (TED) by Andrés Ruzo   Discovering new microbes in the river Boiling mud  Book: The Spirit of the Rainforest: How indigenous wisdom and scientific curiosity reconnects us to the natural world  What you can expect from the book Learning expeditions skills later on in life Leading her first expedition Chapter 4 - Stingless Bees - the oldest bees on the planet  Capacity building  Partnerships with different indigenous groups Climate challenges Climate Anxiety The importance of indigenous science and making sure that it is documented  Being motivated to write the book  COP16 in October 2024 in Colombia  Dealing with self doubt and why the work is not easy Being a voice with the international press Creating space for female indigenous members Being a good team member The importance of community  Current expeditions and plans for heading back to the field Funding expeditions  Extreme climate explorers BBC - Documenting their work on stingless bees How to find stingless bees Smelling fish in the jungle…. Medicinial Honey?! Comparison to Manuka honey? Her Ayahuasca experience The ego death experience  Chapter 11 - becoming a black jaguar  How to connect with Dr Rosa Final word of advice for women who want to explore more and get into science and exploration Follow the questions that stay in your head You never know where they may lead.   Social Media Website: www.rosavespinoza.com  Instagram: @rosavespinoza Facebook: @rosavespinoza9  TikTok: @rosavespinoza  YouTube: @rosavespinoza  

In this deeply moving and inspiring episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Sophie Pierce, a 32-year-old social worker from Pembrokeshire, West Wales, who made history in March 2025 as the first person with Cystic Fibrosis to row an ocean. Diagnosed at just 3 months old, Sophie has lived with the challenges of a genetic condition that affects her lungs and digestive system and once carried a life expectancy of under 30 years. But Sophie’s story is not defined by limitation—it's a bold testament to resilience, courage, and the power of hope. From working in fostering services to hiking the Welsh coast with her dogs, swimming in cold water, and sleeping in her campervan—Sophie has never shied away from living life on her terms.  In this episode, she opens up about the life-changing impact of the Kaftrio drug trial, how she overcame mental health struggles, and what it truly meant to embrace life beyond the horizon by rowing across the Atlantic. She shares the highs and lows of the row: the months of preparation, team dynamics, magical moments at sea, and how it feels to return to "normal life" after an extraordinary adventure. Sophie's message is powerful and universal—you are capable of so much more than you think. If you're looking for inspiration, perspective, and an honest exploration of living—and thriving—with a life-limiting condition, this episode is not to be missed.  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 Sophie 32 years old Living in Pembrokeshire, West Wales  Working as a social worker in fostering service Living with a genetic health condition - Cystic Fibrosis (CF) March 2025 - becoming the first person with CF to row an ocean What is CF Being born with it and getting diagnosed at 3 months old   Having a shorter lifespan  How CF affects her lungs and digestive system  Living with reduced lung function  Her younger years and how she was treated  Why exercise and being out in the fresh air is actively encouraged Not liking exercise as a child Growing up knowing she had CF and why it was normal Being empowered with CF and how her parents encouraged her Her mum reminding her to stay as well as she could for as long as she could, so she could benefit from treatments in the future.  Learning about her shorter life expectancy and managing those feelings  Adopting a positive attitude - being determined to live her life and not letting CF hold her back  Wanting to make the most of her time  Understanding that time is precious  Not needing a pension, savings or need to put down roots  The help and support available to help manage the mental and emotional challenges Experiencing panic attacks while her health was declining  Working with a psychologist  Using tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Feeling frightened of letting the big feelings of sadness in Feeling so sad about living with CF   The drug trial - 5 years ago  Taking the Kaftrio drug  The challenges of winter for CF patients  ‘The Purge’ - coughing for 24 hrs How her life and lungs has changed  Trustee for CF Trust  Being asked to row an ocean  Forming a crew of 4 Stumbling blocks and being told no - by the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic Dash  Securing the finances and managing the stress of getting to the start line Her biggest fear and worrying about staying well enough to do the row  Getting out on to the ocean. Having electrical issues with the boat  Name of the boat - The Spirit of Bluestone  Magical moments on the Atlantic Ocean  Day 46 coming to the end of the row  Rowing schedule and needing to get extra sleep during the night  The challenges of team dynamics Finding their roles within the group Being the social secretary and bringing fun to the boat The biggest lesson from rowing the ocean You can do so much more than you think you can  Being supported by the right people around you Dealing with the adventure blues How life in weird after rowing an ocean Being in a really exciting place Future challenges?! Words of advice from the CF perspective  Learning to life with CF How to connect with Sophie You are capable of so much more than you think you are Learn to reframe the negative voices in your head   Social Media Instagram @sophiefpierce  @cruisingfree2025   

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, we welcome Emma Wilkinson—a freelance health journalist, ultra runner, mother of three, and co-author of the empowering book Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport.  Emma’s journey into ultra running didn’t begin until her 40s, but once she discovered the joy of going long and slow, there was no turning back. In this honest and motivating conversation, Emma shares how she went from half marathons and road running to self-created 100K adventures in the mountains of Snowdonia. Alongside fellow runner and friend Lily Canter, she set out to research and write Ultra Women, a book that celebrates female endurance athletes and dives into the science, stories, and social constructs around women in ultra sport. Emma talks openly about what inspired the book, how she balanced full-time work, parenting, and running while writing it, and what she learned about the unique strengths women bring to endurance challenges—especially around fatigue resistance, pain management, and mental toughness. If you’ve ever doubted your capabilities, struggled with self-identifying as a “runner,” or wondered if your body was made for ultras—this episode is for you. Emma’s message is simple and powerful: don’t put limits on yourself—just give it a go.  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 Journalist and runner Co-Author of a new book - Ultra Women Book: Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport  What Emma was like as little girl Growing up in Bradford and not being massively sporty when she was younger Getting into running in her later teens Being far more active now than she was as a child In her early 20s watching the London Marathon and wanting to give it ago  Getting into half marathons Running the Sheffield Half Marathon and being sick at the end   Starting to run faster and joining a running club to make new friends Doing her first marathon just before she had children, just before turning 30 Why she enjoyed running  2019 - meeting Lilly (co-author on the Ultra women book) Singing up for a 100k - 2 day event Falling in love with ultra running - the slower, longer, adventure Her friendship with Lilly, doing their journalism MA together, 20 years ago Teaching Journalism at Sheffield University   How the book came about Walking the hills  What do you need to do, to get to the end.  Needing to be able to tune into your body Creating their own 100K 2 days event - on the Snowdonia Slate Trail  Surprising herself with what she was capable of  Writing the book at the same time of doing full time work as a journalist while also looking after children and running  Why are women so good at ultra endurance distances  Coming from a science background and why the research was so interesting  How women have more fatigue resistant muscles Not feeling in competition with other women  Book: Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men  The lack of research into sports science for women Hopefully the research is starting to turn a corner Why ultra running training plans are based on men  Women have been deemed as to complicated to include in studies  Fatigue resistant muscles research  Wanting to learn more about recovery and how that applies to women specifically  Training for ultras Women having to use a process of trial and error to figure out what works best for them Periods and cycle tracking and feeling different at different times of the month and why the data can be confusing  Learning more about oestrogen and how it affects endurance How the book came about Getting the book published Are women faster the longer they go? Freelancing for Journalists  Lael Wilcox going after the mens’s around the world bike record in 2026  The motherhood perspective on running Sophie Power She Races  Not running in pregnancy and chaining to walking Dealing with separated stomach muscles  Needing to get back to running and needing time for herself Having a chapter on pregnancy in the book and why it’s not the same for everyone Pain and women, and pain management Sexism Creating a manifesto and calling for action Do you call yourself a runner? Confidence - women - running Say yes for signing up for that ultra How to connect with Emma Final words of advice  Don’t put limits on yourself, if you want to do something, have ago. Women who just wanted to see if they could and they did Why not give it ago!   Social Media Website: emmawilkinson.net  Instagram: @emmawjourno/ BlueSky: @emmajourno.bsky.social‬ Book: Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport  

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Lily Canter—an ultra runner, women’s running coach, journalist, and passionate advocate for gender equality in sport. As co-author of the groundbreaking book Ultra Women, Lily is helping to challenge outdated narratives and spotlight the women redefining endurance running. Lily didn’t grow up considering herself sporty, but after joining a triathlon club in her 30s, she discovered a love for running that quickly evolved into a passion for ultras. What began as a spontaneous 30-mile run turned into a deeper journey into the ultra world—culminating in a 250km multi-day race across Tanzania and a growing commitment to empowering more women through education, coaching, and research. In this episode, Lily opens up about the gaps she saw in female-specific training information, how she and co-author Emma Wilkinson tackled the research for their book, and why visibility, representation, and equity matter—on the trails and in the media. From coaching to kit, sports bras to science, Lily shares what still needs to change and how she’s pushing those boundaries herself. Whether you’re curious about tackling your first ultra or passionate about equity in endurance sports, this episode offers practical insight and powerful inspiration.  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 Lilly Journalist who specialises in running and fitness A female running coach  Ultra runner Lecturer at university  Running an organisation with Emma called; Freelancing for Journalists  Her early years… Not coming from a sporty family  Growing up in Guilford, Surrey Playing netball consistently for most of her life  Moving to Liverpool as a teenager Getting into running in her 30s Joining a triathlon club in her mid to late 30s Being inspired by an amazing running coach  Running consistently for the past 7/8 years Being busy… and how her career has changed a lot  Getting bored very easily  Going freelance 8 years ago and it giving her the freedom to do more things and pursue her different passions  Getting better at running and starting to enjoy it more  Varying the types of runs and where she ran  Building her running confidence  Trying different races Starting to really enjoy running Her first ultra which was an accident! Running 30 miles on a looped course The relaxed, chilled, approach to ultra running Speaking with Emma about doing an ultra together The lack of information and resources especially women centric information  Signing up to a multi-stage 100k race in Romania  Having to figure out her training plan for herself  Thinking about writing a book about running  How the book came about and getting the book published  Being inspired by the women winning races outright  Wanting to understand why so few women were participating in ultra races  Dividing up the research and why it was quite straightforward  Being surprised by the records held by women in the swimming world. The mental side and the lessons that could be applied to her running What does the scientific evidence say with regards to men and women The social construct of difference between men and women The importance of being prepared and having confidence in what you know works for you Running 250km across Tanzania 2023  Why it was her favourite race  Being more aware of the setup of races and how female friendly they are Images of women in marketing material, website etc  The manifesto - call to action - wanting to drive change  Focused on 6 key areas  The importance of female specific sports research What are women capable of? The importance of female specific training guides  Kit which has been designed for women  Sports bra testing Media coverage and commentary of women Equal prize money and sponsorship Why races should use the - She Races Guidelines  Training for 2025/2026 Wanting to test their limits  Signing up for Equinox 24 - wanting to run further than they have run before (goals 65 miles +)  She Trails race in the Peak District - August 2025  Heading oversees to race a 5 day race in the heat… depending on recovery  Training programs and making running work for you  Having a coach for the past 18 months and the difference it has made  Being more competitive in races  How to connect with Lily on social media Final words of advice for other women who want to be a trail blazer Why you need to believe in yourself  Push your boundaries and try hard things  Don’t be scared of challenging yourself    Social Media Website www.lilycanter.co.uk  Instagram: @lilycanter Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lilycanter X: x.com/lilycanter  Book: Ultra Women: The Trailblazers Defying Sexism in Sport  

This week on the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Tania Carmona—a trailblazing ultrarunner, endurance coach, entrepreneur, and the first Mexican athlete to complete the 5 Deserts Grand Slam. From swimming as a national-level athlete in Mexico to conquering some of the toughest environments on Earth, Tania’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity. Based in Dubai and previously living in Scotland and the U.S., Tania shares her path into ultrarunning—from a reluctant marathon finisher to tackling self-supported races across the Gobi, Atacama, Namib, and Antarctica. We dive into her experience navigating extreme heat, physical stress, and the emotional highs and lows of ultra-endurance. Tania also opens up about the physiological toll of training, dealing with cortisol imbalances, the decision to undergo back surgery, and why she and her husband launched the Ultra Happy Podcast to bring more real, relatable stories to the running world. Whether you're chasing your own desert dreams or looking for inspiration to keep putting one foot in front of the other, this episode is packed with heart, humour, and hard-earned wisdom.  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 Tania Ultrarunner, coach and podcast host Being based in Dubai, born in Mexico and previously living in Glasgow, Scotland  Growing up in Mexico City in a small family  Being into swimming when she was little Being a national swimmer  Deciding to stop swimming at 15  Moving to Chicago to do her Masters Getting into running in Chicago after being inspired by the Chicago Marathon  Starting running with a free group 3x a week Finishing her first marathon and deciding to never run again at 20 Needing to make new friends after moving back to Mexico Deciding to give running another go A spartan race…. 2016 Finding trail running! Hiring a coach  Signing up for a 50k Meeting her Scottish husband, Andy Moving from Mexico City to Scotland! Deciding to sign up for longer, harder races and how her lifestyle started to change The 5 Desert Grand Slam  Wanting to do Cocodona 250km race  The 5 different, self supported races Dealing with the heat Gobi Desert in Mongolia - more trails and more hard packed terrain - very similar to Scotland Running with really old shoes Running in Antartica over 5 days - living on an expedition boat  Atacama Desert in Chile and why it was one of her most favourite races Reducing those feelings of overwhelm Focusing on the first step first Taking a year off to focus on running  Working with a running coach  Recovery runs and resting  Dealing with gut issues and periods problems The impact on her body with spikes of cortisol  Developing a cortisol hump on her back Not sleeping well The evening routines and life admin after a race  Having surgery on her cortisol hump (7 cm by 1.5 cm deep) on her back Dealing with more stress, by moving to Dubai Ultra Happy Podcast  Co-hosting with her husband Andy Documenting the journey  How to connect with Tania Mini films from each dessert available to watch on YouTube  Final words of advice Live your life with curiosity  Don’t do it for the likes  Think about what else you could do    Social Media Website: taniacarmona.komi.io  Instagram: @taniaruns_theworld TikTok: @taniaruns_theworld  Youtube: @Tania_Carmona