Tough Girl Podcast

In this episode, we’re joined by the fearless Ann Whatmore, an adventurer who proves that asthma doesn’t have to set limits on what you can achieve. Ann has faced numerous health challenges, but rather than letting them hold her back, she’s embraced adventure in a big way.  In May 2024, she cycled over 3,000km across the UK on her recumbent e-trike, “Bob,” completing a solo journey from Land’s End to Orkney before speaking at Yestival. This was no easy feat – Ann had only a sixth of her lung function available and had to rely on determination, resourcefulness, and a supportive community to make the journey possible. In this episode, Ann shares how she turned her dream into reality, navigating the ups and downs of planning such a massive adventure. She talks about the emotional and physical struggles of living with asthma, how she managed her condition on the road, and the lessons she learned along the way. Whether you’re living with a chronic condition, longing for adventure, or simply looking for inspiration to push through your own barriers, Ann’s story is one you won’t want to miss.  Tune in to hear how Ann turned her “limitations” into an opportunity for growth and exploration, proving that the only true limits are the ones we place on ourselves.  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 Patron! 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 Ann  Having numerous health issues Being based near the Jurassic Coast, UK Living by the sea Not being able to explore the landscape as much as she would like Deciding to get a 3 wheeled e-trike (called Bob) Wanting to say yes to adventure  Getting asthma problems after the age of 18 Being able to manage her condition at 19  Her early years growing up, being very sporty and outdoorsy  Having horses and enjoying riding  Getting covid on 21st march 2020 and how it impacted on her lung function Not being able to walk up stairs Being on high dose steroids and inhalers The mental challenges of dealing with health issues Grieving for the person she was Finding out her lungs have been damaged and developing breathing pattern disorders   Joining adventure book clubs and listening to podcasts Bringing the adventures to her  Finding positivity in other people adventures  Looking for glimmers of hope  Say Yes More Tribe Yestival - Dave Cornwaithe  Losing her balance and co-ordination ability  Finding out about trikes Free trike rehabilitation in Exeter  Finding ways to fund her trike The price to have independence outside Bike to Work Scheme (UK)  Having a bike fit check  Going for short, local rides on flat ground Finding a little route and going out with her partner to gain confidence  The plan for the adventure  Taking a year to plan and how the journey changed BOOK: Britain Best Bike Ride: The ultimate thousand-mile cycling adventure from Land’s End to John o’ Groats - Hannah Reynolds & John Walsh  Planning to cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats Wanting to see Skara Brae in the Orkneys  Making herself accountability and standing up on stage at Yestival to announce her challenge Deciding to finish the challenge at Yestival  Committing to the 2,000 mile adventure!  Figuring out how to charge her bike battery Not being able to wild camp and always needing to find a plug each day The reality of the challenge, compared to what she expected Having a supportive and encouraging partner  Being able to enjoy it more Loving the highlands  How her perception changed of what she could do  Dealing with the hills… The feelings of ‘awe’ Focusing on the next goal, and breaking down the challenge The kindness of strangers when you were at your lowest Big Sky Hideaway  Adjusting back to normal life - after spending 50 days on the road Packing up her e-trike to go home and heading back to work Having 121 support  The next challenge…. Chase the Sun - 205 miles in 1 day  The lessons learned from the experience  Being vulnerable and asking for help when needed Fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK  Sea Swimming  Ice mile swim… Social media… How to connect with Ann Find your community  Figure out what you can do  Learning how to ask for help Saying yes to adventure and finding that support Find your tribe, say yes more   Social Media Website www.wanderingwhatmore.com  

In this powerful episode, we meet Aisling Byrne — an international showjumper, successful businesswoman, and an extraordinary example of resilience in the face of life-altering adversity. After a devastating horse riding accident left her with multiple broken bones, internal injuries, and the prognosis that she would never walk again, Aisling refused to accept defeat. Over the course of a gruelling three-year recovery, she not only walked again — she returned to the international showjumping circuit, proving that mindset, grit, and determination can overcome even the most impossible odds. In our conversation, Aisling shares her journey from a small-town Irish girl discovering horses for the first time to the elite competitive showjumping stage, and the mindset strategies that carried her through her darkest moments. We also dive into her life as a business owner, how she balances her entrepreneurial ventures with her sporting goals, and her advice for women navigating setbacks of any kind. Whether you’re facing a personal challenge, working toward a big goal, or simply in need of some serious inspiration, this episode will remind you of what’s possible when you choose to keep moving forward — no matter the obstacle.  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 Aisling Born and raised in Ireland  Being passionate about showjumping  Running a funding company and a travel company  Growing up in Ireland Having 1 brother and supportive parents  Not growing up around horses Going to the local equestrian centre Riding the neighbours ponies Getting her own pony at 11 Transitioning from riding ponies to horses Enjoying the partnership with the horse How showjumping works Competition time and doing a course walk  What does it take to make a great show jumper Needing determination and tenacity  The ability to work hard and learning from different people  Building a partnership with a horse Figuring out what makes your horse tick Making your horses as happy as possible  Having a near death experience  Breaking multiple bones and damaging internal organs Being in a Portuguese hospital and people not realising the severity of the injury Bleeding internally Being able to detach herself from the situation  Calmness during emergency situations Being very practical and level headed The recovery journey - 3 years Taking a long time to get off crutches Staying positive (even if you have to fake it) How mindset can speed up your physical recovery Practical tips to manage levels of positivity so not to go to a dark place Walking for the first time Going to a specialist sports physio Being told she would never be able to ride a horse again First time getting back on a pony after the accident in 2018 Being lifted onto the pony with a forklift truck Getting back into showjumping and competing again Not sweating the small stuff Not looking for perfection and how everything goes a little bit smoother How the travel company works Lending money to law firms Advice for women who want to get into the world of showjumping  Wanting to get back to world ranking jumping  No age limit on showjumping How to connect on social media  Words of advice for women who are dealing with a setback  Staying positive for others Not having to do things - but getting to do things   Social Media Instagram: @aislingbyrne1 TikTok: @asheyb1  

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Pamela Lee, a professional offshore sailor from Ireland who’s breaking records and barriers in one of the most extreme, male-dominated sports on the planet. Now based in Brittany, France—the heart of short-handed offshore racing—Pamela has carved out her path with grit, determination, and a clear vision for empowering women through sailing. Pam shares her journey from growing up beside the sea in Ireland to becoming the first Irish woman to skipper the Transat Jacques Vabre Race, setting three world records sailing around Ireland, and now training for the 2026 Route du Rhum, one of the toughest solo ocean races in the world. We dive deep into her early influences, the realities of offshore racing, learning French to break into the French sailing scene, and the financial, emotional, and physical challenges of pursuing elite-level sailing. From boat borrowing to breaking glass ceilings, Pamela opens up about the power of visibility, representation, and believing in your own potential—no matter how big the dream. Whether you're interested in sailing, women in sport, or chasing bold goals, this is an empowering and eye-opening conversation not to miss. ***  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 Pamela Living and working in Brittany, France Professional Off-shore Sailor  Living in the mecca of off-shore sailing  What short-handed sailing is Speaking French and sailing in French  Studying French at school and doing a French exchange  The challenge of learning French  The power of emersion when learning a language  Growing up in Ireland (south of Dublin, on the South East Coast) beside the sea  Having a dad who is a sailing fanatic  Family holidays camping and sailing  Opportunities to become a professional sailor? Adapting her mentality on how she wanted to live her life Knowing that a 9-5 job was not for her Living in Sydney, Australia and wanting to sail Sydney Hobart offshore sailing race  Finding a boat to sail on  Wanting to travel and to sail more  Wanting to make a change Considering the possibility of becoming a professional sailor  Getting her Yacht Master Qualification  Getting the opportunity to move to France Wanting to learn more skills and not getting to do those positions  Reaching a glass ceiling and not seeing how to get to the next level Looking for the next opportunity and heading back to Ireland to figure it out Discussion around the Olympics and sailing (double handed offshore racing)  Being part of a mixed sex duo  Being invited to train for the Irish team for this potential event Heading to France to trail for this type of racing  Being exposed to the French offshore racing world  Deciding to stay in France 2019 - 2020 Setting 3 world records by sailing around Ireland and how the goal came about  Fastest sailing around Ireland in a boat of 40ft or under Setting the record for double handed and the women’s record for racing around Ireland  The covid years and going back and forth between France and Ireland  Personal inner ambition and wanting to know what  she could do  Needing to get a boat Borrowing a boat and starting to train with it for racing around Ireland Spending several days at seas and racing 700 nautical miles in approx 3-4 days Funding for sailing Making a big media splash and getting your name out there with the record  Getting women’s stories in main stream press Women’s voices and the progress being made in women’s sports and how they are represented  The push towards progress The Route du Rhum a transatlantic single-handed yacht race, which takes place every four years in November.  Racing from France to the Caribbean solo - the longest and toughest trans-atlantic race  Being the first Irish female to do the race Needing to qualify for the race (based on miles raced) Needed to race and train before Starting the project and finding their founding sponsor - DFDS  Funding costs via sponsorship  The dream budget and costs involved  The stress of getting sponsorship and maintaining the relationship  Filming a documentary with Musto (Sailing clothing brand)  The importance of visibility and representation  Being inspired by the sporting women in the Olympics  The importance of PERSONAL challenges  How to connect with Pam  Words of advice for other women who want to go after their own goals  Encouraging women to go after big goals and building a step by step progression plan Lisa - Life & Business Mindset Coach Building your confidence along the way Giving yourself credit and the belief to tackle big things    Social Media Website www.pamelaleesailing.com  Instagram @pamybefree   

Bianca Fernandez-Clark is a 7x Ironman finisher, Chair, and co-founder of Women in Tri UK, a charity on a mission to bring more women into triathlon and break down barriers in the sport. With no background in sport, Bianca laced up her trainers at age 29 to tackle a 10km as a way to manage her mental health. From there, she progressed to marathons and, in 2016, took on the challenge of learning to swim and cycle to complete her first triathlon. As a Black/mixed-race woman, Bianca has been vocal about the lack of diversity in triathlon, especially at long-distance events, and has worked to highlight the barriers faced by the Black community in accessing swimming.  In 2022, she co-founded Women in Tri UK, and the organisation has been growing ever since, working hard to make triathlon more inclusive and accessible for women everywhere. By day, Bianca works full-time in the financial sector, but every spare moment is dedicated to continuing her own triathlon journey and supporting the work of Women in Tri UK. ***  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 Bianca Being based in London Being serious about the sport of triathlon Staring running at 29 and then moving into triathlon  in 2016  Working full time in the financial services Founding Women in Tri UK - which aims to break down barriers and make the sport more accessible for women Being at advocate for women, especially women of colour  Building a community to support women in the sport  Growing up in the Dominican Republic  Not being encouraged in sports from a young age Dealing with curly, afro hair  Having zero background in sports Not being naturally good at sports What changed at 29  Living in Spain to study for her Masters How running gave her a life line Going from the couch to 5k  Crossing the finish line of her first 10K race Feeling alive again Not falling in love with running straight away Going on a journey of self discovery Deciding to sign up for her fist Marathon  Discovering the group - the running bug in the UK Meeting a guy who could give her advice… Being with her partner for 10 years Being a part of the running community  Not being very fast and being more suited for endurance  Getting into triathlon Signing up for swim classes and learning to ride a bike for the first time Doing her first triathlon which was a women only event.  Wanting to take on an ironman  The stress of cutoffs  The time commitment involved in training  Making training work for her lifestyle  Doing the best training that she can with the time she has Having a goal of finishing the race Making training part of her lifestyle  Hair advice and tips Alice Dearing Hairstyles for women in triathlon Black women role models in the triathlon space  Sika Henry  The lack of swimming lessons for children  How Women in Tri UK came about Heading to Kona, Ironman World Championships  Using lockdown for fitness and training more  Women in Tri, First sponsored Athlete - Naomi Rumble  Coaching programs and having realistic training plans for women  Speaking with British Triathlon  Advocacy work and partnering with SheRaces  Barriers for women in triathlon and writing a detailed 63 page report   Making sure the sport also changes  The plans for Women in Tri over the next few years  Partnering with Cycle Sisters  The diversity of Women in Tri  Wanting to remove financial barriers Working with brands Working on her personal goals and wanting to go back to Kona Recovering from a broken foot How to connect with Bianca Women in Tri US - being closed Final words of advice for women who do want to take on a triathlon  “Women in Tri, Made me do it!”   Social Media Website  www.womenintriuk.org  Instagram  @biancatriathlon @womenintriuk   

Harriet Frost is a force of energy, endurance, and entrepreneurial grit.  From completing the notorious Arc of Attrition 100-mile ultra twice, to directing multiple trail races, to co-founding a menstrual cup company focused on sustainable period care for athletes — Harriet is redefining what it means to pursue hard things, in business and on the trail. In this episode, Harriet shares her journey from growing up in Cornwall to discovering a love of endurance sport later in life — despite hating running at first. With no formal coaching, she’s built her own training strategy based on experience, discipline, and gut instinct — and it’s taken her to the finish lines of some of the UK’s most brutal ultra events. We also dive into the founding of Sea+Flo, a period care company created by women, for women, aiming to empower people to better understand and manage their menstrual health during sport. Harriet speaks candidly about the mental strength required to train alone, run in the dark, and manage periods while racing, as well as her mission to bring more female voices to the forefront of adventure and endurance media. This is a conversation about grit, vulnerability, and showing up — again and again — even when the path ahead is long, muddy, and uncertain.  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 Harriet? Completing her 2nd Arc of Attrition 100 mile ultra Race Director to 2 current races and soon to be a 3rd Running her own business called, Grit Culture - focused on business management  Launching a menstrual cup company called Sea+Flo in 2024 with her best friend Dog mum to November Being surrounded by an amazing network of friends and family How things connect together Speaking with Harriet mum, Theresa Frost on the Tough Girl Podcast  Having parents to everyone  Childhood and growing up in Cornwall Learning resilience and grit from a young age Being supported by her parents Loving school and heading off to University in Southhampton to study fashion and journalism Not really knowing what she wanted to do Travelling and working on super yachts  Heading off to London for 3 years  Spending time in Australia for 2 years, and New Zealand for 2 years, before moving back to Cornwall Hating running…. And finding running really hard  Living in London and doing her first triathlon in 2012/2013 Doing her first marathon during her first 100k Race to the Stones 2017  Doing her next ultra in 2023 - Isle of Wight in April  Arc of Attrition on the South West Coast Path. 100 miles.   Entering the race The Plague 64 miles race (toughest races she’s ever done)   Planning her own training and talking things through with her mum Going on how her body feels and past experience  Working backwards from the race start date Focusing on back to back runs The mental toughness of training and training solo Out and back runs and the mental challenge Knowing there is still more in her Fitting running into her life Training in winter and in the dark  The stress of running in the dark as a female and the wasted energy Why it’s discipline over motivation Recovery…. And what it looks like Having big toe strain Why the Arc was different in 2025 after being taken over by UTMB  Feet and blisters Nutrition, food, fuelling  The struggle of eating food Practicing eating on 20 milers  Training and periods  Sea + Flo reusable menstrual cup company Which menstrual cup? How using a menstrual cup came about Putting herself out there a bit more Women doing amazing things and not getting enough airtime Nikki Love breaking the women’s record for running across Australia   “It’s not about beating the men it’s about winning for the women” - Hannah Paradise  Jasmine Harrison - swimming the length of Great Britain and not being able to to get a book deal -   The lack of stories of women in the news  The women who inspire Harriet  Lucy Gossage - “It’s a privilege to choose to suffer”  How to connect with Harriet online Final words of advice for women who want to pursue endurance sports Being inspired by Sarah Wilson Building your resilience  in sport or physical challenges and how it can help you in your everyday lives    Social Media Website grit-culture.com seaandflo.com Instagram @harriet__frost @grit.culture  @seaandflo

This special episode of the Tough Girl Podcast brings together three incredible women—Tori James, Jo Bradshaw, and Rosemary J Brown—for an inspiring conversation about legacy, mountains, and the enduring spirit of women in adventure. We’re diving deep into the story of Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest in 1975, and celebrating the 50th anniversary of her historic climb. Despite her groundbreaking achievement, Junko’s name is still unfamiliar to many. Tori, Jo, and Rosemary are determined to change that. In this episode, we talk about how Junko inspired a life-changing all-female expedition to Yala Peak in Nepal, the launch of the First Females Podcast (May 16th 2025), and the wider mission to highlight the stories of women who were the first from their countries to stand on the roof of the world. You’ll hear about: Rosemary’s journey to the mountains in her 70s. Tori’s return to Nepal, 18 years after climbing Everest. Jo’s vision for a meaningful anniversary tribute. The power of visibility, representation, and saying yes to adventure—at any age. This episode is a beautiful tribute to Junko’s legacy, a reminder of the power of community, and a call to action for anyone ready to find their own summit. #MyJunkoJourney *** Past episodes with Jo, Tori & Rosemary: Tori James - https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/2015/09/29/tough-girl-tori-james-first-welsh-women-to-climb-everest  Rosemary J Brown - https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/brown-1  Jo Bradshaw - https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/2016/09/15/tough-girl-extra-catching-up-with-mountaineer-expedition-leader-jo-bradshaw-discussing-he  Jo Bradshaw TGP Extra - https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/jo-bradshawtge  ***  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 Speaking to 3 incredible tough girls!  Rosemary Brown - Journalist & writer - drawing attention to women adventurers who have been forgotten.  Working on her next book - women who have mountains named after them  Tori James - 1st Welsh Woman to climb Mt. Everest, plus other record breaking expeditions over the years, mother of 2 children, living in Cardiff and working as a motivational speaker.   Starting a new podcast - The First Females Podcast - launching 16th May 2025   Jo Bradshaw - Everest summiter in 2016 (2nd attempt) on Everest, camp 1 when the earthquake struck in 2015. Working as an expedition leader and motivational speaker.   Yala Peak - a mountain that Junko Tabei climbed in 1977 - 2 years after climbing Mt Everest.   Individual connections Women’s Outdoor Expo  Meeting Tori at the end of the the Wales Coast Path  How Jo & Tori first connected at St. James Palace in 2016 How Rosemary met Tori & Jo The History of Women in Exploration Conference in 2018 Junko Tabei having mountains named after her on Pluto  First Females - and celebrating the 1st female ascent of Mt. Everest  Tori climbing Mt. Everest back in 2007 and not knowing about Junko and her achievement  Why didn’t we know about Junko? Wouldn’t it be great to know who the other first females are from around the world who have summited Mt. Everest  Junko passed away in 2016 Putting the First Females Podcast together  Speaking to Rebecca Stephens as the first British woman who climbed Mt. Everest.   800 women’s stories for the Tough Girl Podcast - 10 years There are still so many women’s stories that I haven’t shared yet Jo coming up with the idea to climb Yala Peak located in Langtang National Park in north Nepal.  Making it at all female commercial expedition Connecting a team of 13 awesome women  Adventurous Ewe What Rosemary’s experience was like climbing Yala Peak  Deciding to make the commitment and finally saying yes to go on the trek! Climbing Kilimanjaro 13 years ago, and now being in her 70s Why each day was special Setting off an hour earlier on summit day The joy and experience of climbing the mountain  The universe is your friend  Feeling very grateful for her belief in herself Why it was a life changing experience. Making the trek work for you Tori heading back to Nepal after 18 years since climbing Everest  Spending time at Yala Basecamp (2 days) Wanting to spend more time there! What Junko said on climbing Everest “here is the summit, and I don’t have to climb anymore” Junko’s story  Book: Honouring High Places: The Mountain Life of Junko Tabei   Her early years and being quite an ill child  Her resilience shining through.  Being encouraged to climb her first peak at 10 years old How restorative it can be, being out in the wildness  Being a pioneer in getting a women’s climbing group together. Especially in Japan. What would Junko do? How would she make this happen? Finding it difficult to hear people crush their dreams with the word ‘but’ Reaching ‘my’ summit if not ‘the’ summit Junko was also the first women to complete the 7 summits (which Jo has now completed) Wanting to get her name out more and to share her legacy  Magical moments for Rosemary whilst out on her trek in Nepal Meeting Leo Houlding (Climber & Adventurer)   How Junko’s positive mindset shines through Tori getting to speak to Junko’s son, husband and best friend Not thinking about failure  Going against the stereotypes of the times How Junko was being supported by her husband - Masanobu Tabei   16th May 2025  #MyJunkoJourney What Jo is doing in Wiltshire - going to climb the highest Hill - “Milk Hill” 12.30pm (Junko Summit Time on Mt. Everest) Becky Bellworthy (climbing Everest 2012)  Rosemary is going to go to the highest point in her town, Islington and going to watch the sunrise as a tribute and reminder to the trek in Nepal Sarah - What will I be doing?  I’ll be heading out to climb Moel Famau in Wales. #MyJunkoJourney is happening all year - get involved!  Advice and top tips from Rosemary -  “Life is not a rehearsal, this is it. If you want to do it, you can do it.” Advice and top tips from Jo - being a reframer, and making it work for her. Jo does stuff (adventures), to show women that we are doing it and not that we can do it.   It is possible and that by showing up (which is what Junko did, all the time) you can achieve great things. A lovely Japanese saying, ‘Ganbattekudasai’ - Do your best  Advice and top tips from Tori - If you want to get into the mountains, you can do it.  Thank you to Jo, Tori and Rosemary for sharing more about Junko and her 50th Anniversary.    Social Media First Females Podcast - Launching 16th May 2025 - a podcast celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first female ascent of Mount Everest and recognising women in mountaineering.  In 1975, Junko Tabei became the first woman to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. Over the past 50 years, almost 900 women have followed in her footsteps, defying cultural and physical barriers to reach the world's top. Very few people have heard of Junko Tabei. The First Females Podcast is being made to shine a spotlight on her remarkable achievement and to celebrate the incredible stories of women from around the world who were the first from their countries to reach the summit of Everest. In her interviews with female Everest summiteers from around the world, Tori will bring her unique perspective and firsthand experience to the conversation to inspire future generations of women to dream big, climb higher, and break barriers in their own lives. Website https://torijames.com/firstfemalespodcast Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/51TEg62SrH7czqxk8Nw3zQ  Tough Girl Resources: Everest Summiters & Their Stories - https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/mt-everest  

Angela Maxwell spent nearly seven years walking around the world — solo. Covering over 20,000 miles across four continents and 16 countries, she braved the Australian outback, battled dengue fever in Vietnam, and faced the daily challenge of finding safe places to sleep, often in a tent.  A self-described introvert and novice adventurer when she began, Angela’s journey was as much an inner transformation as a physical one — fuelled by fear, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to explore what it means to live with courage. Angela walked with purpose, raising funds to support girls rescued from human trafficking, and continues that mission through mentoring and women’s empowerment workshops. She’s been featured by Lonely Planet, BBC Travel, and Outside Magazine, and most recently became one of the first women to swim across the Caspian Sea — a feat that took 28 days and redefined her relationship with fear and endurance. Now based in Wales (for the moment), Angela is writing a book about her world walk and sharing her philosophy that “courage is a verb.” Whether she’s walking, swimming, or simply choosing the unknown, Angela lives by example — proving that adventure doesn’t require expertise, just the decision to begin. ***  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 Angela  Spending 6.5 years walking west around the world  Setting a world record by swimming across the Caspian Sea  Being settled in Wales for the Winter Having a mutual friend - Miriam Lancewood  Her childhood and growing up Getting chicken pox at 30 Not having any friends and being an introvert as a young kid Her love for nature coming later on in life Liking her own company  Daydreaming about travel Spending time alone Being inspired from a young age WHY?! Starting walking because she was terrified Where does an idea come from? The route and what the journey looked like Starting in Australia and walking North to South on the West Coast Heading over to Vietnam  Heading to Europe and the UK Flying back and forth due to visa issues Writing a book about the walk The challenge of writing a book Not wanting to share the journey on social media Wanting to be totally present and have the journey for herself Raising funds for women and girls  Self funding the walk Being inspired by Rosie Swale Pope who ran around the world   Book: Just a Little Run Around the World: 5 Years, 3 Packs of Wolves and 53 Pairs of Shoes  Living on a budget of $5 per day Women for Women International  Adventuring with a purpose Bad days while walking  Thriving on the little daily adventures  The joy of not knowing and what might be around the corner Still enjoying walking now The classic thru-hikes Walking the Pennine Way in the UK Walking part of Te Araroa in New Zealand Her thoughts on courage Dealing with self doubt, before and during the walk Ted Talk - “Courage is a verb”  Making the decision to continue  The most dangerous place for a woman is in the home  The fear at the end of the walk, what was going to be next Little feeling of depression at the end Swimming across the Caspian Sea  Swimming V walking  Having a fear of open water and not being a good swimmer Funding the challenge What it was like day to day on the water Taking 28 days to do the crossing, swimming 6hrs per day Other around the world challenges?! Not having a compulsion to share her stories  Living on very little and funding her current lifestyle Using Trusted Housesitters Running workshops for women Guilty pleasures…. Injuries? Book: Wilder Journeys: True Stories of Nature, Adventure and Connection  Future plans for 2026 How to connect with Angela Final words of advice on courage Choosing courage on a day to day basis    Social Media Website www.SheWalksTheEarth.com  Instagram @AngelaMarieMaxwell   

Alexandra Garcia’s journey into the outdoors began in adulthood, after relocating from Puerto Rico to Virginia, USA. What started as a personal reconnection with nature quickly turned into a deep passion for endurance challenges that test both body and mind.    Since climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2017 and completing the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in 2018, Alex has pursued adventures that push her limits — including backpacking rugged trails in Puerto Rico and continuously seeking what she calls “difficult pursuits.”   Now based in Western North Carolina near Pisgah National Forest, Alex is not only an outdoor athlete and writer but also a changemaker. She co-founded the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation to increase accessibility and gender equity in mountain sports, helping women and girls around the world reach new heights — literally.   In 2025, Alex will travel to France to climb Mt. Blanc, and she’s also training for a Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt on a challenging trail route.    Whether she’s writing, running, or leading with purpose, Alexandra is passionate about personal growth, emotional resilience, and helping others find the courage to take on their own version of hard.   ***  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 Alex Growing up in Porto Ricco - a small island in the Caribbean  Her childhood and early years  Spending time in nature from a young age Living in Western Northern Carolina, USA Spending time around the ocean  Swimming and respecting the water Her parents farm  Hiking with her family 2017 and deciding to climb Mt Kilimanjaro Looking for the next thing to work towards Pushing herself to achieve Difficult pursuits of the year Training physically and mentally for the challenge 2018 and doing the Grand Canyon - Rim to Rim Challenge  Keeping herself learning and engaged and wanting the challenges to be fun  Running…. Learning as she goes The importance of training Planning Approach Thinking of her own ideas for Difficult Pursuits Focusing on challenges in Porto Ricco  35 miles - Backpacking trail in Porto Ricco The power of visualisation The power of doing hard things Going through hard times Managing emotions while on challenges Letting emotions out and acknowledging them  Journaling and writing for outdoor magazines in the US The women who inspire Alex Being inspired by Sunny Stroeer  Co founding the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation  Their mission to increase accessibility for women and girls and for gender equality in the mountains Offering scholarships to 25 women to climb mountains around the world  Her difficult pursuit in 2025 Heading to France in July and wanting to climb Mt Blanc Wanting to set a Fastest Known Time (FKT)  How to connect and support Alex Final words of advice for other women who want to take on difficult pursuits Find a community of people or women who can support your goals over a period of time.  The advice of ‘just do it’  Choosing what is difficult for you     Social Media   Website www.trailrunningpuertorico.com    Instagram @alexandramariagarcia_

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   

Rahema Mamodo is a mum of three, a passionate runner, and a trailblazer for women in sport. Growing up in Portugal and now based in Birmingham, Rahema discovered running later in life, starting with a simple couch-to-5k program. What began as a personal challenge has blossomed into a mission to inspire women—especially those who look like her—to break barriers, embrace fitness, and find joy in movement. Since her first hesitant steps on a treadmill, Rahema has run over 180 Park Runs in more than 50 locations, completed marathons, and even tackled ultramarathons like Race to the Stones. Along the way, she’s used her platform to share her journey, celebrate diversity in sport, and encourage others to believe in themselves. In this episode, Rahema shares how running transformed her life, the lessons she’s learned from pushing her limits, and her passion for inspiring her daughters and other women to chase their goals. From practical tips for getting started to her unforgettable experiences at marathons and ultras, Rahema’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and self-belief. Correction: In our recent podcast episode featuring Rahema Mamodo, we incorrectly stated that SheUltra was founded by Sophie Power. We’d like to clarify that SheUltra was actually founded by Huw Williams, a local man from North Wales who is currently living with terminal cancer. Huw has poured his heart and soul into creating and running this incredible event. Sophie Power is the founder of SheRACES, a separate initiative. To learn more about Huw and support SheUltra, please visit She Ultra's website or donate here. *** 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 Rahema Growing up in Portugal and now living in Birmingham  Speaking 3 languages (Portuguese, English and Gujarati) What her early years were like  Not being into sports or any physical activities  Being a teenage girl  Being inspired to do a couch to 5k Using a treadmill at home and not wanting to run outdoors at first The benefits of joining a running group Her first Park Run and why she loves it  Wearing a hijab  How her running journey progressed 10k to Half Marathon  Being supported by her family  Wanting to inspire her girls to be active Increasing her distance every week  Using online programs and doing her best to get beyond the 5k distance Being a Park Run Tourist  180+ park runs in over 50 different locations Doing the A to Z of Park Runs  Finding a Z Park Run Highlights from running and running on sand Practical tips to encourage women to get involved in Park Run The benefits of finding like minded people to run Tracking her running with Garmin  Deciding to run Manchester Marathon as her first marathon  Hating the experience  Getting the chance to run the London Marathon  Learning a lot from the marathon experiences  Running for other people  Muslim Runners  Running 3/4 times a week 5 weeks to prepare for the marathon Race strategy and goals  Visiting the London Marathon EXPO  Connecting with people from social media Deciding to run an ultra - Race to the Stones - 50k  She Ultra  Sophie Power on the Tough Girl Podcast  Training for an ultra  No pressure, no cut off times and just smiles! Racing with her daughter in 2025 How to connect with Rahema online Being a cover girl! On the cover of Women’s Running  Wanting to inspire other women to go out and run The power of believing in yourself   Social Media Website www.rahema.co.uk/blog  Instagram @Rahema_m  Facebook @rahemasw