Tough Girl Podcast

Amy Bushatz is an Alaska-based journalist and host of the podcast Humans Outside.    Since September 1, 2017, she’s spent at least 20 minutes outside every day as part of an experiment to see how building and keeping a daily nature habit can change her life. What she found was benefits including making her happier, healthier and more creative while improving her relationships, making new friends and more.    Since starting her outdoor journey Amy has also become an ultra runner, skier, backpacker, camping enthusiast and tried ice climbing, glacier trekking, snowshoe running, ATVing, cliff jumping, forest bathing, rock climbing, high-ropes courses and more.    Amy and her family live in Palmer, Alaska with their two dogs.   *Content Warning - there is mention of disordered eating during this episode, we don’t go into specific details.   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8.   Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE     Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge. Run 1 mile everyday in March.    Show notes Who is Amy Her early years and not being outdoorsy Being married with kids Getting into running and fitness The benefits of spending time outdoors Working as a journalist for 20 years Deciding to move to Alaska without ever having been there The weather in Alaska and dealing with the cold  Needing a goal and setting herself a new challenge Deciding to spend 20 mins outside every day for 1 year Creating the rules How it’s changed her life Spending time with her family and how it’s improved relationships Her running journey  Connecting with the ultra running community Overtraining and dealing with injury Going straight for the Resurrection Pass 100 Miler Dealing with the cold and the elevation gain and loss over the race What she would do differently The mental side of the race Not putting on the layers  Hoarding food and clothing and not being able to accept help Feeling emotional on the trail - walking and crying Having a scarcity mindset - even though it’s not reality Not joking about food Getting to 70 miles and mentally processing not reaching the 100 miles Knowing that she can do hard things Not wanting to train for another 100 miler Wanting to do the 50 miler Recovery from the 70 miles #HumansOutside365 Final words of advice    Social Media   Personal   Website: amybushatz.com   Instagram: @amybushatz   Twitter:  @amybushatz     Humans Outside Podcast  #HumansOutside365   Podcast Website: https://humansoutside.com/    Instagram: @humansoutside    Twitter: @HumansOutside    Facebook: @HumansOutside    Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/Humansoutsideblog     The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored by Inov-8    Get your exclusive 15% discount code for inov-8.com by signing up HERE   Get involved with the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.    Website: www.inov-8.com    Instagram: @inov_8

Kelly in her own words:   “I’m passionate about the outdoors, it’s a love started from childhood adventure, grew into teenage curiosity, and now is a form of adult stress relief. Fitness for leisure, health, and well-being is more important to me than the competition or the ability to perform well at any one thing. To be, on the go is something I do for me.    My former self trying to be better for my future self. Me vs Me.    I swim in the pool, lakes, and sea, I cycle with TWR, hike with Black Girls Hike and have only started running with Black Trail runners this year.    I try for fun and I try to give my best at each event. I am a beacon of light to get more people into multi-sport events because of representation in the recreational sports and fitness sector.   At school I loved geography, physics, and mathematics. I started working in construction at 14, now having 10 years experience I left my last job as an assistant site manager. I have matured into an enthusiast for the built environment. An inquisitive mind towards, towards all things related to sustainable development.    My undergraduate degree is in Project Management for Construction, my masters in Flood Risk Assessment, Modelling and Engineering and I have full intention to do my PhD in Flood Risk Development and Sustainability.”    New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   Show notes Who is Kelly Smith Being based in Brighton, UK Why adventuring in the outdoors is her passion Moving slowly  Not sleeping well at the moment Weighted blanket Growing up in London and her early years Moving to Brighton at 17 years old Getting into the outdoors The shift from childhood to adulthood Being a weird kid  Her 16th birthday and walking in the rainforest The last day of her A’levels Missing the boldness of her youth Finding the South Downs and falling in love with the outdoors Being a planner Getting into sports and fitness Joining the cycling community and being encouraged to do a triathlon Trying a tri Why it’s about how she feels Remembering back to her first triathlon Being impacted by covid How getting outdoors helped with her mental health Working with Swim England as an Ambassador Going after her Summer Mountain Leader Qualification The challenge of getting the training days The costs of travelling around the UK Navigation skills and learning  The Kelly Smith Project - 3 Peaks - 3 Isles Working in the construction industry for 10 years Doing her Masters Filming her documentary and the plan Taking 3 weeks to film the project Being ambitious! Doing B roll in February and filming in April Connect with Kelly Top tips and advice to encourage you to get outside   Social Media   Website: kellysmithonthego.com    Instagram: @kellysmith.onthego

Quinn in her own words:   “I live in Estes Park Colorado. For five years, I worked as a climbing ranger, doing technical Search and Rescue, in Rocky Mountain National Park. To compliment the rescue and medical component of this job, I taught Wilderness Medical Courses.    Rest days…. what are those? Climbing, mountain running, triathlons, mountain biking, summit handstand and mini golf—- were just a few sports I was into. I cherished pushing my body and my mind, finding comfort in the uncomfortable.    I have a few climbing first ascents, speed records and some mountain running records all over the western US and even across the globe  In October 2017, I fell over 100 feet while climbing on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and sustained a spinal cord injury.    I am currently paralyzed from the waist down.    Movement and advocacy for public lands was a big part of life and vocation. That hasn’t changed, I still need to be active, adventure and break barriers.    This past summer, 2021, I become the first person to hand-cycle the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from the Canadian Border to the Mexico border in 25 days.    My advocacy in public lands continues, as well as, advocacy for spinal cord research—- to improve mine and others quality of life.”     New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   Show notes Who is Quinn What she does Her love for playing outside Her early years Working for the National Park Service  Her journey into rock climbing Getting her dream job Being encouraged to do more with her life Taking her EMT course and how all her skills combined together Becoming a Technical Rescue Ranger and what it’s like being in the field  Dealing with a T11 Spinal Cord Injury 10/2017 Slipping and falling 100ft Being paralysed from the waist down Being rescues and transferred to the hospital The transition to a new type of life and way of living The challenges of getting back into the outdoor  Wanting to get back into swimming after 3 months Getting an off-road hand cycle  Completing the Tour Divide in 2021 How getting e-assist helped with access  Being able to keep up with friends Figuring out the technical side of the challenge Taking on the White Rim in Utah a 100 mile challenge Learning about the underlying issues and figuring out the solutions Why preparation is key  Leaning how to calm the brain Doing the Tour Divide as an independent time trail Being the first hand cyclist to the the Tour Divide Learning to calm the brain Why sweating the small stuff is important The magical moments from the Tour Divide  Trail Angels Quick Fire Questions - food, music, podcasts, mantra & mottos  “This wheelchair does not define me” Access to the outdoors… Keeping fit and active and what that looks like Raising money for the Kelly Brush Foundation 2 Exciting trips planned for the future Climbing Kilimanjaro and going to Bosnia How to connect with Quinn Final words of advice for other women who are going through a tough time in their life The power of community and the power of asking for help   Social Media   Website: www.quinnbrett.com    Instagram: @quinndalina

Preet recently became the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition in Antarctica. She completed the 700 miles in 40 days pulling all of her kit and equipment and tackling temperatures of -50° with wind chill. When she reached the South Pole she said on her audio blog:   “This expedition was always about so much more than me. I want to encourage people to push their boundaries and to believe in themselves, and I want you to be able to do it without being labelled a rebel.    I have been told no on many occasions and told to “just do the normal thing”, but we create our own normal.    You are capable of anything you want. No-matter where you are from or where your start line is, everybody starts somewhere.    I don’t want to just break the glass ceiling, I want to smash it into a million pieces. Who’s with me?”   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   Show notes Who is Preet Deciding to go to Antarctica Why she wants to inspire people to push their boundaries Starting with google Getting to the start line The challenges of Covid and funding Being the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition 700 miles in 40 days Getting back to the gym and needing time to recover Going back to November 2021 Flying to Chile first and spending 2 weeks there Sorting out all the food and gear Getting the flight out to Antarctica  Being dropped off on the ice and being alone Taking it one day at a time Fears and concerns before the start Feeling excited… Picking up the wrong backpack Being on her own on the ice The joy and excitement of the challenge What a typical day was like The mental side of the challenge Tips and tricks to get through the day Being a head of schedule  Slowing down towards the end and not sleeping Not stopping for 40/50hrs Arriving into the South Pole and feeling good! Why it’s ok to do things that are different Why it’s good to question things Being called disrespectful Feeling more and more comfortable in herself Voicing her opinions  Why change is not a bad thing Making new traditions with her family Celebrations and Coke Zero Having her first shower Heading back to the South Pole Phase 2 of the plan Sponsorship for the future challenges? Setting up an adventure grant for women Connect with Preet and be kept upto date with her future adventures and challenges Final words of advice Why you can achieve anything   Social Media   Website: www.polarpreet.com    Instagram: @polarpreet    Facebook: @polarpreet   We first spoke with Preet in July 8th 2021- you can listen to Preet here - https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/chandi

Gail Muller is an adventurer, writer and educator. She was told at 14 she’d need to use a wheelchair by the age of 40, but at 41 embarked on one of the world’s toughest treks over 6 months in the USA – The Appalachian Trail.   For fifteen years she struggled with muscular-skeletal issues, chronic pain and the mental health issues that arise from them, but she never gave up hope of healing and resolution.   Her debut memoir 'Unlost' is an inspiring, uplifting and moving account of one woman’s incredible journey into the unknown. A love letter to the healing power of the wild outdoors and an incredible testament to the strength of the human spirit, Gail’s story is for anyone who has ever felt stuck in a rut, lost or scared.   She has recently returned from the Continental Divide Trail - a massive hike across the United States where she battled with unmarked trails, grizzly bears, wildfires, weeks at altitude and raging snowmelt-filled river fords. Gail will recount how through all of her journeys, she found has grit, determination, and hope in the darkest of times.   Unlost: A journey of self-discovery and the healing power of the wild outdoors by Gail Muller, published by Thread, was released on the 7th September 2021.   *Content Warning - Mention of sexual assault and thoughts of suicide.   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   Show notes Who is Gail Muller Being a teacher and an educator Talking to us about her adventures and what she’s overcome Growing up in Cornwall and what it means to be Cornish Her teenage years Being told she would end up in a wheelchair in her 40s Working on super yachts and in the film industry Dealing with back pain which became chronic Learning to treat herself with kindness Finding a solution while in Italy Feeling suicidal and wanting to end it all Don’t give up hope and why a solution is just around the corner Wanting to use her body to do something magnificent  Losing a loved one Starting to save to go up on a big adventure Learning outdoor skills Fears and concerns before heading of to hike the Appalachian Trail Dealing with sexual assault and panic attacks Heading south bound on the AT- starting with Mt. Khatardin and the 100 mile wilderness Enjoyment, love and magical moments Trail magic and trail angels Making new friends and connecting with a trail family Snacks… Deciding to go south bound Wanting to be more alone on the trail Walking on the CTD in summer 2021 Not wanting to road walk in smoke The plan for 2021 and how it changed  Full time adventuring…. Writing her first book - Unlost Hiking with 2 broken bones in her foot Making a plan for 2022 South West Coast Path, UK Being diagnosed with ADHD recently Becoming best friends with her body How to connect with Gail Meet Bill Words of advice to inspire you Why you should never quit on a bad day   Social Media   Website: https://gailmuller.com   Instagram: @thegailmuller   Facebook: @thegailmuller   FB Group @Unlostoutdoors

Jessica’s ‘adventure activism’ is, by her own admission, a bit of an accident as she hates exercise and considers herself to be the most unlikely athlete.    However, over the last decade she has been taking on some of the world’s most iconic physical and mental endurance challenges to turn the sadness she’s been through into something positive and at the same time raise awareness of what it means to struggle to conceive and to encourage new ways of thinking about family.    She has run the London Marathon; swum the English Channel; and is still on her journey to climb Mount Everest and complete the iconic ‘Pond to Peak’ Challenge.    She is a member of the British Mountaineering Council; The Ramblers; The Long Distance Walkers Association; and the Serpentine, Hampstead Ponds and Dover Open Water Swimming Clubs; and has used her sporting challenges to raise thousands of pounds for charity including Fertility Network UK.   We first spoke to Jessica in Oct 2018 - you can listen to that episode here:    https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/jessica-hepburn    New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   Show notes Who is Jessica How she would describe herself and what she does Dealing with a decade long struggle on trying to conceive  Wanting to do something different with her life Completing her childhood dream of swimming the English Channel  Being an adventure activist  Wanting to be the first women to complete the “Pond to Peak” Challenge What Jessica was up to in 2019 Making a change in her career and setting up her own arts’ festival  Her dream of heading to Everest in 2020 Climbing Mt. Elbrus and having a tough time Swimming to get fit for climbing mountains Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2015/2016 Why the Everest journey has been so hard  Being an unlikely mountaineer and athlete  When things don’t go according to plan  Having to learn from failure Does swim training translate to walking in the mountains? The benefits of cold water and why she does it regularly  Not being fast enough on the mountains Needing to get into strength training and build muscle Heading to the peak district and the Lake District Training with the Elite Ramblers in the UK  Dealing with the first lockdown in 2020 Being able to stop, slow down and relax Finding the blessings  How lockdown impacted on motivation for training and keeping fit The different types of adventures  Why adventure has become such an important part of her life Getting the confirmation that Everest was going to go ahead in 2021 Getting to base camp and feeling prepared How everyone has an opinion on Everest Why her expedition was a non summit Dealing with cyclones at camp 2 Cyclones, Chest Infections and Covid Making a rookie mistake Why you need a buff!!! Making the decision to turn back… Acceptance and coming to peace  Why climbing mountains have become so meaningful Making it a battle - a battle with nature Wanting to go back in the future Turning 50 at the end of 2020 How to follow along with Jessica and her future adventures  Final words of advice to motivate and inspire more women to take their next steps into the world of adventure   Social Media   Website: www.jessicahepburn.com    Instagram: @jessica_hepburn_    Facebook: @jessicahepburnauthor    Twitter: @JessicaPursuit

Namratha believes one should find ways to be more grounded and closer to nature. She has found that for herself through meditation and trekking.    Namratha would love to do her part in encouraging people to pursue a healthy lifestyle. She always thinks that one should be mentally and physically fit to be able to do what one wants irrespective of the age.    Listen to Namratha as she shares more about her childhood, how she got into trekking and why she decided on this challenges, she talks us through her planning and preparation, how she dealt with the tough days and where her mental resilience comes from.   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   Show notes Who is Nam? What her family was like Growing up in a small town Working as a HR professional Being introduced to trekking by her husband in 2013 Role models while growing up Longing to get back into the mountains Being inspired to be fit Getting into trekking and her first experiences Being encouraged to go trekking The 50 Alpine Lakes Challenge Dealing with early onset arthritis Working o strengthening the muscles in her knee Trekking with a guide who knows the routes  Dealing with the altitude Doing the challenge while having a full time job Dealing with challenges like snowfall and lightening while out trekking Listening to her body and making the right decision at the time Having a favourite lake Learning to travel solo and building up confidence Learning to become more comfortable with herself Advice for women who want to travel solo The need to prepare and to do your homework Female guides on the mountains The challenges on her body and how it adapted Go to food on the mountain Wanting to get more people fit and healthy Wanting to create a webpage  Final words of advice to inspire you.    Social Media   Instagram: @namrathaurs    Facebook: @namratha.nandish

Easkey on Freedom, Mindfulness and Connection:    Freedom - “I find freedom in movement, in nature, through new experiences. Freedom has the qualities of spontaneity, passion, flow, adventure, risk, independence and creativity. It’s about expressing myself creatively, doing what matters most, and the power of play.”   Mindfulness - “I’ve always believed surfing is an amazing tool for a mindfulness practice. It’s very much about mindfulness-in-movement. If I truly get into why I surf, it’s because we can enter this heightened state of awareness – a flow state where, if even just for a moment, there’s complete focus and immersion in the present.”   Connection - “Surfing helps me understand the meaning of connection. Surfing demands a letting go of expectations and requires our total presence in the moment so that we begin to take notice of our surroundings, to be a little awed and humbled through direct contact with nature.”   About Easkey:   Easkey is the first Irish woman to be nominated for the Global WSL Big Wave Awards but there’s more to Easkey than surfing. It is her intellect and her quest to learn and create change in an often unfair world that really defines her. A scientist, academic and social activist, with a PhD in Environment and Society, Easkey is always one to look in places others aren’t for the answers to difficult questions. Her curiosity and passion for fairness and gender equality are the qualities that others to her.   Named an ‘Agent of Change’ by Surfer magazine in their special Ocean Edition, her work is deeply influenced by the ocean and the lessons learned pioneering women’s big-wave surfing in Ireland and the sport of surfing with women in Iran, which led her to be invited to give an inspiring TEDx talk: Just Add Surf. Her ground-breaking journey to Iran in 2013 introduced the sport of surfing to women and local communities and is featured in the award-winning documentary film, “Into the Sea”. Passionate about facilitating creative & collaborative processes, she founded Like Water, a platform to explore innovative ways to reconnect with who we are, our environment and each other, through water. Easkey draws on the sea as an active metaphor to dive deep into the power of presence and embodiment of natural cycles. She designs and delivers international summits and global leadership programmes specialising in experiential learning, nature connection, immersive embodiment practices, community engagement and social impact, including the annual Wavemaker retreat in Portugal and Move Like Water retreat for women. She is the author of ‘50 Things to do by the Sea’ and is currently finishing a new book called ‘Saltwater in the Blood.’   Easkey is a one off, wild hearted and free spirit. She’s ridden some of the biggest days in Ireland; no audience, no blue skies, no golden sands, just her and a crew she trusts. Doing something she loves; chasing cold water mountains.   You can listen to Easkey on the Tough Girl Podcast.   New episodes go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media.    Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast Thank you.   Show notes Who is Easkey and what she does Being a lover of the ocean Wanting to understand how we relate to the world  Growing up by the beach  Having a connection with the ocean Meeting other women who surfed Starting to compete at a young age The limited pathways for women in surfing  What it was like in the early 90s Getting into free surfing and exploring new waves The link between science and surfing Being an agent of change by Surfer Magazine The sport of surfing with women in Iran How her relationship with surfing has changed The ripple effect  Filming a documentary  Spending time by the ocean  The healing power of water Blue Health  Book - Blue Mind: How Water Makes You Happier, More Connected and Better at What You Do  Blue Mindfulness - How big wave surfing has taught me to live in the moment The mental training for big wave surfing  Learning to trust her body Spending time away from the water How has surfing changed over the past 30 years Gender equality in surfing and the work being done to close the gender gap Representation in surfing and how do you create a more inclusive ocean How do you break down barriers and create more opportunities  The work of Lauren Hill Book: She Surf: The Rise of Female Surfing   Who are the women that have inspired Easkey The power of one women story  The influence of mentors  Meet Wolfie! (The dog!) Having the idea for the book and putting pen to paper Keeping a journal to keep track of her own thoughts Being full time in academia and wanting to write more freely  Not seeing women in front of or behind the camera The feminine perspective of surfing and sharing that Plans for the future Working as a blue health researcher in relation to surf therapy  Putting the science into practice Connect with Easkey  The meaning behind her name and where her name comes from Final words of advice for women who want to get more ebb and flow in their life The power of breath Learning to let go in water Taking a moment to reset What to do if water holds fear for you     Social Media   Website: https://easkeybritton.com    Instagram: @easkeysurf    Twitter: @Easkeysurf    Book: Saltwater in the Blood

Laura in her own words:   “I’m a 35 yo Veterinary Surgeon, ultra/long distance cyclist, hiker and runner who loves having adventures... and this year, 2022 I plan to break the tandem around the World Record with my husband Stevie.   I started out in life not at all sporty or fit but adventurous: white water kayaking, cycling, hiking and camping.     I realised mid-twenties I wanted to get fitter as well and this coincided with meeting Stevie and being introduced to long distance cycling where I completes a range of long distance events on solo and Tandem including the infamous Paris-Brest-Paris solo and Lejog on a tandem.     I then took up running and after a couple of false starts ran wainwright's coast to coast by myself in May with Stevie as support, 190miles in 5 days.  We have also completed some of the more epic long distance walks I the UK such as Offas Dyke and the Pennine Way, camping along the way with our dog Geoffrey (as well as West Highland way, Ridgeway and Hadrians wall)   2022 is the big one though! 18,000 miles, 180 days, 2 people, 1 bike!! We set off in June to attempt to break the current Tandem World Record!”   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   Show notes Who is Laura Her passion for long distance cycling Growing up adventurous, but not being sporty when younger Getting into Lyrica! Drifting away from sports during uni and work Starting her fitness journey again  Audax - a long distance cycling club  Studying to become a Veterinarian  Meeting Stevie at a beer festival First dates and getting the tandem bike out Never being a gym goer Getting back to the basics and building things gradually Say hello to the dogs!! What she loves about long distance cycling Being competitive with herself Her first 100 mile race The Super Randonneur award Tactics for riding on the bike as a team All Points North an unsupported cycling event across the north of England.   The planning and the logistics  Magical moments! The challenge for 2022! Deciding to cycle around the world on a Tandem!!! The route… Starting in Berlin, Germany  180 days… The money, the budget and paying for the challenge Getting the initial sponsorship Wanting to be sponsored by Alpkit The approx start date… 5th June 2022 Having supportive bosses The final bit of preparation and what’s involved Riding throughout winter and getting use to riding in all weathers New podcast - Stoked to be here!  How to follow along with the journey Final words of advice for other women who want to take on a big, exciting challenge   Social Media   Website: www.stelatandem.com    Instagram: @SteLa_Tandem    Facebook: SteLa Tandem Round the World Record    Twitter: @SteLaTandem

Shilletha Curtis -  Trail name “Dragonsky” is 30 years old and is from New Jersey, USA.    She is an established writer and hiker and is inspiring to be the second Black woman to achieve the Triple Crown of hiking (The AT, PCT, CTD).    She recently completed the Appalachian Trail and is preparing for the Continental Divide Trail (CDT).    She graduated from Rutgers in 2014 and has worked in the social work and veterinary field for years.    She is currently working as a freelance writer and is working on her book.   Listen to Shilletha on the Tough Girl Podcast as she shares more about her life, her passion for hiking and spending time in the outdoors.   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do and it makes a massive difference. Thank you.   Show notes   Growing up in New Jersey, USA Graduating in 2014 with a degree in social work Getting into writing since Covid What her younger years were like Having a passion for reading Never being exposed to hiking  Her journey of getting into the outdoors Getting into hiking in 2020 Hearing about the Appalachian Trail for the first time Getting obsessed with the AT and making the decision to thru-hike it Living from paycheck to paycheck  Figuring out how to pay for the hike Joining AT Facebook Groups… Asking about her safety  Dealing with racism and threats  Being supported/sponsored by the Appalachian Trail Conservatory (ATC) Using the GoFundMe platform to raise funds for her hike Safety while on the trail  Needing people at certain points for safety Not being excited while on the trail and just being scared Being a triple minority and always having to look and check behind her back at all times Journalling and writing while out in the woods Being exhausted  Having a strategy for hiking the AT The Matrix World Listening to her body  Wanting to experience freedom while hiking  Starting the trail in February…. Dealing with the cold weather Her trail name and where it came from  Connecting with a trail family  Her summit day on October 5th 2021 Cover your poop! Loving the rock scrambling and feeling empowered and happy Feeling proud of herself Biggest lessons learned from the experience of spending 9 months on the trail The power of being present Learning how to live and what freedom means  Wanting to live life how she wants to  Sharing her journey and how people can follow along Working on new writing projects The significance of 29.5 Chasing the seasons Top pieces of advice for Black women who want to take on a challenge like hiking the Appalachian Trail Words to live your life by  Why she’s going to keep on hiking    Social Media   Instagram: @I_Am_Dragonsky    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/IAmDragonsky    Blog post - Not Just Another Hiker June 12, 2020