Tough Girl Podcast

Elisabet is a Swedish ultra running athlete, who is also a two time winner of the toughest footrace on the planet - the Marathon des Sables - which she won in 2015 and 2017.    We first spoke with Elisabet for the Tough Girl Podcast in 2015 when she shared more about her earlier life, working as a management consultant, how she got into running and what it was like winning her first big race.    A lot has changed in the 5 years since we last spoke; Elisabet has remarried, sold her old running business and is now living in Norway and studying sex & relationship therapy. While still coaching her running clients.    During this episode, we find out what’s been going on! We talk about dealing with pressure, going through a divorce, meeting a new man, leaving the UK to move to Norway. Plus changing her diet to plant based, and why she is wanting to transition out of competitive running.    Listen to Elisabet on the Tough Girl Podcast Extra!    Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out on any new episodes!   New Episodes every Tuesday at 7am UK time, with bonus episodes on a Thursday at 7am UK time!   Show notes Catching up with Elisabet Who is Elisabet Making a living from running since 2015 Working as a management consultant in London Changing jobs in 2014 and starting to train more for running The impact from winning the Marathon des Sables in 2015 Taking the risk and daring to jump! Finally leaving the corporate world in 2016 Reflecting back on 2016 The new challenges she had to face Dealing with the pressure to perform Racing and winning races all over the world! Separating from her husband and trying to sell the business The start of 2017 Not wanting to let anyone down Coming 4th in MDS in 2016 - being 2 mins off the podium Getting super focused and removing distractions from her life Winning the MDS in 2017  Focusing on what she can control  Putting in the work and feeling confident Focusing on the mental side of training “The Queen of the Desert Ultra” - Lesson in Badassery Top tips for running in desert ultras Being flexible and being able to cope with the unexpected  Walking and hiking during ultra races Fast packing/hiking adventures in Nepal and Sweden Doing the Everest Trail Race  Meeting her husband Changing to a plant based diet Moving over to Norway Deciding to study - Sex, Health & Relationships! Being your authentic self Learning to be kinder to her body Struggling to find the motivation to race  Taking the time to reflect during Covid The second half of 2020 Final words of advice for making changes in your life   Social Media   Website - https://elisabetbarnes.com    Facebook @elisabetbarnes   Instagram @elisabetbarnes   Twitter @elisabet_barnes

Sunny started leading multi-day backcountry trips in the mid-2000s as a student at Harvard College.  She went on to obtain an MBA from Harvard Business School and pursue a career as a management consultant while simultaneously expanding her climbing and mountaineering skill set.     At the end of 2015, Sunny decided to leave behind the business world in order to focus full-time on climbing and running mountains.    Today, she is a professional mountain athlete with multiple speed records on Aconcagua, the Annapurna Circuit, and in the Colorado Rockies.     Sunny is a Wilderness First Responder and an AIARE Level II avalanche professional.     Listen to Sunny on the Tough Girl Podcast as she shares more about her life and the amazing adventures she has had around the world.   Show notes Who is Sunny  Not being into sports  Growing up as a couch potato Getting into running and not enjoying it Building up her running to marathon distance Deciding to run a 100km ultra race  Studying politics as an undergrad  Loving adventure books Female role models Being inspired by her mum Finally falling in love with running Looking for a new adventure! 36hrs to run 100km…. Working in a corporate job for 5 years Making the decision to quit her job and go in a new direction Making the transition to a full time adventurer Dealing with unhappiness and making changes to her life VanLife!!! Climbing Aconcagua in 2014 solo & unsupported! Sexism while climbing mountains Deciding to start AWExpeditions to empower women Completing the 360 challenge in Aconcagua - 104km run around the mountain and up to the summit and then backdown… 47hrs & became the first woman to do it! The mental element of the challenge Dealing with uncertainly and the unknown obstacles and challenges Training for challenges Dealing with failure Challenging days in the mountains  Holding the speed record on the Annapurna Circuit in 2017 Running in boots Funding her lifestyle  The Summit Scholarship  Final words of advice - “Stop wishing - start planning”   Social Media   Website - http://www.sunnystroeer.com    Facebook @sunnystroeeradventure    Instagram @sstroeer   Travel Company  @dreamlandsafari    AWExpeditions - Mountaineering expeditions and high altitude treks for women, by women.   Website - https://www.awexpeditions.org/about    Instagram -  @awexpeditions

Alex, 36, is a multi-discipline adventurer, since 2015 she has hiked over 9,400 miles across America and New Zealand on the Pacific Crest, Appalachian and Te Araroa Trails. Alex has cycled around 4,000 miles across Australia and Indonesia, she’s also climbed up to 6,500m on Mera Peak in the Himalayas and has rowed across the English Channel.    During this podcast Alex shares more about her most recent adventure rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. She talks about the preparation, the challenges, dealing with sea sickness and adventure blues and what she hopes to achieve in the future.    As always Alex gives lots of practical advice and tips to help you achieve your dreams and goals.   Listen to Alex on the Tough Girl Podcast!   Show notes Who is Alex What adventures and challenges she's done Getting the idea for rowing an ocean in 2016 Team mate wanted on explorers connect  Dealing with doubt - can I do this…. Why the timing the first time wasn’t right Rowing the Atlantic as a training row.. Signing up for 2 rows! Partnering with Oxford Brooks University to continue the research  Getting a taste for Ocean Rowing by rowing the English Channel Dealing with injury and sea sickness… Funding the rows Getting sponsorship Qualification and skills needed on an independent row Starting rowing on the 5th January 2020 Final weeks of preparation Starting from Lanzarote Being on the Ocean! The power of team work to get the boat ready The realities of life on the boat Being ill for the first 2 weeks with sea sickness Rowing 2hrs on 2hrs off Pooing and periods on the boat Moving from a 4 person crew to a 3 person crew The memories and moments which stand out Not believing it’s been achieved Dealing with adventure blues, Covid and planning for the next row Changes to future plans adjusting to a new normal Getting a part time job with Tesco Working with Jo Bradshaw  Final words of advice      Social Media   Alex   Website https://masonalexandra.com    Instagram @masonalexandra   Facebook @alexmasonadventurer   Youtube @AlexMason   Rowing - Monkey Fist Adventures - Mixed crew rowing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in 2020 as team Brain Waves. Supporting research into Parkinson’s Disease and PTSD   Website - https://monkeyfistadventures.com    Instagram @_monkeyfist   Facebook @monkeyfistadventuresltd   Twitter @_monkeyfist

Danielle in her own words…   “I've always had big dreams for my future. Even though I didn't always have a clear idea of what that success would look like, I knew that whatever vocation I eventually settled into I was going to be good at it. Failure was not an option.   My plans came crashing to a halt when I was struck down with a disability as a teenager that severely effected my mobility. I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a rare and very painful condition in my feet. At a stage in your life when you're figuring out who you are and what you want to do with your life, this was a challenging but I came to realise that whilst you can't control what happens to you, you can control your response to it.   Determined to live life on my terms, I looked around for a sport that didn't involve lots of running around or walking and took up archery on my 15th birthday. This was the first step on a journey that saw me rise to Paralympic glory, dominating my field for over eight years. During this time, I also proved doctors wrong by successfully juggling a law degree and achieving first class honours.   Three years after taking up the sport, I stepped straight into the international circuit as World Number 1 and had soon accumulated a number of titles, including that of Paralympic Champion in Beijing 2008. Always striving to improve, I transitioned onto the able-bodied team. In 2010 I became the first Para athlete to represent England in an able-bodied discipline where I won the gold medal in the team event. London 2012 was the tournament I was most excited about and I worked incredibly hard, committed to retain my Paralympic title in such a prestigious setting. The proudest moment of my life was receiving my gold medal in front of that home crowd at London. The support of the entire country was overwhelming, but it was also the first time that my family and friends had ever seen me compete internationally and this made standing on the podium a very special moment.   Archery was such a big part of my life and I was fully committed to making the team for Rio and trying for my third gold medal, but life has a way of throwing up setbacks when you least expect it. In 2013 I learned that I had failed to classify under the new rules and that I could no longer compete at Paralympic events. I started archery because I was fed up of all the limitations imposed on my life and archery helped a disillusioned teenager come to terms with having a disability. In one moment everything I had worked so hard for was gone, just because I didn’t tick a box.    I wanted to discover what it took to be the best in the world, and I got there because I always believed I would. Now I am moving onto other exciting projects and challenges, where I am determined to be as much of a success as I have been in my sport. This time I get to help others achieve their ambitions and goals through my work as a speaker, trainer and coach.”   Listen to Danielle as she shares more on the Tough Girl Podcast.   Show notes Who is Danielle? What life was like growing up Having issues as a teenager Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Dealing with pain Why role models are so important Lack of role models in the media The struggle of not knowing  Being desperate to get back into sports Archery! Progressing quickly in her sport Performing better under pressure Dealing with setbacks in international competition Needing to rethink her mindset The link between confidence and pressure How Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics changed her life Having a mental meltdown and dealing with it “What if I’m not good enough” The power of other people’s belief Going to university to study law The transition to the able bodied team Getting the training right and figuring out a routine Dealing with pain all the time The London 2012 Para Olympics Coming down to the last arrow…. in an all GB Final… Working with Sports Psychologists and coaches Training in NLP Changes in classification rules Deciding to start her own company Making the next decision in her career Following her passions and translating that into a career Why inclusion matters Not wanting to offend people How to have difficult conversations Writing her first book —>>Be Your Best Self Final words of advice    Social Media   Website https://www.daniellebrown.co.uk   Instagram @daniellebrownmbe   Facebook @daniellebrownmbe   Twitter @Danibrownmbe   Book   Be Your Best Self

Nicky first came on the Tough Girl Podcast in 2018 where she shared more about her early running career and completing the Double Ramsay Round and becoming the fastest women to do so!   Nicky held the women's records for all three Rounds simultaneously until 2016, and is the holder of the overall record for the double Bob Graham Round and the only person ever to complete doubles of the other two Rounds.   Nicky is passionate about running and during this episodes she shares more about her training and preparation, running the perfect race, as well as touching on nutrition, dealing with mind games and participating in the Barkley Marathon in 2019.   Find out more about Nicky from our first interview - https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/Nicky-Spinks    Show notes About Nicky Her passion for running Ultra Tour Monta Rosa 2018 When a race goes to plan Deciding to go faster at the half way point Eating while running Not trying new foods anymore! Using gels Using poles on climbs Planning for the perfect race The Barkley Marathon 2019 The hoops you have to jump through to enter the race The mind games…. The preparation for the Barkley Doing research on the race Keeping everything the same  Not knowing what time the race would start Not being able to switch your mind off Not knowing what time it is day or night No Spot trackers! Why you are racing the clock and not other people Taking us back to the start line Making the decision to drop out of the race Reflecting back on the race Dealing with brain fog and when your brain isn’t working Planning to do the Barkley again  Writing an essay… Doing the Double Paddy Buckley Round 2019  Running with other people Advice for doing the Double Paddy Quick Fire Questions   Social Media   Website http://www.runbg.co.uk    Twitter @NickySpinks   Instagram @NickySpinks   Watch Last Woman Standing - Barkley Marathon 2019    Nicky has been supported for several years by inov-8 and is a proud Ambassador.  Follow inov-8 here: Twitter @inov_8 Instagram @inov_8 Facebook @INOV8run

Sensi Graves is a professional kiteboarder, entrepreneur, speaker, kiteboarding instructor and writer. In 2007, she tentatively signed up for a kiteboarding lesson in North Carolina’s Outer Banks and immediately fell in love. Just two years later, she applied to be a kiteboarding coach, relocated to the East Coast, and started collecting accolades. The Hood River, Oregon, local regularly places in the top three at some of the biggest international kiteboarding invitationals, garners continuous coverage in kiteboarding magazines, and leads women's kiteboarding retreats worldwide.   In 2012, Sensi launched her eponymous swimwear label, Sensi Graves Bikinis, to meet the demands of her sport. The Mission - To empower women to get out there and do what they love by giving them the confidence they need and swimwear they can rely on. The values: create an awesome product, empower women in sports & protect the environment.    “This big, beautiful life is meant to be lived and we do so with an open heart, an adventurous spirit and a smile on our faces. When all else fails, we laugh and have a margarita.” - Sensi Graves   Show notes Who is Sensi What life was like growing up Moving to San Diego to go to college Learning how to kite board Falling in love with the sport What kiteboarding is Deciding to become a professional “Eat, sleep, dream - Kiteboarding” Surrounding herself with people who were on the same path Making money from kiteboarding Starting her own bikini company Gaining confidence in kiteboarding Dealing with imposter syndrome Keeping going after set backs Why you don’t always need to keep on pushing Celebrate the effort, celebrating trying. Re-visit your WHY Why there isn’t a typical day or week Learning systems and how to allocate out time Getting her morning routine dialled in. Top tips and getting sponsorship The power of relationships Dealing with challenges and setbacks Encouraging women to get in the water Equality in the sport Keeping motivated How can we actually make a change Sharing stories and highlighting the stories of women Final words of motivation   Social Media   Website - https://sensigravesbikinis.com    Instagram @sensibikinis   Facebook @sensibikinis   Twitter @sensibikinis

Elle is a Fitness Professional based in the UK, with a degree in Exercise Science and over a decade of experience in Sport Development, Leisure Management, Personal Training and Group Exercise.    Elle in her own words -   I've come to understand that my skills lie in sharing insight, providing input, relating to others and quite often, playing 'devils advocate'. My passion is in learning, sharing that learning and listening to the stories of others. No matter what role I have undertaken, there has always been as aspect of people and community - from working in Sport Development looking after education programmes for London based Fitness Professionals to my own space on the internet - keepitsimpElle.com - where I bring together my strengths, skills and passion in the fitness industry. Elle’s goals -    “Create a community which inspires and motivates people to live an active, healthy lifestyle whilst fostering empowerment through conversations which add value and allow for informed choices”     Show notes Who is Elle and what she does Growing up as an only child Getting into sports at a young age Being encouraged to do all the extra curricular activities Getting into running and athletics Losing all motivation for exercise and sports for a few years Following her passions at school and university  Getting back into sport and being active Having a lack of motivation to do exercise Getting motivated to do exercise now Her passion for teaching Starting to blog in July 2012 after being inspired by the London Olympics Starting to work with Nike Not being much of a talker How her blog evolved over time Figuring out blogging as she went Getting qualified as a personal trainer The realties of being a blogger and personal trainer What a typical week looks like What really matters What the priorities are Creating structure in a week Advice and tips for women who want to get into Personal Training Figuring out what you want to do and what the best qualification would be  Elle’s running story Advice for running your first 5k  Mental tips for keeping on going Getting into cycling Cycling to Paris over 3 days - riding 100 km per day Learning how to be part of a team The RedBull Time Lapse - 25hr Challenge Getting the team together and the challenges of getting to the start line Learning who she is when sleep deprived and hungry Putting a race plan and strategy together How the RedBull Time Lapse worked Dealing with sleep deprivation  Goals and races on the bucket list Final words of advice    Social Media   Website https://www.keepitsimpelle.com    Instagram @ellelinton   Facebook @simpelle   Twitter @X_eLle_S

In 2011, at the age of 31, Ursula was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and later spent 17 months walking around Wales raising money and awareness of ovarian cancer. Since the walk, Ursula went on to write a book about her experience “One Woman Walks Wales”.   During this podcast we learn more about Ursula’s early life, when she discovered that she did have stamina, leaving school after doing her GCSEs and spending time with her sister in Spain, as well as her kayaking journey down the river Danube with no experience.   Ursula shares more about the challenges she has faced and overcome, what she has learned on the way and how she has struggle with self confidence and belief, but also why she knows she is a work in progress.    After living in a van and working for a number of years to save money, Ursula at 39 was finally ready to head back out to the Ukraine to start her walk home across Europe.   *Due to the Corona virus Ursula is now in lockdown in France. Ursula will continue her journey when it is safe to do so.   Show notes   Childhood memories Finding out that she did have stamina Counselling Deciding to go travelling at 29 Dreaming of travelling around East Europe Going to live with her sister in Spain Kayaking down the Danube River with no kayaking experience Let’s just see what happens Being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer  (Stage 1 A) - December 2011 Having no support and no shelter Staying on friends sofa’s Needing to have checks up’s post treatment Deciding to walk to hospital appointments Finding out she was still capable Deciding to raise awareness (in 2012) about Ovarian Cancer and its symptoms Dealing with uncertainty 13 months on the road walking 3,700 miles Dropping out of school after GCSEs Never thinking she was capable of writing  Struggling with self confidence  Getting in contact with Honno Publishing Why writing a book is similar to an endurance challenge Being a work in progress Deciding to walk across Europe and where the idea came from Planning the adventure  “If I was going to do this, what would I need?” How to prepare for a challenge without getting overwhelmed by the idea of the challenge Leaving for Ukraine in August 2018 Not being able to write the book and save for adventure at the same time Living in a van for 3 years and doing house sitting to save money Not being focused on luxuries Being determined to achieve her goals and being able to save up enough money Being terrible at planning Not picking a specific route…. Just walking as far as she can each day - there is no judgement on distance  Hitchhiking 3 days to the start line in Kiev in the Ukraine  Reasons for hitchhiking Having one day off a week Starting walking as early as possible The route The impact of corona virus  Being in full lockdown in France Asking for help in France and finding a place to stay Isolation and loneliness  Adjusting to the new normal Living on the generosity of others The mindset on having enough Making the journey with a book in mind Trying to stay off her phone Writing to photos Keeping a healthy and happy mind and body How you can follow along and support Ursula Final words of advice Whatever you are is enough - whatever you can do is enough   Social Media   Website https://onewomanwalks.com    Support Ursula via Patreon    Instagram  @onewomanwalks   Facebook @OneWomanWalks   Twitter @WomanWalksWales

We first spoke with Janey in November 2018 when Janey shared more about her early life, the challenges she has faced and overcome; from breaking her back in a horse riding accident to losing her purpose and way. We also discuss her solo 630-mile trek on the South West Coast Path.    https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/Janey-McGill   During this podcast we catch up with Janey and find out what she’s been up to since November 2018, she discusses conflict, the loss of her father, the challenges of leading a team. As well as sharing more about filming and writing a book about the expedition and her plans for the future.    Show notes Who is Janey How she would describe herself Doing what makes her happy Wanting to cross the Empty Quarter How things have changed Dealing with weaknesses and insecurities Having no where to run when in the desert How the team evolved Funding the challenge (savings, compensation, sponsorship and debt) Having Land Rover support the expedition with vehicles Doing something new for the first time Figuring out problems as she went on Getting to the start line! Feeling unfulfilled and not knowing what do to with her life Going thru a grieving process for the life she wanted Exploring relationships and conflict Why it’s ok to think differently Why you can’t make everyone happy “We don’t have to be friends to be a team” Being filmed while out in the desert Creating a documentary Writing a book about the experience and the challenges involved… Spending time with her dad at the end of his life Forgiveness? Figuring out purpose constantly  Choosing not to have children Racing Heroes  Future dreams Quick Fire Questions     Social Media   Website - http://www.janeymcgill.com    Instagram @janey.mcgill    Facebook @janeymcgillexplorer   Watch the short film on Youtube

Jo is known by her twitter and Instagram handle @HappyHealthy50 which is where I first discovered her.    Jo is 53 years young and lives on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Jo is a single mum, after getting divorced in her early 40s and has two sons aged 21 and 17.    In May 2014, after the loss of her mum, Jo decided to row a million metres and marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support. For eight months Jo would head down to her local gyn and hop on the rowing machine. She would then row 10,000 metres. She would do this every other night after work - through her dedication and hard work, Jo raised £10,000 for charity.   During this podcast Jo also shared more about her experiences with menopause and peri menopause and how exercise helped her both physically and mentally and how she began to incorporate more of it into her life.    In September 2016 Jo picked up a paddle board for the first time and she had no idea where it would lead! Since that moment, Jo has gone on to become the first women to stand up paddle board (SUP) 162 miles /260km from coast to coast (Liverpool to Goole) across Great Britain.    Jo talks more about self confidence, dealing with grief, living her dreams, joy and learning to be proud of herself.   Show notes   Who is Jo More about her family Her greatest joy at the moment Learning more about her childhood Growing up in North Yorkshire Her love of the sea What life was like in her forties Going through a divorce “I can’t do this anymore” - “I just want to sleep” Getting through the tough times Getting an old indoor rowing machine Starting to be able to sleep Fitting in the exercise Taking the first step  Having no expectations Why fitness wasn’t a priority  Raising money in memory of her mum Deciding to row 1 million metres and a marathon!!! Rowing 10,000 every over night for 8 months (200 days)!! Dealing with her grief and needing to get it out of her body What is was like turning 50 Jo’s experience of menopause and peri menopause  Having to put herself on the priority list The power of exercise  Doing stuff (exercise) that she love Learning how to say no to stuff Joy! Jo’s paddle boarding journey Rain or Shine 30 - getting outside for 30 mins everyday Paddle board the North - 162 miles coast to coast in Great Britain Putting her dream away Needing to have a big dream to pull her into the future To trust in the timing of your life The planning and preparation for the coast to coast challenge Getting the time off work Working backwards from the start date Facts make dreams possible  Why it didn’t feel hard The physical challenges of the expedition Living her dream Picking up litter on the journey Having people question her ability while on the water The positive impact on self confidence and believe Being proud of starting the challenge Trusting in herself more Creating a short 1 min film Final words of advice for women around being brave   Social Media   Website   https://healthyhappy50.com   Instagram @healthyhappy50   Twitter @healthyhappy50