Tough Girl Podcast

Miriam Lancewood was born in a loving home in a small village in the Netherlands in 1983. After completing her university degree, she worked for a year in Zimbabwe, and then traveled to India. And in India she met her now husband Peter Raine.   Peter had resigned from his job as university lecturer in New Zealand and had moved to India to live like a ‘modern nomad’. He had lived five years in India when they met.   Together they hiked over eight mountains ranges in the Himalayas, journeyed for years through South East Asia, including Papua New Guinea, and eventually they ended up in Peter’s home country: New Zealand.   Miriam worked for a while as a teacher, then they decided to give up all their worldly belongings and move into the mountains with a tent and bow and arrow.   They wanted to learn how to hunt and survive in the wilderness, and they wanted to find out what happens to the mind and body, when living in the beauty of the wildest nature on earth.   Show notes   -   Growing up in Holland Wanting to be a sports teacher Heading off travelling at 21 years old Meeting her husband Peter and travelling together Climbing 8 mountain ranges in the Himalayas  Deciding to live in the wilderness Making it to New Zealand and having to work as a teacher for a year Tramping in the mountains Deciding to spend a year in the mountains How to afford to live What it was like living in the wilderness Learning how to hunt… Deciding to catch possums Not knowing what to do Learning the art of doing nothing Walking the Te Araroa Trail, 3,000km from the North to the South Keeping clean and healthy Dealing with periods Keeping in contact with friends and family  Not taking anything for granted Her relationship with Peter Deciding to write a book about her life Having to find a house  Stress and anxiety in the wilderness Thinking short term to not get overwhelmed Lessons learned from living in the wilderness Walking the Lycian Way in Turkey Second book on it’s way with plans to release it in October 2020 Plans for the future Attending writers festivals around the world Learning how to cook and skin the animals The roles in the relationship Why you should read the book and how it will inspire you Not understanding social media Final words of advice The power of sleeping   Social Media   Website - https://miriamlancewood.com   

In 2019 Mollie set off on her most ambitious expedition to date, skiing solo from the coast of Antarctica to the Geographic South Pole.   29-year-old adventurer and motivational speaker, who was born in Devon and lives in Edinburgh, started her world record attempt at 1.40 pm (Chilean time / 4.40 pm UK time) on Wednesday 13 November.    After 58.5 days and 650 hours of skiing alone in whiteouts, storm-force winds and temperatures hitting minus 45C, Mollie reached the Geographic South Pole on the 10th January 2020 at 8.50 am (Chilean time / 11.50 am UK time) – achieving her second world record by becoming the youngest woman in the world to ski solo from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole.   Listen to Mollie as she shares more about her polar challenge, discussing sponsorship, learning how to ski, coping in a whiteout, and the power of positive affirmations.    Show notes What Mollie has done before Her desire to go to Antarctica  The starting point with the plan Figuring out the sponsorship  Creating a “war room” - in the living room Being a visual learner Being £15k short before the start of the trip Getting the final sponsor on board Learning how to cross country ski Training in Norway Learning how to cope being solo Her fears and concerns before the trip Feeling happy and excited  Having a degree in psychology  The importance of having a routine Flying over to Chile Taking advantage of the small weather window The first couple of days on the ice Entering an horrendous weather front for 2 weeks! Letting her emotions out What it’s like skiing in a whiteout Getting into the rhythm of skiing big miles every day Not being able to get the negative thoughts out of her head The power of positive affirmations Figuring out priorities and making better decisions Supported or unsupported Mini challenge for the tribe Breaking the record The lessons learned  Heading home and returning to normal Quick Fire Questions The power of getting started

Alyssa is the youngest Australian to Summit Mt Everest which she did at 19 years old on the 21st May 2016. Alyssa is also the youngest woman to Summit Mt Everest from both the North and South sides after successfully reaching the summit of Mt Everest from the North Side (Tibet) on the 19th May 2018 at just 21 years old.  Alyssa began trekking in 2005 with her first challenge, crossing the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. Alyssa then trekked in Nepal, completed treks such as Everest Base Camp and Kokoda numerous times, Mt Kosciuszko in Australia, the Aussie 10 (the 10 highest peaks in Australia), Mt Kilimanjaro. After completing Mt Kilimanjaro in 2011, Alyssa began climbing by doing a mountaineering course in NZ. Since then she has climbed in South America, Russia and Nepal on various expeditions to different peaks including: Ama Dablam, Aconcagua, Manaslu, Elbrus and four Everest Expeditions. Alyssa was on Everest both in 2014 and 2015 when the Avalanche and the Nepal Earthquake occurred and closed the mountain. She returned in 2016 to make her first successful summit of Mt Everest. After taking one year off Everest Season in 2017 she decided to go back in 2018 and make her successful north side attempt via Tibet. Show notes Who is Alyssa Her relationship with her family Finding her passion People not understanding her goals Climbing Kilimanjaro at 14 Deciding to go and climb Mt Everest Struggling in school socially and feeling like an outcast Setting the goal  The lack of female role models growing up Being surrounded by like minded individuals Her 5 year journey to the summit of Mount Everest Doing a climbing course in New Zealand Working with a coach to get physically fit Having mentors  Putting her training to the test and making sure progress was being made Doing a climbing expedition to the Andes in South America Trekking into Everest Base Camp The challenges in 2014 and 2015 at Everest Trying to decide what to do next? Going for her 3rd attempt in 2016 Dealing with her emotions Perfect Performance Line Keeping focused while dealing with set backs Paying for the adventure The team dynamics on Everest Caring what other people thought Why the goal to climb Everest was the most important thing What summit night was like 20 mins at the top! The biggest challenge of climbing Everest Life after Everest…. Going to uni to study Psychology  Goals and dreams for the future Final words of advice to help you achieve your dreams Social Media Website - https://www.alyssaazar.com.au Instagram - @alyssaazar  Facebook - @AlyssaAzarAdventurer    

Anna McNuff is an adventurer, speaker, author and mischief maker. Named by The Guardian as one of the top female adventurers of our time, Condé Nast Traveller included her in a list of the 50 most influential travellers in the world. She is also the UK ambassador for Girl Guiding.   Anna’s major journeys include cycling a beautiful pink bicycle through each and every state of the USA, running the length of New Zealand, and exploring the peaks and passes of The Andes mountains – a journey in which she ascended the equivalent to eleven times the height of Everest on a bicycle.   In the summer of 2019, she set off on her most ambitious adventure yet – a 2,300+ mile (90 marathon) run through Britain… in her bare feet. Starting in the Shetland Islands and ending five months later in London, she weaved her way along rugged coastlines, through small villages, across moors, along beaches, over farmland and even pitter pattered down the odd picturesque A-road too. All the way along, she gave talks to the young women of Britain about taking on challenges of their own.   Much closer to home, Anna has also spent a month cycling across Europe directed entirely by social media, run the length of Hadrian’s wall dressed as a Roman Soldier, and the length of the Jurassic Coast, dressed as a dinosaur. As you do.   She can often be found writing in a local café in her home city of Gloucester, and will never turn down a slice of lemon meringue pie.   Show notes What Anna enjoys doing Why she loves doing big challenges The Barefoot Britain Challenge 2019 How 50 barefoot marathons turned into 100… Building awareness for the Girl Guiding Preparing her feet for the run Running the London Marathon April 2019 - 26.2 miles  Dealing with other people’s opinions about you Why you know what you are capable off Asking for help… Starting the challenge in the Shetland Islands Having a kit bag called “Barry Buttercup” Dealing with the logistics and how challenging it was Making it 1000 miles…. Getting a small cut in her foot Homeless? Looking for a Doctor who could help! Being off her feet for 2 weeks Getting running coaching to help minimise injury The Running Lab - London Dealing with injury Trigger Point Therapy  Sadness Defaulting to happiness Pink hair and maintaining it!!! Making sacrifices? Choosing happiness  Managing a relationship while doing adventure Trying to have babies!! Let’s talk about periods and moon cups Finishing Barefoot Britain in London and moving the finish date Running multiple marathons on running tracks around London Book update! Llama Drama…. coming out in July! New Kids book - 100 Adventures to Have Before You Grow Up Advice for self publishing your own books The Creative Pen Podcast Final words of advice to motivate and inspire you.   Social Media   Website www.annamcnuff.com    Instagram @annamcnuff    Facebook @AMcNuff    Twitter @AnnaMcNuff     

Catherine Wallis is a 43 year old, mother of 3 who is a plus-size adventurer.    In her later 30s after realising she leads a very boring life, Cathy wanted to make some changes. She signed up for her first 100k ultra and has been doing challenges and adventures ever since.    Along the way Cathy has shared more of her journey via instagram (@plus_size_adventurer) and in the process has been inspiring other women to get out and see the world – regardless of their body type.   In March 2019 Cath took part in the Rat Race Adventure Sports Mongol 100, a 100 mile long, four-day challenge across a frozen lake in northern Mongolia, in which temperatures plunged to minus -25 degrees celsius.    Cathy has also completed numerous other adventures from the; The Canberra 100, The Big Red Run, The Oman Desert Marathon, Hellespont Race (swimming from Europe to Asia) and Race to the Wreck in Nambia!    During this episode Cathy shares more about her life and the different challenges she has undertaken, she shares what she has learned and gives you advice and top tips on how you can get more adventure in your life.    Show notes   Leading a boring life and wanting to make a change Growing up in the 1980s Realising that she needed to make a change The first step to making a change 100km hike in a loop Starting off by making some little changes Being completely underprepared for the 100K walk The key lesson from this experience  Starting to do 1 big event per year Doing The Big Red Run “How hard could it be?” Training for endurance walking  Noticing improvements in your life The first multi stage endurance race Meeting the supportive ultra running community Finding day 3 to be the hardest Changing her mental mindset during a race “How lucky I am I to be here on my own two feet” Starting to share more of her journey on social media Training to run across a frozen lake in Mongolia! Dealing with extreme cold Being able to adapt to different challenges Confidence  Deciding to swim from Europe to Asia! Challenges in 2019 and plans for 2020 Rest and recovery and dealing with post adventure blues Doing a multi stage running event with her 12 year old daughter in Kenya Testing out a new challenge in Russia Final words of advice    Social Media   Website - https://www.findyouradventure.online    Instagram @plus_size_adventurer     Facebook @plussizeadventurer

We first spoke with Wendy for the Tough Girl Podcast in August 2019, when she shared more about her life and dreams of skiing to the South Pole.    In January 2020, Wendy completed that goal!    Wendy became the 7th woman in the world to ski solo and unsupported, she was the 4th fastest and completed the challenge in 42 days, 16hrs, and 23mins, she took no rest days, had no showers, and skied 720 miles in total.    The condition were brutal and hard, with temperatures dropping to -35. This was a journey 5 years in the making and shows what hard work, commitment and focus can achieve.    Listen to Wendy on the Tough Girl Podcast Extra as she shares more about this extraordinary challenge.    Show notes Wendy introduces herself 5 years of her life Paying the final bill in USD The final 2 weeks before the trip Getting Christmas all sorted in October Getting the plane over to Antarctica  Getting to the start line Going after the speed record Women supporting women 86kg of sled weight The focus you need to have every single day The routines and the consistent while out on the ice Dealing with a snowstorm on day 3 Meeting Mollie Hughes on the ice! The mental challenge of the expedition Not wanting to get out of the tent in the morning Dealing with the isolation in such an extreme environment Feeling all the support from home Missing her children Counting down the days Doing a power pose to the sun every morning Realising that the record wouldn’t be broken Giving everything, every single day Seeing the South Pole for the first time Listening to audio books Skiing into the South Pole  Getting home knowing that she has changed from the experience Overcoming self doubt The joy of sitting in a chair Working on the legacy of the expedition Not being a big completed finisher Quick Fire Questions   Social Media   Website - https://southpole2020.com    Instagram @betweensnowandsky   Twitter  @betweensnowsky

Melanie Vogel - Explorer, thru-hiking Canada’s Great Trail, 24,000km from the Atlantic Ocean, to the Arctic Ocean and then on to the Pacific Ocean.   Melanie, ‘Mel’ is coming up to her 3rd Year on The Great Trail in Canada.     Mel 44, started her journey on June 2, 2017. She began in Cape Spear on the Avalon Peninsula near St. John’s, Newfoundland, the most Eastern point of the country, and will finish at Mile Zero in Victoria, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia—after going via the Arctic Ocean. Initially she started walking with a backpack, but she has now changed over to a cart which she pulls behind her. Mel has also gained a new furry companion on the trail, Malo her dog.    Mel spent 11 months preparing for the trail; researching, saving money, getting her gear figured out and sorting out logistics.    During this podcast Mel shares more about her early years, her passion for travel and why doing this journey was so important. She shares more about the challenges and frustrations as well as the joy and kindness of strangers. Mel will be the first women to complete the trail when she finishes.    Show notes Living and growing up in Germany Deciding to move to Vancouver in Canada Taking 2.5 years to go low budget travelling around South East Asia Not wanting to come home How her live had changed after travelling Embracing a minimalist lifestyle Feeling stuck and depressed When she started to think about the Great Trail Deciding to move to Toronto Feeling fragile and lonely  Making the decision in July 2016 Planning and preparing for the trip Doing it all alone Failing to get sponsorship at the start How everything just fell into place Being told she was crazy Feeling insecure about the trip Gaining new knowledge to take on this challenge Having to constantly defend her decision to walk The Great Trail Dealing with her own fears and doubts Gaining new skills and gaining confidence Human interactions on the trail Funding the challenge The physicality of the challenge Carrying a pack or pulling a cart Dealing with the extreme cold temperatures Going for more comfort Having a dog and the new challenges that came along Needing a hug on the trail Planning on going to the Arctic Ocean Having many end dates on this journey  Blogging while on the trail Advice for other women on how to take on their own personal challenge Learning patience  Social Media Website - http://www.betweensunsets.com Twitter - @BetweenSunsets  Instagram - @betweensunsets 

Sarah decided to tackle the Murray River in her home country of Australia, less than eight months after completing the Nile expedition.   While there weren’t any hippos and crocs to deal, it wasn’t without its risks. There were snakes (and of course being Australian they were deadly), extreme weather conditions, sections with little water thanks to the drought and plenty more challenges to deal with.  In 60 days Sarah covered 2,500km.  The first four days were trekking to the source with a small team and then sticking within a stone’s throw until it was time to get in her kayak.  For the next 56 days Sarah was solo.  On 13th February 2020 Sarah reached the Southern Ocean and the end of the Murray River. It was another expedition that tested her mentally as much as physically.  Listen to Sarah as she shares more about this challenge on the Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA! Show notes Sarah introduces herself The Murray River Expedition Source to Sea on each continent? Wanting to do an adventure in Australia The start of the River in the Snowy mountains  How long to plan, train and prepare… Trying to write a book Starting the challenge on the 16th December 2019 Having to get a different type of kayak Figuring out how to get to the source of the Murray River! Dealing with low water levels Reaching the start! The physical side of the challenge The challenge of not making progress Dealing with frustration Resupply via towns every 4 days or so The highlights from the river Getting the time to do some deep thinking  Doing the challenge solo Going back to uni? Update on the book….fun?! Having a bit of a break… Thinking about an ocean row…. Time and money! Heading to Nepal for the Annapurna base Camp Trek Adventure blues? Quick Fire Questions Social Media Website - https://www.sarahdavis.co  Twitter - @Sarah_paddles   Youtube @SarahDavis - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrrvIkh9I_7BIDgNzGh83zQ  For more info on Paddling the Nile - https://www.paddlethenile.com

Tiffany Coates has explored six continents by motorcycle, riding many hundreds of thousands of miles through countless countries during more than twenty years of adventurous journeys. Tiffany’s travels continue, both solo and through her work as a motorcycle tour guide, and her talks and presentations are always in demand at adventure travel events around the world.   Tiffany began her very first motorcycle trip with her best friend, riding two-up, reaching the ground on tip-toe on a quarter-tonne BMW called ‘Thelma’.    Having recently passed their tests they had just two months of riding experience between them when they set off. Breaking bones, doing bad Abba impressions, and reading maps upside down, they wobbled out of the UK and across Europe all the way to India.   That first journey was supposed to last nine months, but once they reached Delhi, they found they couldn’t stop and so they ended up crossing four continents and staying on the road (or trail!) for two and a half years. Tiffany was well and truly bitten by the motorcycle travelling bug.   Show notes   Her passion for travel and her desire to see the world How it all started Deciding to go overland to India via motorbike Learning to ride a motorbike in London  Filtering through traffic Crossing Europe Crossing into Iran and what it was like Crossing through Pakistan  Reaching India Deciding to carry on the adventure  Heading down to South East Asia Ending up in Sydney and running out of money Working 3 jobs to save money for the trip home Deciding to go home via Africa! Being able to pick the bike up while on her own Wanting to share the experiences with someone else Reaching out to her friend Maggie The challenges of riding through Africa Making a career of giving up jobs Being a frugal traveller and making money last a long time The reason why behind the motorcycle journey’s Solitude or loneliness  Borneo! What happens when something goes wrong Dealing with sexism  Handling stress Ride with Tiffany  Being a free lance tour guide  A book? WRWR - Women Riders World Relay  Final words of advice    Social Media   Website - http://tiffanystravels.co.uk    Facebook @TiffanyCoates    Twitter @tiffanystravels

Kate has cycled a distance greater than twice around the world at the Equator. On August 16th 2010 she became the first person to cycle an unbroken line from Africa’s most westerly to its most easterly points; from Pointe des Almadies, Senegal to Cape Hafun, Puntland, Somalia. Cycling 22,040 km over ten months, Kate’s Breaking the Cycle in Africa Expedition was not only a physical quest but an odyssey to highlight the development needs and activities of war-torn and poverty-stricken nations. Cycling through twenty countries, Kate aimed to find out what is being done to give a ‘leg up’ rather than a ‘hand out’ – to shine a positive light on the issues, cultures and geography of Africa. Kate has two earlier world firsts under her belt – the Trans-Siberian Cycle Expedition (1993) when she became the first woman to cycle across the new Russia unsupported (aiding the children of Chernobyl), and the 25,000km Great Australian Cycle Expedition (2004/05) which included the first bicycle crossing of the Canning Stock Route by a woman. In June 2019, Kate completed another original expedition when she became the first person to cycle the entire Namibian coastline, a 1621km sand cycling expedition from the mouth of the Kunene River on the Angolan border to the Orange River mouth on the South African border. Kate’s latest challenge, Breaking the Cycle South Pole, will result in the first bicycle crossing of the Antarctic continent via the South Pole (2020). The Breaking the Cycle education programme aims to help prepare our future leaders to make informed decisions to create a better world. Students across the globe can follow her preparatory activities and Antarctic expedition and partake in the Breaking the Cycle Education learning modules and lessons with the end goals of creating their own projects. Show notes A brief introduction to Kate and some of her previous challenges Developing new bike technology Setting up an education program Doing too many expeditions in 2018 2019 expeditions down the Namibian coastline The current 2020 expedition - The Andes, the Altiplano & the Atacama (South America). Being in Cusco ready to start the next expedition  2017 spending time in Canada Experiencing the cold Trying to fit everything in  The planning for the expeditions Paying for expeditions  How the education piece was developed When the logistics of the trip get really complicated Training and maintaining fitness Dealing with stress and mental health  Plans for 2020 Getting an Honorary Doctorate Degree Final words of advice   Social Media www.KateLeeming.com Visit - www.BreakingtheCycle.education and sign up to the newsletter!  Twitter: @Leeming_Kate