Tough Girl Podcast

In October 2018 Laura Marshall became the FIRST solo Australian woman to complete one of the world’s toughest ultra endurance triathlons - the Enduroman Arch to Arc!  In doing so she also broke the world record for fastest woman, non wetsuit, in a time of 81 hours and 28 minutes. This made her the 35th solo person to ever do the event and the 9th woman. She was also the 4th ever person to do the swim leg of the event without a wetsuit. ​This gruelling event involves a 140km run from Marble Arch in London to the coast of Dover, a 33km+ swim across the English Channel and a 292km cycle from Calais, France to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.  If completing all 3 legs of the event under your own steam wasn’t enough, Laura has also elected to take the traditional approach to swimming across the English Channel in just a swimsuit and swim cap, something that within the realms of this particular event is relatively rare, as most competitors choose to swim in a full length wetsuit for added warmth and buoyancy.  As part of this event Laura is raising awareness and funds for beyondblue, an Australian organisation that helps people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide. Laura is a former Outward Bound Australia staff member (2004 to 2012). Laura lives in Canberra, ACT, where she works as a secondary school teacher. Show notes Who is Laura Growing up and getting into the outdoors Where it all started Working for Outward Bound in Scotland and then moving to Australia in 2004 The Enduroman Arch to Arc Applying for it in 2013 Loving the challenge of ultra races The application process for the race What’s involved in the race! Having to postpone for a few years due to uni work  Taking a year to train for the event Working with a coach and a nutritionist Joining a local swimming club Going part time to get the training in and the rest  The benefits of it being a supported race Why swimming was her weak point Wanting to be a professional athlete What a typical day was like Getting the nutrition right and doing fluids test and how that helped figure out her specific needs The mental side of the challenge, the high points and the low points Is it selfish to do challenges? Deciding to raise money for charity Sharing more about mental health Suffering from bi-polar The build up to the race Having a 10 day slot for the race Power naps and coffee! The sleeping arrangements Waiting for 12 hrs in Dover Why the swim was the big worry Dealing with the tides and currents of the English Channel Deciding to just swim in a costume and not a wetsuit Starting the bike ride in France Being good at day dreaming Being able to zone out while running or swimming Seeing the Arc de Triumph  Achieving her dream and celebrating!! What she learned from the whole experience Being persistent and consistent Adventure blues and getting past the challenge Why it’s ok to do adventures  Quitting her job! Plans for 2020 - a triathlon of New Zealand Self funding her challenges Living a simple life Quick Fire Questions. Final words of advice for women and girls who want to live a more adventurous life Social Media Instagram: @laura.marshall.a2a  Facebook: @LauraMarshallA2A 

More about Kat in her own words… While studying at university, I took an internship in Tokyo and climbed Mt. Fuji for the first time. ‘A wise man climbs Mt. Fuji, a fool climbs it twice’ is a popular Japanese saying… so I climbed it 7 times. From Tokyo to Toronto to London where I’m now based, I’m searching for many of life’s answers, and hoping to find them somewhere along a trail. Since quitting an office job in 2013, I’ve walked over 12,000km, this has included the Pacific Crest Trail in America (2,700 miles), multiple Camino’s throughout France, Spain and Portugal, as well as walking the Kumano Kodo trail, and completing the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Japan. Earlier this year in May I cycled 4,529km, the total  length of Japan! Show notes Where is all began How walking the camino in 2013 helped change her life Developing a love for walking and long distance hiking The beginning of 2017 - after coming back from the PCT Starting writing a guide book on the Camino Portuguese  Having an ankle reconstruction surgery in 2016 and being out of action for 6 months   Spending time out in Japan in 2017 for a new guidebook Highlights from the Camino Portuguese  - the people, the food! Where do you start with writing a guidebook Thoughts about the Camino  The community spirit  Camino del Norte Planning and getting to the start line! Why is wasn’t just another walk The first week on the trail Daily routine on the camino and why she tries not to have a plan and to go with the flow! Not setting an alarm in the morning Taking it easy on the trail Thinking about what’s the worst case scenario  The Camino Provides The Kumano Kodo in Japan  How the Camino and Kumano Kodo trail are linked Becoming a Dual Pilgrim  A traditional day on the Kumano Kodo Speaking Japanese  Why Spring and Autumn is the best time of year to be walking Needing to pre book your accommodation  Deciding to cycle the length of Japan! Who inspired her to ride……(me!!!) The different bike trips she though about doing (NZ, Euro Velo 6) Not having a bike… Having 1 month to plan and prepare Building her own bike… What cycling in Japan was like Keeping track of what she spend and blogging the trip  Wanting to camp to keep costs down Joining warm shower and staying with hosts The highlight from the trip  Believe you can and you will  Making friends on the road Hiking or biking??? Next challenge!! Why the Lycian Way…. The challenges… The vision for the end of the walk!!! Social Media Website https://followingthearrows.com  Instagram  @followingthearrows @katdavisphotography Guidebooks ◦The Camino Portuguese ◦Japan’s Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage

Rosie Swale Pope - (MBE) is a legendary global adventurer, author and motivational speaker. Throughout her life, Rosie has completed numerous marathons in some of the world’s most challenging terrains and has embarked upon many adventures including riding across Chile on horseback and sailing across the globe in a small boat. In 2003, aged 57, she began a five-year run-around-the-world, travelling 20,000 miles to raise awareness for the early diagnosis of cancer. Rosie is the only person in the world to have completed this solo challenge unsupported, carrying all her belongings in her cart behind her.  Now, at the age of 73, Rosie has taken on an exciting, new challenge: a run of 6,000 miles from Brighton, UK all the way to Kathmandu in Nepal in support of the charity PHASE Worldwide and their work in remote areas of the Himalayas. Show notes Where Rosie is in the world Rosie is running from Brighton to Kathmandu for Phase Worldwide Growing up and being looked after by her grandmother Why she decided to work with Phase Worldwide Running around the world the first time! Falling and breaking her hip in Brighton, 2017 Ice Chick! Having a book launch in Germany Running to Berlin and getting stronger and stronger! Wanting to re-visit some of the places she’d been before March, 2019 giving a talk for Phase Worldwide Saying yes to the future and saying yes to running to Katmandu!  Her running route Why real life is the biggest adventure  Where her passion for running came from Fighting darkness with light Deciding to run a marathon! Losing the love of her life Why you should start everyday being grateful What days on the road are like Not being able to get her stove to work Favourite food on the road Saving water while on the road and washing socks! The power of taking 3 or 4 minutes to do nothing Working while on the road Three teaspoons on the road! Going through tough times on the road and where her determination comes from 73 on the 2nd October Loving her life and what she does Losing her dad at a young age Why you don’t have to be defined by your past What her friends and family think about her next adventure Not being afraid Still running around the world at 100! What has changed in the world of adventure over the years The value of freedom for women How can we support Rosie Raising money for charity  When she plans to arrive in Katmandu Do you need Rosie as a speaker?  Quick Fire Questions Final words of advice to motivate and inspire you To follow Rosie’s epic journey and support her campaign visit www.rosieruns.co.uk  

Dr. Stacy T. Sims, is a Senior Research Scientist at the University of Waikato. She is an applied researcher, innovator and entrepreneur in human performance, specifically sex differences in training, nutrition, and environmental conditions.  She served as an exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist at Stanford University from 2007 to 2012, where she specialized in sex differences of environmental and nutritional considerations for recovery and performance. Specializing in women's health and performance. She had the opportunity to translate earlier research into consumer products and a science-based layperson's book written to explain sex differences in training and nutrition across the lifespan. Both the consumer product companies and the book challenged the existing dogma for women in exercise, nutrition, and health outcomes. Her contributions to the international research environment and the sports nutrition industry has established a new niche in sports nutrition; and established her reputation as the expert in sex differences in training, nutrition, and health.  As a direct result, she has been named as one of the to 50 visionaries of the running industry (2015), one of the top 40 women changing the paradigm of her field (2017), one of the top four visionaries in the outdoor sport industry (2017), and one of the top four individuals changing the landscape in triathlon nutrition (2017).  Stacy is the author of ROAR - How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Unique Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong, Lean Body for Life. Stacy resides in Mount Maunganui with her husband and young daughter.  Show notes Living in New Zealand How Stacy would introduce herself Growing up in an army family Being sporty and loving the outdoors Getting into running and dancing Being an athlete and an academic Why do women need to train differently  Starting to ask the questions Why women are too hard to study!! WHAT ABOUT WOMEN!!!!! What do we need to know about the menstrual cycle Day 1 - first day of bleeding Day 12  - Ovulation and upsurge of oestrogen Low hormone phase - First 10 days, hormones are low and we are more like men - hit the power hard, do intensity hard, sleep well and recovery well, core temp is lower High hormone phase - ovulation - very individual  - e.g. having flat days  - be kind to yourself or feeling bullet proof - go and hit it hard 5 days before your period starts - this is when we are most different from men. Tracking periods for over 20 years Being a pilot subject in all her studies The mental impact of not understanding your body Pushing against the dogma Dealing with the set backs and push backs Being inspire to write the book  - ROAR Why the book is starting to gain tracking now - 3 years later Keto for women and why it might not be the best thing  The biggest mistakes that women are making Why you need to track your period What women need to do to help with recovery Get your protein in 30 mins after eating Training, pregnancy, trail running and doing local races Having a really hard pregnancy Big changes after having her daughter What she’s studying at the moment How she’s balances everything in her life Needing to be on the go all the time Quick Fire Questions The next book! Social Media Facebook @drstacysims   Instagram @drstacysims    Take a Listen to Stacy on Sparta Chicks Radio - #99 Dr Stacy Sims on How to Work With Your Body, Not Fight Against It    

Pip has two world first endurance records, she is the winner of multiple international yacht races and has over twenty years of experience ocean racing! We first spoke with Pip in 2017, when she shared more about her early years, growing up, getting into sailing as well as her passion for the sport. She also shared more about doing the 3 Peaks Yacht Race as part of an all female team and winning the race in 2016.  We pick up with Pip where we left off. Pip shares more about going back to do the 3 Peaks Yacht Race in 2017, but this time as a pair, making the challenge even more extreme!  Pip explains more about the Vendee Ocean Race and why this has been a dream of her’s which has been 10 years in the making. Pip goes into detail about her preparation and training as well as answering quick fire questions at the end. I am so exited to be following Pip as she chases her dream of breaking the women’s record while sailing solo around the world in the ultimate 3 month solo ocean race -  The Vendee Ocean Race 2020. Show notes Catching up with Pip 45 years old 3 Peaks Yacht Race 2 year count down to the The Vendee Ocean Race 2020  Sailing and running! Doing the 3 peaks Yacht Race double handed!! Sleep deprivation and the mental side of the challenge Sleeping in 20 min bursts  Splitting up the roles and responsibilities  Not knowing if it was going to be possible at the start line The biggest challenge from the race Not being able to eat anymore Where her determination comes from and why she’s doesn’t give up Why you can’t give up when solo sailing Suffering with injury Deciding what was next Not being able to run  Breathing Deciding to enter the Vendee Ocean Race Stats and information about the race A 3 month challenge! Planning for a race and challenge like this! 10 years of work The ultimate solo sailor race Building skills and building confidence Getting hold of a boat and raising funds to do the challenge Launching her Vendee Campaign in November 2018 £1.2 Million Having a 2 year build up Getting her hands on the boat! Fast tracking learning the boat Making mistakes quickly  Starting powerlifting  Sailing with Paul Larson  Getting the boat prepared for its first trans atlantic crossing from France to Brazil  Getting it done and trying to have balance  Having to make it happen Learning to ask for help Doing all the critical stuff first and then moving onto the nice to have  Dealing with the preparation workload and stress  Doing a 3 month refit of the boat  Heading out to South Africa in the New Year Plans for 2020 How to follow Pip while she races Quick Fire Questions  How we can support Pip with her challenge  Final words of advice to motivate and inspire you   Social Media Website - https://www.piphareoceanracing.com  Instagram - @piphareoceanracing   Facebook - @PipHareOceanRacing   Donate - https://www.gofundme.com/f/pip-hare-ocean-racing-vendee-globe-campaign   

Alice Morrison, is a Scottish Adventurer, currently based in Morocco. After a childhood spent running around the African Bush, she was sent to boarding school in Edinburgh where she learned Latin but no decorum. She studied Arabic and Turkish at University which has led to a long love affair with the Middle East.  Adventuring had been something she had always done part time until in her mid-forties destiny in the shape of the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, intervened. His cuts made her redundant and she gleefully burned her briefcase, and headed off for a life in the unknown. She has plunged through a number adventures including the Tour D’Afrique when she raced from Cairo to Cape Town on a bike; Atlas to Atlantic, a world first trek from the highest point of North Africa straight across the Atlas mountains to the sea; and the Marathon Des Sables, the toughest footrace on earth, six marathons across the Sahara desert in six days.  “If I can do it, anyone can,” she says, “You just have to set your sights firmly on your goal and then pursue it with demonic persistence ignoring pain, humiliation and despair along the way. It is always worth it!” Show notes Who is Alice, her background and how she got into adventure What her childhood was like growing up in Africa The hazards of speaking a foreign language Her career path and following a normal path Building a company and being a CEO Dealing with the company going under and having to make changes in her life The Tour D'Afrique is the longest bike race on earth (12,000 kilometres from Cairo to Cape Town) Training and preparation for the bike race… Cycling in a big group and struggling at the start Day to day life on the road and how the tour worked Dodging Elephants….. Going through a life changing experience and making decisions about her life Dealing with the adventure blues Trying to find a normal job again… Deciding to do the Marathon des Sables even though she’d never run a marathon before! Moving to Morocco to train and deciding to become a professional adventurer Learning languages  Doing her first - World First - the Atlas Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean - 350km Why it was so much harder than she though it was going to be How she coped with the mental pressure of challenging times and why staying in the moment was so important The cultural challenges of being a woman in Morocco Loss of status and income and friends and family reaction to becoming an adventurer Money and making it work financially Corporate sponsors - Craghopper and NTT Data UK Not having a typical day or week at work What’s been happening since November 2018 Deciding on a new challenge  - The Everest Trail Race  The magical moments on the race Not having much of a break before heading of on another adventure Walking the length of the River Darr in Morocco (1,200km from the start to the sea at Tan Tan) Her new book! My 1001 Nights What’s next?! Quick Fire Questions Final words of advice  Social Media New Book just out! My 1001 Nights   Website : www.alicemorrison.co.uk   Twitter: @aliceoutthere1 Instagram: @aliceoutthere1                            Facebook: @AliceHunterMorrisonAdventures

A wife and mother whose life was going downhill when she was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis - an inflammatory bowel disease. With an encyclopaedic knowledge of every public toilet, bush or tree to dive behind, and after numerous extreme dietary regimes, Caroline elected to have her large intestine removed, and to live with a permanent ileostomy.  The decision she made then, and those she’s made since, have brought her face-to-face with some tough obstacles and hard decisions to make. No-one truly realises their own resilience until they are put in difficult situations. Motivated to learn to swim by her children, her enthusiasm for triathlon was lit after meeting Ironman world champion, Chrissie Wellington. Caroline has turned her life around from being a self-confessed ‘couch potato’ to a tough ‘can do’ individual who competes in– Ironman triathlons.  Show notes What her childhood was like Hating running and hating sports at school Deciding to get fit  Becoming ill with Ulcerative Colitis The challenges of getting diagnosed while pregnant Making life changing decisions  Trying all the different lifestyle options and various diets The mental challenge of deciding to do the surgery The next steps after surgery Signing up to cycle London to Paris in 24hrs Why reaching Paris was a major milestone Falling back to her old couch potato ways Needing a new challenge  Deciding to face her fear of water and learning how to swim in 2014 Deciding to join her local tri club - North Devon Triathletes Swimming with a ileostomy Putting off the running Getting involved in park run Fuelling nutrition needs without a large intestine Making her own food bars The challenges of hydration Working with a coach to help with triathlons  Following a 6 day a week training program Her dream of being an ironman Getting cut on the bike  Learning from failure Blogging and social media Quick Fire Questions   Social Media Website www.ironostomy.co.uk Facebook -@Ironostomy  Twitter - @carolinebramwel   You can also listen to Chrissie on the Tough Girl Podcast - HERE   

Jasmin Paris is a mother, long distance fell runner, small animal vet and research scientist, who was launched into the media spotlight in January this year when she won the 268-mile Montane Spine race outright, breaking the overall record by 12 hours, and beating her nearest rival by 15 hours.  Jasmin was born in Manchester in 1983, and brought up between the Peak District, UK, and Šumava, Czech Republic. She studied veterinary science at Liverpool University (2002-2008). Although very active outdoors throughout childhood, it was not until 2008, whilst working for a year as a small animal vet in Glossop that she started fell running.  In 2015, Jasmin finished first lady and second overall at the infamous Dragon’s Back race, and the same year she won the British Fellrunning Championship for the first time.  In 2016, she gained international recognition by winning the Skyrunning Extreme Series, and the same year she broke records for the three classic UK 24-hour hill challenges. In 2017, Jasmin gave birth to her daughter Rowan. She returned to racing by winning the British Fellrunning Championship in 2018, and thereafter the Spine in 2019.  Between 2015 and 2019, Jasmin completed a PhD studying the role of the RNA-methylation reader protein YTHDF2 in acute myeloid leukaemia. She is currently working as a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh.  Show notes Growing up in the Peak District and spending time in the Czech Republic When she started to get into running Doing her first fell race Falling in love with running and spending time outdoors Starting to enter more and more races Losing her mentor - John Hewitt  The mental side of races Her background in hill walking/endurance hiking The Dragon’s Back race in Wales Rest and recovery and what she does during stage races Nutrition and food during races Winning the British Championships in 2015 Having a full on 2015 and racing every weekend apart from 2! Cross training, swimming, hiking and strength work What’s going through her head when racing The challenges of the Paddy Buckley Round Running while pregnant and the transition to motherhood The Spine Race in 2019! The challenges of sleep deprivation Going massive on social media Focusing on family and completing her PHD Why running has to be fun! Advice and top tips to motivate and inspire you Quick Fire Questions Social Media Blog - http://jasminfellrunner.blogspot.com  Twitter - @JasminKParis   

Sharon is a member of North York Moors AC and became a serious runner in 1994 when she completed her first 100km and 24 hour race, winning gold in the National Championships at both events, she is still the only person to take both titles in the same year.  Sharon has represented Great Britain for 18 years, on 27 occasions, winning several medals as well as further National Championship titles. Towards the end of her international career Sharon progressed to longer and more extreme races. In 2011 she was ranked World Number 1 for 6 days on the road with her British Record of 750km, a race she won outright as the first person.  In the same year Sharon broke the  Guinness World Record for the furthest distance run on a treadmill in 7 days. Her distance of 833km added over 100 miles (160km) to the existing female record and nearly 50 miles (80km) to the men’s record. It is rare that a female world record is better than the male world record in athletics! In October 2016, Sharon had run 186 ultras, 114 marathons and 119 off-road races of near marathon distance, some 419 events of 24 miles or further.  Sharon has raced across deserts such as the Libyan Challenge, Ocean Floor Race and Badwater Ultra-marathon. She has done multi stage races such as Marathon des Sables, Grand to Grand Ultra, Fire and Ice 250km, Trans-Alpine from Germany to Austria, Switzerland and Italy, Verdon Canyon, Al-Andalus Ultra Trail and Trans-Slovenia (winter edition).  During this podcast, Sharon shares more about her early life, how she got into running, and how running has changed her life. She shares more about the planning and preparation that goes into a World Record challenge like JOGLE. Sharon is super down to earth and full of top tips and advice to motivate and inspire you!  Show notes Being a runner for over 30 years Representing GB for 18 years Not being sporty or outdoorsy when she was growing up How running the London Marathon changed her life Leaving school at 16 and going straight to work Going to University at 30 to get a degree in Sports Science  Going on to to her Masters What she loves about running ultra races Her favourite distance? 6 days!!  Milage per week and being self coached Doing strength and conditioning as well Race strategy and structure for running 822 miles! The power of 3hr blocks and 30 min breaks Training for 2 years for the WR The importance of the team What’s going through her head during each block The 30 min routine Let’s talk about feet!! Managing the mental pain! Handling the frustration of getting lost  How to handle sleep deprivation The magical moment on the record run Nutrition during ultra challenges What keeps Sharon motivated How her sports science background has helped her with running How running ultra’s races has changed over the past 30 years The bucket list races! Injuries and injury prevention Never being a sponsored athlete Paying for everything herself How to recover from big challenges Publicity for the challenge  Has it sunk in yet? Getting the running blues after doing a big race Celebrating the success of the challenge Advice and tips for women and girls who want to get into running Quick Fire Questions New World Record Chat!!! Social Media Website - http://www.sharongayter.com/index.htm  Book “The Clock Keeps Ticking” - buy here Connected Episodes to listen to Mimi Anderson - Endurance Runner & Multiple Guinness World Record Holder! December 22, 2015 Amy Hughes - Running 521 Miles on a treadmill in a week! November 3, 2016

Josephine is a a French-born ex oilfield engineer turned sports and fitness industry professional. Josephine started getting into longer distance challenges while she was in her final year of university, when she took on the Marathon des Sables desert ultra-marathon in 2012. Since then she has cycled down the US West Coast from Seattle to Santa Barbara, ran and hiked, 3,000km across New Zealand, followed by cycling across Sardinia and Taiwan!  Josephine has a passion for ultra running, outdoor adventuring and travelling. She enjoys spending her free time hiking through the hills, running on dirt trails and swimming in the ocean – the closer she is to nature the happier she feels. She currently lives in Indonesia where she is starting a new business,  Outventure Hub which is a platform full of resources to help passion-driven outdoor sports entrepreneurs grow successful, long-lasting businesses. At the same time, she continues to explore the world through long human-powered journeys - which she shares on her blog -Spark of Adventure!  Show notes Running her first marathon at 16 years old Falling in love with running Going to university to study Engineering in England Deciding to do the Marathon des Sables in her final year of university (2012) Getting into trail running Breaking up with her boyfriend and wanting to prove him wrong Training for the race while studying for finals How she paid for the Marathon des Sables What she learned from doing the Marathon des Sables The biggest challenge! Deciding to cycle the West Coast of America with her then boyfriend (now husband) Cycling across Sardinia (2017) What she loves about islands and why she loves, running, hiking and cycling across them! Advice and tips for women who want to get into cycle touring Being a minimalist Deciding to run/hike the Te Aurora Trail in New Zealand Knowing she wanted to leave her job and go on a big adventure Being inspired by Anna McNuff What she did to make her dream a reality  Wanting to do the trail in 100 days The challenges of the terrain and dealing with injury The mental side of the challenge Starting her blog - Sparks of Adventure Her new business  - Outventure Hub – a platform full of resources to help passion-driven outdoor sports entrepreneurs grow successful, long-lasting businesses. Advice and tips for other women who want to get more adventure in their life Cycling with her husband in Taiwan Why you need to stick to the East coast in Taiwan Heading to Mongolia Desert Run as a volunteer Feeling tired and needing a break from racing Future plans Quick fire questions Social Media Blog - www.sparksofadventure.com  Instagram- @josephineanselin Website: www.outventurehub.com  Twitter : @outventurehub   Facebook: @outventurehub