Tough Girl Podcast

“Inspired by Tough Girl Challenges. I finally made the decision to go on my big adventure - facing a fear of solo cycling to ride 1009 miles via the three peaks - ad I'm so glad I did”  During this podcast we learn more about Janine’s journey into fitness from running the London marathon to training for her first ironman, we learn why she started her blog triathlove.com and where she hopes to take it in the future.  Janine shares more about her own personal fears, the anxiety she has dealt with and why she has struggled to write about her most recent challenge.  Show notes Living in Bristol Spending 15 years working in marketing, but now working as a freelance writer Not growing up sporty and discovering running in her twenties Her running journey and signing up for the London Marathon in 2008 Running it in 2009 due to an injury Joining a running club and how it took her to the next level Making the transition over to triathlon Dealing with injury over a year and a half and the impact on her life Getting her first bike Starting her blog  www.triathalove.com Being inspired by Chrisse Wellington and why the message to ‘Pay it forward’ stuck with her Signing up for her first Ironman and why she was terrified and excited in equal measure Dealing with her own personal fears and anxiety The Ironman Bible  Hitting walls in training and hiring an ironman coach for the final 6 months Starting a new job and breaking up with her boyfriend Chaining her nutrition and feeling supported in her journey Dealing with her anxiety IronMan Bolton in 2015 — the rain, the hills, the highpoint, the low points & transitions! Recovery and feeling like a new women after the race The ironman swagger Doing her first ultra, qualifying for Team GB (age group) Taking on bigger and bigger challenges and deciding to tackle her next fear  - heights via the 3 Peaks Challenge Dealing with her fears of isolation and wanting to be alone, but being scared  How meeting Anna McNuff changed the direction of her life Why her big idea got shelved Following her heart and doing what made her happy Wanting to cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats (LEJOG) Telling 3 people your plans Deciding to quit her job and go back to being a freelancer Dealing with the negative feedback and how she coped with it  The Adventure Queens  Feeling the isolation kicking in What’s she’s learnt from doing this solo challenge Celebrating the finish! The blog and how’s it evolved over time The women who have inspired her on the blog The LEJOG Blog….. maybe a book! Final words of advice  Dealing with the adventure blues   Social Media Blog Triathlove.com - INSPIRING WOMEN WHO TRI Triathlove started life in 2014 as a training blog for my first ironman, but quickly became a place for Janine to share the stories of inspiring women she met along the way, who swim, cycle and run. Instagram @missjanineelizabeth  Twitter @janinedoggett  

For the past 4 years, Terra has been walking solo and unsupported around Australia. On the 2nd May 2018 Terra became the first woman to walk the 17,000kms + to complete this challenge. Throughout the last 20 to 30 years having the freedom to roam has helped Terra in many ways including physical and mental health, self-awareness and peace.  During this podcast, Terra shares more about the challenges she has faced, why she has kept motivated and what she has learned from pushing her body to the limits.  Terra talks very frankly about her life and the journey she has been on, she also provides top tips and advice on why and how you should start your next challenge. Terra is currently staying put for a short time, while she writes a book and prepares for her next challenge! In November this year, Terra will be starting her next challenge which is to cycle tour around Australia! She expects this will take her about 2 years to achieve!    ** Please note we do talk about mental health issues from depression, PTSD, and attempted suicide** Show notes Being based in Adelaide and writing a book Who is Terra?  Starting wandering from a young age and allowing nature to teach her and guide her Moving to the Snowy Mountains in 1988 Having confidence in herself Heading over New Zealand at 19 on a theatre trip and becoming addicted to travel Getting the idea to walk around the Australia. Being inspired as a 12 years old by Robyn Davidson’s book - Tracks Dealing with mental health issues, from depression to PTSD and hospitalised after attempting to take her own life in 2010 The Happy Walk - walking the first 1600 km for suicide prevention Not being able to cope any longer and reaching out for help Using nature as therapy and being scared of medication Writing down the highlights in her life and noticing they were all adventure. Giving herself 2 years to get ready to walk Australia and figuring out how to do it alone Not letting the fear in Money and how she paid for the challenge, and why she turned to crowd funding towards the end Planning to walk for 7 years originally and having to change her plan Deciding to start with Tasmania (10 week, 1250 km) Stopping to have tumours removed and then waiting for the next season to start walking again Mental health during her trip and loving the solitude that it provided Dealing with flashbacks and relapses during the trip The physically scary moments and getting to meet incredible people along the way How her body coped on the roads while following a vegan diet Bulking up between each section The next expedition! Roam for Eva - starting in September 17th and finish in November 2020 Writing a book at the moment - a collection of short adventure stories Using Patreon to fund her next adventure  Being stubborn when she wants to do something Being diagnosed with Aspergers later on in life What she’s learnt most from this experience and why it’s about going with the flow Advice for other women who want to take on a big challenge Dealing with the question - ‘Are you scared?   Social media   Website - www.terraroams.earth Instagram - @terraroams   Support Terra with her next challenge & sign up to be a patron    

Katy Willings is the Mongol Derby Chief, and erstwhile Chief of Adventures at The Adventurists.  Based in Bristol, UK, she was a junior international dressage rider in her teens.  She rode in the inaugural Mongol Derby, the world's longest horse race, in 2009, sparking a later endurance riding career which saw her compete up to 120kms internationally, and became a full-time Adventurist in 2010, working on the Derby, and later the Ice Run, Icarus Trophy and Monkey Run.  In the course of producing high profile events for the Adventurists she has ridden vintage Russian motorcycles in -30 (and got the damn things started in -40 when no-one else could), wrangled with customs in far-flung places to get equipment and people in country, managed local and international teams to deliver logistically complex and culturally significant goods and services.  And learned to fly a paramotor.  Kind of.  She finally did her motorcycle test in May 2018 (5 years late then) and will be taking to the open road, legally, this summer.   She has ambitions to cycle the iron curtain, to fly her paramotor over Victoria Falls, to ride from New York to Buenos Aires as Aime Schiffely once did.  In the meantime she'll be wielding a clipboard and a satellite phone in her spiritual home of Mongolia this summer, and manning the airwaves during the Mongol Derby (it's live now!) in the operations room.   She declares herself to be utterly devoid of talent, and proof that talent is no barrier to doing whatever the hell you want.  One day she will ride at Grand Prix and further prove this.  She has worked with horses in Europe, Mongolia and Malawi, and men and machines in Morocco, Siberia, Sierra Leone.  She has had as much adventure putting on the adventures, as the participants have had taking part.  Oftentimes, a great deal more.  Show notes Moving to Bristol in 2010 Struggling to call herself an adventurer Spending most of her life on a horse Happening on adventure by accident after losing her best friend in 2008 Fighting to make the world less boring Being 25 and living in London and living for the weekend The Rickshaw Run how it came about and why she decided to do it What is it and how you plan for it! Starting with a New Years Eve Party then 2 weeks to get to the finish line! Being 40Km from the finish line and rolling the rickshaw….  Driving to the finish line and finishing the race Being lucky to walk away from the crash First hearing about the Mongol Darby! A healing, a closure, and a change in attitude about herself Being a glorious amateur! What adventure means to Katy Applying for the Mongol Darby and being placed on the reserve list Not being able to let it go and also not being able to commit to the challenge  Having 10 weeks to prepare and having to change her expectations for the race Running, cycling and riding horses to build up endurance and to be as fit as possible Loving history and reading up on the historically and cultural aspects of the race Was the race even possible? Could it be done? Dealing with the unknowns Becoming friends with her fellow competitors The structure of the race, and what it was like on a daily basis ‘glorious isolation’ Riding 1000km over 9 days… How completing the race changed the direction of her life  What she’s leant from working at the Adventurists The difficulties of making money from adventure Getting the flying bug and what the next challenge is going to be Her plan to cycle the Iron Curtain Advice to fill your life with adventure and why it’s ok to do things for pleasure Her side hustle in Mongolia - Morindoo   Social Media Insta (Katy) - @willingskaya Insta (Morindoo) - @morindooadventures   Website - Morindoo - www.morindoo.com Website - The Mongol Derby - www.theadventurists.com   Twitter - Katy - @KatyAdvntrists Twitter - Mongol Derby - @mongolderbylive   *************************************************** Feeling inspired week after week?  You can do 3 easy things to help me continue to grow the podcast! Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, so you won’t miss a single episode If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on iTunes! I read every single comment! Share the podcast with your friends, especially if you think it could help them, and spread the #ToughGirlPodcast love.  Your support helps me continue to grow the podcast and do inspiring things in this space! Already done all 3? You’re a rockstar! Thank you! Want to do more? Please become a Patron and donate a small fixed amount every month to help fund the runnings costs.  ***************************************************  

Nicola "Nicky" Spinks is a 51 year old, British long distance runner, specialising in fell running, Nicky has over 16 years' experience of fell and ultra running, successfully completing ten 24 hour Rounds holding the record for the Ladies Lakeland 24 hour round with 64 Peaks in 23.15 hours. She also held the Ladies records for all three UK rounds; BG 18.06, Paddy 19.02 and Ramsay 19.39.  In 2016 she broke the record for the Double Bob Graham finishing in 45.30 hours.  In racing she prefers long mountainous fell races such as 10 Peaks Extreme winning outright and current course record holder, the Ultra Tour Mont Blanc (11th & 16th) , E’Chappee Belle (2nd),  Grand Raid Pyrenees (1st twice) and Grand Raid Re-Union (4th).   Nicky has set women's records for the major fell running challenges including, The Ramsay Round, the Paddy Buckley Round and the Bob Graham Round! She is also the holder of the overall record for the double Bob Graham Round. Show notes Who is Nicky Spinks? A farmer & a fell runner Growing up on a farm with 6 kids and running everywhere Going from the farm to working in an office in the city for 7 years Meeting her husband! Deciding to take her running more seriously  2001 - running with a friend and doing her first 10K Joining a running club and finding a passion for fell running & doing her first 20 mile run Being a competitive person and using races for training. What the Bob Graham round is? Heading back up to Scotland for training Her 10 year journey in running and why she doesn’t rush things Enjoying 100 mile races and being happy with her performance The biggest challenge she’s had to face - cancer 2006 being diagnosed with breast cancer Dealing with the emotions and how she handle it and why she applied her training to cancer Celebrating more in her life Getting back into running after surgery Giving her brain a break from the cancer by running Diet and food Preparing mentally for the Double Ramsey Getting through the low points and how she gets out of them Dealing with the heat and leg cramps (after 4 hours!) Strategy for the race  Being her own coach and creating her own training plan Never wanting to quit Knowing she was going to complete the double! Sleep deprivation… How she recovers Would she go back & try to do it faster?! The next race…. Advice and tips for women who want to take their running to the next level Blogging since 2006 Working as a running coach and how it works Final words of advice Social Media Website - www.runbg.co.uk  Twitter - @NickySpinks 

In 2013, Pip cycled home from Malaysia to London, a journey of 10,000 miles through 26 countries! Once back in London she started to work for Red Bull as their Adventure Editor.  In 2016 Pip headed off on a 3,000 mile cycle, boat and plane journey exploring Brazil and Peru to raise awareness of the environmental issues in the region, Pip documented the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest with adventurer Reza Pakravan and shared more about it’s devastating effects on the indigenous communities.  Pip started at the mouth of the Amazon River in the Atlantic, and finishing in Lima at the Pacific. Pip loves going on challenges and pushing her body to the limits. In February 2018 Pip teaming up with fellow adventurers Laura Bingham and Ness Knight to take on a world first – paddling the entire length of The Essequibo, South America's third largest river, which flows for 1,014 km through remote jungle, and untouched virgin rainforest until it meets the Atlantic Ocean. During the podcast we learn more about her life, the steps she has taken to get where she has. How the opportunities she has taken have come about and what she has learnt by going on these challenges in remote parts of the world. Show notes Living in London Being adventurous as a young child Why home is not a place and it’s the people you are with Being based in Germany and having family holidays around Europe Not knowing what she wanted to do growing up Following the structured path Heading off to go travelling Doing a Journalism Masters over in Hong Kong Removing expectations from your life What is was like living and studying in Hong Kong Moving to Malaysia and deciding to cycle home to London Planning and preparation for the big cycle ride! Having 13 months to get home in time for Christmas The biggest challenge while cycling Why the challenge was more of a mental one The magical moments on the trip Preconceptions about certain countries Why travel and talking is so important Connecting with the locals The realities of being on the road Coming back to the UK and not having a plan Travelling with her partner Charlie Dealing with difficult situations while on the road Transitioning back into real life Applying to be Red Bull’s Adventure Editor Getting itchy feet and wanting to go travelling again How she gets her ideas for her next challenges and adventures Why she focuses on what she is interested in 2016 challenge - traversing the Amazon via the Trans Amazonian Highway The damage that gold mining does What she leant most from the experience and why it comes down to the power of a community Filming the challenge! Eating ants!! Heading out to the Amazon with Laura Bingham and Ness Knight Saying yes to the opportunities when they become available Planning and training for this adventure over 8 months Family and friends reactions to her next adventure Dealing with fears, how she overcome them and managed them before and during the trip Often you can’t change the problem - but you can change your response to a problem. Dealing with snakes Working as part of a team with Ness & Laura - dealing with team dynamics What she leant most about herself on this challenge and why it was about the ego! #ExploreHappy and using social media in a positive way Keep looking forward Dealing with the adventure blues after coming back from the trip and talking about mental health Heading off to Norway with the Marines Final words of advice and top tips   Social Media Website  - www.phillippastewart.com  Twitter - @Stewart_Pip  Instagram - @pipstewart    

Paula McGuire's world was shrinking. Bullied as a child and plagued by excessive social anxiety, she had become a recluse. Unable to even go into a shop on her own, Paula's life was effectively over before she hit thirty. But then something changed. She isn't even quite sure what. But after years of running away from life, Paula decided to make a change, and decided to face up to her fears. Paula gave herself less than 2 years to try all 17 Commonwealth Games sports! After learning how to ride a bike and completing a triathlon. Paula decided, she was going to continue facing her fears, one of her biggest was swimming, even though she was frightened of the water, and couldn’t swim, she decided to set the biggest challenge possible. Deciding to swim around Great Britain! Although he Big Mad Swim around Britain didn’t quite go in the direction she wanted, she’s leant a huge amount about herself and continues to talk about mental health and wanting to encourage others to face their fears and to live their most full lives.  Show notes Where Paula is based at the moment Being an unlikely adventurer and an anxiety survivor Growing up in Glasgow and not being sporty or outdoors at all! Being very shy and hiding behind books and her family Dealing with childhood anxiety at 5/6 years old and how her parents handle it Not having risk management skills or social skills Entering her teenage years and how her anxiety developed Leaving school for university and wanting to start a new life, and how it didn’t happen Starting work while dealing with anxiety, and it getting to the point where she couldn’t leave the house Maybe this is as good as it gets… Learning to live with her anxiety Giving herself a chance to live her life - starting to blog about it to have accountability The first challenge/fear she decided to face and why she decided on a sport Taking the negativity and turning it around! Learning to ride a bike and what she learned from it Why you have to keep trying and keep on learning Feeling pride in her accomplishment Getting joy from these new experiences Why 99% of people want to help you Taking the power away from anxiety The timeframe she gave herself to complete these challenges The magical moment - and why doing a triathlon helped to propel her forward Not being able to swim and being afraid of the water The Big Mad Swim Around Britain!  April 24th starting her swim! Dealing with panic attacks in the water and not being able to overcome it Failure and what’s she learning from the experience Adapting the challenge to the Big Mad Splash - to help raise awareness for mental health challenges How she’s funding the trip Advice and tips for others who are dealing with anxiety How to get in touch with Paula if you need someone to talk to Social Media Website  - www.paulamusttryharder.co.uk Twitter - @pmusttryharder  Instagram - @pmusttryharder   Facebook - @pmusttryharder 

Hannah, is a 34-year-old creator, minimalist and adventurer living in Manchester, UK. Last year she got rid of everything she owned except what would fit in a carry on backpack. She travelled overland from the UK to Bhutan through eighteen countries with her partner Phil to document and discover what makes people happy.  Hannah has scoliosis and deals with chronic pain, although she wears a permanent back brace, this does not stop her from getting out side and hiking on a regular basis. In her early twenties, she was £20,000 in debt and working in a stressful, badly paid job. Her Dad dying suddenly encouraged her to become debt free and focus on doing work with purpose that helps support other people.  Hannah is now back in the UK writing about her experiences at betternotstop.com. Hannah shares stories about how to enjoy everyday life through work, friendships, travel, and adventure. Hannah believes experiencing different countries and culture is a way to discover more about ourselves and how to make the world a better place. During this podcast we focus on the money, how she got into the debt, the mistakes she made and how ultimately she turned it around by getting out of debt and saving £15,000 in a year to pay for the ‘Road to Happiness’ Expedition. *** this is not financial advice*** If you are having financial problems please speak to a qualified professional. Show notes Growing up, getting a job at 15 Going to university getting a full time job, a student loan and an overdraft Work hard and play harder - not being sensible with money - racking up credit card debt while at university,  Taking out a loan to expand a business The breakdown of a relationship and moving to a new town Not being able to pay the minimum payments on her credit cards Feeling overwhelmed by her money situation  Why only overspending by a few hundred pounds a month can lead to huge problems down the line Moving back home to live with her mum, about 45 mins from London Planning to move to London and to get a job working in events Would you like to live on a tropical island? Disappearing off to Asia for a year to forget about the money problems in the UK moneysavingexpert.com  Deciding between 2 options - declare bankruptcy or going down the Individual Voluntary Arrangement Individual Voluntary Arrangement and what that involved for Hannah Having major surgery, and losing her father while all of this was happening How it felt once she paid if all off No debt, no credit cards, no overdrafts Minimalism how she got into this movement- the minimalists Never earning more than £25,000 Saving up £15,000 for a 10 month expedition (the Road to Happiness ) Having a 2 bedroom house and why she decided on that Getting a flat mate, cycling into work, saving everything she could Gary Vaynerchuk and the Flip Challenge  How to make money from doing adventures and the plan for the blog 2 new books coming out - How to save for an adventure and how to plan for an adventure  Tim Moss from the Next Challenge - self publishing books  Cathy O’Dowd - The Business of Adventure  Pat Flynn - Smart Passive Income  Patreon for creators https://www.patreon.com  Privilege in the adventure industry Earning £600 a month going forward Taking ownership of her goals and financial future and being very clear with what she wants to achieve. Doing monthly income reports Documenting the journey Final words of advice  - ‘You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you’ Find your tribe  Social Media Follow Hannah's Writing at betternotstop   Support Hannah on Patreon  Instagram: @betternotstop   Facebook: @betternotstop     ___________________________________________________ Feeling inspired week after week?  You can do 3 easy things to help me continue to grow the podcast! Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, so you won’t miss a single episode If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on iTunes! I read every single comment! Share the podcast with your friends, especially if you think it could help them, and spread the #ToughGirlPodcast love.  Your support helps me continue to grow the podcast and do inspiring things in this space! Already done all 3? You’re a rockstar! Thank you! Want to do more? Please become a Patron and donate a small fixed amount every month to help fund the runnings costs.  _____________________________________________________

Hannah, is a 34-year-old creator, minimalist and adventurer living in Manchester, UK. Last year she got rid of everything she owned except what would fit in a carry on backpack. She travelled overland from the UK to Bhutan through eighteen countries with her partner Phil to document and discover what makes people happy.  Hannah has scoliosis and deals with chronic pain, although she wears a permanent back brace, this does not stop her from getting out side and hiking on a regular basis. In her early twenties, she was £20,000 in debt and working in a stressful, badly paid job. Her Dad dying suddenly encouraged her to become debt free and focus on doing work with purpose that helps support other people. To date, she has travelled to forty-five different countries.  Hannah is now back in the UK writing about her experiences at betternotstop.com. Hannah shares stories about how to enjoy everyday life through work, friendships, travel, and adventure. Hannah believes experiencing different countries and culture is a way to discover more about ourselves and how to make the world a better place. During this podcast we focus on the expedition the ‘Road to Happiness’ and in Tough Girl Extra coming out on Thursday we focus on the money, how she got into the debt, the mistakes she made and how ultimately she turned it around by getting out of debt and saving £15,000 in a year to pay for the ‘Road to Happiness’ Expedition. Show notes Being based in Manchester 34 year old, minimalist adventure Where the idea came from for the ‘Road to Happiness’ Expedition Being kept accountably for what she wanted to achieve Having no money and no idea how she was going to make it happen How she started to plan to turn her dream into a reality The visa machine Having to be flexible with the planning and how the idea evolved and anchored over time Dealing with a head injury that makes planning hard and having to put systems in place To do lists, Trello, Evernote and how they all work together Getting the date to leave and being delayed for a few months The run up to leaving and dealing with the imposter syndrome Packing for the trip while taking into account her chronic back pain Documenting the trip - trying to figure out the best way to do it Getting rid of everything she owned apart from what she carried on her back and a small suitcase she kept at her mums Starting to write a 3 part book series about the journey  The European part of the adventure and the moments that stand out Working in Europe on Organic farms Spending 6 weeks in Denmark! What happiness means to Hannah The correlation between money, time and happiness Being open to new experiences and why she’s much happier now than when she was in her twenties  Taking a short break from the trip and coming back to the UK for 3 weeks Attending an adventure conference and feeling like she wasn’t doing adventure right Why she loves to travel by train  The Trans-Siberian Express and being able to travel on the first train line in Cambodia Arriving in Bhutan after 10 months, crossing the land border from India into Bhutan and the difference The culture shock of being in Bhutan Wearing a back brace and the final stretch of the journey making it up the mountain to visit the Paro Taktsang monastery/‘Tigers Nest’ Monastery. What she learnt from going on this journey  The significance of her bee tattoo and why she got it  Why her blog is called better not stop Why there is no better time to take control of your life Starting to do monthly income reports and why talking about money in the adventure world is important Social Media Website - www.betternotstop.com Support Hannah on Patreon Instagram: @betternotstop Facebook: @betternotstop  

Rachel Ann experiences the reality of mental health issues from a young age- she grows up in a dysfunctional home with a mother who suffers with bipolar disorder and disordered eating. Rachel Ann isn’t naturally athletic and from a young age, feels the pressure of being compared to her graceful ballerina sister Jane. She finds comfort in food and rapidly gains weight throughout childhood and into her teenage years. Rachel Ann begins running at age 18, but she finds no pleasure in movement. Running is a necessary evil to help her lose weight, an ‘energy-depleting, laboured chore with the sole purpose of burning calories’. She dips in and out of running throughout her life, but only begins to take it seriously after the birth of her daughter, when she sets herself the goal of completing the London Marathon. It gives her purpose and some headspace away from her new role as a mother. Running becomes Rachel Ann's saviour, she finally finds contentment and freedom she has been searching for all her life.  Show notes Living in Yorkshire and speaking to use from her attic Being a runner and a writer   Publishing her book - Running for my life Her background of being a lawyer, to running her own health business and now working for a charity Growing up with her mum, who suffered from mental health issues Absorbing her mothers sadness (even though her mum loved her) Coming into her teenage years and dealing with a lack of self confidence Turning to comfort eating to deal with life Being in an abusive relationship when she was a teenager Wanting to feel better about herself and how she started running Why her running came from a place of self loathing and negativity Hating running but sticking to her running plan Seeking professional help with her mental health Being diagnosed with clinical depression and being on medication for 12 years Deciding to set herself the challenge of running the London Marathon Wanting to get pregnant and have a child Getting a place the first time she entered the London Marathon! Making up her own training schedule by booking in a series of races The mental side of training and the marathon Crossing the finish line of her first marathon in 2011 Experiencing the pain zone What she would say to the 18 year old Rachel now Why she deciding to write her book - “Running for my Life” What can we do to raise awareness of mental health issues Advice for new runners Her next running goals Running Boston Marathon and Leeds Half Marathon Writing her second book Social Media Blog  - www.rachelcullenwrites.wordpress.com  Twitter - @writtenbyrach   Instagram - @rachel_running_for_my_life   *********************************************** Feeling inspired week after week?  You can do 3 easy things to help me continue to grow the podcast! Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, so you won’t miss a single episode If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on iTunes! I read every single comment! Share the podcast with your friends, especially if you think it could help them, and spread the #ToughGirlPodcast love.  Your support helps me continue to grow the podcast and do inspiring things in this space! Already done all 3? You’re a rockstar! Thank you! Want to do more? Please become a Patron and donate a small fixed amount every month to help fund the runnings costs. ***********************************************

Ghazala, was born in 1963, in Lahore, Pakistan, when still a baby, her family moved to London and she grew up in Twickenham. She has led an active life, being involved in rock-climbing, mountaineering, running, skiing and swimming, both in the UK and abroad. She loves the outdoors and now lives in the beautiful Derbyshire Peak District. She is married to the mountaineer Roger Mear, who in 1986, with Robert Swan and Gareth Wood, made the first unsupported walk to the South Pole with the expedition ‘In the Footsteps of Scott’. For this achievement, all three members were awarded the Queen’s Polar Medal.   In 1996, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and had a year off work for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Focusing on the positive aspects and being determined to be well, both physically and emotionally, helped her through that year. Having been a keen long distance runner, and never accepting that she would be anything other than recovered after her treatment, the following year with a 30% reduction in lung function, she ran the Sheffield Marathon. The whole experience, despite the difficulties, was positive for Ghazala and it enabled her to develop resilience, determination, humility, compassion and patience. During this podcast we learn more about Ghazala, her life, the decisions she’s made to get to where she is and what she’s learned along the way. Show notes Living in the beautiful peak district and working as a surgeon in Sheffield Who is Ghazala and why she loves fitness Becoming an environmentalist Having 2 sons - 14 and 10 years old Having to adjust her life after children Loving to swim in the open air swimming pool Growing up in Twickenham with 3 brothers Joining the mountaineering club at University and getting into walking and rock climbing Meeting her husband on the summit of the Matterhorn  Being at a crossroads in her life Getting access to the mountains Taking on big wall climbing - Angels Landing Ice climbing in Scotland  Balancing life as a surgeon, with climbing and children Keeping up running after her first child Getting help with the children Being 3 stone overweight after the birth of her first child and getting back into fitness 1996 being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Learning patience and having gratitude  Going on a healing course and working through personal issues Deciding to love her tumour Setting a new challenge after chemo  Completing the Sheffield Marathon and being able to move on from the illness Building her confidence back up  A big road/climbing trip The South Pole Energy Challenge - to walk the final 60 miles (the final degree) 2041 Foundation  The significance of 2041 Step by step helping to raise awareness and raising funds for the challenge Par helium and wanting to see it Tips for fundraising and getting sponsorship Being on the ice for 2.5 weeks - getting hypothermia and how she dealt with it Taking the positives from a negative situation  Final words of advice Why music plays a big part of her life Social Media Website - www.stepbystep.scot   Twitter - @ghazala_mear