Tough Girl Podcast

Fiona Oakes is a British marathon runner, who holds three world records for marathon running. In 2013, she won both the Antarctic Ice Marathon and the North Pole Marathon. She runs despite losing a knee cap from an illness when she was 17. At 48, she holds three world records, including becoming the fastest woman to run seven marathons in seven continents, plus the north pole, with an aggregate time of 31 hours 11 mins and 53 secs. Show notes Why Fiona describes herself as an animal advocate Going vegetarian at 3 years old in the 1970s Becoming vegan at 6 years old and her passion for animals Becoming an advocate for animals and needing a platform to speak out Where the running came from Working in London and coming from a cycling background Starting to jog to keep fit Not having a knee cap!! Considering herself as an amateur runner (even though running a 2.38 marathon!) Working out everything for herself Having determination and grit, but no talent… Deciding to go after ultras such as Marathon des Sables Running in pain The London marathon and training for it - and why you have to be brave to run a marathon Fitting training into her life - getting up at 3.30 am Her running routine to run a 2.38 marathon The magic for moving up a level in running - SPEED WORK!! Signing on to be available for the fire service Diet and why it is not a priority Not taking supplements, no gels or recovery drinks Vegan marshmallows! Eating one meal a day and not snacking Why she focuses on her feet Being on a very tight budget both financial and time wise Stomach problems while running Her most magical race The Marathon des Sables Being invited to run the North Pole Marathon! Learning a lot about herself while running Vegan running club 4 Deserts Grand Slam! How you can help and support!   Social Media Fiona Oakes Foundation -http://fionaoakesfoundation.co.uk/about/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fionaoakes/  Twitter - @Marathonfiend    Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary - http://www.towerhillstables.com  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/towerhillstables  Twitter - @towerhillstable 

Cazz has developed a liking for taking on challenges that usually involve her walking long distances, running long distances, or swimming long distance! She’s a big fan of spontaneous adventures, dancing in the rain and eating cake! In June 2018, Cazz is pushing the boat out (pun intended) and rowing 2400 miles across the Pacific Ocean, she’s competing in the Great Pacific Race!  Along with two other women she’ll row from California to Hawaii in a 26ft Ocean Rowing Boat! There aim is to be the first ever crew of three (male or female) to row the Pacific and the youngest crew of three females to row any ocean in the world!  Show notes Growing up Taking a gap year, travelling around South East Asia and going off to university Her passion for sports and adventure, being new to the adventure scene Travelling solo at 18 and being encouraged to go by her parents Playing sports at school and loving athletics even though she’s not amazing at it! Her first big challenge or challenges - 12 challenges in 12 months! Wanting to get better at running 100K around the Isle of Wight  Her first 5K and her fear of coming last What she learnt from her first ultra which she has used going forward Going from a half marathon straight to an ultra! Not having a plan for her first ultra…. Being scared of running through the night Hitting the bad patches through the race and pushing through Where her resilience and determination comes from Liking the pain and wanting to prove people wrong Being broken after the race.. & losing 6 toe nails after the event Blisters…. How can they stop you from running? Planning… or not planning and just going in at the deep end. What she learnt from doing 12 challenges in 12 months Being happier being around the water How the pacific row came about… Getting to the start line, the crew changes and raising the money needed The money!! £80,000 for a crew of 4… Rowing for MIND and to raise awareness for plastic pollution The Great Pacific Race Breaking down the planning while working full time What she thinks the biggest challenge will be Testing the boat and preparing for bad weather Keeping the motivation going while training and why having a Personal Trainer helps Final words of advice Websites Personal - https://www.cazzlander.com Pacific Traffic - https://pacificterrific.com 

Charlene Gibson grew up as a studious bookworm, who wasn't keen on the outdoors. She is an only child who was brought up by her Mum and Nana in a pretty rough area of Scotland, near Glasgow. Although an avid reader of Enid Blyton's Famous Five books, there was really nothing adventurous about her at all. However, in her mid 30s, following the break-up of a long-term relationship, she discovered her inner adventurer when, to avoid spending Christmas alone, she booked on a trekking holiday to Morocco. Despite the horror of having to nip behind a rock, armed with only a roll of toilet paper and some matches, she discovered that she loved the trip (albeit still not quite used to nipping behind a rock!) and decided that she wanted more. Trips to Turkey, Morocco (again), Kazakhstan, India, Peru and Nepal followed, with each trip being more strenuous and challenging than the last. That could only lead to one thing - mountaineering! In 2013 she decided to aim high and successfully summited Mera Peak in Nepal, which is classed as a 'trekking' peak. Despite the success, it highlighted to her the limits of her mountaineering skillset and how fortunate she'd been that nothing had gone wrong. Several high-quality mountaineering courses later and rather more experience under her belt saw her looking for a worthy challenge to help celebrate (or commiserate) turning 50 in 2016. And what better challenge than attempting an 8000m peak for the first time. On 1st October 2016, Charlene became the oldest British woman to summit Cho Oyu (8201m) and living proof that the most unlikely people can sometimes do the most surprising things - it's certainly been a surprise to her mother. As of March 2018, her Cho Oyu record still stands, but will be under threat in Spring 2018, when two British women will be vying for it. Charlene's next challenge is to attempt Ama Dablam in October 2018 Show notes Growing up in Scotland and joining the civil service Growing up as an only child, with not much interest in the outside Starting trekking in 2000 Hating PE and doing everything she could to get out of it Getting into mountain biking, but never describing herself as outdoorsy Breaking up with the boyfriend after 12 years Deciding not to spend Christmas and New Year alone Heading to Morocco to trek for 2 weeks and getting hooked! First time going on holiday by herself and feeling nervous Taking that first step and not knowing what to expect Why it’s about challenging yourself and not about other people Enjoying being uncomfortable and starting to understand more about her limits Dealing with lost luggage & how to handle it! Being shy and dealing with the group dynamics Developing fitness and starting to run - even though she doesn’t like running and would never call herself a runner! The Everest Marathon - being fit and healthy enough to start it. Rally Driving from Plymouth to Dakar (in a free car costing less than £100!)  Looking for a change in 2013! Deciding on mountaineering! Summiting Mera Peak in Nepal and wanting to see how she coped with the altitude Developing technical skills… while on the trip and doing courses to continue to develop the skills needed Tibet - 1st October 2016 - Climbing Cho Oyu (6th highest mountain in the world!) 8,201 metres! Wanting to do something special for her 50th birthday Summit night and struggling with acclimatisation and not knowing if she was going to make it  Reflecting back on what she’s achieved - especially in relation to knowing her own personal limits! What’s next!! - Climbing Ama Dablam in Oct 2018! Running and working with a personal trainer! Advice and tips for stepping outside your comfort zone and why going the commercial route could work for you How she funds her trips and why she pays for it herself Doing mountaineering for herself Social Media Twitter - @MadOldCatWoman  

Catching up with Anna-Marie Watson who we last spoke with a year ago. Anna-Marie constantly pushes her own mental and physical boundaries and has achieved considerable success at an elite international level in various endurance sports. Anna-Marie combines the disciplines of ultra running and long distance triathlon with the odd adventure race thrown in for good measure.   Her endurance journey spans over thirteen years with an initial gentle introduction with the London marathon (2004 and 2007), CCC race of the UTMB series (2007) and Everest Marathon (2007). Recent ultra-running career highlights include placing 7th lady in the Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc (2017), 1st lady in Half Marathon des Sables Fuerteventura (2017) and finishing 2nd lady in the Marathon des Sables (2015) .   Over the last two years Anna-Marie has achieved podium finishes in the multi day trail runs organised by XNRG Cotswolds Way, Round the Island, Devil's Challenge along the South Downs Way, then placed 1st Lady in the Brutal Events The ONER (130km) along the Jurassic Coast and Ultra Trail World Tour Future Series Cappadocia 110km Ultra in Central Turkey.  She also ventures over to the "dark side" of triathlon and has raced the Ironman 70.3 World Championships twice in Las Vegas and Mont Tremblant placing in the top third of her age group. Show notes The big goal of 2017 - UTMB  What is the UTMB - Ultra Trail Mount Blanc - 170Km The ultra of all ultras… The backstory to the race and why this race captured her imagination Spending time in Chamonix  Getting outside her comfort zone during the race What she’s learnt throughout the years! Racing in the dark and how she trains for it Building up the strength in her legs Rest and recovery, top tips - epsom salt baths & yoga toes! Focusing in on training for UTMB Going on a triathlon training camp  Planning her season very tactically Maintaining motivation while training especially when it’s cold and dark Biggest challenge to overcome while training - TIME! Struggling with balance The run up the race and why it wasn’t chill! Wanting to get going…. dealing with bad weather …. -9 Being on the start line.. what it was like! Having a goal for the race and why she wanted to enjoy it Wanting to give it her all The race and knowing the route! Routines at checkpoint Nutrition and managing nutrition while racing The moment which stood out during the race The mental mindset while racing! How to end the race strong - 7th women! 93rd overall! 1st British Lady! What she learnt from the race Being destroyed Half Marathon des Sables So what’s next…& creating the space for things happen! Ranking in races and winning a place at MDS 2018! Social Media Website & Blog:  www.rfmcoaching.com Twitter: @RFMCoaching Facebook: @RFMCoaching  Instagram: @RFMCoaching 

As her day job, Katherine works as a physiotherapist for the Swedish Olympic sailing team. In her double life she is a qualified Yachtmaster Ocean, offshore racer and has won international speed sailing competitions and the women's European title in her foiling Moth. She has sailed in the far north and rounded Cape Horn. However and wherever she has travelled, her inspiration has remained the same, to share the beauty and fun of playing outdoors and inspire everyone to follow their own adventure. Show notes Growing up in the Midlands Being a sailor since she was a young age Where her love of sailing came from Wanting to turn her hobby into a job Female role models growing up Going back to uni and training as a physics Working with the Olympic sailing team, and getting to head to London & Rio Sailing a ‘Moth’ Competing at the Europeans and the world championships Learning new skills & trying new boats out Meeting new people who became like a family Training to get in shape for sailing What it’s like at a sailing championships and how it all works What’s most challenging when competing The most memorable moment from competing  Staying calm under pressure Framing the situation and how it can help in situations Narwhal Expeditions and wanting to get more into the exploring of the world Wanting to share more of her travel experiences with other people Future expedition plans What life is like living on the boat full time Spending time in Scotland on Narwhal The ultimate dream… the North West Passage Book - How to have an Adventure Planning an expedition - top tips Making your expedition a reality and why it comes down to your mindset Chocolate bars…. and chunking it down into smaller pieces to make it more manageable Advice for finding your passion Why you need to listen to yourself Spending Spring in South America The bucket list! Wanting to learn to Scuba Dive! Advice and tips for your next challenge and why you need to get out there and make it happen! Social Media Website: www.NarwhalExpeditions.com  Facebook: @YachtNarwhal  Twitter: @YachtNarwhal  Instagram: @YachtNarwhal   

After receiving the sudden news of losing her father whilst on the other side of the world backpacking, Lindsey threw herself into adventure to deal with the grief. Having not ridden a bike since at school, she decided to cycle to Paris. She liked it. So, she cycled the length of Britain. She liked that too and then scaled the African continent. But, she didn’t just stick to adventuring on two wheels. She ran from her home in London to Manchester, carrying a ukulele to busk on arrival. Hearing the absurdity of her latest challenge, the local radio station got her to sing and play each night live. The only problem was that she couldn’t play or sing. She then turned to eight wheels, and roller skated to Paris, whilst learning en route. And, having been inspired by the story she read ten years earlier, she trekked for ten weeks on her own, across the Australian outback, following the Rabbit Proof Fence, retracing the amazing journey of three young sisters. Past Adventures 2017 - Truck Tales - circumnavigating Australia with Truck Drivers 2016 - Walking the Rabbit Proof Fence 2013 - To Bude in the Nude- 150 mile roller-skate to Bude in a nude suit, because it rhymed! 2013 - Je Parle Franglais en skates - Rollerskating to Paris whilst learning French 2013 - Running with Kenyans - Turned 30 and wanted to run a sub 3.0hr marathon. It didn't happen!  2012 - Runkule - 250 mile run to Manchester playing the ukulele 2012 - Running to Wales - Ran from London to see a friend for a cup of tea Show notes Living in France and writing a book How she would describe herself Growing up in London Where her love of travel came from Finishing university and taking a year out… One gap year turned into a 6 year adventure Doing a Masters in journalism Living in a boot room of a chalet at 35!  Any pressure to settle down? Not knowing what she wants to do! Dealing with rejection and how she got into adventure Learning about the death of her father and dealing with it at 24 years old Signing up to the London to Paris Cycle ride and why it helped her with her grief A break down of her different challenges Being average but still managing to surprise herself The thing she finds the hardest!  Researching the Rabbit Proof Fence and getting permission from the daughters of Daisy Doing survival training in preparation for the trip The number one tip in survival - DON’T PANIC Trevor the Trolly (named after her dad) Dealing with the wildlife in Australia.. snakes…spiders… Wanting to do the challenge on her own Not wanting the challenge to end Learning more about Molly  Hitching a ride around Australia with Truck Drivers Normality and not fitting in Plans for 2018?! The Book/Boyfriend Learning how to roller-skate! Not announcing her next challenge until she knows it’s going to happen Final words of advice Social Media Website & Blog - https://www.lindseycole.co.uk Twitter - @LindseyCole   Instagram - @Stompycole   

Cal is a stand up paddle boarder, surfer, ocean lover and vet. Increasingly upset by the amount of plastic waste she was finding in the ocean, she wanted to connect people to the harm that it was causing, but moreover to empower people to make positive changes to help prevent it. So she turned to adventure in 2016 she stand up paddle boarded the entire Cornish coast in a bid to demonstrate the problems surrounding single use plastic water bottles; a 260 mile epic ocean voyage. In 2017 she circumnavigated the Isle of Skye’s 400 miles of coastline on a paddle board! Cal also shares with us, what she has got planned in 2018! It's EPIC!!!  Show notes Living by the sea and why it is everything to Cal Being a surfer and a paddle boarder Paddle against Plastic Working as a vet part time Spending time in Australia and where she learnt to surf Falling in love with the sea Why surfing is so frustrating & why you have to persevere  Being a budding surfer and why it’s doesn't matter if you’re good or not Why she loves fell running over road running Why she started stand up paddle boarding Plastic pollution and how it impacted her personally What she decided to do about it! Dealing with the forces of nature and the challenges from the sea The mental challenge and doing her first ever expedition Deciding to paddle around the Isle of Skye in Scotland Spending time alone on the water, but being alone Dealing with a challenging situation while on expedition Eating flapjacks in an emergency situation The impact plastic has on the animals Why the problems are not unique to Skye Preparing for the trip, managing supplies such as food and water What she learns from going on these expeditions Adventuring with a purpose What individuals can do to change their own personal behaviour in the battle against plastic The ways to tackle plastic pollution Why you should switch it out The challenge in 2018! Twitter @major_cal  Paddle Against Plastic https://paddleagainstplastic.com  Paddle Against Plastic was set up by Cal Major in 2016 as a way to reach people and talk about the issue of plastic pollution. Paddle Against Plastic uses epic stand up paddle boarding adventures to capture peoples’ imagination, highlight the issue of plastic pollution so close to home, and to promote positive change by proposing simple solutions that we can all be proud and excited to be a part of. Cal was unable to stand the amount of plastic washing up on her favourite surfing beaches any more without doing something about it, and so Paddle Against Plastic: Cornwall 2016 was born as a way to reach out to people.

Katie-Jane L’Herpiniere has a passion for adventure, challenging her limits both physically and mentally, and exploring this wonderful world in which we live.  After university Katie had the opportunity to build a career as a commercial model, on fashion shows for household names such as Marks and Spencer’s, Tony & Guy and Alexander McQueen, photo shoots and a number of Film and TV projects including having body-doubled for Cameron Diaz.  Then in 2005, Katie met polar explorer Tarka L'Herpiniere,  and they were quick to find they had little in common. Tarka was less than impressed with her manicured nails and face full of makeup, likewise, Katie did not see Tarka as the ‘all-action hero’ that his accolades suggest, more a really ‘odd’ Frenchman who seemed to find enjoyment in throwing himself into frozen lakes! It wasn’t long before the facades were broken and by 2006 Katie had left behind her life as a model and made the gigantic leap from exhibitionist to expeditionist. In 2007, after 167 days and 4500km Katie & Tarka, in an incredible feat of determination, became the first recognised people to walk unsupported the entire length of the Great Wall of China, from its western most terminus to its eastern most.  From the completion of this challenge, Katie realised that any feeling of accomplishment, achievement or success is directly proportional to the effort, commitment and hardship put into achieving it.  Having discovered this newfound inner strength, she has since gone on to fill her life with many more adventures. Including; the longest crossing of the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap by a woman, cycling across Africa on a vintage African bicycle with no brakes or gears unsupported, raced in the Transcontinental unsupported single stage 4000km bike race across Europe, lived in a floating tent in -50C on the Arctic Ocean, and has nearly lost her life on many numbers of occasions. Show notes Living in France in a ski resort  Growing up in Devon, spending time outside and riding horses Being lazy by nature Meeting a polar explorer…. Tarka Being invited to walk to the North Pole! Deciding to walk the Great Wall of China! How her confidence evolved Being open to new challenges The conditions over in China Dealing with the 40 degree heat and having to be rescued Not being cut out for the expedition life Dealing with compression of the spine and shrinking by an inch Dealing with the biggest snow storm China had ever seen! Why she kept going, even though she cried every day of the journey What was it like finishing her first massive challenge 2 showers in 6 months…. Reflecting back on the journey which was completed over 10 years ago Their relationship while on expedition Starting to plan the next adventure, almost straight away! Being disheartened by adventure, and struggling to make a living from being an adventurer No adventure for 5 years… Discussing money… Living at home with parents to cover the day to day living costs Playing favourites with challenges Why she is happy to say no  Heading over to the Patagonia Ice Cap even having a fear of snow & ice… Stopping breathing & dying on the ice Waiting for a weather window to make a crossing, while living on half rations Making a plan to get off the icecap Mental tips and tricks to keep calm and to be resilient Working with a sports psychologist  Type 2 fun and not enjoying the experiences while she does them Making the transition to solo adventure Signing up for the Transcontinental Bike Race in Europe What a typical day was like while on the road - riding, eating & tears! When it all went wrong… Recovering from challenges Plans for 2018….The Silk Road Mountain Race (August 18th 2018) Advice for women and girls who want to lead a more adventurous life   Social Media Website: www.katiejaneendurance.com Instagram: @katielherpiniere  Facebook: @katiesenduranceadventures  

Jane was born in Edinburgh and brought up in North Yorkshire. After reading English at Somerville College, Oxford, she became an antiquarian book dealer, and later a writer. Her ten books to date have been critically acclaimed, and have confirmed her as one of our most engaging and original social historians. Jane lives near Oxford with her husband and - during university holidays - her two sons. She writes full time, apart from when she's happily travelling to give talks or broadcasts about her books, or working one day a week at Somerville College as an assistant archivist. Her most recent book came out in January 2018 - Hearts And Minds: The Untold Story of the Great Pilgrimage and How Women Won the Vote. This is a story of ordinary people effecting extraordinary change. By turns dangerous, exhausting and exhilarating, the Great Pilgrimage transformed the personal and political lives of women in Britain for ever. Jane Robinson has drawn from diaries, letters and unpublished accounts to tell the inside story of the march, against the colourful background of the entire suffrage campaign. Show notes Growing up in Yorkshire Her passion and love for books Getting interested in women travellers and women adventurers Meeting a collector from America and how her life changed Creating the first bibliography of women travellers “Wayward Women" - First hand travel accounts written by women Finding women, whose voices need to be heard Being inspired by these incredible women’s spirit Doing the research, one year to research and one year to write  Common themes of her work - looking at social history through women’s lives Women who headed out to the unknown, who wanted to see what was over the horizon  Being naive…  Dr Susie Rijnhart- a missionary based in China - travelling to Tibet Getting personally involved in the stories being researched  What she’s learnt from doing this research and writing the stories  2018 and writing the story of women and getting the vote Not being able to identify with the suffragettes  1913 - The Great Pilgrimage What is the definition of a suffragette? The Marches and the narrative behind it What was being shared in the women’s diaries  Dealing with the real fear of violence from being on the pilgrimage  Which women got the vote Reading newspaper accounts when women got the vote Her next book!   Visit her blog and website - http://www.jane-robinson.com

Hélène  has just come back to the UK after 18 months adventuring in her VW camper-van travelling with her bikes, and finding the best places to triathlon train in Europe! In 2016 Hélène represented Great Britain at Age Group level for the European ironman and half ironman championships in Poland and Austria, in 2017, it was Ironman Austria, where she qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii! Show notes Deciding to go on an adventure Heading to Europe to do triathlon Her introduction into road cycling and swimming Her first triathlon in 2004 How her love for triathlon evolved Getting to explore the countryside Joining a running club to make it more social Where are all the women? Why you don’t have to be amazing at it all Working and training and trying to get the balance in your life Deciding to do an Ironman…. with 3 months to train for it Dealing with anxiety and fear before a race and why self confidence is so important Being on the start line for Ironman Wales Learning to not worry about the things you can’t control When the gun goes off & the mass entry of 2,000 people into the water! The hills on the bike and why you need to pace yourself Being Celiac and how it impacts on her nutrition and training #VanLife Buying her van in a car auction… (Victor the van!) Planning and organised and why you don’t need to play your life to have an amazing time! Being a female solo traveller Leaving just before Brexit! July 2016 Expectations verses reality Getting through the tough days Racing triathlon in Poland Qualifying for the Ironman World Championships in Kona! 3 months…. training… and why it wasn’t all plain sailing… Learning to control her emotions Why the only person who is putting pressure on you is you The training plan Heading over to Hawaii! Feeling serene on the day The aggressive start in the swim Transition… and dealing with the wind The mental side of triathlon Plans for 2018 Advice for women and girls and why it wasn’t an easy decision to make Being Selfish and why you should go for it! Social Media Twitter - @WhereWheelsGo   Instagram - @WhereWheelsGo   Blog  - https://wherethewheelsgo.wordpress.com