Tough Girl Podcast

Emily is an oceans advocate, skipper and artist; a graduate of Cambridge University with a degree in Architecture; and Director of global organisation Pangaea Explorations. She is the youngest and only female recipient of Yachtmaster of the Year, awarded by HRH Princess Royal after rounding the planet on the record-breaking biofuelled boat, Earthrace; spending 6 months living on a tiny Tongan island organising the largest ever community led cleanup; and discovering previously unknown oceanic gyres – huge areas of marine plastic pollution accumulation. Her organisation, Pangaea Explorations, specialises in enabling scientists, filmmakers and everyday people to explore the most remote parts of our planet to collect data on global issues and develop solutions to the challenges facing today’s society. Show notes Emily introduces herself and shares more about what she does and why she loves the ocean Joining the boat “Earthrace”  at 21 and having the opportunity to travel the world. What Emily learnt about herself while traveling at such a young age and how it changed the direction of her life What the ocean taught her about living in the moment and why you need to reacts and respond to your external circumstances.  Explaining the role of ocean advocate and what she does to create positive change  Heading out to Tonga to help educate the people, work with the local government, and arranging a massive clean up of the coast line The Pangaea Exploration Studying the plastic pollution of the oceans and how micro plastics are impacting on the planet Exploring Greenland by sailing along the North West Passage & seeing the raw beauty of the Arctic  Becoming a skipper and what she’s learnt about leadership from the role Her first big trans-atlantic crossing & the challenges she faced and overcame Feeling like a fraud and faking it till you make it Exploring Mindsets & why a shift in thinking can change the world Exploring the Mississippi  Questions to ask yourself in order to find out your values Finding out what’s next for Emily and why she heading back to land   Links for Emily! Emily Penn Website  Emily Penn twitter @EmilyPenn  Instagram @MissEmilyPenn  Emily Penn on Facebook  Pangaea Exploration    Come say hi to me on twitter -  I’m @_TOUGH_GIRL Help the Tough Girl Podcast get to 100,000 downloads by 4th August 2016! - Tell your friends about the Tough Girl Podcast!!! Share these inspirational stories! A massive thank you to everyone who has become a patron! You too can support the Tough Girl Podcast from $2 to $5 per month!  CLICK HERE! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Belinda has worked on numerous major international expeditions over the last 22 years; as a diver, field biologist, expedition leader, expedition manager, and award winning adventure film-maker.  She founded Explorers Connect with the belief, “there is an explorer in everyone and adventure is one of the best things in life”. Her goals are to; inspire and support the adventure community through collaboration and connections. Show notes Having a wild childhood and growing up feral on a small island How the Duke of Edinburgh Award changed the direction of her life Making the decision when she was 18 years old to spend a year working and traveling in Africa Dealing with the challenges that Africa threw her way and why she decided to continue travelling Why heading off to Africa on her own was the best decision she ever made Leadership skills and what makes a good leader Her rowing challenge around Great Britain and getting a Guinness World Record at the same time Why she decided on this rowing challenge and why she needed to do something that she could fail at Why she set up Explorers Connect Advice about money and funding for expeditions The adventure industry and how it has changed over the years  Why women are changing the adventure industry slowly and what you can do to help to keep the momentum going Final words of advice to inspire you to go on your own adventure and why you need to start now!!! Links Wild Night Out Britain’s first adventure festival for grown-ups “Base Camp Festival”.  Explorers Connect Belinda’s Website   Say hi to Belinda on twitter @ExplorersTweet - I’m also on twitter @_TOUGH_GIRL   Help the Tough Girl Podcast get to 100,000 downloads by 4th August 2016! - Tell your friends about the Tough Girl Podcast!!! Share these inspirational stories!    

  The Explorers’ Grand Slam is the ultimate adventure challenge that involves climbing the world’s highest peaks on each of the seven continents as well as trekking to the geographic North and South poles. Masha began her Explorers' Grand Slam challenge in October 2015 she has now scaled the world’s highest peaks on each of the seven continents – Everest (Asia), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Vinson Massif (Antarctica), Aconcagua (South America), Carstensz Pyramid (Australasia), Mt. Elbrus (Europe) and Denali (North America) as well as trekked to the geographic North and South poles. The extraordinary demands of the challenge mean she's been pushed to the edge of her physical endurance and mental resilience. She's spent over a 100 days in a tent and spent three weeks trekking on skis to the North and South Poles in -40C weather and exposed herself to the “death zone” – the high altitude above 8,000 where there is not enough oxygen for humans to breathe. Only two other people have completed the Explorers' Grand Slam challenge (including the two poles) in under a year and just 45 in total. The previous female world record title holder was Vanessa O’Brien who completed the record in 11 months. Masha did it in 8 months! Show notes Early years and growing up and not being athletic! Falling in love with the mountains and getting that sense of achievement from adventure What the Explorers’ Grand Slam is and how it came about Negotiating time with the family to make time for the challenge Remembering back to taking the first step of the challenge The importance of having a sounding board What aspect of the challenge worried her the most and why Getting fit and building up her endurance Starting the Explorers Grand Slam with climbing Kilimanjaro in 24 hours Everest and attempting the summit Dealing with fragility and how it became a story about grit Teaming up with Lydia Bradey and deciding to climb or not with the potential for 50 mph winds on the way What they had to do, to remain safe on the mountain.  Knowing your limits and why you need to put things into perspective  Getting off Everest and why that can be the riskiest part Grit & Rock the charity, how it came about and why its so important for young women What Masha learned most about herself throughout this experience.  What her children thought about her adventure and how its changed her children Check out the Grit & Rock Website for more info!  A massive thank you to everyone who has become a patron! You too can support the Tough Girl Podcast from $2 to $5 per month!  CLICK HERE! You can listen to the Tough Girl Podcast on iTunes, Soundcloud & Stitcher! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Love running? Do you want to take it to the next level? Fancy doing an ultra marathon?  Listen to Ellie as she shares her running journey from PE lessons in Dundee, her first half marathon, before moving over to Canada and starting to run to meet new people. She’s gone on to win some of the most famous ultra races in the world, some of her race highlight include:- -Comrades Marathon (89km) 1st place, South Africa. (2014, 6:18:15, downhill course)  -Western States 100 mile Endurance Run Course Record, California, USA. (2012, 16:47:19) -Comrades 89km 2nd place, South Africa.  (2012, 6:08:24, downhill course) -IAU World 100km Champion, Gibraltar (2010, 7:29:05) and Doha, Qatar (2014, 7:30:48)   Show notes Learning more about her childhood and being sporty at a young age.  Where it all started with the Great North Run at 21 years old The journey of how she made a career out of running Getting her first sponsorship in 2008 and how that helped with accountability Joining a more competitive running club. Making the transition from running the marathon to her first 50K Why having fun is so important while running Her running goals and how they impact on her races and her race strategy going forward Representing Great Britain and wanting to be the best she can be Her physical preparation and training back in 2010 and how it has changed over the years How ultra racing has changed and become more popular over the past few years Learning more about Comrades Marathon held in South Africa each year and why its such a special race.  Her first Western States and it being her first 100 mile race Racing 950km in 2012 and being on a total roll with regards to wining races all over the world. Dealing with injury Her mental preparation for Comrades when she went back in 2014 Why having a running coach is a good idea Her top tips for taking those first steps into running an ultra   You can learn more about Ellie by visiting her website or following her on Facebook.

Anna is based in London and back in the day she represented Great Britain at rowing, but after ‘retiring’ in her mid twenties, she started a “normal" job but the desire for adventure never left her. In 2013 she set out to cycle 11,000 miles through each and every state of the USA, and most recently she became the first person to run the whole length of New Zealand. Along the Te Araroa trail. She ran it solo and unsupported, stopping off to speak to over 4,000 school children on the way.  Show notes  -Anna share more about her background and what it was like growing up in the McNuff Family! -What it was like being the daughter of two Olympians -Why she wanted to be an Olympian -Representing Great Britain in rowing and making the decision to stop. -Losing her sense of identity and deciding who she was and what she wanted to do next -Entering the corporate world & being excited by it! -Trying to fit adventures in around her work -2013 - The urge for adventure became too much and she decided to scratch the itch!! -Why you always have a choice! -Making sacrifices to make her dream happen -The highlights from cycling America - from Alaska, to the National Parks -The challenges she faced during her cycle and how she overcame them.  -Coping with her emotions - The Snowball, The Doubtress, The Dream Dumpers -The post adventure blues & how to deal with them -Running the full length of New Zealand and how the challenge came about -Her mental and physical preparation for the challenge - Making herself ‘bomb proof’! -What she learnt most about her brain while out running  -#AnnaRuns -Her “cheerleaders” only day!!! -Why it was important for her to speak to children along the way to share her story with the goals of getting them excited about the planet. -Advice around failure and why it’s about perception and perspective. -Anna shares her mission for kids & adults -Her future challenge - An exclusive on the Tough Girl Podcast!!!   Anna is 100% passionate about the positive impact adventure and sports can have on the lives of young people. Anna uses her human powered journeys as a platform to inspire and motivate children, to get outside, and get exploring the world they live in.    To learn more about Anna visit her website www.annamcnuff.com. Anna is also on twitter @AnnaMcNuff - Give her a shout out once you’ve listened to this episode!   A massive thank you to everyone who has become a patron! You too can support the Tough Girl Podcast from as little as $2 to $5 per month!  CLICK HERE!   Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!  

This episode has been sponsored by Four Athletics - for a 20% discount use the promo code ToughGirl20! Jules is currently based in the UAE, she was the first female to start an adventure & travel company in the Middle East. After climbing her first mountain when she was 40, she decided to create Mountain High. For the past 13 years, she has been leading expeditions around the world, writing books, and giving motivational talks. During this podcast Jules talks about the following:- Jules introduces herself and tells us how Mountain High came about Climbing her first mountain when she turned 40 and how it changed the direction of her life.  Why age is a lifestyle and not just a number Her 40th birthday and the importance of “Zero Limit Birthdays” Why climbing mountains can be a great metaphor for life The “mountain high” moment and how it took her a year to gain the courage to start her company Trekking to base camp at Everest Advice and tips around courage and why courage is like a muscle you need to exercise and use on a regular basis. Why you have to know your - WHY!! Her first Arctic Expedition with 18 other women and what she learnt about her place in the world. Training a team of breast cancer survivors for a dragon boat race Visiting Tibet and being at high altitude. The success factor and the psychology of success The way of the Warrior! Tips & advice for starting off in meditation. Jules shares more about her daily routine and her rituals to help her achieve her goals. The Power of Three - Her mind, body & spirit. Dealing with FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real - What are your fears? Writing her first book - Moving Mountains Discover the Mountain in You To learn more about Jules - Please visit her personal website or her company website. Jules is also on twitter @mountainhighme   A massive thank you to everyone who has become a patron! You too can support the Tough Girl Podcast from as little as $2 to $5 per month!  CLICK HERE!   You can listen to the Tough Girl Podcast on iTunes, Soundcloud & Stitcher!   Thank you to Four Athletics for their sponsorship!

  Let me introduce you to Nikki Kimball!! Nikki has had a phenomenal running career and she is a living legend in the world of Ultra running. She has been a member of the US 100K Team from 2001 to 2006, she has won the Western States 100 in 2004, 2006 and 2007. She has also won the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in 2007 and the Marathon de Sables in 2014!  During this podcast we discuss; how she got into running, ultra running, dealing with pain and depression. Nikki also provides advice and tips to help you with your own personal challenges, whether that’s running or dealing with depression. Show notes Nikki shares about her childhood and how she was a skier first, before transitioning into running Not feeling like a runner because of body image issues Accidentally running her first ultra! The race that scared her the most - Running the Long Trail in Vermont - A very technical, challenging 272 miles!  Learning more about the off shoot of ultra running - Fastest Known Time running and the 3 ways you can do it.  The physical training she does for ultra & the logic behind it Dealing with the pain, and her top tips for embracing the pain and using it to your advantage How to get the balance right between doing enough training without getting over trained.  Tips for recovery after a hard training session or a 100 mile race. Why she’s advocating for recovery lounges. What she eats while training, and racing and why she made the transition from vegetarian to a meat eater!  Why she changed  from High Carb:Low Fat to Low Carb:High Fat Her Marathon des Sables experience in 2014 and why she wasn’t in the right frame of mind before the race Why she won’t race where the prize money isn’t equal for men and women Living with depression from a young age and how it’s impacted on her life. Trying to come off medication and not being able to succeed and how’s she combined exercise with medication to help her. Talking about depression and the steps she took to get help and why she’s talking about her own experiences. Being part of the documentary “Finding Traction” that followed her journey running the fastest known time on Vermont’s Long Trail (272 miles) – 5 days, 7 hrs, 42min Advice and tips for women who want to take up running. Discussing her favourite race and the reasons why! Talking about her race strategies,which involve having fun and being relaxed! Trainers - being sponsored and the number of trainers she goes through!!! The ultimate race & challenge she would like to do! Connect with Nikki on Facebook you can also like - Tough Girl Challenges on Facebook ! Listen to this episodes on iTunes, Soundcloud or Stitcher! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!  

Show notes Sally shares how she first got into sailing and the pathway shetook to get to the Olympics in Beijing Sailing at university and how she moved from being a new memberof the crew to leading the team Deciding to become a professional sailor and how she followedher passion What was involved in the 6 year campaign of getting to theOlympics. How she kept motivated over the years   The type of sailing she was doing and how it works in scoringfor the Olympics What she’s learnt about teamwork from sailing as part ofcrews Heading over to China, and dealing with the differentchallenges before the games even started. What happened in the the final medal race The learning Sally took away from that experience Taking a break from sailing and getting over the sense offailure and loss “The hardest sailing you will ever do” being a member of thefirst all female team for SCA in the Volvo OceanRace  What it was like being out on the boat; the day to day routine,working for 4 hrs on, 4 hrs off, dealing with the pressure ofracing while out at sea and keeping the focus on driving the boatforward Learning as much as they could while sailing, and dealing withthe highs and lows while out at sea Dealing with set backs, never giving up and fighting all theway to the finish line The training they needed to do, to get as fit and strong aspossible before the race starts. Getting respect from the guys for the job they were doing The reasons behind the MagentaProject and what their aims are The challenges going forward especially around gainingsponsorship  Why you should give sailing a go! “Thank you for showing girls and women around the worldthat we can accomplish anything and to dream big. Your perservence,drive and commitment to this gruelling competition is inspiring.” Billie Jean King  The MagentaProject - aims to increase the participation of women atthe highest level of sailing and promote inclusion, diversity andpositive female role models in society at large. The Tough Girl Blog was highly commended at the UK Blog Awards2016!  Check out the Tough Girl blog to learn more about theinspirational women on the Tough Girl Podcast

In 2003 Lois decided she’d had enough of working at the BBC and decided to leave it all behind to take a trip on her motorcycle. She headed to Alaska and started the twenty-thousand miles journey  down to the southern most tip of South America. This was the start of many epic adventures.  During this podcast Lois shares the reasons behind the decisions she’s made, the highs, the lows, what she’s learnt on the way and why everyone should take a trip and go travelling. Show notes -Lois introduces herself and shares more of her story; how being a bored 29 year old, passing her motorcycle test and having itchy feed led to the adventure of a lifetime -Deciding to make a big change in her life and how you can make that change -Deciding to get her motorcycle licence and why she decided this was the way to see the world -Planning and preparing for the 20,000 mile ride -Dealing with FEAR - your own and others -Why you do need to modify your behaviour and apply common sense to situations -Crossing the border from California into Mexico -Having a goal to keep you focused and something to aim for -The challenges she faced while out on the road; crashes, breaking down, getting lost! -What she learnt about herself while travelling -Her feelings on getting to the end of the trip  -Taking on Africa - “The greatest motorcycle challenge in the world!” -Why it’s always about the people the meet -The logistic of travelling - Map reading, GPS systems, getting lost in big cities! -Why she decided to go to Iran -Her top tips for women who want to go travelling or go on an adventure! Say hi to Lois on twitter @LoisPryce - I’m also on twitter @_TOUGH_GIRL Lois co-founded The Adventure Travel Film Festival with her husband. This will be happening in the UK on the 12-14th August - You can get your tickets HERE!

Julie Creffield is a women on a mission. She wants to get One Million women in the UK active and running. She’s focused on the women who don’t get any support, the women who may feel they’re too fat, too overweight, and too curvy to do exercise.  Julie has been providing people wrong over the years, she was told by a doctor she was “too fat to run” she wasn’t -  she went on to run a marathon.  People have been telling her all her life she’s too fat to do things, she decided enough was enough. Just because you weren’t slim or you don’t fit the stereotypical image of what a women should look like doesn’t mean you can’t do exercise and Julie’s proof of this. No matter your size, you’ll be able to relate to Julie and the message she’s spreading. Show notes How the blog idea came about, and how its developed as Julie has grown more comfortable in her own skin Going back to start and finding out more about Julie and what drives and motivates her Getting the wake up call, when a child shouted “Run Fatty Run” Not having the confidence to join a running club, and being embarrassed about running outside. The far off dream of running a marathon… The discrimination of women based on their size. The judgement women are constantly under and why it can be easier to not run Why larger women need to be more visible. Why women of all sizes can get outside and run Her take on running clubs, but why they don’t necessarily work for working mothers with children. How being a part of a running club can help you become part of a community and can help with accountability. One Big Fat Run - A virtual 5K that takes place on the last Sunday of every month Why it’s about the participation at the end of the day! Her experience of running the London Marathon and what she learnt most about herself  Top tips for women who want to get out there and start running.  Her program; from couch to 5K and why its not just about the distance, but also about facing fears, creating new habits and becoming a runner. Facing individuals personal fears; from being seen in public, telling your partner you want to run, wearing lycra, to getting fitted for trainers for the first time. How running has changed her habits for the better The Brighton Marathon & why the race stands out for her Dealing with race pressure and how she learnt to cope with it Why she’s not concerned about loosing weight anymore - and why for her its about living a healthy and happy life at any size. Why its about living in the NOW! Confidence and why you need to understand your WHY! Richard Branson’s Virgin Business Competition - VOOM! Her mission - to get 1 Million overweight women in the UK running!  Final words of advice and why you need to learn to trust yourself and make your own decisions - Put Health & Happiness at the forefront of your life. Become a Patron! Support the Tough Girl Podcast - CLICK HERE! If you’ve enjoyed this episode please share with a friend!  Help to spread the word about the Tough Girl Podcast!