Tough Girl Podcast

Jessica’s ‘adventure activism’ is, by her own admission, a bit of an accident as she hates exercise and considers herself to be the most unlikely athlete.    However, over the last decade she has been taking on some of the world’s most iconic physical and mental endurance challenges to turn the sadness she’s been through into something positive and at the same time raise awareness of what it means to struggle to conceive and to encourage new ways of thinking about family.    She has run the London Marathon; swum the English Channel; and is still on her journey to climb Mount Everest and complete the iconic ‘Pond to Peak’ Challenge.    She is a member of the British Mountaineering Council; The Ramblers; The Long Distance Walkers Association; and the Serpentine, Hampstead Ponds and Dover Open Water Swimming Clubs; and has used her sporting challenges to raise thousands of pounds for charity including Fertility Network UK.   We first spoke to Jessica in Oct 2018 - you can listen to that episode here:    https:/

Namratha believes one should find ways to be more grounded and closer to nature. She has found that for herself through meditation and trekking.    Namratha would love to do her part in encouraging people to pursue a healthy lifestyle. She always thinks that one should be mentally and physically fit to be able to do what one wants irrespective of the age.    Listen to Namratha as she shares more about her childhood, how she got into trekking and why she decided on this challenges, she talks us through her planning and preparation, how she dealt with the tough days and where her mental resilience comes from.   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast and subscribe - super quick and easy to do

Easkey on Freedom, Mindfulness and Connection:    Freedom - “I find freedom in movement, in nature, through new experiences. Freedom has the qualities of spontaneity, passion, flow, adventure, risk, independence and creativity. It’s about expressing myself creatively, doing what matters most, and the power of play.”   Mindfulness - “I’ve always believed surfing is an amazing tool for a mindfulness practice. It’s very much about mindfulness-in-movement. If I truly get into why I surf, it’s because we can enter this heightened state of awareness – a flow state where, if even just for a moment, there’s complete focus and immersion in the present.”   Connection - “Surfing helps me understand the meaning of connection. Surfing demands a letting go of expectations and requires our total presence in the moment so that we begin to take notice of our surroundings, to be a little awed and humbled through direct contact with nature.”   About Easkey:   Easkey is the first Irish woman to be nominated for the Global WSL B

Laura in her own words:   “I’m a 35 yo Veterinary Surgeon, ultra/long distance cyclist, hiker and runner who loves having adventures... and this year, 2022 I plan to break the tandem around the World Record with my husband Stevie.   I started out in life not at all sporty or fit but adventurous: white water kayaking, cycling, hiking and camping.     I realised mid-twenties I wanted to get fitter as well and this coincided with meeting Stevie and being introduced to long distance cycling where I completes a range of long distance events on solo and Tandem including the infamous Paris-Brest-Paris solo and Lejog on a tandem.     I then took up running and after a couple of false starts ran wainwright's coast to coast by myself in May with Stevie as support, 190miles in 5 days.  We have also completed some of the more epic long distance walks I the UK such as Offas Dyke and the Pennine Way, camping along the way with our dog Geoffrey (as well as West Highland way, Ridgeway and Hadrians wall)   2022 is the big one

Shilletha Curtis -  Trail name “Dragonsky” is 30 years old and is from New Jersey, USA.    She is an established writer and hiker and is inspiring to be the second Black woman to achieve the Triple Crown of hiking (The AT, PCT, CTD).    She recently completed the Appalachian Trail and is preparing for the Continental Divide Trail (CDT).    She graduated from Rutgers in 2014 and has worked in the social work and veterinary field for years.    She is currently working as a freelance writer and is working on her book.   Listen to Shilletha on the Tough Girl Podcast as she shares more about her life, her passion for hiking and spending time in the outdoors.   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons.    Support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpod

Helen in her own words:   “Full time global hobo cycling the world on AU$100/week creating vlogs, blogs, and photo’s as I go.   On the road in one form or another since 2004. I left the UK with a round-the-world ticket on what should have been my ‘year out’ but never properly returned.    Living out of a backpack ever since, I taught English in South Korea, travelling back overland along the Silk Road before emigrating to Australia in 2007 where a travel fundraising job meant I continued to move from place to place every week or two.   In Australia I took up bicycle touring and in 2016 set out on an ambitious first bike tour through the outback along the Gibb River Road, Tanami, and Oodnadata tracks.    In 2017 I returned to work for a year while training for and running the New York Marathon, before returning to full-time bicycle touring.   In spring 2018 I set out into The Beast From The East to ride a loop of the UK coast and down to Sicily and back.   In 2019 I rode up the Norwegian coast to the North Cap

Nocciola The Drawer (Hazel Oakes) is an artist and designer from the UK. She has lived in 8 different countries, visited almost 40 countries between 5 continents. She’s hiked the peaks of the Balkans, completed half marathons and the Athen’s marathon.    Hazel is military trained and has a joy for life, for sharing and inspiring other women to become more adventurous.    Hazel has a nomadic spirit and feels her sense of community with women anywhere in the world.   She specialises in bright, colourful, bold artwork that combines female characters with lively patterns. All with the aim to uplift, inspire, empower and celebrate women.   She is inspired by the seasons, women, childlike imagination, travel, making the most of the moment, street art and graffiti. She spends her time illustrating, creating large murals and drawing on anything (paper, canvas, plates, walls).    Nocciola The Drawer is spreading her joy of life one splash of colour at a time!      New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every T

Bio written by her friend:   “Sam, 47, has an interesting and diverse background, having Indian and English heritage and growing up between the UK, USA and Middle East.    Over the past few years she has set herself multiple challenges raising money for charity or just doing for fun.    In 2019, Sam set herself 12 challenges:  Cold Water Swimming Championships 10K Winter run Climbing one of the more challenging routes up Snowdon Swimathon (5k swim) Great Northern SwimRun (Lake Windermere) Selkie Henley Classic - night / dawn swim SwimRun Tooting Bec Running a half marathon Not drinking any alcohol for 28 days Marathon run North Downs 50k walk Trekking two marathons in two days through the desert   Unfortunately in late 2020, she was diagnosed with stage four cancer which was a huge blow to her, her family and friends. I certainly thought that would be the end of her adventuring and it felt immensely sad.    However Sam has a remarkable positive energy and outlook on life and has been determined to carry on

About Person Irresponsible in her own words:   "In 2020 the world went to hell in a handbag. This isn’t exactly headline news - although it was then. I went from perfectly locatable in the Cotswolds to utterly baffled in the American wilderness when I embarked on a quest to walk from Mexico to Canada for reasons that escape me. It was most probably nothing more dramatic than a mid-life crisis.   Perhaps I should have come ‘home’ but I lived in the deluded optimism the pandemic would all be over by the summer. Besides, I’d given up my home: shoving my belongings into storage, persuaded someone to look after my cat and someone else to look after my car.    I did think about returning but each time I popped into civilisation to top up my supplies, I discovered a new reason to run for the hills. So 'home' became a tent: a mere flimsy bit of fabric to protect me from every conceivable terror that exists in the wilderness - bears, rattlesnakes, deserts, avalanches and other human beings. Most dangerous of all was t

Leah was born in Canada, conceived in Israel, and raised in Vancouver, B.C. by new immigrant parents.   Growing up in Richmond, B.C., daughter of a boxer. Leah became involved in martial arts, Tae Kwon Do and Kickboxing. After being told she should never fight again because she had herniated disks in her back, Leah won the Bantamweight World Kickboxing Championship at age 17, against a 25 year old fighter a foot taller than she was!   Leah felt a deep desire to serve her time in the Israeli Army, (a mandatory 2 years for women and 3 years for men).    Leah knew that she wouldn’t be satisfied just being a soldier, she wanted to become the first woman ever to be an Elite Commando. She didn't just become an elite commando, she became a Krav Maga specialist, and became the first female Elite Commando Instructor.   After leaving the Army, Leah pursued a career as a professional cyclist in Europe and North America. After a serious accident in 2005, Leah spend 2.5 months in the hospital where she was informed by do

Kristen (she/her) is originally from Toronto and has been living in the Northwest Territories for nearly four years.    Kristen is a former journalist that enjoys writing about social issues and outdoor lifestyles.    When she's not cooking delicious meals, Kristen can be found exploring the Northwest Territories and promoting diversity in outdoor spaces with her organization Amplify Outdoors.   About Amplify Outdoors:   “Amplify Outdoors was established to elevate and encourage diversity in outdoor spaces. Recognizing a lack of representation of people of colour (POC) and marginalized groups in marketing campaigns geared towards outdoor lifestyle, Amplify Outdoors hopes to change existing narratives that perpetuate societal stereotypes about 'who' should enjoy nature and 'who' is considered outdoorsy.   Amplify Outdoors believes that representation is important, and we strive to provide products that empower and amplify diversity in outdoor landscapes and activities.    Ultimately, our goal is for outdoor sp

Eleanor Carey is the first Australian woman to row across the mid-Pacific Ocean. Rowing 2,400 miles from California to Hawaii. Spending 62 days at sea in a 7.5m ocean rowing boat with two other women, as she battled extreme seasickness, sleep deprivation, multiple hurricanes and forty foot waves to set two Guinness World Records as part of a trio.   A true adventurer at heart, Eleanor has also cycled solo across Europe, conquered a 100km ultra-marathon and completed many more multi-day human powered journeys worldwide.   Through these extreme journeys, Eleanor has learned the power of adventure therapy and nature’s ability to assist in healing, overcoming trauma and to fuel personal growth.   Eleanor is driven to help others experience the power of adventure for themselves, improve wellbeing and nurture the ability to step into the unknown.   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is s

Born the youngest of 6 children and raised in small town in Northern B.C. Canada, Julie never expected she would end up in Mongolia, feeding, caring for and educating hundreds of Mongolian children in need at her two Children of the Peak Sanctuary or Narnii Huuhduud charity kindergartens. She and her husband, Chelvan, a Mining Engineer and the President of Veloo Foundation, have lived and worked in Indonesia, Australia and The United States before settling in Mongolia.   During her 10 years here, Julie has taken up horse back riding and now, every year, with Saraa and Baagii of Horse Trek Mongolia hosts and rides the longest annual charity ride on the planet – The Gobi Gallop – along with a suite of other charity rides across Mongolia.    In 2022 she will ride the record breaking 3,600 km / 84 day Blue Wolf Totem Expedition to raise funds for her charity project projects.    All of the money the people pay for these rides stays in Mongolia and helps the children, local businesses, artists and artisans and lo

Gowri is a naturalist and environmental educator who loves finding an excuse to be outdoors in nature—and climbing is one of her favourite excuses.    Gowri grew up climbing trees and scrambling on rocks in India, she went on to become an outdoor guide in the Peruvian Amazon.    Gowri currently teaches nature connection to kids in Upstate NY and India and also teaches Indian women climbing.    A few years ago she received the Live your Dream Grant given by American Alpine Club and the North Face to climb her hardest project to date, called French Indian Masala (7b+/5.12c), in India.   In 2018 she initiated the first-ever Indian women's climbing meet up in India to mentor and teach women climbing, called CLAW or Climb Like A Woman. She hopes to keep teach climbing, inspire more women to climb, and teach nature connection to the larger outdoor community through her new initiative Wilderness Ways.    Listen to Gowri now!!!   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time

Anna is an up and coming British trad climber based in the Lake District. She has multiple climbs in the E6-E8 range on her CV and favours bold and often unprotectable climbs   Anna started climbing at age 10.    Competitions didn't really suit her, and she quit the sport in her teens for a while before getting into outdoor bouldering age 17.    At 19, on a family holiday, she discovered she had a taste for hard trad and hasn't looked back.   Anna has lived in the Lake District all her life and works as a route-setter at Kendal Wall.     Anna's 2019 climbing spree* Lake District climbs   8 July, Disorderly Conduct E8 6c, lead, Reecastle Crag, Cumbria 26 June, Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow E5 6b, solo onsight, Hare Crags, Cumbria 27 May, Right Hare, Right Now E7 6c, lead, Hare Crags, Cumbria 22 May, Scrogbank Ravers E7 6c, lead, White Mines, Rusty Wall, Cumbria 20 May, No Nuts (Just Balls) E7 6b solo, Harrop Tarn Crag, Cumbria 4 May, Relentless Rage E7 6a, lead, Gouther Crags, Cumbria 29 April, Hang the Gallows H

Annie in her own words:   “My adventure career began with climbing, when I ticked off nearly every single box of "Mistakes to Avoid While Trad Climbing Outside" on my first ever outdoor trad climb. I survived and went on to see what other mistakes I could make that would not kill me.    I took my bike on the 3000KM solo ride to the Nordkapp at age of 26.    My latest adventure feat is successfully running a solo 1000KM Ultramarathon from the Lowest to Highest point of Germany, after having started running only six months prior.    I am also the comic artist for BotsAndBrainz, and have set my base camp in Berlin, Germany, where I’m working on my PhD in neuroscience on the mechanics of learning and memory.   And here's something a little more personal on me (and my book): The Nordkapp trip changed my life not because I actually physically managed to cycle 3000K. It changed my life because it was something I did entirely on my own, dependent on only myself, after coming out of years of abusive relationships. I t

About Pammy:   Born in the 60’s in inner city Coventry to a Sikh immigrant family. At 16, a school trip introduced her to the mountains where she experienced the WOW moment that changed her life. A force much bigger than her took her to explore wild landscapes of the world! Not something her parents or community were keen on. “It’s not what our girls do!.. what will everyone say??!!” Her drive was so strong she did it anyway at the risk of totally losing her world.   She encountered many complex and painful challenges with people of all backgrounds including her own family/community. Through these emotional and physical challenges, she discovered her own core values. This was a journey of self-discovery, understanding and respecting differences and a passion for environmental protection.   Pammy has been an outdoor/environmental practitioner since 1979 and in 1995 it struck her hard as she noticed the lack of Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic role models in the sector, at every level, from service users to

Minnesota native. Earned a teaching degree from the University of Oregon and taught a short few years before joining a team to dogsled to the North Pole.    As first known woman to travel across the ice to the top of the world, I made a promise to not only follow my dreams but create something bigger than my own personal ambitions.    All my expeditions since have education with them - thus inspiring millions of kids. One focus always is helping girls and women find their voice and potential in whatever they do.    This theme traveled as I became first women to ski to both poles, lead the first all women's expedition to the South Pole in 1992/93 - Lead a team of all women across Greenland 1992 and later cross Antarctica with Liv Arnesen. 2000/01. Many wonderful trips in between on rock and snow, or on water - frozen and liquid.    I started the Ann Bancroft Foundation in Minnesota that gives small monetary grants to girls to try an experience to find courage to find their way in the world as strong and confi

As she approached middle age, Marcia discovered a love for getting on her bike and riding a long way. In fact, when things got tough cycling regularly saved her sanity.    In 2020 she had her sights on riding the Race around the Netherlands, but Covid put an end to that, at least for that year.    But feeling the fittest she had ever been, and not wanting to waste a winter of hard training she cooked up a domestic adventure instead, and because the first woman to have attempted cycling the 1,725 miles from Lands End to John o’Groats and back!   By completing this long distance challenge, Marcia raise £'000's for her local branch of mental health charity MIND and bagged herself a Guinness World Record!   Learn all about Marcia, her passion for cycling and what she’s learned from taking on this challenge.    New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly finan

Preeti in her own words:   “I come from the land of beyuls, the sacred valleys according to Himalayan Buddhism, where the physical and spiritual world connect with each other.    Running through some of the most spectacular landscapes and remote regions of Nepal has made me experience that the health and wellbeing of people largely depend on the natural environment around them and vice versa.    Through my work as both an engineering consultant and trail run organizer, I try to present this experience to both Nepali and international diaspora that I get to work with.    While my company, Nepal Trail Series is at the very early stage of its operation, but it is moving ahead intentionally to bring forward both physical and spiritual experiences of my country in a running package.    The company is female-run and provides professional opportunities for rare talented strong female athletes of Nepal."   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Hit the subscribe but