Tough Girl Podcast

Ursula Martin has spent the last two years walking alone from Kiev, Ukraine across Europe, over the Alps, to start on the Camino which would take her all the way to Santiago de Compostela, before heading on to the most westerly point of Spain, Finisterre and reaching the Atlantic Ocean. It was then time to turn around and head home, just 1,000 miles to get back to Wales.    Ursula finished her epic solo journey on June 6th 2021 in Llanidloes, where she was joined by friends and family for the final 10 miles.   Throughout her walk, Ursula had to deal with the covid pandemic, and having to decide whether or not to carry on and how to carry on safely. Ursula handled lockdowns in France, loneliness on the Camino St James and being on a tight budget. Ursula didn’t get sponsorship and funded the trip through savings, and supporters via Patreon.     Now back at home, Ursula can rest her feet, stretch her body and take the time needed to recover, while reconnect with her family.   Ursula is already planning another w

In May 2019, Nadhira Al Harthy became the first Omani woman and the second Omani to climb Mount Everest.    The inspiration for wanting to climb Mt. Everest was meeting the first Omani man, Khalid Al Siyabi who summited in 2010. Nadhira was so inspired by his achievement, that she decided in 2017 that she too wanted to climb the highest mountain in the world.    Up until this point Nadhira was not sporty and was not really that active, she was starting everything from zero. She had no knowledge of the mountains, and had never been climbing before. Nadhira gave herself two years to gain the skills and knowledge needed to achieve her dream.    Khalid, was now a good friend and had become her mentor and trainer. He designed her physical training plan and had her running, hiking, climbing and lifting weights as well as working on her mindset.    Nadhira kept all of this a secret from her friends and family and only told them two months before she headed off to Nepal in 2019. Whilst at Everest base camp, preparing

Ellen in her own words:   I was a late starter to living more adventurously: in my late-thirties I realised that maybe I hadn’t left it too late and began to push my boundaries.     I gained my Hill and Moorland Leader qualification and after cycling a section of the Camino de Santiago in 2017 I set my sights on a cold adventure.     With 42 being the answer to life, the universe and everything I planned and trained for an expedition on Svalbard in the high arctic in 2020 when I was 42.     But just two weeks before leaving, covid cancelled everything. And cancelled again in 2021.     The only thing to do was set a challenge I could do during lockdown and so the Cheshire Challenge was born.     Searching for long distance walks local to home, I found there are 25 long distance trails that start or finish in Cheshire totalling 1500km and I’m walking them all.     I love the wilder mountains and moors but lockdown has made me appreciate what is on my doorstep, but I still have my sights set on Svalbard. Third t

Sufiya worked in the aviation industry for almost 10 years before she started her running career in 2017 when she ran her first half marathon in Delhi.    After starting running and realising the benefits for her health, it became her passion and she decided to quit her job and focus full time on running. Sufiya has combined her passion for running while promoting her message of HOPE (Humanity, Oneness, Peace, Equality) through her runs.   Sufiya is now a professional ultra-runner with three years of experience in ultra-running and long run expeditions.   In 2018, Sufiya became the fastest female to complete the Great Indian Golden Triangle Run (720 km in 16 days) and entered the India Book of Records.    Taking forward her message of ‘HOPE’, Sufiya took on her next big challenging by deciding to run from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. She completed the run of 4,000 km in just 87 days in 2019 entered the Guinness Book of World Records!    Sufiya shares more about her running journey and the challenges she has faced

Vici is a University administrator who finds her happy place in a pair of running shoes. She's been running for over 10 years, sparked by the dream to join the thousands of people at the start line of the London Marathon. She finally got her London medal in 2016 and has been inspired to push her limits even further with ultra distances and tackling trail in the hills and glens of Scotland. Vici wants to inspire the everyday woman to lace up and get out the door to feel those endorphins and appreciate how incredible the human body is, and how a strong mind can help you to unlock your potential. On Vici's office wall, you'll find countless race numbers and medals to remind her of the many happy memories she's made whilst both chasing personal bests and just having a good time, enjoying the scenery. As well as running, Vici has also walked the West Highland Way (with her husband) and the Great Glen Way (solo) and is planning an epic adventure exploring some of Scotland's most beautiful islands. Vici is learning

Jasmine is based in San Jose, California and recently graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Business & Environmental Studies.   In 2020 Jasmine was inspired by Beau Mills and his 24hr Marathon Challenge - she loved this idea of running 1.1 mile every hour and decided to do her own version of the challenge. Jasmine wanted to raise awareness around issues including police brutality, running alone as a female and Missing Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).    Jasmine dedicated each mile she ran to a different individual who has been a victim of police brutality or violence.   Jasmine first started running in college and soon discovered an issue with the hydration options available for her to take on longer runs. Soon after, she founded  Vessel Athletics, a functional activewear brand for runners, launching the world’s first Hydroshirt, a shirt that integrates a removable hydration pack, allowing athletes to seamlessly hydrate on runs, without the need for a heavy hydration backpack, flimsy water belt, or bot

Hannah "The Destroyer" Jennings is a Strength & Mental Process Coach.   For over the past 10 years Hannah has been lifting weights and building an unstoppable mental process to ensure she performs at her best in both competitions and in life.    Hannah has competed at State, National, and World Level Championships. She has been the West Virgina State Lightweight Women (LW) Strongman Champion and holds the World Record in the Mouser Block Press (LW category).   Hannah is a coach who helps female athletes to bust past mental blocks and to level up. She helps women understand what having the right mindset and building strength can truly do for them.    Hannah has a Masters in Sport Science with a background in Powerlifting and Strongman.    “Once the mental process is in place training and life take on a new meaning. The fear, insecurity, self doubt, and frustration are gone and confidence and strength take its place.”   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time

Sam Ortiz (she/her) is a plus size, Latinx, rock climber, mountaineer, and adventure photographer based in WA state. Sam is the founder of Climb Big, a group she started to make climbing more accessible to fat folx after struggling to find a place in the outdoors, herself.   Sam hosts meet-ups with other female and non-binary plus size folx to offer a safer space to share her outdoor skills and discuss tips on finding gear for plus size bodies.   Sam has done plus size modelling for outdoor brands like REI, Eddie Bauer, and Alder Apparel.   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.     Show notes Who is Sam and where she is based Growing up in Kentucky Growing up with 2 older sisters Growing up ne

In 2018, Denise Mueller-Korenek set the world record for paced bicycle land speed, traveling at an average of 183.932 MPH, becoming the fastest cyclist on earth.    Denise smashed the previous record of 147.7 MPH set in 1995, and in doing so, became the first and only woman in history to hold the world record, which was first established in 1899.    Denise also has multiple other athletic achievements to her name, including: US Women’s Human Powered Bicycle Record holder (non motor paced) at 70.6mph (Sept 2019) 15 National Cycling Championships (Mt. Biking, Road & Velodrome) Ironman and Half Ironman finisher (2013) 2 x Jr. World Championship medalist in Mt. Biking in Italy (Downhill & Cross Country) Completed over 50 half marathons in 29 states + DC Completed over 9 marathons on 4 continents, including Antarctica (2013) & The Great Wall of China (2017) Denise is an inspiration to all cyclists, and continues to push the boundaries of what is humanly possible. Listen to Denise on the Tough Girl Po

Jessica is a Detroit-born Ugandan-American who got her start with traveling when she was just four years old, and in October 2019, she became the first Black Woman to travel to every country in the world.    Jessica is a cultural ambassador, writer, photographer, travel expert and entrepreneur, whose work is about changing the travel narrative and making the travel space more inclusive. She is the founder and CEO of The Catch, a lifestyle brand featuring goods acquired during her global adventures.    Jessica is committed to raising cultural awareness and encourages people to think positively about other countries and the world at large, so that we don’t miss out on opportunities to have amazing experiences with our neighbours.    In March 2019, she was named one of the 30 Most Powerful Women in Travel by Conde Nast Traveler.    Jessica is currently working on her first book, to be published by National Geographic in May 2022.     New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7

During this episode, I reflect back on the final 6 months of 2020 and the beginning of 2021.    I share more about my next challenge - the Tough Girl UK Adventure Series. Plus answer a variety of questions from patrons and members of the tough girl tribe.    I share more about what I’ve been up to during the covid months, how my goals have changed. I reflect on some of the smaller challenges, such as the #MarchDailyMile challenge with Inov-8, the 12hr walking challenges, doing 30 days of Yin Yoga and walking the Sandstone Trail (55k) in 1 day!   Follow along with - The Tough Girl UK Adventure Series is sponsored by Cicerone #ChallengeWithCicerone.   Learn more about Cicerone - visit their website www.cicerone.co.uk    New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you 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. To find out more about supporting your

Milbry C. Polk (BA, honors) Radcliffe College, Harvard University, has lectured in more 150 schools, universities and public affairs organizations.  She co-founded and was executive director of Wings WorldQuest, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women at the leading edge of science and discovery.  She also founded and directed programs for the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of the American Indian. She was Vice-Chair of the Conference on Affordable World Security (Newseum, March 27-28, 2012).   Among her writings are Women of Discovery (Library Journal award Best Books of 2001 and School Library Journal, Best Books); Egyptian Mummies (Margaret A. Edwards Award best books); editor, The Looting of the Iraq Museum, Baghdad; and Reviews and Contributing Editor of The Explorers Journal, 1998-the present.  She co-founded with Imagination Celebration, and wrote yearly curriculum for nine years for The Art of Exploration, a program for the Public Schools of Ft. Worth, Texas.    She l

Nuran in her own words:   “Lover of road trips, the great outdoors, and all things natural; I feel truly free and content in the mountains.   After giving up my corporate job in 2015, I embarked on a 7-week road trip through Europe with my two children in tow to visit friends and family. The kids were 3 and 6 years old at the time and I had no idea when I might go back to work, so wanted to make the most of our summer together.    Since my husband wasn’t able to join us due to work commitments – and because I’m not one for sitting at home during the summer holidays, I went on my own.    Little did we know that what started as a spontaneous idea, would soon turn into the regular highlight of our year.   Our road trip adventures have taken us across Europe and we fell in love with the Alps and the Scottish Highlands. This summer we are hoping to explore the Italian Dolomites not least because I really want us to try a Via Ferrata hike there.   I’m a huge believer in “trying out new things” or “just going for it

Megan in her own words:   “I’m Megan (she/her) and I live in Portland, OR. I’m on a mission to inspire people to live their life without limits. I want to show people that you can do, be and live however you want AND that you can change your mind about what that means any time you want. Your mind has the power to climb whatever mountains your facing and I’m here to help guide you.   I fell in love with rock and mountain climbing 4 years ago and struggled to find my place at first. Instagram played a huge role in helping me step into my power when I started following other plus size adventurers. I want to increase representation of plus size people in the outdoors, especially in leadership/guide roles. I want to see more people who look like me in marketing from outdoor gear companies. And I REALLY want to get better technical gear for bigger bodies so we can keep doing all the things outside safely (and even fashionably? What a dream).”   Dr. Megan Banker practices from a Health at Every Size model meaning sh

Krystal Salvent is all things fitness and fun who started cycling in 2018 when preparing for America’s Most Beautiful Ride, a 100-mile ride in and around Lake Tahoe, NV to help fund research for Leukemia and Lymphoma. That same year she moved from New York City to Colorado in the chase of more cycling adventures.   “Bikes have allowed me to journey, adventure, and give back but also build a community.” says Krystal. This is why she is a co-leader with Black Girls Do Bike Denver to help promote cycling among a community of BIPOC women, femmes, and girls in Colorado.    Krystal is an ambassador of OUTRIDE, a non-profit focused on providing evidence-based cycling interventions to improve social, emotional, and cognitive health in youth.    Since moving to Colorado, she has experienced some of the most exhilarating times on the bike, connecting with other athletes, who like her, want to let everyone know that they TOO love to ride bikes. Her excitement for a future when it's safe to group ride has her more excite

Rosie Stancer has dedicated the last 20 years of her life to expeditions of increasing severity. Her endeavours have earned her a high public profile in the UK amongst living explorers.   On each of the expeditions, Rosie undertakes research – meteorological, environmental and physiological. Data from the latter is processed into published scientific papers with a view to helping both athletes and other expeditioners content with the challenges of their undertakings.    Since her first expedition, Rosie has always championed the need for any endeavour to forge a wealthy legacy of learning, sharing and inspiring others.   Rosie’s expeditions include:   1997 THE ALL WOMEN NORTH POLE RELAY  - First all women team to reach The North Pole, A world 1st.   2000 MILLENNIUM WOMEN’S SOUTH POLE EXPEDITION  - Rosie was a member of the 5 women team to reach The South Pole. They were the 1st all-women team to do so. World 1st.   2003 SNICKERS SOUTH POLE SOLO - Rosie embarked alone on a solo expedition of 1,000k  with no r

Dora is a Running Coach for Nike UK and has launched Ultra Black Running - a community of Black Women and Non-Binary people to explore and experience the world of trail running.    “I’ll do everything I can, to make sure trail running becomes more diverse and work towards overcoming any barriers we may face”   Dora is a youth mentor and works on self-development programmes to encourage young people to engage in sport based initiatives.   Listen to Dora on the Tough Girl Podcast! New episodes go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t miss out!    The Tough Girl Podcast is sponsorship and ad free thanks to the monthly financial support of patrons. To find out more about supporting your favourite podcast and becoming a patron please check out www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.   Show notes Why running is a really useful life tool Starting running in 2013 Getting into running via boxing  Getting into boxing via a friend Starting to take training seriously Finding her tribe The str

Charlotte graduated from University with a BA in Drama and Classical Archaeology and a MA in Social Anthropology (Specialising in Visual Anthropology).    During her MA she lived and filmed with a community of Maya deep in the Central American rainforest for her research and discovered, what the archaeological remains of Belize, hold for the Maya people of today.   In 2019, she was named the Scientific Exploration Societies River Foundation Explorer for Health and Humanities 2019.   With this award she returned to live with the Maya of Central America to produce educational resources in their native language, explore the surrounding jungle for ancient Maya archaeology and deliver dental hygiene workshops.   She is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of The Explorers Club.    In addition she is an author and educator, currently working remotely from a small volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean.   When she is not exploring, she enjoys boxing and weightlifting.     New episodes of the

Preet in her own words:   “I’ve always been ambitious and enjoyed pushing my boundaries. I had limited knowledge of polar travel when I decided I wanted to do a solo Antarctic expedition.    I wanted to inspire people to believe in themselves. Nobody starts as an expert, everybody starts somewhere, you learn as you go and the more you learn, the closer it brings you to your goal. I started on google reading about polar expeditions and now I’ve completed training and expedition in Norway and Greenland, ready for my next step to Antarctica.   I’m an Army Physiotherapist and I love adventure and finding new ways to push my limits.    After playing tennis full time as a teenager training in the Czech Republic, I moved back to England at 19 to pursue a different path and to gain my degree in Physiotherapy. This will remain one of my biggest achievements as I came back to the UK with minimal GCSEs and no A-levels.    I completed my first half marathon at the age of 20, this progressed to ultra marathons and I’m now

Maria Coffey is the author of twelve internationally published, award winning books, the co-owner of an adventure travel company and an adventurer in her own right.   Growing up in England, Maria always dreamt of having a freewheeling life, with no real idea of how she could make that happen. In her twenties she fell in love with an elite Himalayan mountaineer, Joe Tasker, and her adventures became vicarious ones, as she waited at home during his long expeditions. When Joe disappeared on the NE Ridge of Everest, in 1982, Maria was devastated. “His death blew my life apart,” she says, “but ultimately it jolted me alive.” A few years later she moved to Canada. She met a man who shared her dream of travelling the world, and together they began to make it a reality.   Shortly after marrying Dag, Maria wrote her first book, Fragile Edge: Loss on Everest, an account of her relationship with Joe Tasker and her own journey to Everest in the wake of his death. The writing was pure catharsis, an untangling of emotional