Tough Girl Podcast

Beth French, an ultra-marathon open-sea ocean swimmer who was once a Buddhist nun, a single mother who home schools her autistic son and an adventurer who suffered from a crippling illness (M.E. aka Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) in her youth.  During this podcast we speak to Beth about her journey to swim across the seven most dangerous sea-channels in the world, an official challenge called ‘Oceans Seven'. For extreme swimmers it’s the ultimate test; only a handful of people have ever completed it, but it took them many years. In September 2016, Beth set out to become the first person ever to conquer Oceans Seven in a 12-months period. Her motivation: to prove to her autistic son that you are not determined by your circumstances and that you can fulfill your dreams and ambitions by confronting obstacles head on. Show notes Not living close to the water Self employed single mum who home schools her son with autistic needs and sea swims for sanity Having ME as a teenager… What life was like growing up - the chall

What a journey it has been! There have been high points (a new baby!), low points (trying to raise £21K), focus, dedication, commitment, success and failure. New skills have been learned, new challenges ticked off bucket lists and fears overcome. I would like to extend a massive thank you to all of the seven women who have been involved in this project since December 2016. It is not easy to put yourself out there, and to share your story with the world (the tough girl podcast is listened to in 172 countries). These women, all stepped up, they have shared honestly about their experience, the good bits and the bad and I hope you have all managed to take something away from all of their collective experiences. For the full show notes - please visit www.toughgirlchallenges.com Please become a patron at www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast  

2017! What a year it has been!! So much has been achieved, but where has the time gone? The weeks have disappeared and flown by! I for one am so excited to be able to look back on the year and see what I've learned on this journey! Here is to a fantastic 2018 as well!! You can listen to my reflections on 2016 and plans for 2017 here -  https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/2016/12/30/Tough-Girl-Reflections-for-2016-Plans-for-2017 Show notes Tough Girl Challenges was started in 2014 What I do and why I do it Questions to help you reflect on 2017 What went well?  Setting the scene - writing my bio for Web Summit  Not being able to admit what I wanted to do in 2017 Deciding to go for it Breaking the year down into thirds. Having the support of the Tough Girl Team Getting 3.5 months of podcasts uploaded Watch the vlogs from the Appalachian Trail - HERE Listen to my interview about the AppalachianTrail - HERE Vlog 97… the emotions… October - starting my Masters… Not giving 100% to everything I’m doing

Megan has spent time working and living with native communities all around the world, from the San bushmen in Africa to the Sami reindeer herders in the Arctic to the Iban jungle dwellers in Borneo and many more. Most of her expeditions involve working closely with native peoples and she always aims to support local communities where possible. Megan’s primal drive to travel and explore means she can often be found breaking trail through waist deep snow, swinging in her hammock in the depths of a jungle or sharing stories sat around a campfire under the desert stars. Megan’s Knowledge and skills make her a world leading expert in all aspects of remote wilderness area expeditions, survival and TV filming. “In the wilderness the only person you are in competition with is yourself. You should constantly strive to be better, to push your own limits and explore your own relationship with the environment.”   Show notes Working in the UK - for once! Growing up as the oldest of 4 children Heading up Snowdon at a youn

Laura is a British adventure athlete with a passion for the endurance capability of the human body.  A strong believer in the positive impact that adventure and sport can have on children and adults alike, Laura uses her human powered journeys as a platform to inspire and encourage others to get outside. Previous adventures include solo kayaking in Russia, solo cycling the world's longest coastal route in Ireland and circumnavigating three of the Channel Islands using three different sporting disciplines as part of a rather extreme triathlon! Show notes Learning more about Laura Growing up on a farm then going to theatre school Falling in love with sport again What can I get my body to do? How a pub quiz led her to wanting to kayak the longest river in Russia 8 months to prepare for her first big challenge - Including funding… Telling her parents about her challenge Getting into Russia and the first 24hrs not going to plan Having her trip go viral on social media….. Tracking/being tracked? 8,000 views on her

An adrenaline junkie, Della has completed marathons, 100km walks and skydives, and is currently into walking, cycling and photographing nature along the way.  Della was a circumnavigator on Hull and Humber in the 09-10 Clipper Race and then returned for numerous legs of the 11-12 race as a videographer/producer with then Clipper Race documentary makers, North One. She now works for Clipper helping to inspire other people to take on the challenge of a life time!  During this podcast we learn more about Della, what drives her and why she wanted to take on this challenge! “The race was a hugely challenging, positive and inspiring experience for me. It was a huge learning curve and it did change my life” Show notes Who is Della? Why she wants to live an adventurous life Being happiest in nature and having a love of the water What is was like for her growing up Adventurous jobs and leaving home at 18! How she got into sailing! Wanting to make a change - but not being brave enough  Having no money… Starting her tr

Jen was born without legs & put up for adoption, her amazing adoptive family, gave her one simple rule, “Never say the word, Can’t.” As a child, she was obsessed with gymnastics, and her idol was gold-medalist, Dominique Moceanu.  Seemingly against all odds, she went on to compete against able-bodied athletes, and became a State Champion in power tumbling. As part of her story, and also as a twist of fate, she later learned that her childhood gymnastics idol, Dominique Moceanu, was actually her biological sister! Jen transitioned into an accomplished acrobat and aerialist. She traveled internationally with Britney Spears’ World Tour, and appeared as the headliner at the prestigious Palazzo hotel in Las Vegas, New York’s Lincoln Center and the Shangri La Hotel in Dubai. Jen is currently living in Los Angeles, and her goal is “to inspire & motivate others to BELIEVE that anything is truly possible.” Show notes Growing up, her childhood & the amazing memories! Being passionate about community and wh

Anna Blackwell - The Going-on of an Adventurer! Walking 500 and 1000 miles across France and Spain along ancient pilgrimage routes Anna is a 24-year-old adventurer who has a love of the great outdoors and pushing her limits. This has led her to completing a series of adventures over the last few years: trekking across the wilderness of arctic Sweden with just reindeer for company, walking 500 and 1000 miles across France and Spain along ancient pilgrimage routes, summiting the highest peak in North Africa, and hitch-hiking to Morocco (amongst plenty of others!) 2017 has been a slightly unusual year for her as she’s been working full-time for the majority of it, but she’s still found time for some fun, whether in the form of tackling my first 4000m mountain in North Africa, attempts at trekking in Arctic Norway, or just setting up her bivvy bag to sleep under the stars on a hillside in Oxfordshire! Show notes Finishing university  Not being sporty but loving the outdoors Camping with her Dad Hating the Duke

Melissa Urie - Nurse from Australia who was the 2nd Women to ever finish the EPIC 5 - 5 Ironman in 5 days across 5 different islands in Hawaii! Melissa is the second woman ever to finish the Epic 5 - an event which consists of doing 5 Ironman distance triathlons (that’s 224km or 140 miles of swimming, cycling and running) every day over 5 days on 5 different Hawaiian Islands! Melissa lives in Melbourne, Australia working as a nurse.  Show notes Growing up and moving to Melbourne Getting into health and fitness New Years Resolution that stuck Around the bay in a day - a cycle race in Melbourne Being naive and not really thinking about it Getting involved in a triathlon and how it has become her lifestyle Nursing and doing shift work and how she fit her training into her life Her 1st Ironman…. Getting a coach Working on her nutrition Not going for a specific time Just surviving the day…. Ultra-man event in Canada Taking it to the next level - why?! Getting injured before a big race and finding out if she could

Alice believes that learning to swim is a human right, and that whether you’re swimming your first 25metres, splashing in tarns or crossing the English Channel, swimming can empower our lives both in and out of the water. Alice discovered open water swimming after being knocked off her bike by a lorry on her way to work, the day before her 31 birthday. Waking up on the tarmac as commuter traffic circled around her, too busy to stop to help, she realised it was time to change her path. Since then Alice has pursued her passions of writing, social justice, water and the outdoors. She is contributing Editor of Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, lead scientist at the International Institute of Swim Cake Studies, a qualified swim teacher, Mandarin speaker,  and consultant focusing on projects relating to anti corruption, responsible business, water scarcity, the rule of law and the impact of technology on social and economic development. When not in or writing about water, her research and advocacy  have taken her to China,

Zoe Langley-Wathen - Walking Adventures include the South West Coastal Path, Wales Coast Path & Offa’s Dyke. Show notes Where her love of walking came from? Growing up without a car Going on night hikes Getting married young and having her daughter at 24 Wanting to do something bigger Letting her dreams stay dormant Fears? Are you sure you can do that? Don’t put yourself in a position where you will be disappointed The South West Coastal Path! Deciding to follow her dream How to celebrate her 40th birthday in 2011 Accountability Planning - and giving herself 7 months to sort it all out Did women walk the path on their own? Is it done? Dealing with short sharp shockers Her first lesson Egg holder, frying pans!!! Being on her own Wild camping V staying with friends Where was suitable to wild camp? Meeting people on the way The grief of leaving the trail Why did I waste so much time! Looking for the next challenge and how her life changed after the challenge Supporting Arry Berresford-Webb (Now Cain) Walki

Anoushé is a champion for all those experiencing barriers and self-limiting beliefs. Born missing her right arm below the elbow, living with multiple health conditions, a cancer survivor, a Muslim and coming from an ethnic minority, Anoushé has never let what society or culture thinks she should do limit her or dictate the direction of her life. She is constantly breaking the mould and challenging not only her own beliefs about her own potential but also that of society and her own culture. She has become a role model to anyone facing a self-limiting belief or barrier and is sharing her journey to help others unlock their potential. Anoushé candidly talks about her life, how she has remained resilient in the face of huge obstacles and talks about issues that we as a society do not talk about enough. In particular, Anoushé highlights the plight of those stigmatised by society in order to change the misconceptions around these groups. She is heavily driven by teaching others learn to shed their self-limiting be

Adelaide suffered with moderately severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - CFS/ME) for 3 years, along with other chronic conditions. Her life was transformed in 3 days with with the powerful combination of Neuro Linguistic Programming, life coaching and hypnosis. During this podcast we learn more about Adelaide and the personal journey she has been on to rebuild her life, and get back to full health and fitness. Adelaide has gone on to build her own adventure brand, and has started the podcast - The Lilly Wild Show where she interviews other adventurers, and game changers! This year she went on to complete her first Ironman - a gruelling test of endurance that pushed her both mentally and physically! Show notes Being ill for 4 years from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome  Being in a loop of tiredness Starting from zero Being an only child Sports at school Coming out into endurance sports… Where did the love of adventure come from Getting into the Arctic Explorers Connect The drive to recover Ta

At the start of 2017 after feedback from the Tough Girl Tribe. I started 7 Women - 7 Challenges.   Throughout the year I will be interviewing 7 women as we follow them on their journey of going after their own personal challenges.   We will learn what really has to happen for people to achieve their goals, we will hear about their frustrations, disappointments, set backs, as well as their successes and achievements.   It is real stories, from real women, living real lives.   This is part 5   You can listen to Part 1 - Now! 1st January 2017     ​       You can listen to Part 2 - Now! 12th February 2017     ​     Listen to Part 3 Now! 2nd April 2017   ​       Listen to Part 4 Now! 28th May 2017   ​ SHOW NOTES Rachel Wise   From the slowtravelfamily.com Being in St Lucia in the Caribbean  Leaving Switzerland on the 2nd August The run up to getting on the road Dealing with bad news and being in limbo Saying goodbye to everyone Deciding what to do and figuring out what was best for everyone Headi

Tough Girl - Meike Stones  “Powered By Me” - A year-long human-powered lifestyle adventure Mieke Stones, is a 32-year old female living and working in London and the creator of Powered by Me, a year-long lifestyle adventure where she is only using human-powered transport to get to wherever she need to go. She has been bloging, vloging and fundraising along the way, hoping to raise as much money for different causes and to inspire others to see active travel as a viable and sustainable way to get to places.  Her story so far is one of physical and mental endurance, trial and error, with some key learnings thrown in. But most of all her story is about doing what she can with what she has, and doing her bit for the environment. Making better choices and growing her skills and experiences along the way!   Show notes   Where the idea came from? Deciding on what the next challenge was going to be? Having a brain wave! The planning stage The rules Starting on the 1st January and raising money for a different charit

Christine and her husband Stephen, have always loved to cycle and cycling has played a huge part in their lives. During this podcast Christine shares more about how she got into cycling, why they decided to pack up and head off on an adventure of a lifetime! Show notes Why Christine reached out to me Why she started cycling Her first cycling adventure! Meeting her husband and their join love for cycling Starting to take regular cycling holidays Having children and going on holiday with them to Northern Europe The cycle holiday that stands out to her Getting the idea to cycle the world - how the idea first started.. Giving themselves 16/17 months to prepare Why the world! One year or two years?! Who they told first and their reaction! Her friends and what they said! “How are you going to manage being with your husband everyday?” Getting married in 1984  Did she have any fears/worries before the trip? Being - Flexible The planning…. The start and how she was feeling.. Getting into their routine by day 2! The c

Alex has always has a love for the outdoors and has always been fiercely independent. Her love of adventure began when she first went travelling in Africa.  In 2015 Alex hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2700 mile trail that starts at the border of Mexico and goes through America to the border of Canada. Returning to work was an impossible task and after 4 months back in an office she quit to become a permanent adventurer. First stop back to America, second stop New Zealand (with a few thousand miles of hiking in between). Listen as Alex shares more about her adventures on the Tough Girl Podcast Show notes Going back to her childhood and what she was like growing up Being inspired by her granddad Having a normal life! Spending 6 months over in Africa Questioning what she was doing and why she was doing Deciding to take a sabbatical from her job! Dealing with the obstacles….  & facing up to her fears Why she choose the Pacific Crest Trail? Taking us back to the start! Getting her tourist visa for America!

On Tuesday 16th May 2017, Mollie Hughes successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest from the North side. This was Mollie's second time standing on top of Everest having already summited the South side in 2012. Achieving this feat at 26 has made her the youngest woman in the world and the first English woman to successfully summit from both the north and south sides of the world’s highest mountain! Show notes Intro - how would Mollie describe herself Not climbing her mountain until she was 17 Growing up in South Devon Lacking confidence at a young age The stages she took to get to where she wanted to go Arriving back from Kenya and deciding on her next challenge Travelling at a young age Her journey to Everest When the seed got planted to climb Everest Her search for women who had climbed Everest Giving herself 12 months to achieve her goal Having the conversation with her parents…. The money.. A record to be had in 2012 - being the youngest women to summit Mount Everest from the UK Dealing with rejectio

On the 3rd June I started my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, 2,190 miles in 100 days.  This was a dream I had last year, and if you've been following my daily podcast you'll know the challenges I've faced to get to the start line.    During this podcast I’m being interviewed by my awesome sister, Caroline Wellingham. We discuss in detail the challenge, what it was like every day, how I dealt with the high points & low points, what I loved, what I learned and why I won’t be doing the trail again! Show notes Starting at the beginning  - why did I want to walk the Appalachian Trail? Learn more about my preparation  How I was feeling at the start Day 1 of the trail - 3rd June Getting into routines How I coped physically at the start Key milestones The kindness of strangers Meeting members of the Tough Girl Tribe Meeting Stan the Man Reaching the half way point at Harpers Ferry Dealing with the pressure of the challenge Emotional vlogs! How I kept myself motivated during the challenge Mantras Thinking abo

Caroline has spent over 10 years working in ski  patrol rescue and most recently as a SAR  (Search and Rescue) dog handler. She is passionate about ski touring and generally being outside in nature.  She enjoys sharing her professional experience with others, helping to train adults and youngsters in snow awareness so they can go out and enjoy the mountains to the full. During this podcast we will learn more about Caroline and how her love for skiing grew and what path she choose to get to where she is now, from training over in the Southern Hemisphere in Australia, to following a man to France where she is now based, and doing what she loves.  Caroline talks about her passion for the mountains, and what her role is like on a day to day basis, as well as the emotional toll working search and rescue can have. Caroline is also working on getting the message out regarding health and safety on the mountains and provides tips and advice to help you when you’re over there.  Show notes Being based in the Pyrenees H