Tough Girl Podcast

Cheryl Strayed is the author of four books, including the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Wild. Through her book, she shares her journey of hiking Pacific Crest Trail at 22 years old and dealing with the grief of losing her mother. These events changed the course of Cheryl’s life and took her on an incredible adventure along the Pacific Crest Trail. It wasn’t until 10 years later that Cheryl shared her experience in a memoir. As a writer, Cheryl has been committed to the power of story all her life. In our conversation, she reflects on her childhood and what’s changed since she’s become a mother herself. She shares her experience of personal transformation, what it was like publishing Wild, and what happened after sharing her book.   Show Notes Growing up with a young mum and witnessing abuse Learning to live ‘rich in love’ from her mother Being a mother and how it’s changed her perspective Dealing with the loss of her mother and leading up to the PCT Deciding to hike the PCT from a place of weakness   “I kne

Chloe Phillips-Harris is a freelance adventure journalist. While her day job is riding, training, and competing with horses, adventure lurks around every corner. In the winter, she goes off the beaten path to adventure and shares her experience with journalism. As a teenager, Chloe would get naughty ponies she had to train. The next step for her was training wild horses. Bonding with wild horses is a magical experience she goes back to again and again. You can hear the passion in Chloe’s voice for her horses. Chloe has worked all over the world in places like Egypt, Fiji, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia to use her skills in new ways. Her interest in the world and animals propelled her to take amazing opportunities taking care of wild animals. Chloe raced unsupported in the Mongol Derby, what’s called the toughest horse race in the world. While dealing with sickness and wild animals, Chloe was spurred on by anger and kept going.      Show Notes   Growing up in the Bay of Islands on a farm with her strong mother Deve

Yorkshire Rows is a team of four working mums who dared to dream. They are the first women to row across the North Sea and holders of the Guinness World record for rowing 3,000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean during the world’s toughest rowing race. I’m joined by Niki Doeg and Janette Benaddi, two members of Yorkshire Rows. They share their story about life-changing adventure, witnessing the beauty of the elements, and discovering who you really are. With corporate and medical backgrounds, spouses and children at home, these women committed to an adventure. They challenged themselves to prepare the finances, take the exams, and train themselves to row across the ocean. Show Notes How Janette and Niki began their careers and got interested in adventure Meeting at a rowing club and becoming good friends Deciding to embark on a challenge and getting family support What their children had to say about their adventure Being very passionate in order to accomplish a dream Racing finances, learning about th

***Thank you to all my patrons and all the amazing members of the Tough Girl Tribe - thank you for your continued support, in allowing me to share important stories like this***   Show notes How she heard about the Tough Girl Tribe (thank you Lou!) Life before children - running marathons and climbing mountains Finding a lump in her right breast Being diagnosed with a very aggressive type of breast cancer How her whole world came crumbling down Dealing with the shock and trying to come to terms with it Losing control of her life Joining a FB group for women under 45 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer - The Younger Breast Cancer Network Setting her intentions from the start of the diagnosis Spending New Years Eve doing chemo - and a reminder of why good friends are so important A year of treatment How much her mentality played a part in her recovery Getting through the bad days and how she got through them How her girls coped Dealing with her hair loss and cutting her hair Why she decided to take on a

Paula Reid has achieved 150 things of her things to do before she dies list including skiing to the South Pole, walking on hot coals, kayaking the Thames, and running a marathon.   She believes in living life to the full and making the most of our one life. To seize and savour is her mantra from taking advantage of amazing opportunities to savouring beautiful, small moments.   In one of her challenges, Paula sailed in a race around the world with only 2 months of preparation. The team faced a number of trials and accidents, ultimately making it home in 10 months. Later, Paula became the 14th international woman and 3d British woman to ski across the full distance from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole.   Show Notes   Finding her sense of adventure and discovery Becoming a rebel as a teenager and falling in with the ‘right’ crowd Starting her living life list and adding a diversity of challenges The challenges that stand out for Paula Feeling stuck in a job she enjoyed and deciding to sail around the

Over the last twenty years Anna-Marie’s journey has taken her from icy snow holes in Norway, to the desolate plains of Afghanistan and Iraq while working for the British Army. Most recently she’s been pushing her endurance boundaries running various ultra races & competing in long distance triathlons.  Her diet, lifestyle and work has turned a full 180 degrees from being totally over weight and unhealthy to being tucked up in bed by ten with a diet based on real food and competing at a high level in endurance sports. Her passion has focused in on the mindset aspect of endurance/adventure/challenges and what you can learn from them to apply to your every day life    Endurance Portfolio  •Marathon des Sables - finished 2nd lady & top 50 overall (2015) •Ultra-Trail World Tour Future Series Cappadocia 110km – finished 1st lady & 5th overall (2016) •Course records in The ONER (2016), XNRG Cotswolds Way (2015) & XNRG Round the Island (2016) •Qualified IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships 2013 & 2014

Part 3 - 7 Women - 7 Challenges 2017   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 3*   Timings   Jen Dxyhorron - 4 mins Jo Jo Rogers - 33 mins Georgie Akin-Smith - 1.07 Gemma Smith - 1.35 Rachel Wise - 2.09 Laura Try - 2.47   *We will be catching up with Rae Red in Part 4   Show notes   Jen Dykxhoorn   Visiting friends and family in Canada How our last conversation reinvigorated her training plan Signing up for 1 month gym membership and doing 20 classes Feeling strong, powerful and feeling even more energised  Moving back to Sweden for 3 - 6 months Update on her everyday

17-year-old Lilyella Craw-Seaman carried a 43lb rucksack as she took on the Pen Y Fan in the latest instalment of the Fan Dance Race Series. More than 300 people took part and Lilyella was the first female across the line. Lilyella carried a 43lb rucksack to the top of 2907ft Pen Y Fan in Wales, ran down the mountain, then turned round and did it all over again. She completed the brutal 15-mile route, designed to weed out the weak in SAS selection training, in just four-and-a-half hours. Afterwards, Lilyella said the trek, known as the Fan Dance, was the greatest challenge of her life!  During this podcast we learn more about Lilyella, why she enjoys doing challenges, her motivation and her drive to make sure she always give her best and goes after every opportunity. Show notes Her first passion, swimming & swimming competitively from 5 years old Finding out about her family Liking to win! Balancing school work with swimming and why boarding school helped Waking up at 4am, to swim for 2 hours before scho

Thank you to all the Patrons of the Tough Girl Podcast  - your continued support is fantastic!!! To become a patron - click HERE! Ride4MedicalAid is a sponsored cycle ride from London to Jerusalem to raise awareness and funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). The ride, started on the 27 August 2016, crossing 13 countries, covering a distance of 3,500km in less than 35 days, arriving at Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem on the 30 September 2016. MAP is a humanitarian organisation working for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees. MAP provides lifesaving medical supplies, equipment, training and humanitarian aid to those most in need in Gaza, the West Bank and in Lebanon. Show notes About Rahma, her transition into cycling from rowing Growing up in Norwich and having a very normal upbringing Setting her history and learning more about her family Being brought up with Islam In 2014 during the war in Gaza, she was sitting on her sofa watching the news and fina

Frances Taylor a member of the Tough Girl Tribe is sharing more of her life on the Tough Girl Podcast! Over caffeinated and overreacting.  Marathon runner, and one time ultra runner. Cycling New Zealand, Cape Reinga to Bluff

Thank you to all the patrons of the Tough Girl Podcast! If you want to giveback and support the Tough Girl Podcast please become a patron. Learn more - HERE! Natalia Cohen has been travelling the world, living, working and exploring for the last 15 years. She has gained access and insights into an incredible variety of cultures and customs on all continents, as well as personal insights, and has charted her journey with beautiful, deeply inspiring writing and photography along the way. Her unshakable passion for adventure has taken her to people and places that most of us can only imagine. From the Middle East to Antarctica, the villages of Africa to the colours and chaos of India, South America and the middle of the Pacific ocean, she truly is a global traveller. Her most recent adventure led her to row across the Pacific Ocean delving deep into the mind and exploring the strength of human spirit. Her mission is to empower others to enjoy their life journey, reach their full potential and understand that we

Catherine Mayer was born in the US and has spent much of her life in London. She is a former Europe Editor and Editor at Large of TIME magazine and the author of Amortality: The Pleasures and Perils of Living Agelessly and the Sunday Times bestselling biography of Prince Charles Charles: The Heart of a King. In 2015 she co-founded the Women’s Equality Party with Sandi Toksvig. On the 8th March - International Women’s Day she releases her third book - Attack of the fifty foot women: How gender Equality can save the world! Show notes Her career and how it has been done accidentally! Falling into journalism, via a cash in hand job in the marketing department at The Economist before moving over to the editorial side. Spending 11 years at TIME Magazine before starting the Women’s Equality Party Being born in America before moving over to the UK Being a foreign correspondent while based from home in London Her start in journalism and the challenges she faced in the early eighties How she survived and managed to m

Margaret Schlachter found obstacle racing in 2010 with the very first Spartan Race outside of Burlington, Vermont. From that day on she was hooked. This former collegiate athlete found a new spark for fitness in obstacle course racing. She founded Dirt in Your Skirt in early 2011 as a personal blog tracking her progress to the first World’s Toughest Mudder. Quickly the blog turned into a full website with race reviews, gear reviews, industry insight and more. In 2012,  she became the first professional female obstacle racer and was ranked 5th in the world at the time. She has taken on some of the sport’s toughest events competing in the Death Race, 5x World’s Toughest Mudder, and Survival Run in Nicaragua.  Today she spends her time as a full-time author, writer, industry expert, and coach. When not writing or taking on the next obstacle race or mud run she can be found working on her Urban Farm in Salt Lake City. Show notes Her childhood growing up, attending boarding school and having a passion for the out

Ashley was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, when she was 26, she has endured chronic pain which has affected both her professional and personal life.  She went from being super fit and healthy to not being able to cut her own food up, or get dressed. Ashley talks about the power of meditation and how her daily practice has been essential to her recovery. She’s passionate about promoting meditation to reduce stress, lower the risk of anxiety and depression. During this podcast you will get to hear top tips and advice on how you can make small changes to your daily routine which will make a massive difference! Show notes Who is Ashley Hunt? Being lazy growing up Eventually finding fitness through pole dancing Developing Rheumatoid Arthritis  Finding empowerment through exercise and building strength Becoming a pole dancing instructor Taking control of your body and building self confidence and body confidence Why your confidence builds by doing pole dancing The development of her Rheumatoid Arthritis and h

Hannah knows what it takes to follow her dreams, and has always lived by her Uncle’s motto “never give up”.  At 13 years old, she became the youngest ever winner of the BT Young Sailor of the Year award for her achievements at the Mirror World Championships. Aged 15 she received a phone call that changed the direction of her life. Andy Cassell, the Atlanta Gold medalist in the Sonar class opened her eyes to disability sailing, which she had previously thought of as the weaker option.  After winning the bronze medal at the World Championships, her team was selected above her childhood hero and mentor, Andy Cassell which sent her to her first Paralympic Games - Athens 2004! During this podcast we learn more about the setbacks she’s had to face, how she has dealt with failure and crushing disappointments. Throughout it all she has kept moving forward with pure grit and determination.  After listening to Hannah you will be inspired to take on your own personal challenge.   Show notes Going back to her childhood

Justine lives in Wales, is 35 years old and started kayaking 12 years ago with a local canoe club.  When she was at university Justine loved team sports and represented England in hockey, only discovering walking, mountain biking and kayaking when she left university.   She started a career in television at about the same time she discovered kayaking, and she soon gave up her job to pursue sea kayaking adventures and film them to make a living.   Following her passion, was challenging and difficult for the first four years - people refused to believe that sea kayaking could be exciting! Justine soon changed their minds once they saw her movies. Justine is an avid and accomplished sea kayaker and has explored many of the world’s best paddling spots - New Zealand, Newfoundland, Norway, Tasmania, the Queen Charlotte Islands, Alaska, California...the list goes on! Show notes How she discovered the outdoors and fell in love with the mountain The challenges she faced of wanting to follow her passion Why it did co

Part 2 7 Women - 7 Challenges 2017   We catch up with; Rae Red, Gemma Smith, Georgie Akin-Smith, Jo Jo Rogers, Jen Dykxhoorn, Laura Try, & Rachel Wise as they continue their 2017 journey to go after their goals and dreams.    Learn more about the 7 women! Click HERE!   Order & Timings Jo Jo Rogers - 5 mins Georgie Akin-Smith - 45 mins Rae Red - 1 hr 06 Gemma Smith - 1 hr 53 Rachel Wise - 2 hr 34 Laura Try - 3 hr 21 Jen Dykxhoorn - 3 hr 57   You can listen to Part 1 HERE!   Schedule of future episodes   Part 3 - 2nd April Part 4 - 28th May Part 5 - 1st October Part 6 - 19th November   Feeling inspired ?    You can do 3 easy things to help me continue to grow the podcast! Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, so you won’t miss a single episode If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on iTunes! I read every single comment! Share the podcast with your friends, especially if you think it could help them, and spread the #ToughGirlPodcast love.    Your support helps me continue to grow

We first had Sophie on the Tough Girl Podcast in August 2015 and it is awesome to catch up with her at the start of 2017 to see what she’s been up to! Sophie has cycled from London to Paris in 24 hours nine times, she’s a two-times Ironman Wales finisher, completed the 3 Peaks Cycle Challenge, run ultra marathons, climbed Mont Blanc and achieved a world-first expedition with the Alpine Coast to Coast by climbing the highest mountains in the eight alpine countries and cycling between them in 32 days. To achieve this she cycled 150kms a day, climbed eight mountains and covered 45,500 metres of ascent - nine times the height of Mount Everest! To listen to her first episode of the Tough Girl Podcast - Click Here Show notes What has been most challenging for Sophie in 2016 Dealing with her most challenging year yet.  Why she wants to be “strong” not just in the physical sense.  Turning the corner in 2017 and she feels so happy How she copes with being in the public eye Why she now knows who she really is ‘Who is

Jenny has travelled to six continents, solo. Cycled around Europe, paddled through the South American jungle, ran marathons on four continents, hiked throughout Asia, trekked in Patagonia, dived with sharks, surfed in the North Sea, competed in numerous adventure races, and lived in five countries. She believes everyone has the spirit of an explorer within them, and that adventures are constantly at our fingertips.  On September 18, 2016, Jenny ran through the city gates of Osh, in the southwest of Kyrgyzstan, having run just over 900 kilometres in 25 days from the northeast city of Karakol via the Tien Shan mountains, solo and self-supported. The expedition took her through both stunning and challenging landscapes, where she used ancient nomad trails to access mountain passes up to 4000m, while carrying all of her own supplies on her back!   “Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.” — T.S Eliot Show notes Growing up in Calgary, which is close to the Rocky Mountains in C

Jen is a 41 year old Running and Triathlon Coach based in Australia who loves trail running and being outdoors. About 12 years ago, she was an over-stressed, over-weight and over-worked Lawyer and then she went for a run - and life hasn’t been the same since! Since then she’s done 2 x 50km races and a 100km team event. She hiked and climbed mountains on 4 continents (including mountaineering in Nepal, Argentina, climbing Kilimanjaro & Meru in Tanzania, as well as completing the Everest Base Camp trek, and the Inca Trail in Peru!).  Since Jen found her new passion, she left her old job of being a lawyer and set up her own business called Sparta Chicks for women who enjoy triathlons, trail running and outdoor adventures. As well as this she has recently written a book called, "She Believed She Could So She Did: How to Train, Race and Live with Confidence" (which went to #1 in 3 categories in Amazon Australia). For Jen the focus of her work these days is on mindset; overcoming the fears, self-doubt and the