Tough Girl Podcast

Sarah Williams
  • 4.8 (303)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Tough Girl Podcast is all about inspiring and motivating YOU! I will be interviewing inspirational women from around the world, who've faced and overcome difficult challenges and situations, they will share their story, their knowledge and provide advice and essential tips for you to overcome your own personal challenges.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Paula McGuire – Stroke, Autism Diagnosis & Why She's Still Saying Yes to Adventure

    In this Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode, we catch up with Paula "Must Try Harder" McGuire — author, speaker, triathlete, wing-walker, double TEDx speaker, mental health ambassador… and proudly, a trier. Based just outside Glasgow, Paula has been adventuring since 2015 and has built a reputation for trying something new every day — including completing 366 new experiences in 2020. But the years since we last spoke have brought extraordinary challenges. Paula shares openly about being diagnosed as autistic at 44, having a stroke at the end of 2021 and developing epilepsy, going through a divorce after 15 years of marriage, losing her home to a flood, and navigating post-stroke fatigue — all while spending six months in enforced van life. We talk about how adventure supported her through the hardest moments, how her neurodivergent brain fuels her love of planning and trying, and why you don't need to be the best at something to enjoy giving it a go. Paula also reflects on writing her book Adventures for Bored Adults (commissioned by Penguin), rediscovering her love of swimming, and learning acceptance in the face of uncertainty. Honest, funny and deeply human, this conversation is about resilience, identity, and continuing to say yes — even when life doesn't go to plan. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Paula Being based just outside of Glasgow Being adventuring since 2015 TGP Episode  Working as an electronic note taker and captioner for deaf people TGP Extra Episode  6 years since we last spoke  How things have changed over the past few years in quite negative ways before eventually turning to a positive thing  In 2020 trying something new every day 366 new things (leap year!) Starting off the year really positively  How it became an adventure in creativity Feeling exhausted after the year was over  What that the last few years have taught her  Figuring out her place in the world of adventure  Being ready to relax  Social media not coming naturally to her  Struggling with the negativity of social media  Paula has tried hard enough - Paula is done. Being diagnosed with Autism at 44 6 months of enforced van life (November 24 - May 25) At the end of 2021 having a stroke and developing epilepsy  Her husband leaving her after 15 years and going through a divorce  Losing her house after a flood  One thing after another  Feeling that the universe had turned against her Feeling very lucky Brain tumour?? Start to prepare for Paula last Christmas  Moving on with a stroke and the potential for more strokes in the future  How the adventures from before really supported her Reminding herself of things she achieved, things that she'd failed at and survived Adventure and acceptance  Continuing to do fun things    A to Z of Adventure Post stroke fatigue  Not sticking to things - buying all the gear Getting the most mental stimulation in the trying  Wanting to be the person who tries it all  Her love for swimming and going back to it again and again Her neurodivergent brain - the planning, the execution, the reflecting  Being butterfly minded  Why you don't need to be the best at everything to enjoy having ago Coping with how your brain works  How her entire life has become clear after her diagnosis Advent(ure)  Writing a book commissioned by Penguin Book: Adventures for Bored Adults: Games. Challenges. Activities. Treats. How to connect with Paula on social media Supporting people with mental health Advice for women going through lots of challenges    Social Media Website: www.paulamusttryharder.co.uk Instagram: @pmusttryharder Facebook: @pmusttryharder

    45 min

  2. 28 APR

    Rebecca Dent: High-Performance Dietitian for Ultra Runners & Mountain Athletes

    Rebecca Dent is a high-performance dietitian specialising in ultra runners and mountain sport athletes — from passionate recreational runners to world-class professionals. Based in the Chamonix Valley for the past 10 years, she combines her expertise in performance nutrition with a life immersed in ski touring, trail running, mountaineering, and the mountains she loves. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Rebecca shares her journey from the Forest of Dean to the French Alps, balancing elite-level training with everyday life, and the nutrition strategies that help athletes optimise performance, recovery, and health — particularly for women navigating hormonal changes and perimenopause. We talk race day fuel, strength training, managing limiting beliefs, and why it's never too late to start a new adventure.  Whether you're chasing your first trail race or aiming to summit Mont Blanc, Rebecca's insights will inspire you to push your limits while taking care of your body.  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time).  Support the Tough Girl mission via Patreon: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast   *** Show notes Who is Rebecca Working as a high performance dietician for 25 years Starting out in the NHS, before moving into elite sport Focusing on climber and ultra runners Moving to the Chamonix Valley in the French Alps, 10 years ago Training for an ultra race in Snowdon Being passionate about ski touring, trail running, hiking, climbing and spending time in the mountains  Growing up in the Forest of Dean in a little village Spending a lot of time outdoors  Starting trail running in her teenage years  Always enjoying athletics and being inspired by the women on TV  Doing GCSE PE and A'Level PE Having fun doing sports in a team environment  Deciding what to study at university  Niching down in her career Being exposed in the NHS to different areas of health care Starting to enter trail races and pushing herself physically Her running journey and progression in the sport Entering into races for fun Following a training plan for a 50k trail race in Snowdon Using Training Peaks and working with a coach Doing approx 7hr of training per week Using sports drinks, gels, kindle mint cake, chews and jelly sweets Needing to get good at running up hill Doing 2, 1hr gym sessions per week 46 years old and why it's so important to strength train Perimenopause and changes in hormones Changes in body composition and carrying extra body fat Starting to work with a personal trainer once a week How a change in hormones can affect your confidence and mood  Feeling stronger and lifting heavier How the extra's were creeping in Eating well and focusing on things that were easy to change Focusing on the protein  What a typical breakfast, lunch, and dinner looks like  Keep things simple and nutritious Doing a recovery shake after the gym Race day nutrition - before, during and after Being guided (by her husband) up Mont Blanc - up and down in 1 day Struggling with acclimatisation  The mental side of running and climbing  Reflecting and working on her limiting beliefs  Being able to regulate thoughts that are't helpful  Reframing thoughts  Dealing with disappointment  Being good at feeling your feelings  Planning, logistics, and being organised Deciding to pull back and focus on resting and recouping  Doing an ultra every 2 to 5 years  Being a procrastinator  Having to make training a priority  Why it is hard sometimes  Needing to have a balance with life Why some things do need to be delayed  How to connect with Rebecca on social media Final words of wisdom and advice  It's not too late!!!! Find what it is you're interested in    Social Media Website: highperformancedietitian.com  Instagram: @high_performance_dietitian  Facebook: @HighPerformanceDietitian

    48 min

  3. 21 APR

    Manika Gamble – Racing 155-Mile Desert Ultras & Chasing Bold Adventures

    In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Manika Gamble — an Atlanta-based trail runner who thrives on testing her limits in some of the world's toughest ultra races. Manika's running journey started with casual neighbourhood runs, but soon she found herself racing 155-mile desert ultras in Africa, tackling Mongolia's Gobi March, and pushing through multi-stage, extreme endurance events. She shares the highs, the lows, and the mental grit it takes to keep moving when every muscle is screaming. We dive into: Training by feel, without a watch or GPS Fueling, hydration, and surviving the desert heat Coping with pain, blisters, and fatigue without relying on painkillers Recovery strategies, sleep, and balancing life with training The mental challenges of multi-day ultra races Staying motivated and tackling new adventures outside your comfort zone Manika's message is simple: don't let fear hold you back. Find what excites you, lean in, and see what you're capable of. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Manika Being based out of Atlanta, USA  Trail Runner Currently training for a race our in Morocco Running every since she was a child but being new to long distance running Always being an active child  Going out for the track team and how it became her whole life Focusing on 100 m and 400 m hurdles Wanting to run further Dreaming of the day she would be able to run casually  Starting with 20 min runs throughout the neighbourhood  Signing up for more and more races from 5k, up to Marathon distance  Deciding to take on an ultra race  Seeing a YouTube video of a man running in Namibia, Africa  Signing up for the race and giving herself a 1 year time line to train for  The running logistics and what her training looked like  Being a laidback person when it comes to a training schedule  Not running with a watch or gps tracking device  Training based on feel and time  Leaning about fuelling and nutrition and how to manage herself in the desert Carrying everything she needed on her back for 7 days while running through the desert Learning how to hydrate probably  What worked well nutrition wise while racing  Using Tailwind Powder  The mental and emotional side of the challenge Why it was so tough  Why it was such a beautiful race  Issues with her feet and dealing with blisters  Dealing with pain and not being able to block it out  Not being able to take pain medication - due to the heat and potential damage to organs  Telling herself - you're not going to stop  Trying to divert her mind from the pain  Camp life  Finishing the race and the thoughts running through her head  Never Again…. Sprinting V Longer Races What does recovery look like? Incorporating creatine into her diet, resting more, prioritising sleep and taking on less races  Taking 5g of creatine in the morning, and 5g in the evening Taking other supplements, Magnesium, potassium and starting to take athletic green in the future  Trying to have a well rounded diet based on feel with a focus on protein, fibre and carbs Trying the carnivore diet but not having the energy to run Waking at 4am - but staying in bed till 6am  Not napping during the day   Heading over to Mongolia to race the Gobi March (250km across the desert) Racing the Planet  Racing on green trails through the Mongolian Desert  Getting very tired of eating the same food day after day  How things changed mentally having done the Nambia Race previously  Getting bored of the green pastures - being ready for it to be over  Feeling mentally drained on her 2nd Ultra  Too much too soon? Racing in Mongolia only 6 weeks after Nambia  Racing the Planet - Grand Slam Challenge  Trying to raise funds to race an ultra in Antarctica ($14,100) Fitting training into her life and work  Having a pretty flexible schedule and stating to work with brand Using running as work  Stone Everest, Atlanta Challenge (May 16th & 17th)   Races for 2026 Training for a team relay 100k challenge  Running a Marathon in Morocco Running a 3 day stage race through Utah  How to connect with Manika on social media  Advice and top tips for other women who want to take on new challenges Outside of just do it  Don't allow fear to rule you Find something that intrigues you and go with that    Social Media Instagram: @manikaruns  Youtube: @ManikaRuns

    34 min

  4. 14 APR

    Lisa Jackson: Still Running After All These Tears — Grief, Running & the Triumph of Tenacity

    Lisa Jackson is a hypnotherapist, running writer, Runner's World columnist, and the author of three bestselling running books, including Your Pace or Mine?, Running Made Easy, and her deeply personal latest release, Still Running After All These Tears – A Runner's Journey Through Grief. Originally from South Africa and now based in Worthing, UK, Lisa is a veteran of over 100 marathons and two 56-mile ultramarathons — despite often coming last. A proud reminder that endurance sport isn't about talent or speed, but about showing up, again and again. In this powerful and emotional episode, Lisa shares her journey into running, from hating sport as a child to rediscovering running at 30, navigating disastrous races, and learning to reset expectations through walk-run strategies. She opens up with raw honesty about her husband's terminal lung cancer diagnosis, how running helped her survive the darkest moments of caregiving and grief, and what it means to lose — and slowly rebuild — your running mojo. We dive into running through trauma, comfort eating and wine, the power of a ten-minute run, and why sometimes one mile is more than enough. Lisa also speaks openly about death and dying, dignity at the end of life, writing living wills, DNR decisions, death doulas, and how facing mortality can bring clarity, purpose, and peace. This is a conversation about resilience, realistic goals, choosing hope over fear, and why tenacity will always beat talent. Lisa's story reminds us that running doesn't need to look impressive to be meaningful — especially when it helps carry you through loss and into hope. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lisa Writer and Author of 3 running books  Her latest book: Still Running After All These Tears – A Runner's Journey Through Grief Being based in sunny Worthing  Her early years and coming from a running family Hating sports at a young age  Doing a 5k fun run when she was 10 Not running again for 20 years  Turning 30 and realising her life was at a crossroads Wanting to walk in the footsteps of her parents Being invited to a Race for Life event  Being supported by other women Entering the Great North Run  Everything that went wrong! Being offered a place in the London Marathon Wanting to do another marathon…. Running the Edinburgh Marathon and having an horrendous experience Trying a walk run strategy  Her recovery after the Paris Marathon  Writing her first book: Running Made Easy Jeff Galloway  Book: Your Pace or Mine? Having her husband diagnosed with terminal lung cancer  Learning a lot about cancer, mindset and dealing with medical professionals Turning wounds into wisdom  How running played an important role during her husbands illness Dealing with her loss of running mojo Giving people a roadmap; through trauma, grief and through terminal illness Life lessons for help in a challenging situation  Running through trauma and grief  Being a goal orientated person Wanting to run 100 marathons and visit 100 countries  Throwing her goals out of the window and focusing on keeping her husband alive for as long as she could  Turning to comfort eating and drinking wine  The power of a ten minute run Running mojo - "Running will be your salvation"  Being told to stop running  Needing to reset and recalibrate her expectations for herself Setting the target of running 1 mile Running a park run Running her first marathon in 7 years  Peter Rook Being a cancer thrivers partner Writing her book - running after all these tears Why it was the most difficult book she's written  Feeling drained by the writing Why the tears were healing and necessary  Being a supporter for Dignity in Dying  The realities of death  What stage the bill (Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill) is at  Talking about death and dying Making peach with our lives Anything that needs to change with our lives going forward  Making the decision to live in hope not fear Marie Curie Writing a living will Signing a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) for her husband while he was in hospice. How to have a good death Living her life with a sense of purpose Wanting to have someone hold her hand at death Having a death Doula  Wanting to die at home in her own bed Future plans in relation to running and travel The importance of goals  Why its the journey and not the destination Heading to visit Libya  Running the Brighton Marathon in 2026 Wanting to 100 Park Runs Wanting to run 100 Half Marathons  Doing a half ironman….. Being inspired by IronGran  Writing her bucket list Being very good with money Running a 100 mile race….. Not being a naturally talented runner The triumph of tenacity over talent! Wanting to preserve her body as much as possible  Treating her body with respect Coming last in 25 marathons How to connect with Lisa on social media Funny moments in the book! Final words of advice Start every run with a 5 minute walk  Make it as fun as you can Enjoy youself as much as you can  Don't live your life with regrets Why a 10 min run will make you feel like a new person Why running can be your salvation to  Social Media Instagram: @lisaflamingojackson  Facebook: @LisaFlamingoJackson

    51 min

  5. 7 APR

    Dr. Erin Ayala – Psychologist, Mental Performance Coach & Endurance Athlete

    Meet Dr. Erin Ayala, a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant from Minnesota, specialising in supporting female endurance athletes. With over a decade of research and clinical experience, she's a published author, sought-after speaker, and advocate for mental health in sport. In this episode, Erin shares insights on: Building mental resilience for endurance challenges Strategies for coping with performance pressure and burnout Balancing high-level competition with wellbeing Lessons from her own journey as a competitive cyclist A must-listen for anyone looking to strengthen their mind while chasing big goals. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Dr Erin - Licensed Psychologist and certified mental performance coach  Being based in the twin cities, Minnesota, USA Her love for working with female athletes Her backstory and being a multi-sport athlete in High School Getting to grad school and starting to get into running  Joining a run club and getting the running bug Working her way up to marathons Meeting her spouse and getting into cycling, triathlons and doing Ironman Moving to Minnesota in 2016  Joining a cycling club and being encouraged to start racing bikes Gravel racing for the past 10 years Growing up in a small, midwestern town. Wanting to look after herself better  Being a workaholic and not prioritising her health or wellness  Stretching herself to thin and not feeling proud of what's going on inside Being very achievement driven Needing to match the internal to external  Being consistent with therapy since undergraduate  Why running and riding can be therapeutic but it can never replace working with a licensed therapist.  Thoughts while running and how they have changed over the years  Being a smoker, waking up coughing and not feeling good Starting running to be healthy and fit again Why it became so much deeper so much quicker  External motivation can only get us so far  The internal motivation is what keeps us going  How running helps her prioritise her "me" time Figuring out the WHY Wanting to get off Strava, not following anyone on it, and not worrying about the social comparison game Getting sucked into the world of social media Starting with your WHY and what does that actually mean  What words do you want people to use to describe you as a person Setting herself up for success  Why her favourite clients are women in their 50s Getting the balance right between going after your goals and managing a relationship  Being supported on her bike adventures, both on and off the road    Doing really long road trips and going back country hiking together  Doing 2 big events per year Planning a race strategy and what the mental side of a race strategy looks like  Nothing new on race day and why the same applies to mental work and mental skills It's never too soon to start.  Doing meditation every day via a free app 3/4 weeks out and getting series about her race goals  Being ready to reassess her goals based upon life circumstances  Taking into account- life - when setting race goals  Life gives us training scores too Tips and tricks while being on the start line to get into the zone. The cognitive piece and psychological piece  Here are my pre-race jitters Feeling anxious at the start line e.g. going to the bathrooms multiple times before the start. Take a deep breath? Breathing  The importance of low and slow breathing and how it helps to balance out the nervous system. The concept of the pain cave  Courtney Dauwalter Taking it to the next level- finishing strong - the final push over the finish line Figuring out - What is the most difficult or most important part of the race? Visualising success…. Toxic positivity  How am I going to respond once the feeling hits? If - then - situation  Responding and dealing with failure and set backs  Letting the disappointment settle in  Reminding yourself that just because you didn't reach your goal didn't mean you are a failure and did anything wrong  Doing everything right and still not hitting your goals  Outcome goals are how we compare to other people  Set process goals and why they are more effective than outcome goals Starting a new podcast with Fiesty Media  Focusing on what she can do The noise on the internet The Feisty Women's Podcast - January 12th 2026 was the launch date - with weekly episodes going forward. Women and sleep and why women are more efficient sleepers than men Focus on the basics Taking on the more taboo topics Book: The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells us about the Power of the Female Body. By Starre Vartan  Sports psychology and why there is so much work to do in this space for women  Research which is specific for women The lack of large scale studies in sports psychology for women How to connect with Erin online  "Skadi"- The Norse Goddess of ice, snow and mountains Words of advice to motivate and inspire other women and girls  Being willing to ask the hard questions around where our expectations are coming from  Why it's ok to make our own rules and break them  Going back to your value system Does leaning into this experience make sense for me?   Social Media Website: www.skadisportpsychology.com  Instagram: @skadisportpsychology @feisty_womens_performance Fiesty Media Podcast: feisty.co/podcasts

    51 min

  6. 2 APR

    Jennifer Doohan – Founder of The Adventure Wellness Club, Helping Women Challenge Themselves and Connect in Nature

    Jennifer is an adventurer, wellness professional, and founder of The Adventure Wellness Club, helping women connect with nature, challenge themselves, and build lasting friendships through experiences grounded in the 3 Cs: Challenge, Connection, and Community. She designs international hiking adventures and UK-based experiences that blend movement, mindfulness, and wellness. Her work spans everything from planning logistics and designing programs to facilitating group hikes, yoga, sauna and ice-bath sessions, and breath work. Jennifer lived in Trentino, Italy for four years, where she learned to speak Italian and fell in love with the mountains and the sports within them, including ski touring. Over time, she has also run ultra marathons and bike packed long distances. Adventure is what makes her feel alive! As a late-diagnosed ADHDer, her adventures are rooted in wellness and informed by research like the 3 Day Effect, showing that just three days immersed in nature can boost attention, creativity, and emotional resilience — benefits especially meaningful for neurodivergent women. Each international trip ends with a sauna experience, which she considers essential for physical and emotional wellbeing. Her experiences encourage women to step outside their comfort zones while feeling supported, mindful, and fully present. Through adventure, movement, and shared experiences, Jennifer helps women slow down, feel capable, and reconnect with themselves and each other. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x   Show notes Who is Jennifer Original from Manchester, but now based in Sheffield When her running journey started Maintaining a good level of base fitness Running 50k in January  Feeling the need to go for a run Getting into ultra running  Supported a guy who did the Bob Graham Round and running one of the legs If he can do it - I can do it to Knowing that she was capable of achieving  Breaking down the goal  Seeing the behind the scenes of planning a run and how it inspired her The Japanese Odyssey  Doing the next best thing - signing up to a race in Italy  Being supported by people along the way  Running the Edale Skyline with Barefoot John  Digging into the planning and learning new planning skills Being impulsive and spontaneous  Being determined enough to do it  Why it's not just about the planning, but also about the execution  Coming up with a rough plan  Planning, hormones, structure  Not having the energy for hill reps and feeling fatigued Beating herself up for not achieving it Having to reframe the situation  The night before the race and doing a race strategy with Chat GPT  Working with a coach - S&C and following a 12 week running plan  Why there isn't a right and a wrong - why it's what works for you Looking at the training plan and listening to her body  Running the ultra marathon while menstruating  Fitting training into life and work  Running to her cleaning job  Starting a marketing contract for 4 days a week Having a rest day on Monday Being forced to find the time Combing running with life  Starting with a running coach and training for a 50k in April in Wales (She Ultra)  The Ultra Race in Italy - being the only British women running   Her aim for the race Why it's not about the other people racing - it's about you Treating it as a fun day out - chatting to people in the mountain huts, changing her top, taking things steady Teaching herself that she could do it Sprinting towards the end, just trying to get there  Gaining new experience  SheUltra Race  Wanting to build her confidence in her physical abilities  Getting into plyometrics - for building bone density  Founding the Adventure Wellness Club and what it's goals are Wanting to bring people together to share her passion  Being diagnosed with ADHD and starting to understand how her brain works and working on her self confidence  Pushing herself out of comfort zone with travel and adventure Delivering her first trip in 2025 Teaching herself that you can make your idea a reality  Ending each trip with a sauna and spa experience  The "3 Day Effect" - spending 72 hours disconnected from technology and surrounded by nature has a breadth of benefits for your mind. Why adventure is key to wellness Looking at herself with more compassion Why it's not just a focus issue Why a diagnosis does change everything Trying medication and working with a nurse practitioner  Starting to realise how awesome she is Seeing yourself in a different way  Issues with ADHD, perimenopause and mental health  Her feelings with turning 40 Becoming more comfortable with not having children Being more comfortable with how her life is Wanting to age as strong as she can - keep pushing it, keep learning what it is capable of  Wanting to go ski touring in New Zealand  How to connect with Jennifer on social media  Developing her website at the moment Final words of advice for other women who want more adventure in their life  The thing that you're thinking of doing that seems scary, follow the thread of that curiosity, it's there for a reason.    Social Media Website: www.adventurewellness.club  Instagram: @adventurewellness.club  Facebook: @adventurewellnessclub

    42 min

  7. 31 MAR

    Marie "Lootie" Leautey – Solo, Unsupported & Fastest Woman to Run Around the World

    In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we're joined by Marie "Lootie" Leautey, the second woman in history to run around the world solo and unsupported — and the fastest woman to do it. Lootie's journey began in France, far from the running world. A former smoker and corporate finance professional, she swapped cigarettes for daily runs at 25, building up to her first marathon in just eight months. That spark turned into an audacious dream: to run across the globe — 26,000+ km, across four continents, relying entirely on herself. Starting her run in Europe in December 2019, Lootie faced deserts, mountains, and long stretches between resupply points, carrying only a 12–15kg stroller packed with her essentials. Along the way, she experienced the kindness of strangers, the thrill of new cultures, and the incredible mental discipline required to run a marathon every day for years. Beyond the physical feat, Lootie shares how her journey is rooted in purpose: raising funds for Women for Women International, honouring her grandmother's legacy, and inspiring women to ask themselves, "Why am I doing this, and is it aligned with who I want to be?" This is a story of grit, adventure, and the extraordinary power of chasing your own path — a reminder that there's very little you can't achieve once you set your mind to it. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Lootie Becoming the 2nd woman to run around the world - solo and unsupported Fastest women to run around the world  Her early years growing up in France Coming from a sporty family but not being interested in running Her love for team sports  Being a smoker Being out of shape at 25/26 years old Swapping her cigarettes for a run ever day Her wake up call in Greece while learning how to windsurf Building up to a marathon distance- 8 months later Leaving France when she was 20  - working in finance for big corporates  Having the idea to run around the world Going on Google - has anyone run around the world before The World Runners Association (WRA)  Her route and the rules and how they gave her structure  Needing to cross a minimum of 4 continents, and run in one continuous direction  Running a minimum distance of just under 30,000 km (The runner must cover a total of at least 26,232 km on foot) Making the decision and the commitment  Understanding her WHY and having it at the forefront of her mind  Self financing the challenge  Deciding to run a marathon per day  Taking 2 years in the planning and preparation  Running without time pressure The daily thoughts, the novelty of running  Never thinking of giving up as this is exactly what she wanted Her running set up - and keeping it as light as possible (12 - 15kg) Researching with google maps - trying to figure out her location every 40km The longest distances without resupply - and knowing she would need to camp and to be self sufficient.  Having a stroller with waterproof bags  The mental side of the challenge while running  Having a sensory experience while running  Not being bored on any of the days - even while crossing the desert in Australia Speaking French, English, German and Greek Starting her run in Europe and why it was such a challenge (covid) Starting 6th December 2019 After leaving Europe and heading to America (Getting an exception from the WRA) Arriving in New York in Mid November 2021 What daily life was like on the road  Starting running at dawn and being done by lunchtime  What the afternoons would look like  Carrying 2 GPS trackers - and updating the info daily (or as often as possible when wifi was available) Going to bed by 9pm and sleeping very well throughout the challenge - going from sleeping 5hrs a night to 9/10 hours of sleep at night Eating what you find, eat until you are not hungry anymore Not being dependent on certain types of food, drinks, gels, supplements etc Running in South America (her first visit was on the run), starting in Patagonia  Running up to 4,000m of altitude  Being inspired by her Grandmother who was the director of the first feminist library in France   Being taught the differences between the treatment between men and woman  Being encouraged to do what ever she wanted Wanting to use her voice to share that message with women  Running for Women for Women International  Wanting to rise $1 per km run  The challenges of running in Australia: - road trains, distances between resupply points The kindness of strangers  Running in Australia between May and August - which is Autumn time  Finishing the world run in Sydney, Australia and coming to the end of the run and the experience. Feeling a little bit of satisfaction and also wanting the run to continue - a cocktail of strong and contradictory emotions  Feeling at peace now - 3 years after the run The day after and not needing to run anymore Never missing the running, even though she enjoyed it everyday  Struggling to run casually after the end of the world run Flying back to France and going back to the normal world  Having a publishing contract in France and being ready after 2/3 months to start writing about the experience Feeling that the adventure was so rich - that she wanted to write the story in English and finding a publisher in the United States The next challenge…. Deciding to run across Africa Wanting to be a teacher How to connect with Lootie on social media  Final words of advice for other women who want to take on their own personal challenge Whatever you're doing — at work or in your life — pause and ask yourself: Why am I doing this? And how aligned is it with who I am, or who I want to become? There's very little you can't do once you set your mind to it. Her motto - Wanting to see the world, enjoy it and appreciate every step of the way.    Social Media Website: lootie-run.com  Instagram: @lootierun Facebook: @lootierun Strava: www.strava.com/athletes/48402997

    54 min

  8. 24 MAR

    Stephanie Ho: Adventurer and Endurance Athlete Skiing Solo to the South Pole & Pushing Beyond Limits

    Stephanie Ho is a 24-year-old adventurer, endurance athlete, and exercise physiologist based on the Gold Coast, Australia. From rock climbing and ocean swimming to triathlons and mountain expeditions, Stephanie has always chased the outdoors — but her biggest goals lie in the polar regions. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Stephanie shares her journey from discovering hiking and camping as a teenager to trekking Everest Base Camp, running 43km a day for a week, and skiing 540km across Greenland. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of polar expeditions, the lessons she's learned in extreme environments, and what it takes to keep motivation alive when the goal seems impossible. Stephanie is now preparing for a solo 1,200km expedition to the South Pole in 2026 — hauling a 100kg sled through temperatures as low as -50°C — a feat that, if successful, will make her the first Australian woman to achieve it. Along the way, she talks logistics, training, nutrition, dealing with fears and unsolicited advice, and the importance of listening to your body while chasing what sets your soul on fire. This conversation is a masterclass in mental toughness, gratitude, and stepping beyond your comfort zone. Stephanie's story will inspire you to dream big, push limits, and embrace adventure — no matter your age or background.  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time).  Support the Tough Girl mission via Patreon: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast *** Show notes Who is Steph Being based on the Gold Coast, Australia  24 years old Working as an exercise physiologist - both in the office and in a clinical setting  Her love for any activity that is outdoors from rock climbing to hiking, cycling, ocean swimming, skiing and doing triathlons  Her main goal is to train for big skiing expeditions and big mountain expeditions  Her early memories and not being encouraged to be that active  Growing up as an only child  Wanting to do more running How things changed at 14 and going camping for the first time in her life Finding friends who wanted to go hiking and camping  Heading over to Nepal to do the Everest base camp after graduating high school  Wanting to spend some time alone reflecting on the past 18 years  Having a good reset before starting university  Why her trip to Nepal was so formative  Trekking to Everest Base camp in Winter  Getting up to 5,500 metres Climbing Kala Patthar, Nepal  Enjoying being in the cold, remote environment Knowing that her next big adventure was going to be Antarctica  Starting to plan her training trips to Norway and Greenland  Having everything put on hold until 2023 Doing her Polar Training course in Norway Skiing across Greenland in 2023 Doing more solo expeditions in the polar regions Planning to head to the South Pole at the end of 2026 Polar training and the lessons learned  Being part of a team to do the Greenland crossing in May 2023 30 days on the ice - starting on the west coast and heading to the East coast  Learning how to cope in the cold and the wind Dealing with polar thigh Why the journey has been rewarding and feeling a lot of pride with what's been achieved. Thinking about what's next and struggling to be satisfied with the achievements  Running for 43k a day for 7 days… Learning how to suffer mentally while out on the ice Staying positive and the other lessons learned to help mentally  Practicing gratitude and being grateful for where she it  Keeping the motivation alive The logistics and finances to pay for the expedition  Working with ALE  Training and what that looks like Recovery and paying more attention to nutrition  Being vegetation, but eating some white meat, such as chicken and fish Having cold showers Concerns and fears to mange before the trip Managing unsolicited opinions and advice  How to connect with Stephanie  Advice to motivate and inspire other women to step outside their comfort zone Don't be afraid of what other people might think of you.  Listening to your body and what you want to do  Do something that sets your soul on fire    Social Media Website: solosouth.com.au

    33 min
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4.8
out of 5
303 Ratings

About

The Tough Girl Podcast is all about inspiring and motivating YOU! I will be interviewing inspirational women from around the world, who've faced and overcome difficult challenges and situations, they will share their story, their knowledge and provide advice and essential tips for you to overcome your own personal challenges.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Williams
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    848
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Tough Girl Podcast

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