Tough Girl Podcast

Sarah Williams
  • 4.6 (97)
  • 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. 14H AGO

    Emma Karslake, FRGS, is an adventurer, writer and cycle tour guide who has spent much of the past eight years exploring the world by bike.

    From ultra-light hotel bikepacking on a road bike to six-month expeditions in remote regions on a heavily laden hybrid, Emma has experienced nearly every form of bike travel, including ultra-endurance racing. She is a passionate advocate for slow travel as a means to reconnect with nature, embrace minimalism, and discover alternative ways of living. Her travels have shaped a deep commitment to sustainability, wild camping with minimal impact, and challenging the idea of nature as a park or playground, separate from our everyday lives. You can sign up to her newsletter for monthly updates and tips. She is particularly keen to empower others, especially women, to embrace solo adventures, and she shares both practical guidance and philosophical reflections through her writing and events.  ***  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 Emma Working as a cycling journalist and tour guide Moving around a lot and not really having a home base Currently writing a guidebook on French Guiana  Having a normal childhood and not being particularly sporty  Growing up in France and starting running at 16  Running and rowing throughout university  Taking a gap year after university and heading to South America in 2016/2017 Fundraising for 6 months before starting from Ushuaia and heading to Lima in Peru. Having a very small/tight budget  Wild camping as much as possible  What it was like on the trip - starting in January and dealing with prevailing winds all the way Travelling in a group of 3 and what it was like Being totally tolerant for a month Doing a few more little trips, before heading with her partner on a European cycle trip Journaling on the trip and writing a little bit each evening  Her bike set up and how it's changed over the years Getting a vintage road bike, a carbon road bike, a gravel bike…. Dealing with saddle sores Brooks Leather Saddle Planning and logistics  Spreadsheets…. Route planning and starting with google, to find official routes, or to see if other people have created a route bikepacking.com komoot.com Thoughts on being brave Managing personal fears Encountering risk in everyday life Following gut instinct  Moving away from being a nice girl Travelling on your own Being allowed to change your mind Deciding to do more cycling competitions  Ultra races and why the winners are the ones who sleep the least Trying out new challenges How expensive ultra endurance races can be The joy of long trips and how it can change your perspective of time  The dream 6 month to a year trip Wanting to go back to South America or cycling from Europe to Asia Being content with taking her time on trips The cycling guidebook about French Guiana. How to connect with Emma online Final words of advice for other women who want to go on adventures and discover more of the world Do it in a simple and gradual way. The power of keeping it simple    Social Media Website: www.emmakarslake.com Newsletter: www.emmakarslake.com/newsletter Insta: @emma_up_cycles Linkedin: Emma Karslake

    45 min

  2. FEB 10

    Lorraine Lewis: Author of Dare to Dream, Ultra Runner, and Co-founder of The Lewis Foundation

    Lorraine Lewis is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Lewis Foundation, an award-winning cancer charity providing free gift packs and ongoing support to adult cancer patients across 17 hospitals in the Midlands. Founded from lived experience, the charity has become a lifeline for thousands of people diagnosed with cancer. Beyond her role as a charity leader, Lorraine is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, inspiring audiences ranging from school children to corporate professionals. She has delivered talks for organisations including The Eden Project, the European Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and AJ Bell, sharing powerful messages of resilience, purpose and hope. Lorraine's remarkable journey has captured national attention. She has been featured in publications such as The Sun and HELLO! Magazine, and has appeared on Channel 4 News, highlighting her work and personal story. Her dedication to community service has been recognised through numerous accolades, including the HELLO! Magazine Inspiration Award, Great British Entrepreneur Award, and the prestigious Prime Minister's Point of Light Award. In recognition of her services to cancer, Lorraine was recently invited to meet Their Majesties The King and Queen. In addition to her charitable work, Lorraine is an author, with her memoir Dare To Dream chronicling her journey from lawyer to charity founder. She also hosts the podcast "See Through The Big C", amplifying the voices of those living with cancer, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals. A passionate artist, Lorraine discovered her love for art in her forties and continues to explore creativity alongside her enthusiasm for fitness, including HYROX competitions, running, and ultra-distance challenges—living proof that it's never too late to dream, create, and push beyond perceived limits. ***  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 Lorraine Being based in Northampton Co-founder of The Lewis Foundation which supports cancer patients in hospital   Writing her book, 'Dare to Dream'  Her early years growing up  Not being sporty and always trying to get out of PE Being into reading and writing  Her dream of wanting to become a barrister Being supported and encouraged by her parents Her determination and resilience  Not knowing how she would achieve her goals  Doing old school research by heading to the library Creating her own opportunities to gain the experiences she needed  Doing the Bar Vocational Course  Not having time for sport or physical activity  £50k of student debt…. Being determined to make it happen Dealing with challenges and changes How it changed their life Starting to question everything and why there must be more to life What can be done? Wanting to make people feel better Dealing with cancer, death and grief Supporting people with cancer Bringing joy to peoples days Getting into fitness and ultra running to raise funds for the charity Deciding to sign up to do a Tough Mudder (Obstacle Run)  Wanting to push herself more physically and step outside her comfort zone  Running out of money for the charity How Mike supported the charity with a £50k donation  The kindness of strangers  Deciding to take on the 3 Peaks Challenge  Taking on more and more running challenges Being consumed by the Lewis Foundation and starting to neglect herself Rat Race  The Wall  Discovering Hyrox  Getting back on her feet and being more active and more healthy  Starting to feel stronger mentally and more resilient to handle challenges January 2025 - and doing her vision board and goals for the year Deciding to sign up for the 70 mile race Not training for the ultra in the best way… Being at the start of the race  The struggle during the race and crossing the finishing line Feeling physically broken but knowing it was her mental resilience that got her across the finish line The mental side of running 70 miles Setting a big challenge for 2026 Taking on a 100 mile ultra! The Rat Race Castle to Castle  The Lewis Foundation will be celebrating it's 10th Anniversary in 2026  Starting to follow a specific running program  Being pushed in her training Making sure to eat better  The challenges of fuelling while being coeliac  Feeling in a much better place physically  Needing to exercise at 6am Training about 35 hrs a week What is the race strategy…. Breaking down the training  Fuelling her training and needing to eat more  Not being afraid to consume food—especially carbs Taking supplements to help with iron levels  Creatine and omega-3 The benefits of hiking poles/sticks Rotating trainers The financial impact of taking on challenges/runs etc How to connect with Lorraine on social media Podcast: See through the big C  Final words of advice  The importance of living your life  Make the most of the time we have on this planet   Social Media Website: www.lorrainelewisbcah.co.uk  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-lewis-bcah  Youtube: @Seethroughthebigc  Instagram: @lorraine_lewisbca Book: Dare to Dream

    57 min

  3. FEB 3

    Alexandra Nemeth: Beyond the Seven Summits — Highs, Lows, and Life in Extreme Places.

    Alex is a qualified International Mountain Leader, Polar Guide, and a professional Photographer based in St. Moritz, Switzerland. From scaling the world's highest peaks to leading expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, she thrives where the wild meets the extreme. Her passion for high-altitude exploration took her on a relentless quest; climbing the highest mountain on every continent, culminating on the summit of Mt. Everest in 2018. She became the first ever Hungarian to climb the Seven Summits. This journey ignited her mission to guide others through the raw beauty of the mountains and beyond. In the winter, she guides private snowshoe and fat bike around St. Moritz; in the summer, she leads exhilarating hiking and mountain biking adventures across the Alps. Between her Alps seasons, she's found working in the Polar regions (Antarctica: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and lead crevasse rescue guide. Arctic: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and polar bear guard) Her expertise extends far beyond Europe, guiding bespoke expeditions across the globe. An endurance athlete at heart, Alex is always chasing the next adventure—whether Polar ski crossing, racing mountain bikes, or pushing limits in the mountains. As a professional photographer and drone pilot, she uses her lens to capture the world's most remote landscapes, advocate for environmental conservation, and document the stories of the Polar regions. Her work is deeply inspired by mountains, polar history, pioneering female explorers, and the delicate balance of nature. In her recent book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin, Alex shares her experiences of climbing these mountains, and she also explores the journey that shaped who she is today: all the highs and lows. I hope to bring these peaks closer to readers by including short historical notes alongside each climb and sharing everything she learned along the way. The book is also rich in photographs, helping to bring both the stories and these beautiful mountains vividly to life. First TGP episode - August 25th 2020 - Alexandra Nemeth the first Hungarian to climb the 7 summits!  ***  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 Alex Being born in Hungary, but spending most of her adult life in the UK Deciding to move to the Swiss Alps to work as an International Mountain Leader Climbing the 7 Summits and becoming the first Hungarian to do so Coming on the Tough Girl Podcast - August 25th 2020  What's been the biggest changes over the past few years  Making the decision to move from the UK to Switzerland  Having a plan to live in the mountains  Waiting for the right opportunity.  Packing up her car in 2020 What life has been like in Switzerland  Being a qualified Mountain Bike Guide  The Next chapter in her life Becoming an International Mountain Leader (IML) Working 2 part time jobs to make a living  Finding a community in Switzerland  Ending up doing things on her own  Needing to prioritise herself and gaining her qualifications  Focusing on navigation  The 4 stages of the IML  Becoming a polar guide  Getting a job on an expedition ship  What is ship life like? Documenting her journey in a book! Connecting with nature can be incredible powerful Dealing with her fears, most noticeably her fear of heights Choosing to heal in nature  Turning her passion into a job Putting together expeditions to Peru Keeping it fun and exciting  Planning for adventures and expeditions  How to start and why you need to build things up Being on a ship for the next 2 months International Women's Day 8th March 2025 Free Snowshoe Tour for Women! Doing a hut to hut tour! Teaching women winter survival skills How to connect with Alex on social media  Advice who want to follow their dreams and passions Don't let excuses stop you on your way. Stay on the path, even if you have to slow down.  Live your life without excuses!    Social Media Website alex7summits.com  Instagram @alex7summits  Email: alex7summits@gmail.com Book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin

    43 min

  4. JAN 27

    Bonita Norris – Mountains, Mindset, Motherhood and Mastering the Impossible

    Bonita Norris became the youngest woman to reach both the summit of Mt Everest at just 22 and the North Pole at 23, and her story is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, she shares the journey that took her from school trips in North Wales to climbing some of the world's highest peaks, navigating extreme environments, and pushing the limits of what's possible. Bonita reflects on the early steps that built her career in mountaineering—starting with beginner climbing courses, funding her expeditions, and preparing for the Himalayan peaks. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of summiting Everest, managing fear in remote and hostile environments, and how these experiences shaped her life and perspective. Now a mother of two, Bonita also discusses how she balances adventure with family life, inspiring her children to embrace courage and curiosity. From attempting K2 to climbing the Matterhorn after an eight-year hiatus, she emphasises the importance of showing up, trusting the process, and meeting opportunity with determination. Whether you're chasing literal mountains or metaphorical ones in your own life, Bonita's insights, lessons in bravery, and personal stories will motivate you to take the next bold step. ***  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 Bonita  The youngest person to have reached both the summit of Mt Everest (age 22) and the North Pole (age 23) Book: The Girl Who Climbed Everest (2022)  Mother of 2 children Growing up and her early years  Going on a school trip to North Wales and loving every moment of hiking in the mountains  Finishing her A'levels and going off to South America to climb to Machu Picchu at 18 Not realising she could make a career out of mountaineering Alison Hargreaves's dying on K2 in 1995  Mothers and taking risks Being in her 2nd year at university and going to a mountaineering talk at the Royal Geographical Society  Realising that she wanted to climb and wanting to climb Mt Everest  I don't know how, but I'm going to make it happen Being inspired and maintaining the inspiration/motivation Why it felt so meaningful  2 years - 24 months to gain the skills, knowledge and funding Starting with a beginners climbing course Working backwards from her goal Completing the smaller milestones and trusting in the process Funding and paying for everything Heading off on her first Himalayan Expedition - Manaslu (eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres (26,781 ft)) Getting a job, using her student loan and receiving a grant from her university Having 6 months to find £50k to join her team going to Everest. Getting out of bed bad making another call Speaking with Capital FM on the radio How everything turned around Getting the money, getting the sponsorship Why you don't need to be an Olympic Athlete to climb Everest  Why you need to work on the actual problem - don't work around the problem  Fitness before heading of to Nepal  Doing multi-days of training without rest If you want to get good at climbing mountains, climb mountains Reflecting back on the experience  Worrying about what may go wrong on the mountain Reaching the summit and how it's changed her life Understanding the risks at 22 Thoughts on letting her children climb Everest Climbing Everest with her daughter in the future Attempting to climb K2 and managing fear in remote, hostile environments Encouraging bravery and courage in her children  Climbing the Matterhorn in 2025 after 8 years off climbing  Not knowing if she would still enjoy it Taking the time to figure out what is next How you can connect with Bonita Final words of advice  Put yourself out there and luck will meet you half way  You have to show up   Social Media Website: www.bonita-norris.com  Linkedin: Bonita Norris

    51 min

  5. JAN 19

    Jacquetta Megarry – Founding Rucksack Readers, Walking Adventures, and Building Confidence in the Outdoors

    Jacquetta Megarry didn't grow up in the outdoors, and she certainly didn't see herself as an adventurer—or a publisher. But turning 50 sparked a journey that would transform her life. From walking the West Highland Way with friends to summiting Mt Kilimanjaro, Jacquetta discovered the power of pacing yourself, listening to your body, and building unshakeable self-belief. Her adventures inspired her to found Rucksack Readers, a guidebook company that helps hikers navigate trails around the world. Over 25 years later, Jacquetta shares stories from her experiences—from hiking in the UK during Storm Amy, to trekking the Inca Trail, to exploring Antarctica—along with lessons on making mistakes, learning from them, and embracing challenges at any age. In this episode, Jacquetta shares how stepping outside your everyday life can open doors to new passions, transform confidence, and even create a career doing what you love. She offers practical tips for hikers, insights into publishing, and encouragement for women ready to explore the world on their own terms. This episode is for you if you: Want inspiration to start a new adventure at any age Dream of hiking, trekking, or exploring the outdoors Are curious about publishing guidebooks and sharing your knowledge Believe it's never too late to embrace challenges and grow Ready to be inspired? Hit play and let Jacquetta take you on a journey of mountains, maps, and life-changing adventures. ***  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 Jacquetta Growing up in London and going to school there Living all her adult life in Scotland  Living in Edinburgh Founding Rucksack Readers a guidebook company  Not being sporty or into the great outdoors at a young age Turning 50 and deciding to go and walk the West Highland Way with 4 female friends to celebrate 200 years of womanhood  Feeling dissatisfied with the official guidebook This frustration lay dormant for 18 months  Heading off to climb Mt Kilimanjaro for the first time and why the altitude was a great leveller How climbing Kilimanjaro gave her the self belief in order to make a career change  Going from working in IT to starting a guidebook company  The importance of pacing yourself and listening to your body Building self belief on the mountain  How only 9 out of the 16 made it to the summit Feeling health, taking photos and enjoying the experience  Doing something so far outside your normal everyday life and how it can make you think differently about life Becoming a publisher and having the confidence to think you can write a guidebook after one experience Deciding to do the Inca Trail in 2001 and the challenges involved in gathering the info for a guidebook  Why would you not want the paper to be rainproof? Hiking the Dales Way during Storm Amy Creating little map booklets for hikers (waterproof) Apps verses Guidebooks  Planning a walk with ChatGPT The structure of the guidebook Mapping and keeping route information updated Being a volunteer - on the Xtreme Everest Project   Dealing with altitude sickness - keeping well hydrated and monitoring her heart  Maintaining a base level of fitness… Celebrating 25 years of Rucksack Readers Writing about the mistakes made in publishing Talking about failure and mistakes and the lessons made  Visiting Antarctica and wanting to go sea kayaking and see the emperor penguins  Dealing with the cold and the conditions on the ship  How her hiking has changed now entering her 70s The joy of being a publisher and being able to follow her passions Future challenge and revisiting the Dales Way Succession planning for Rucksack Readers Having a year of consolidation and looking after the future How to connect with Jacquetta and Rucksack Readers Discount code for the listeners of the Tough Girl Podcast—use toughgirl for a 20% discount of all books  Final words of advice for other women who want to go on more adventures and challenges around the world Mistakes and being afraid of getting it wrong.  Get out there, make the mistakes, and be sure to learn from them.    Social Media Website: rucsacs.com use toughgirl for a 20% discount off books - valid until 20th January 2027 Instagram: @rucksack_readers Facebook: Rucksack Readers

    41 min

  6. JAN 15

    Sabrina Pace-Humphreys – UTMB, Trail Running, and Building Community: The Journey of a Runner and Advocate

    Sabrina Pace-Humphreys is back on the Tough Girl Podcast for her third appearance, sharing her incredible journey as a runner, coach, and advocate for representation in trail running. From being a mum of four and grandmother of three, to taking on some of the toughest ultramarathons in the world, Sabrina's story is one of resilience, community, and the relentless pursuit of goals. In this episode, Sabrina reflects on her time at the UTMB, the challenges of race preparation, and the lessons learned when things don't go to plan. She also shares updates on her work with Black Trail Runners, supporting women and runners of the global majority, and gives a sneak peek into her new book, Start Where You Are: The Beginner's 5k Running Guide for Women. Whether you're chasing your first 5k, dreaming of ultra distances, or passionate about creating inclusive running communities, Sabrina's insights, advice, and personal stories will inspire you to lace up and claim your mantle as a runner. Listen to past episodes with Sabrina on the Tough Girl Podcast  July 7th 2020 - Sabrina Pace-Humpreys - Ultra runner, going from Anxiety to Accomplishment - Running the MDS August 30th - 2022 - Sabrina Pace-Humphreys - Co-founder of Black Trail Runners and running Britain's most brutal race  ***  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 Sabrina Pace-Humphreys Run coach, personal trainer and community builder  Advocate for representation in running  Mum of 4, grandmother of 3 3rd time on the Tough Girl Podcast! Speaking with Sabrina on August 30th 2022 The final things we talked about - Back to the Trails, creating a vision board, wanting to participate in the UTMB race and wanting to write a 2nd book about running  What's happened over the past few years 2023 Survivor!  Not being able to hide being a hype woman!  Why you will either love it or hate it Being voted out in the 2nd week  Why it was such a bizarre experience seeing herself Having an episode of poor mental health after the show and feeling out of control Using her voice to motivate a team Coming out of the low moments and the connection to running, community and friendships  Her go to tools Update on Black Trail Runners Running social runs with students of the global majority Creating a sustainable charity and model HERE FOR THE WOMEN'S RACE Being involved in a steering committee to get more women in the trail running space  Creating the black and gold t-shirt - "Here for the women's race" Her journey to the UTMB Running stones and collecting them  UK race - Arc of Attrition and Ultra Trail Snowdonia Applying via the ballot  The planning and preparation for UTMB B and C races, planning weekends in Snowdonia and France Using an altitude chamber for training  Booking accommodation for the UTMB a year in advance Financial access to races  £15,000 for races, accommodations, travel costs, gear, supplements etc August on the start line of the UTMB Working on a film to be released next year Not wanting to let anyone down Not liking the pre-race faff Why it was different to what she thought it would be The brutal conditions and being timed out  Tweaking her calf the week before The weather challenges and the impact on the racers Not being able to get out of the slump How the race made her question everything  Being supported by her husband and friends Battling cutoffs  Not having it in her and the end of the race Working on her running book! New Book: Start Where You Are: The Beginner's 5k Running Guide for Women How you can connect with Sabrina Final words of advice and wisdom You can do hard things  Claiming the mantle - I am a runner   Social Media Website: www.sabrinapacehumphreys.com Instagram: @sabrunsmiles  New book: Start Where You Are: The Beginner's 5k Running Guide for Women

    1h 4m

  7. JAN 13

    Becky Wandell – Reinvention, Solo Travel, and Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail at 55

    Becky Wandell is a Teacher, Writer, Tour Guide, Volunteer, and Solo Traveler. At 47, while weathering a difficult divorce and the death of four close relatives, she clawed her way up from the depths of grief and, in her words, set out to "find her way back to Becky again".  To do this, she quit her job, sold all of her belongings and charted a plan to complete a series of adventures she had always dreamed of doing. Joining the US Peace Corps, learning to speak Spanish and gaining her confidence in solo travel and living abroad set the stage for several years of living her best life throughout South America; a life rich with opportunities to learn, grow, serve others through volunteering, integrate deeply into cultures, and make connections - especially with women. Then, in 2024 at the age of 55, she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada.  It was there, with thousands of footsteps across the desert, over the mountains and back home to the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, she was finally able to release the last of her regrets, coming away from the trek feeling lighter, freer, more confident and beautiful than ever before.  Turns out, living life to the fullest and fulfilling all your dreams brings joy. Now, Becky works as a seasonal Tour Guide in Alaska which allows her to spend the rest of the year living out of her backpack, always ready for the next adventure. ***  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 Becky  Teacher, writer, solo traveller, volunteer and tour guide  Starting her life in the Mid-West Knowing she always wanted to live by mountains  Starting to work for the forest service in environmental programs  Having a wonderful career and life Needing to make a pivot in her life and needing to figure out what she really wanted to do Joining the Peace Corps at 47  Wanting to travel more, learn a new language and experience more of the world Deciding to hike the Pacific Crest Trail at 55 from Mexico to Canada Gaining a huge amount of confidence  Wanting to slow travel more and working as a tour guide in Alaska Living her dream and being the best beaky she can be The pivot at 47 The love letters….. the origin story to her relationship  Giving up her dreams and "compromising"  Typing out all the things that she wanted to do back then Sacrificing her dreams  What the Peace Corps is Learning so much about herself, other people and cultures  Living in Ecuador with a family and leaning the language  Her new path and dealing with lonely moments Losing her parents  Slow travel and volunteering around South America  Workaway  Spending 2 years travelling around Patagonia  Her dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Feeling ready to take on the hike Not having fears or concerns before the hike Letting go of fear Getting her trail name Challenging sections on the PCT Why 700 miles in the desert was the real challenge  Being supported by her friends during the tough moments The mental game Doing hard things  Writing a letter to herself  Can she push her body that hard to make the hike happen Preparing for the trail really well Needing to hike her hike her way Learning about her last name Sharing a little video from the end of the PCT Finally identifying as a tough girl  How to connect with Becky  Final words of advice Give up the fear, your going to be ok  Start planning, take the step.   Social Media Blog: onthewingadventures.com Instagram: @beckysonthewingadventures

    49 min

  8. JAN 6

    Denisa Krásná – Flow, Fear, and Female Adventure: Redefining Women's Stories in Extreme Sports

    What does it mean to challenge the limits of both body and mind—and to redefine what success looks like along the way? Denisa Krásná, scholar, author, and adventurer from the Czech Republic, takes us on a journey into the world of women in extreme sports. From her early days trekking with her parents to highlining hundreds of meters above the ground, Denisa has always been drawn to adventure, isolation, and pushing herself beyond comfort. She co-edited Flow: Women's Counternarratives from Rivers, Rock, and Sky, an inspiring anthology celebrating diverse women's voices in adventure sports—whitewater kayaking, climbing, mountaineering, and highlining—challenging stereotypes and redefining what it means to be successful in the outdoors. In this episode, we explore: Denisa's path from scholar to adventurer and author How fear, frustration, and failure can become tools for growth The mental game behind highlining and extreme sports Stories of resilience, creativity, and empowerment from women across the globe Why inclusivity, mentorship, and community are key to thriving in adventure sports Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a woman seeking inspiration, or simply curious about the stories behind extreme adventure, Denisa's insights will leave you reflecting on your own limits—and inspired to push past them. Tune in for a conversation about courage, flow, and the power of women redefining adventure on their own terms. *** 🎙️ 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 Denisa Growing up and living in the Czech Republic  Working as a scholar at university  Loving research and writing about her adventure  Writing books and academic articles Her early years growing up  Travelling with her parents all the time Going on trekking adventures around the world from places like  lapland to Nepal  Her love for being outdoors and being isolated  Being introverted  Wanting to talk to adults and discuss ideas  Her passion for reading, researching and academics  Being active every single day New Book: Flow: Women's Counternarratives from Rivers, Rock, and Sky How the book came about with her friend Alena Rainsberry  Getting a grant to work on outdoor counternarratives  Being do-ers  and getting things done Reaching out to potential authors  The gap in the literature  What does counternarratives mean? What the typical story of success currently is in outdoor sports Wanting to show that success is something that should be defined by the individual - it should be fluid. Including stories from professional athletes who define success in the more conventional way  Representation of women in adventure stories  The stories that resonated and made her think in a different way Why every story can make you think  The unique view of Rae Raptor aka Cheryll Glotfelty  The advantages that her age gives her from money and time  Talking about fear and how fear manifests in so many different ways  Rocky Mountain Books Denisa view on fear and how she experiences it  Why her view on fear is very rational and being able to distinguish between the objective and subjective fear Highlining and slacklining  Her journey into highlining  Buying a slackline during covid Why the improvements were related to the frequency of training  Having quick initial progress Being introduced to the local slacklining community and getting a mentor The state of flow  Why flow is also a word game and why it has multiple meanings The photo on the cover of FLOW - with Brenda Gor  What free style highlining is and how it is different from walkers The mental side of highlining  - zoning out  The importance of preparing before you even get on the line  Using rituals to get mentally into the right state of mind  The number one cause of death in highlining  Human mistakes and how it can happen to experienced professionals  Why it's good to be slightly afraid  Always respect that you are doing an extreme sport  Why the mental game is different for everybody  Needing to take a few steps to get into the mental zone  Specific training needed for the sport  Frustration with slacking and not seeing progress  Why you should't give up when you first start Why the start can be very painful Why you need to trust the process  Focus on the positive things Don't lean into the frustration  Needing to work on the mental side of highlining  Walking 200m lines and falling once at the end on the seemingly easy part The struggle at the end  Fighting the doubts in her mind  Why these sports are like a mirror into our inner selves  Flow, Fear, Frustration, Falling - dealing with a sense of Failure  The lessons learned from failure - Dorothea Hamilton  Women being framed as too ambitious and that being seen as a negative  Climbing half dome with Alena Rainsberry Why it was amazing and traumatic!  How to connect with Denisa Final words of advice for other women who want to take on more adventure sports Why it's important to find people to do the activity with, people who support you and people who motivate you.  Reading memoirs written by other women    Social Media Website: www.riversrocksky.com Instagram: @vegi.deni.slacks Book: Flow: Women's Counternarratives from Rivers, Rock, and Sky

    48 min
See All (835)

4.6
out of 5
97 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
    835
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Tough Girl Podcast

You Might Also Like