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TOUGH GIRL PODCAST 2022

The Tough Girl podcast is all about motivating and inspiring you, while increasing amount of female role models in the media especially in relation to adventure and physical challenges. 

The TGP  has won 3 awards! The Women's Sports Trust #BeAGameChanger National Award for Media Initiative of the Year (2018). The Shextreme Best Adventure Podcast Award (2019) and  the best Adventure Sports Podcast in the Sports Podcast Awards 2022.

The Tough Girl Podcast logo - pink and black mountains with tough girl challenges written underneath
Become my patron - with the Patreon logo - orange and white
Emily Scott

Emily Scott

Ski instructor and Mountain Leader. Completing Project 282. A 4-month self-propelled challenge to climb all of Scotland's 282 Munros. *** 27th December ***

Shilpa Rasaiah

Shilpa Rasaiah

Paddle boarding on a SUP board from London to Nottinghamshire, 165 miles (and 144 locks) along the Grand Union Canal. *** 20th December ***

Marta Misztal

Marta Misztal

Climbing the 7 summits and wanting to reach the highest peak of each European country #tolivetotravel *** 15th December ***

Tara J. Lal

Tara J. Lal

Firefighter, mental health researcher, speaker and author of “Standing on my Brother's Shoulders”. Making Peace with Grief and Suicide. Cycling 5,000km across Australia. *** 13th December ***

Lucy Barnard

Lucy Barnard

Returning to Columbia to meet up with her dog, Wombat and restart her journey of walking the length of the world. *** 8th Dec ***

Annijke Wade

Annijke Wade

Adaptive Athlete & Community Advocate. Passionate about making the outdoors and mountain biking a safe space for all. *** 6th December ***

Abbie Barnes

Abbie Barnes

#AbbieBikesBritain - A 55 day expedition cycling 2,000 miles from John O Groats to Lands End, via each of the UK's 15 National Parks and walking their highest peaks. *** 1st Dec ***

Adriana Brownlee

Adriana Brownlee

On a mission to summit all 14, 8000m peaks and become the youngest woman ever to do so. *** 29th November ***

Dr. Carla Benton

Dr. Carla Benton

Clinical Psychologist, queer vegan and a lover of all things outdoors. Awarded the Ultra Distance Scholarship in 2021 which is aimed at increasing representation of BAME cyclists in ultra distance cycling. *** 22nd November ***

Shona Macpherson

Shona Macpherson

Counsellor and Life Coach - climbing all 282 Munros in Scotland and taking on her next adventure - the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand. *** 17th Nov ***

Purusha Gordon

Purusha Gordon

mum of 2, changed her mindset 6 years ago and transforming her life. Rowing 2,400 miles across the Pacific Ocean and becoming a WR holder! *** 15th November ***

Rue Mapp

Rue Mapp

Founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro. Author: “Nature Swagger Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors” *** 8th November ***

Gill Castle

Gill Castle

AKA Stoma Chameleon, #Ostomate after childbirth, #POSITIVITY after trauma, #SoloChannelSwim2023. Showing folks what’s possible after trauma. *** 1st November ***

Vedangi Kulkarni

Vedangi Kulkarni

Adventurer and endurance athlete moving into mountain biking and crossing Svalbard on skies. *** 27th Oct ***

Ellen Piercy

Ellen Piercy

After setting a challenge she had no idea she could achieve, crossing Svalbard on skis. Ellen has found a passion for cold adventures and a new version of herself. *** 25th October ***

Crystal Gail Welcome

Crystal Gail Welcome

Utilizing her intersecting identities: Black, disabled, lesbian, backpacker. On a mission to get historically excluded folks outdoors in Nature. *** 18th October ***

Jennifer Strong McConachie

Jennifer Strong McConachie

Adventure Athlete, Fellow of the RGS and Author of “Go Far: How Endurance Sports Help You Win At Life”. *** 11th October ***

Julie Bradley

Julie Bradley

Author of “Escape from the Ordinary”, retired from the US Army at 40, to sail around the world for 8 years with her husband. *** 4th October ***

Molly Huddle

Molly Huddle

Long distance runner, 2x Olympian, Co-author of “How She Did It” - A high performance guide for female distance runners. *** 27th September ***

Anyika Onuora

Anyika Onuora

Team GB Athlete, 3x Olympian. Multiple world medalist. Author of My Hidden Race. *** 20th September ***

Siobhan Daniels

Siobhan Daniels

60+ Pro-age & anti-ageism campaigner. Retirement Rebel. Writing about her motorhome adventures around Great Britain *** 13th September ***

Abby McQueeney Penamonte

Abby McQueeney Penamonte

Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Coach. Helping women to fuel their bodies, improve their relationship with food, fitness, and body image. *** 6th September ***

Sabrina Pace-Humphreys

Sabrina Pace-Humphreys

Co-founder of Black Trail Runners and running Britain’s most brutal race - the Spine Race 286 miles non-stop! *** 30th Aug ***

Sophie Etheridge

Sophie Etheridge

Disabled long distance open water swimmer and the founder of the Facebook group Adaptive/Disabled Open Water Swimmers (ADOWS). *** 23rd August ***

Meaghan Hackinen

Meaghan Hackinen

Ultra-endurance cyclist - Trans Am Bike Race, NorthCape4000, and Paris-Brest-Paris brevet finisher, as well as the 2019 24-Hour World Time Trial Champion. *** 16th August ***

Tayo Jaiyesimi

Tayo Jaiyesimi

Adventure Enthusiast blogging at: The 5 to 9 Traveller. Who believes life is more than your 9 to 5. *** 9th August ***

Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams

Reflects on the end of 2021 and the start of 2022. *** 5th Aug ***

Abby Popplestone

Abby Popplestone

Novice cyclist - Bikepacking the GB Divide solo & unsupported. Raising money for Ovarian Cancer Action. *** 4th August ***

Nirjala Tamrakar Wright

Nirjala Tamrakar Wright

aka "Mountain Queen” - The Mountain Biking National Champion of Nepal from 2001 to 2012! *** 4th August ***

Parvinder Chawla

Parvinder Chawla

Travelling the world solo in her wheelchair. Challenging perceptions around disability. *** 4th August ***

Rebecca Ferry

Rebecca Ferry

Mum of 5. Ultra runner and high altitude mountaineer - completing the “High Double” Everest and Lhotse, followed by K2. *** 4th August ***

Bonnie St. John

Bonnie St. John

1st African-American ever to win medals in Winter Olympic competition. Talking about building resilience, embracing inclusion and achieving success. *** 2nd August ***

Tori Murden McClure

Tori Murden McClure

1st woman and 1st American to ski to the geographic South Pole (1989), and 1st woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean (1999). *** 26th July ***

Claire Smith

Claire Smith

Ultra endurance athlete - Only person in the UK to have finished a continuous Double Deca (20x Ironman). Training for the Arch To Arc Triathlon (Sept 2022). *** 19th July ***

Anisa Aubin

Anisa Aubin

Experienced ultra cyclist competing events such as the Transcontinental Race, the Transatlantic way and GBDURO Adventure Challenge. *** 12th July ***

Susanne Masters

Susanne Masters

Ethnobotanist looking at the interactions we have with wildlife. Author of Wild Waters. *** 5th July ***

Kelda Wood

Kelda Wood

First female adaptive athlete to summit Aconcagua and row solo across the Atlantic Ocean! *** 28th June ***

Mary-Ann Ochota

Mary-Ann Ochota

Anthropologist and lover of the outdoors. Hillwalking ambassador for the British Mountaineering Council, and a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. *** 21st June ***

Lael Wilcox

Lael Wilcox

Ultra-endurance bike rider and racer who won the Trans Am Bike Race in 2016, and set Tour Divide's women's course record on an individual time trial in 2015. *** 14th June ***

Jillian Brown

Jillian Brown

Paddling a tandem sea kayak down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and becoming the first Canadian to paddle across America; 6,500km in 150 days. *** 7th June ***

Donna McConnell

Donna McConnell

The Iron Empress. Ironwoman - IM Barcelona 2021. Working to increase female participation in Ironman races. *** 31st May ***

Kate Pilcher

Kate Pilcher

Founder & guide of Globetrotting - sharing her passion for horses and exploring horse cultures around the world. *** 24th May ***

Dr. Sophie Redlin

Dr. Sophie Redlin

Expedition Doctor, Researcher and emerging filmmaker with a passion for improving mental healthcare through cross-cultural learning and promoting access to natural environments. *** 17th May ***

Shikha Tripathi

Shikha Tripathi

Travel Writer and qualified mountaineer who has participated in expeditions in the Himalayas. *** 10th May ***

Dr. Eleanor Drinkwater

Dr. Eleanor Drinkwater

Bug nut and Adventurer. Awarded Inspirational Explorer of the Year award by the Scientific Expedition Society. *** 3rd May ***

Helen Butters

Helen Butters

Having a positive mindset during times of immense stress. Lessons learned from rowing the Atlantic Ocean. *** 28th April ***

Michelle Moore

Michelle Moore

Real Wins - Race, Leadership and how to Redefine Success. One of the UK’s 50 Most 'Influential Women in Sport’. *** 26th April ***

Jill Heinerth

Jill Heinerth

Underwater Explorer, with expeditions into icebergs in Antarctica, volcanic lava tubes, and submerged caves worldwide. Author of INTO THE PLANET. *** 21st April ***

Abi Melton

Abi Melton

Neurodivergent, Fat Cyclist, Co-Author of ‘Gears for Queers’. Promoting body positivity and encouraging everyone to get on their bike. *** 19th April ***

Omie Dale

Omie Dale

Keen outdoor swimmer and coach, who loves getting people swimming outdoors for the first time. *** 14th April ***

Abhejali Bernardová

Abhejali Bernardová

Completing an extreme ultra-triathlon from Dover to Prague (1,111 km) in 7 days 12hrs and 5 mins. *** 12th April ***

Rebecca Lowe

Rebecca Lowe

Author of “The Slow Road to Tehran” - documenting her year-long cycling journey from London to Tehran. *** 7th April ***

Kumbirai Kariwo

Kumbirai Kariwo

Senior NHS Nurse and climber - sharing her love for the outdoors to inspire others to explore and be adventurous. *** 5th April ***

Nicola Hardy

Nicola Hardy

Adventurer and outdoor writer - Climbing all 282 of Scotland's Munros and walked 330km from her birthplace in Sheffield to her new home in Cockermouth, Cumbria. *** 31st March ***

Tasha Thompson

Tasha Thompson

Founder of Black Girls Do Run UK - A community to inspire, encourage and motivate Black women to run. *** 29th March ***

Miriam Diaz Gilbert

Miriam Diaz Gilbert

Runner since 1989; ultra-runner since 2005. Training for her 30th ultra - the Dawn to Dusk to Dawn 24-hr track ultra in May 2022. *** 24th March ***

Dr. Sarah McCormack

Dr. Sarah McCormack

Mountain runner and UK Athletics-Certified Trail & Fell Running Coach. Inov-8 Ambassador. *** 22nd March ***

Dr. Lois Haruna-Cooper

Dr. Lois Haruna-Cooper

GP, Clinical teaching lecturer, mother of 3, daily runner. *** 17th March ***

Sara Crosland

Sara Crosland

Overcome fear and achieve your potential. Author of #SickbedToSummits. Running from Land’s End to John O’Groats (LEJOG) in September 2022. *** 15th March ***

Janelle Lincks

Janelle Lincks

Began trail running in 2020. Her rapid progress in two years has been incredible. Crowned the Golden Trail National Series women’s champion in October 2021 *** 10th March ***

Mariam Kilpatrick

Mariam Kilpatrick

Ultra-runner and Women’s Health Physiotherapist running the West Highland Way (96 miles) in 24hrs! *** 8th March ***

Sophie Ruffles

Sophie Ruffles

Mum, runner, & wild swimmer. Host of @whatnextmumpodcast 1x100km ultra, 7x marathons. Fast-packed The Jurassic Coast! *** 3rd March ***

Amy Bushatz

Amy Bushatz

Getting outside for 20mins everyday and how it’s changed her life. Plus going after a 100 miler mountain run! *** 1st March ***

Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith

On the Go - Being passionate about the outdoors and showing people there is a place for physical activity outside of elite sport. *** 24th February ***

Quinn Brett

Quinn Brett

First person to hand-cycle the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from the Canadian border to the Mexico border. *** 22nd February ***

Preet Chandi

Preet Chandi

aka Polar Preet - 1st woman of colour to reach the South Pole after a SOLO, 700 mile journey taking 40 days. *** 15th Feb ***

Gail Muller

Gail Muller

Adventurer and Author of “Unlost: A journey of self-discovery and the healing power of the wild outdoors”. *** 10th February ***

Jessica Hepburn

Jessica Hepburn

Adventure Activist - Her journey to climbing Mt. Everest and completing her “Pond to Peak” Challenge. *** 8th Feb ***

Namratha Nandish

Namratha Nandish

“Alpine Girl” - 1st Indian woman to trek to ALL 50 Alpine Lakes in Kashmir in one season (2021). *** 3rd February ***

Dr. Easkey Britton

Dr. Easkey Britton

Marine social scientist, writer and ocean leader from Ireland, with a deep love and passion for surfing and the sea. Her work explores the relationship between people and nature. *** 1st February ***

Laura Massey-Pugh

Laura Massey-Pugh

Ultra/long distance cyclist, planning to break the tandem around the World Record with her husband Stevie in 2022. *** 27th January ***

Shilletha Curtis

Shilletha Curtis

Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2021 and her goal of becoming the 2nd Black woman to achieve the Triple Crown of Hiking. *** 25th January ***

Helen Dainty

Helen Dainty

Full time global hobo cycling the world on AU$100/week. 5 years in and 58,000 km cycled so far… *** 20th January ***

Hazel Oakes

Hazel Oakes

Illustrator and mural artist, passionate about empowering women to reach their goals and to become more adventurous. *** 18th January ***

Samantha Turner

Samantha Turner

Serial challenge adventurer, corporate life coach, mum of two boys, and unfortunately, recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. *** 13th January ***

Person Irresponsible

Person Irresponsible

Author of "Everything You Ever Taught Me". Female, fat, funny, forty-something and in her 4th year of recovery from Alcoholism. Walking 2,653 from Mexico to Canada on the PCT. *** 11th January ***

Leah Goldstein

Leah Goldstein

The 1st female ever to WIN the overall SOLO division of the gruelling Race Across Across America in its 39 year history! *** 6th January ***

Kristen Berkeley

Kristen Berkeley

City girl who moved to the subarctic! Advocating diversity and inclusion outdoors. Founder of Amplify Outdoors. *** 4th January ***

Eleanor Carey

Eleanor Carey

Adventurer and Ocean Rower, 2x GWR holder for rowing 2,400 miles across the Pacific Ocean. *** 1st January ***

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