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TOUGH GIRL PODCAST 2023

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
Rebecca Muwanga

Rebecca Muwanga

Active member of Black Trail Runners (BTR) and recently was part of the all female BTR team at Adidas TERREX Infinite trails race in Austria. *** 28th December ***

Bethan Taylor-Swaine

Bethan Taylor-Swaine

PhD candidate and feminist sociologist of sport studying the representations and identities of women in ultra marathon with a passion for diversity and inclusion in running. *** 26th December ***

Sara Crosland

Sara Crosland

Author, Adventure Lover, Endurance Athlete (Running from Land’s End to John O’Groats) and Founder of The Beyond Recovery Project. *** 19th Dec ***

Louise Minchin

Louise Minchin

Former BBC Breakfast presenter, endurance athlete and author of two books, Fearless Adventures with Extraordinary Women and Dare to Tri. *** 12th December ***

Raquel Vélez

Raquel Vélez

A plus sized Latina who discovered her love of the outdoors later in life. Founder and CEO of Alpine Parrot, an outdoor apparel company that caters specifically to people of size and people of color. *** 7th December ***

Maite Rojo

Maite Rojo

From 24-Hour Endurance Races to the Spartathlon Race in Athens: Inspiring Others to Reach for Their Own Dreams in the World of Endurance Racing *** 5th December ***

Ellen “Magellan” Falterman

Ellen “Magellan” Falterman

Full-time professional voyager, currently on her biggest expedition to date: around the world by rowboat. No sail, no motor. *** 30th November ***

Josephine Collingwood

Josephine Collingwood

Middle-Aged Mother of Three. Former Mountain Rescuer, Wilderness Addict, Lover of Nature. Embracing Adventure, Inspiring Others, and Capturing Life's Beauty Through Photography. *** 28th November ***

Fadeelah Kenny

Fadeelah Kenny

Sharing More about Endurance Running, Motherhood, and Running Comrades Marathon 3x *** 21st November ***

Majka Burhardt

Majka Burhardt

Professional Climber, Mother of Twins and Author of “More: Life on the Edge of Adventure and Motherhood. *** 14th November ***

Lucy Coppack

Lucy Coppack

Getting outside to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Taking on the Peak District 88 Trig Point Challenge. *** 7th November ***

Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams

Planning and Preparation for thru hiking the 3,000 km Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand. #ChallengeWithZOLEO *** 2nd Nov ***

Mari Funabashi

Mari Funabashi

Film Composer, Endurance Cyclist, and Triathlete, Bringing Together Her Passion for Music and Outdoor Adventure to Create a New Film - “Beyond Words” - to Amplify the Voices of Underrepresented Folks and Inspire Change. *** 31st October ***

Dierdre Wolownick-Honnold

Dierdre Wolownick-Honnold

Redefining Retirement, Overcoming Fear and Ageism. The oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. *** 24th October ***

Meghan J. Ward

Meghan J. Ward

Exploring the World and Balancing Parenthood. Author of Lights to Guide Me Home: A Journey Off the Beaten Track in Life, Love, Adventure, and Parenting. *** 17th October ***

Arati Kumar-Rao

Arati Kumar-Rao

From National Geographic Explorer to Environmental Chronicler, documenting the slow violence of ecological degradation, inspiring us all to take a closer look at our changing world. Author of Marginlands: Indian Landscapes On The Brink. *** 10th October ***

Charlotte Garner

Charlotte Garner

Discovering the power of running and cycling in midlife. Advocating for the physical and mental benefits of sports for women in their 50s. *** 5th October ***

Steph Jagger

Steph Jagger

World Record Skier, Claiming Femininity as a Super-Power. Author of “Everything Left to Remember: My Mother, Our Memories, And a Journey Through the Rocky Mountains” *** 3rd October ***

Dr. Hannah Lock

Dr. Hannah Lock

Emergency & Expedition Doctor Specialising in High Altitude Mountain Environments. Qualified Mountain Leader & Mountain Rescue Trainee. *** 26th September ***

Claire Wyatt

Claire Wyatt

Passionate about bicycle touring and sharing stories of kindness from around the world. Currently cycling 16,000km around Australia. *** 21st September ***

Kalyani Lodhia

Kalyani Lodhia

Visionary Explorer - A Freelance Photographer, Biologist, and Wildlife Filmmaker Uncovering Nature's Marvels. *** 19th September ***

Alice Ford

Alice Ford

Passionate advocate for solo female travel, eco-tourism, and adventure. Through her inspiring content and adventures, she encourages women to step out of their comfort zones and explore the world. *** 12th September ***

Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams

Solo Reflections: A Look Back at the End of 2022, Adventures and Challenges in 2023, and Plans for the Next 6 Months. *** 10th Sep ***

Anna Stishova

Anna Stishova

aka Kayaking Hijabi - Completing the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race. Pushing Boundaries and Inspiring Others Along the Way. *** 5th September ***

Emma Trenchard

Emma Trenchard

Embarking on a Remarkable Vespa Journey from the UK to Mongolia and Back, Accompanied by Molly, a Rescued Mongolian Street Dog. Her Epic Two-and-a-Half-Year Expedition Crossed 32 Countries, Covering 30,000 Kilometers Along the Way *** 3rd September ***

Guliafshan Tariq

Guliafshan Tariq

Pakistani Female Biker. Defying Boundaries, Embracing Adventure and Exploration. Inspiring People Around the World to Pursue Their Dreams, No Matter How Challenging They May Seem. *** 2nd September ***

Vanessa Ruck

Vanessa Ruck

AKA The Girl on a Bike: From Adversity to Adventure on Two Wheels. *** 1st September ***

Lisa Thompson

Lisa Thompson

From Novice Climber and Breast Cancer Survivor to summiting Mt. Everest and K2. Inspiring others to reach new heights through her book "Finding Elevation: Fear and Courage on the World's Most Dangerous Mountain”. *** 29th August ***

Paula Craig MBE

Paula Craig MBE

Embracing the Unknown - Transforming Challenges into Triumphs in Sports and Life, as she charts new paths, inspires resilience, and encourages others to fearlessly pursue their dreams. *** 22nd August ***

Dr. Anjana Khatwa

Dr. Anjana Khatwa

The Award-Winning Earth Scientist Revealing the Secret Stories of Rocks and Inspiring a Love for Nature in All. *** 15th August ***

Dr. Catherine Bishop

Dr. Catherine Bishop

Triple Olympian, Rowing World Champion and Olympic Silver medallist. Author of The Long Win: The search for a better way to succeed. *** 8th August ***

Alexandra Allred

Alexandra Allred

Former Professional Athlete, Author of When Women Stood - The Untold History of Females Who Changed Sports and the World. *** 4th August ***

Rogeema Kenny

Rogeema Kenny

Ultrarunner and 2x Ironman finisher. 1st person in South Africa to finish a full Ironman in hijab. She believes that your life choices should never be a limiting factor in your goals and achievements. Don't change yourself, change the game. *** 4th August ***

Cory Maria Dack

Cory Maria Dack

Indigenous Latina, Canoe Guide, Thru-paddling the entire Mississippi River, 2,552 miles. Her mission and message to “Decolonize Thru-Paddling.” *** 4th August ***

Nicki Bass

Nicki Bass

Host of The Everyday Adventure Podcast, Army Veteran turned Resilience Consultant. How to build resilience through adventure and thrive outside your comfort zone. *** 4th August ***

Amanda Dudgeon

Amanda Dudgeon

Australian Park Ranger, completing her self-funded 12-month expedition “Walking the Thin Green Line Oceania” in support of Oceania Rangers. *** 1st August ***

Anna Usselmann

Anna Usselmann

Turning her passion into a job. From Engineer in London to Outdoor Instructor working for Land and Wave in Dorset. *** 27th July ***

Sian Sykes

Sian Sykes

From City Life to SUP Activist Tackling Plastic Pollution. Inspiring Women to Pursue Their Dreams and Create Change. *** 25th July ***

Tatty Pettigrew

Tatty Pettigrew

Inspiring Journey from Corporate Life to Outdoor Adventure. Explore. Challenge. Transform. *** 20th July ***

Patricia Boardman

Patricia Boardman

From Textile Designer to Thriving Outdoor Instructor. Empowering Women Through Outdoor Exploration and Leadership *** 18th July ***

Tori Taylor-Roberts

Tori Taylor-Roberts

Climbing Coach and Outdoor Adventure Facilitator. Aiming to inspire and support women in their ambition to become independent rock climbers. *** 13th July ***

Jennie Cardin

Jennie Cardin

Embracing the Outdoors After Raising Children - Becoming an Outdoor Instructor at 48 and Living Her Passion *** 11th July ***

Rachael Crewesmith

Rachael Crewesmith

One of only 46 female Winter Mountaineering Instructors (ever!), mountain bike, swim, run guide. Noisily taking up space in a male-dominated industry, bringing her peers along for the ride. *** 6th July ***

Sophie Tanner

Sophie Tanner

Outdoor Adventure Activity Instructor and Director of Land & Wave, a thriving outdoor company in Dorset, UK. Looking for ways to inspire more females to join the outdoor industry through training, employment and experiences. *** 4th July ***

Mardi Fuller

Mardi Fuller

A lifelong backcountry adventurer, in January 2021 she became the first known Black person to hike all 48 of New Hampshire’s high peaks in winter! *** 27th June ***

Steph Quintrell

Steph Quintrell

Forces Wives Challenge - Ride to Freedom across the Pyrenees mountains. A Disabled Mum's Journey to Empower Others. *** 20th June ***

Catherine Baker

Catherine Baker

Rethink Your Potential. Author - Staying the Distance: The lessons from sport that business leaders have been missing. How to improve, perform and achieve, in ways that are effective and sustainable. *** 15th June ***

Tegan Phillips

Tegan Phillips

Adventure Cyclist and Cartoonist. Currently preparing for a second attempt at being the fastest woman to cycle from Cairo to Cape Town. *** 8th June ***

Seanna Fallon

Seanna Fallon

Queer runner, hiker, and YouTuber trying to live a more intentional life. With a focus on mental health, overcoming adversity, trying, failing and failing better. Thru hiking the Israel National Trail. *** 6th June ***

Zahra Rose Alazaibi

Zahra Rose Alazaibi

Empowering Muslim Women in the Great Outdoors. Trekking to Everest, Broad Peak, and K2 Base camps, as well as summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro. *** 30th May ***

Allie Mason

Allie Mason

Autistic and Adventurous, publishing her first book: The Autistic Guide to Adventure: Active Pursuits from Archery to Wild Swimming for Tweens and Teens. *** 23rd May ***

Julia Goodfellow-Smith

Julia Goodfellow-Smith

an ordinary woman doing something extraordinary. She has decided to live her life to the fullest by living her bucket list, one dream at a time. *** 16th May ***

India Pearson

India Pearson

New Mum, SUP/Yoga Teacher, and Outdoors Advocate. Sharing more about the importance of connecting with nature to enhance your mental and physical wellbeing. *** 11th May ***

Saanvi Sita Mylavarapu

Saanvi Sita Mylavarapu

Her Quest for Adventure and Conservation, From Half Dome to Everest Base Camp. Empowering Youth Through Outdoor Education and Exploration. *** 9th May ***

Jen Price

Jen Price

From Army Officer to Extreme Endurance Athlete. 12 challenges in 12 months. Including an Ironman, a multistage desert ultra-marathon, Mt. Aconcagua, and a 1000 mile self supported Lands’ End to John O’Groats cycle. *** 2nd May ***

Emily Pennington

Emily Pennington

Adventurer, solo traveler and Author of “Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks” *** 27th Apr ***

Vivianette Ortiz

Vivianette Ortiz

Outdoors & Disability Rights Advocate. Co-Founder of Latinos Aventureros. Completing the Inca Trail in Peru and her plans to section hike the Appalachian Trail. *** 25th April ***

Laura Massey-Pugh

Laura Massey-Pugh

Her Inspiring Journey Around the World - 180 days on the back of a tandem with her husband. Persevering in the face of challenges and setting a new Guinness World Record. *** 20th Apr ***

Shandi Kano

Shandi Kano

From Running Highs to Breaking Points: Shandi's Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery after the Boston Marathon Bombing *** 18th April ***

Nicky Button

Nicky Button

#BlindGirlWalking - Walking from the Orkney Islands to the Scilly Isles. Solo and unsupported. *** 11th April ***

Sasha DiGiulian

Sasha DiGiulian

Professional rock climber. Following her passions, pushing her limits, and completing first ascents around the world. *** 4th April ***

India Cook

India Cook

From Runner to Run Coach. Her journey of making running a more diverse, inclusive, and less intimidating place. Advocating for all paces and body types in the space of road racing. *** 30th March ***

Maddy Collinge

Maddy Collinge

Runner and running coach. Mother of 4 and Nana to 3. Trying to fight off ageing and prove that we can go on doing stuff long after we thought we couldn’t... *** 28th March ***

Amy Rusiecki

Amy Rusiecki

Elite ultra runner (Completed 82 ultras and has won 33 of them) sponsored by Inov-8, 3x member of the USA Trail team, providing top tips and advice. *** 23rd March ***

Ingrid Walters

Ingrid Walters

Competitive swimmer turned marathon runner. PB of 2hr 48 mins. Breast Cancer Survivor. Inducted into The National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame. *** 21st March ***

Luzia Buehler

Luzia Buehler

Trail Runner, Inov-8 Ambassador and 4th woman at the 2022 Western States 100 in a time of 18hrs 08 mins. *** 16th March ***

Allie Bailey

Allie Bailey

Ultra runner, Running 1,000+ miles from Lands End to John O’Groats in 35-days *** 14th March ***

Rav Billan

Rav Billan

Passionate runner; running for fun, her mental health and to keep fit. Run streaking outside for the past 5 years, and completing the London Marathon in 2022! *** 9th March ***

Grace Natoli

Grace Natoli

70+ marathons & ultras including: New York, Chicago, London, Paris, Berlin; Diversify the trails🖤 *** 7th March ***

Keri Wallace

Keri Wallace

Founder & Mountain Leader at Girls on Hills. Skyrunner, fellrunner and ultrarunner encouraging more women to hit the trails and venture into the mountains. Shouting about equity and inclusivity in trail running. *** 2nd March ***

Kate Strong

Kate Strong

3x cycling world record holder, high performance coach & climate advocate. In June 2023, Kate will start a 3-month cycle (on a bamboo bike) around mainland Britain. *** 28th February ***

Nirjala Tamrakar Wright

Nirjala Tamrakar Wright

First Nepalese woman to complete a full-distance triathlon *** 21st Feb ***

Camille Herron

Camille Herron

Ultrarunner propelled by tacos & joy! The first runner to win International Association of Ultrarunners world championships at 3 different categories, the 50km, 100km and 24 hours. *** 14th February ***

Amy Aed

Amy Aed

Travel writer and adventurer who became the first person to walk the entire Danube river. *** 7th February ***

Crystal Rose Hudelson

Crystal Rose Hudelson

Her love and passion for climbing and her work as Co-director of Climbers of Color (CoC) a platform for people to connect and teach Black people, people of color, and marginalized communities *** 31st January ***

Victoria Evans

Victoria Evans

Guinness World Record Holder, Fastest Female to Solo Row the Atlantic, Sports Lawyer and Advocate for Women In Sport *** 24th January ***

Phillipa Cherryson

Phillipa Cherryson

Chief Volunteer Queen for Adventure Queens South Wales - her goal is to encourage more women of every age, size, ability and background to participate in outdoor activities. *** 17th January ***

Katrina Megget

Katrina Megget

Her battle with self doubt and self-worth - walking the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand and sailing around Great Britain with her partner on a 28-ft boat. *** 10th January ***

Dr. Anu Taranath

Dr. Anu Taranath

Author of "Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World”. *** 3rd January ***

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