Tough Girl Podcast

By: Sarah Williams
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  • Summary

  • 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.
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Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Dr. Kerri Andrews – Author of Pathfinding, Exploring Walking, Motherhood & Freedom

    Dr. Kerri Andrews – Author of Pathfinding, Exploring Walking, Motherhood & Freedom
    Mar 11 2025
    Dr. Kerri Andrews is a writer, academic, and passionate walker whose work explores the deep connection between women, walking, and storytelling. She is the author of Wanderers: A History of Women Walking and editor of Way Makers: An Anthology of Women's Writing about Walking. Her latest book, Pathfinding: On Walking, Motherhood and Freedom, is a deeply personal and thought-provoking exploration of how motherhood reshapes a woman’s identity, freedom, and relationship with the outdoors. Having developed a love for walking in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, Kerri has since climbed over 100 Munros in Scotland, though she has yet to convince her two young children to join her. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Kerri shares her journey through postnatal depression, the challenges of early motherhood, and how walking became a vital tool for self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. She also sheds light on the often-overlooked stories of historical women walkers, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of movement, motherhood, and independence. Tune in to hear Kerri’s inspiring story and how she found her way back to herself—one step at a time. *** Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, dropping every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women. Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you for your amazing support! Show notes Who is Kerri AndrewsWorking as a writer and planning to move into the charity sectorCatching up with what’s been happening since 2020Welcoming her daughter in 2021Being made redundant last year and now working as a freelance writer and teaching creative writingDealing with the stress of lifeHaving a supportive partner and dealing with post natal depression after her first child was bornWorking with a doula The stress of being a new parent The transition into motherhoodNew Book: Pathfinding on walking, motherhood and freedom Dealing with Post Natal Depression…Being frightened of losing herselfFinding bodily sensations overwhelming Working with the charity - Nurture the bordersHaving a different perspective the second time she gave birthGoing to some deep and scary places and knowing that her brain was lying to herMotherhood and childbirth - and losing your identity Finding yourself again after childbirth Learning how to bond with her son Going through the motions of motherhood and not feeling itMum befrienders Feeling very lonely and abandoned Being expected to know what to doWorking on a women’s anthology Not having an agent and not knowing what was nextSeeing Sarah Rigby advertising book coaching Producing a submission for a book agent Getting a boost in her confidence Receiving lots of guidance and support from other womenBeing vulnerable in sharing her story Dedicating the book to her ‘mothers’ New job and feeling wanted again in an employment contextWorking with an incredible gifted and talented team Working on her confidence The crafting of the book and the chapter title The anger which came after her second pregnancy Welcome to motherhood!Not feeling like she matteredAllowing mothers to have ambitionWhy hope had to be the last chapterWanting to make it better for the women who come after herWalking and spending time in natureThe physical changes in her body and not being as fit as she wasWalking with her children Researching about the history of walking in Scotland Women in the hills Network How to connect with KerriFinal words of adviceThe importance of being kind to yourself and being accepting of your body“Don’t let go of your dreams, don’t let go of your ambitions, hold onto them, they are valid, they matter, go pursue them.”Try to find your tribeGet in touch with Girls on Hills You matter. Social Media Website kerriandrews.co.uk X/Twitter: @kerriandrewsuk Bluesky: @kerriandrewsuk.bsky.social Book: Pathfinders: On Walking, Motherhood and Freedom
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    54 mins
  • Ali Mahoney: Turning 50 with Purpose – Adventure, Motherhood, and the Hike Across Malta

    Ali Mahoney: Turning 50 with Purpose – Adventure, Motherhood, and the Hike Across Malta
    Mar 6 2025
    Ali, at 50 years young, is a dedicated mother, wife, and part-time Civil Servant from South Wales. With a lifelong passion for sport and adventure, Ali transitioned from competitive athletics to human-powered challenges after knee injuries redirected her path. To mark her milestone 50th birthday, Ali embarked on a deeply personal adventure: hiking across the island of Malta, the place where she took her very first steps as a toddler. While not her longest or most physically demanding challenge, this journey proved to be one of her most meaningful. In this episode, Ali reflects on her evolving identity as an adventurer, the struggles of balancing motherhood, work, and the pull for personal time in nature. Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and finding space for adventure amidst life’s many demands. *** Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women. By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement. Thank you for your invaluable support! *** Show notes Who is Ali 50 years oldLiving in South Wales with her wife Amy and her son OllieFarm- life and working in the civil service How life has changed since we last spoke in 2016Speaking with Ali in 2016 - Sport Psychology Coach who rode a bike 767 miles from South Wales to Chamonix! Riding her bike from South Wales to Chamonix Going on more mini adventuresKnowing each other for 10 years Seeing each other over the years National Outdoor Expo Being older mumsGetting marriedCelebrating their 10 year anniversary Fitting adventure and sport into life nowDeciding to have a childThe process of adaptation Peri menopause and menopauseWhat her 40s were like A new chapter Celebrating turning 50 and what it was likeThinking up new ideas and challengesWanting it to be meaningful and significantThe connection to Malta Planning to walk across the island Deciding to apply for the Tim Moss Adventure Grant - “The Next Challenge” Have a go, you never know!No adventures is too smallBeing granted £150 for the cost of the challengeTelling her wife Amy about the challengeIs is practically possible? How can we make it work?Balancing the family dynamicsThe logistics for the hike and training for the hikeBeing in the worst shape of her lifeFiguring out the accommodation as she wentDealing with the heat and humidity in Malta during August!When the doubt started to creep in Mentally getting in the zone and being ready to start confidentBeing sensible in the heatPlanning her own route on google mapsStarting on the most easterly pointHaving time to herself to reflect and look back on life and plan for the future The lessons learned from the walk Figuring out the balance between solo time and family timeDealing with feelings of guilt and “mum guilt”Looking towards the next decadePenrhys Pilgrimage Way Glamping pods on the farmLiving Life Differently PodcastGetting into a new routineWe need more women sharing their stories!!Celebrating the end of the challenge and how it compares to other challenges done previously Why it felt so meaningfulDon’t compare your challenge to anyone else and what they are doingHow to connect with Ali on the socialsAdvice and top tips to motivate and inspire you Linking ability and belief together Build your belief Build your confidence Unlock the power of belief Social Media Facebook: www.facebook.com/themahojos Instagram: @themahojos YouTube: @TheMahoJos
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Dr. Sarah Lonsdale - Journalist, Author of Wildly Different, and Advocate for Women in Nature

    Dr. Sarah Lonsdale - Journalist, Author of Wildly Different, and Advocate for Women in Nature
    Mar 4 2025
    Dr. Sarah Lonsdale is an accomplished journalist, author, and lecturer at City University of London. With a career spanning over three decades, Sarah has written for major newspapers, including The Observer, and has dedicated her work to uncovering untold stories—particularly those of trailblazing women in history. Her latest book, Wildly Different: How Five Women Reclaimed Nature in a Man’s World, explores the lives of remarkable women who defied societal expectations to forge their own paths in the great outdoors. In this episode, Sarah shares her journey from working as a journalist since 1988 to becoming a passionate educator and historian of women’s stories. She discusses the challenges women have faced in both journalism and exploration, the importance of rewriting history to include the female perspective, and the incredible women who inspired Wildly Different. From mountaineers and adventurers to environmental pioneers, Sarah’s research sheds light on the resilience, courage, and passion of these extraordinary figures. What to Expect in This Episode: 📚 Sarah’s journey in journalism and academia 🌿 Her love for storytelling, history, and the outdoors 📝 The process of uncovering hidden stories of women adventurers ⛰️ The inspiring legacy of female explorers like Dorothy Pilley and Mina Hubbard 💡 The need to challenge historical narratives and amplify women’s voices ✍️ Her writing process and what’s next on her literary journey Sarah’s work is a testament to the power of persistence, curiosity, and the importance of reclaiming women’s place in history. Whether you're passionate about adventure, history, or storytelling, this conversation is sure to inspire. *** 🎙️ Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, dropping every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women. 💪 Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. 🙏 Thank you for your amazing support! *** Show notes Who is Sarah LonsdaleTeaching journalism to under graduates at City University of LondonWorking as a journalist since 1988Living in rural Kent Her early years growing upBeing brought up in a very bookish, academic environment in Cambridge Her love of nature the outdoors and landscapes Her love for telling stories Wanting to work for the Observer NewspaperHistory and Herstory Historic stories with the “great male hero” Being a girl in the 70s and 80sWhy we need to keep pushing back Not seeing many women role model out there for herWhy history is about ‘great men’The unfairness of how the system is constructed against women Book: Rebel Women Between the Wars: Fearless Writers and Adventurers (Manchester University Press, 2020) https://amzn.to/43j5jlh Writing the book and the process of sharing the stories Not being a brave person and being scared easily Not having the heart of a lion….Wanting to learn from the women she was writing about - how they managed to break through Studying the life of Shiela Grant Duff an author, journalist and foreign correspondent. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiela_Grant_Duff Journalist and war correspondant, Martha Gellhorn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_GellhornThinking about writing her next book: Wildly Different Finding private diaries of the women through their families or visiting the Bodleian Library in Oxford https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/homeFinding out about the women from over 100 years ago and finding out what makes them tick, what makes them cry, what makes them passionate or angrySpending many hours digging through old archives The thread from ‘Rebel Women' to ‘Wildly Different’ Being inspired by mountaineer; Dorothy Pilley - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Pilley_RichardsThe Pinnacle Club for women climbers since 1921 https://pinnacleclub.co.uk/about First ascent of the north west ridge of Dent Blanche in the Alps https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dent_Blanche Being inspired by Dorothy and wanting to know more about her life Wanting to write about women in the great outdoors Book: East of the Sun - West of the Moon “I am not afraid”Medusa being misunderstoodThe Odyssey Homer - Translated by Emily Wilson https://amzn.to/4h01SU5 How male archaeologists dismissed women as huntersWho gets to tell the story?!Wanting the book to be a journey from the 20th century to the early 21st century Canadian Explorer - Mina Hubbard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mina_Benson_HubbardEvelyn Cheesman - British entomologist and traveler https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Cheesman Ethel Haythornthwaite - environmental campaigner ...
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    51 mins

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