Tough Girl Podcast

In this Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode we catch up with adventurer and outdoor writer Nicola Hardy—also known for becoming Munroist #6,765 after summiting all 282 of Scotland’s Munros. Nicola left behind a decade-long career in IT to pursue a life filled with mountains, maps, and meaningful adventure. Since our first conversation in March 2022, Nicola has continued to embrace the outdoor life with passion—working part-time to support her adventures and dedicating the rest of her week to exploring the hills and trails she loves. In this episode, Nicola shares what she’s been up to over the last few years, including writing her first guidebook: Peak Bagging Munros: Volume 1. We talk about the process of creating the book, linking routes efficiently across the Highlands, and her experiences hiking internationally—from Switzerland's Alpine Passes Trail to her first solo trip abroad on the Coronallacs route in Andorra. Nicola is honest about the practicalities of outdoor life—from parking anxiety and budget travel to the importance of finding community in the outdoors. With future dreams like hiking New Zealand’s Te Araroa Trail, her journey is far from over. If you’re passionate about mountains, guidebooks, or building a life around what you love—this episode is for you. TGP March 31st 2022 -  Nicola Hardy - Adventurer and outdoor writer -Climbing all 282 of Scotland's Munros [https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/hardy]   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 [http://www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast].  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x Show notes * Who is Nicola  * Living in Cockermouth, Cumbria * Being a peak bagger and long distance walker * Preferring land over the water * Writing a peak bagging guidebook  * Previously speaking with Nicola in March 31st 2022 [https://www.toughgirlchallenges.com/single-post/hardy]  * What we chatting about on the first Tough Girl Podcast episode  * Catching up with what’s been happening since 2022 * Ending up here after doing the things that filled her life with joy * Trying to fill her time with as much adventure as possible  * Finding the balance of adventuring while also bringing in money as well * Working 2 days a week part time (flipping the standard working week, upside down) and having 5 days off * Getting to the start of challenges using public transport * Parking anxiety and how it can introduce negative thinking before an adventure  * Peak Bagging Munro’s - the book and how it came about  * Sir Hugh Munro [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Hugh_Munro,_4th_Baronet] * Munro Bagging and what it is  * 64 routes which are designed to link up these iconic mountains  * Adventure Books by Vertebrate Publishing [https://www.adventurebooks.com/]  * What makes this guide book different  * Including good maps, and efficient routes linking Munros together  * Separating into 10 highland hubs * A walker, a trekker, a fast packer and a runner  * Rest day suggestions  * The gathering of the information  * Building spreadsheets * Following your passion and working on the guidebook  * Volume 1 of 2 * Who the book is for * Heading to Switzerland and hiking the Alpine Passes Trail [https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-gb/experiences/summer-autumn/hiking/alpine-passes-trail/]  * Camping 20 nights out of 31 * Being mountain fit * Park runs [https://www.parkrun.org.uk/]  * Doing her first solo trip abroad * Hiking The Coronallacs [https://tinkadventures.com/2023/11/12/hiking-the-coronallacs/]  * Being able to switch off and spend time in nature * Wanting to go on more solo walks * The South West Coast Path [https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/]  * Future plans and dreams to hike the Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand [https://www.teararoa.org.nz/]  * Zoleo [https://www.zoleo.com/]  * How to connect with Nic * Trying to keep the website updated * Final words of advice  * Getting out there and finding your community  * Try lots of things in the outdoor space * Find what you love and dive in headfirst, you never know where it might lead   Social Media Link for listeners to purchase the book - https://bit.ly/3REAjVU [https://bit.ly/3REAjVU] Website - adventurernic.com [https://adventurernic.com/] Facebook - @adventurer.nic.official [https://www.facebook.com/adventurer.nic.official]  Instagram - @adventurer.nic [https://www.instagram.com/adventurer.nic]

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Ebaide Joy Udoh, a bold Nigerian adventurer and storyteller on a mission to make history. Ebaide is currently undertaking a solo motorcycle journey across Africa, aiming to break the Guinness World Record for the Longest Journey by Motorcycle in Africa (Female). The current record to beat is 30,000 kilometers (19,000 miles)—and by the time she completes the final leg of her trip, Ebaide expects to reach an incredible 35,000 km (22,000 miles). But Ebaide’s story isn’t just about distance—it’s about determination, vision, and fearlessly carving a new path. From learning how to ride a motorcycle from scratch, to building a DIY camper van, to navigating complex visa issues with a Nigerian passport, her journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Ebaide shares the realities of solo travel across Africa—the beauty, the bureaucracy, the culture, and the challenges—and what fuels her unstoppable spirit. We dive into her creative approach to funding her travels, her charity work empowering girls in Nigeria, and her passion for storytelling through content creation. Get ready to be inspired by this fiercely independent woman who reminds us all: “You own your life. Don’t let fear cripple you—go for 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 [http://www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast].  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes * Who is Ebaide Joy * Adventure cyclist who has been riding around Africa  * Being in Lagos, Nigeria  * Currently in-between trips * Not growing up around motorcycles * Having a desire to travel * Building a camper van in 2022/2023 to go travelling  * Moving to a tuk - tuk  * Building a camper van from scratch in 3 months  * Travelling for 7 years - initially via backpacking  * Heading back to East Africa after the pandemic * Funding her travelling adventures  * Having 2,000 followers on IG last year  * Working at midnight for a company in the Netherlands  * Being able to make funds from content creation, brand deals and gifted goods.  * Learning how to ride a bike * Going to bike school to learn how to ride * Building up her skills and becoming a fantastic rider * What her adventure travels look like  * Moving from hotel to hotel  * Living a nocturnal lifestyle  * Travelling with a Nigerian passport and how it works with visas’s * Languages and being able to communicate on her travels * Speaking/getting by in Swahili, French and English  * Applying for a Guinness World Record and what happened initially  * Longest Solo Motorcycle Ride Across Africa by a Woman. * Needing to break 30,000 km and go through 7 countries at least  * Planning or going with the flow * Connecting with the locals * Sharing the journey, the road, the food, the people, the police, the issues and the highlights * Exploring as a road bike traveller * The issues with visa’s, borders and money  * Not playing the game * Fighting and having nothing to lose * Magical countries  * Never going back to Cameroon  * Solo traveller * Having a full life * Being busy at all the time * Introverted but present as an extrovert * Not having the time  * Being bored by people easily  * Raising money for charity - Ebaide Foundation [https://www.instagram.com/ebaide_foundation/]  * Giving the girls training in tailoring, hair making, and catering * 3-month residential program focused on training, support, and purpose * Planning the next adventure  * Naming her bike Aurora - light in darkness * How to connect with Ebaide online * Follow your dreams, life is short, life does’t wait for you, time doesn’t wait for you.  * You own your life, you should control it, you should define it, you should make the most of it.  * Don’t let fear cripple you.  * You should go for it.    Social Media Instagram: @go_ebaide [https://www.instagram.com/go_ebaide]  Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/GoEbaide [https://www.youtube.com/c/GoEbaide]  TikTok: @go__ebaide [https://www.tiktok.com/@go__ebaide?_t=8jnlHoSjZNG&_r=1] Twitter: twitter.com/official_ebaide [https://twitter.com/official_ebaide] Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/goebaide [https://buymeacoffee.com/goebaide]

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Christine Reed—an American long-distance backpacker and award-winning author—whose life changed when she took her first steps on the Appalachian Trail in 2015. With no prior backpacking experience, Christine dove headfirst into the unknown, seeking healing, purpose, and a sense of identity. Since then, Christine has hiked thousands of miles, lived out of a van, and carved a creative path through storytelling. Her debut memoir, Alone in Wonderland, captured her raw and powerful journey of self-discovery, while her latest anthology Blood Sweat Tears amplifies the voices of women+ on trail—sharing unfiltered stories about periods, pain, perseverance, and everything in between. We talk about grief, growth, writing through discomfort, and the courage it takes to follow your passions even when they feel far outside your comfort zone. Christine’s story reminds us that you don’t have to be outdoorsy, athletic, or fearless to start—you just have to begin. ***  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 [http://www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast].  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x Show notes * Who is Christine * Thru-hike and trail runners * Being based in New Mexico, America * Her early years and not growing up outdoorsy  * Reading blogs about the Appalachian Trail in the fall of 2013 * Graduating from college and working in health insurance  * Being pretty unhappy and not knowing what to do with her life * Why the Appalachian Trail (AT) was so appealing  * Taking the first step and commitment to the hike * Everyone on the trail being in a phase of transition  * Being possible for her to leave her life * Taking a year to plan and research the trail  * Planning to hike the AT  in 2015  * The importance of finding something that you are excited about  * Never backpacking before and just going on a few day hikes * Not being a fit or athletic person * Doing her research - whiteblaze.net [https://whiteblaze.net/forum/content.php] - an old school pin board forum  * Doing zero physical preparation  * The feelings at the start of the Appalachian Trail * Riding greyhound buses to the start (16+ hours) * The steps up to  Amicalola Falls * First night camping at a shelter * Personal goals - find herself? * 24 and turning 25 on the trail * Doing hard things * HIking pre social media * Lessons and learning from thru-hiking * Losing her mum just after starting the trail  * Spending time at home and deciding to get back on the trail * Grieving while on the trail * Feeling her feeling and talking about them * Having wonderful encounters with other hikers and being able to share  * 650 miles feeling ready to leave the trail * Having a closer relationship with her dad * Moving to Denver, Colorado * Struggling to reengage with the capitalist system * Living in a van, travelling around and living a more adventurous lifestyle * Thru-hikers making great van lifers  * Feeling lonely while on the road * The community aspect of the trail experience  * Finding her way * Being in a new phase of transition * Moving into a little house in New Mexico * Being an author from 2018 - mostly as a full time worker * 1st book came out in 2021 - Alone in Wonderland  * Trying to write a 2nd memoir, but struggling to write and feeling frustrated * Wanting to write a collection of stories about women * Putting out a call for pitches/submissions - women’s relationships to our bodies, using the trail as a link * Wanting to put out 15 stories * Receiving over 200 submissions * Book: Blood, Sweat Tears * The importance of sharing women’s stories that haven’t been shared * Narrowing down the selection of stories  * The editing process  * Can I work with this writer to get this story where it needs to be? * Talking about blood, periods and menstruation  * Being in women only spaces  * Speaking about periods  * Jolly Gear Hiking Dress [https://jollygear.com/products/triple-crown-button-down-sun-dress-evergreen] * Anna McNuff [https://www.annamcnuff.com/] * Hygiene and menstral cups  * Tampons and pads - everything has it’s plus and minus  * Everybody is different  * Taking the pill? * Wanting to celebrate our bodies and not be manipulating it * Allowing our bodies to go through natural cycles  * What’s next for Christine  * Publishing a memoir with Bethany Adams [https://www.instagram.com/bethany.climbs/?hl=en]  * FKT [https://fastestknowntime.com/]  * Gardening, art and being more creative  * How to connect with Christine online  * Final words of advice  * Advice for following your creative passions which are outside your comfort zone  * Don’t get stuck in the ideas of who we are and what we are suppose to be doing   Social Media Instagram: @ruggedoutdoorswoman [https://www.instagram.com/ruggedoutdoorswoman/?hl=en-gb]  Book: Blood Sweat Tears [https://amzn.to/43aqNza]  Blood Sweat Tears is a short story collection from 26 women+ hikers and runners about the experience of being in a female body on trail. This group of intrepid and vulnerable athletes/writers talk periods, boob sweat, and ugly crying. The trail is a place for healing, and can show us what we are made of---but it's always us doing the hard work. Book: Alone in Wonderland [https://amzn.to/3EVmMGV]

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, I’m joined by Beth, a 22-year-old veterinary student and elite dragon boat paddler based in Nottingham. Beth shares how a simple home workout routine during the COVID lockdown sparked a journey into endurance sport—from running the Robin Hood Half Marathon to discovering dragon boating at university. Since then, Beth has gone from novice paddler to competing on the world stage, representing Great Britain at the 2023 Dragon Boat World Championships in Thailand.  Now a coach, helm, and passionate advocate for women in sport, she talks about training, teamwork, and the power of inclusive communities.  Beth’s story is one of grit, growth, and finding joy in pushing physical and mental 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 [http://www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast].  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x Show notes * Who is Beth * 22 year old Vet Student  * Final year of vet school, working on a placement year * Working with small animals and horses * Having a passion and love for animals  * Deciding to be a vet * Studying; Biology, chemistry and maths at A’Level * Hating sports at school  * Starting university in 2021 * Soaring Dragons [https://soaringdragons.co.uk/], based in Loughborough  * Starting to train with the team * What Dragon Boat racing is * The set up of the boat * Getting started in Dragon Boat Racing  * The impact of covid on the Dragon Boat Club * Learning the skills needed  * Being put into the boat straight away * Training as much as she can * The challenges of training while being on work placements and rotations  * Why its a good sport for involving everyone  * The stroke pair - being in charge of setting the rate * Getting qualified as a helm  * Getting into race helming  * Competing at Nationals * Great Britain Premier Squad [https://www.dragonboat.org.uk/latest-news/gbprembnts2/]  * The different categories * BNTS Sessions - taster sessions where anyone from any club can try out the trainers and see what improvements can be made to their paddling  * Being a new paddler in 2021 * Going away and doing her own training in 2022  * Wanting to take it more seriously and getting into the squad in 2023 * Committing to training weekend across the country  * Doing paddling and strength training  * Being part of the what’s app group and sharing training plans and sessions  * Team Dynamics of the crew * Being very competitive with herself  * Wanting to be the best she could be  * Heading to the World Championships in Thailand in 2023 * Racing in the 2k event * Race strategy and how the race unfolded  * Taking a peek at the other boat! * Dealing with an injury and not being able to paddle * Drumming for another team - Three River Serpents [https://www.threeriverserpents.com/] * Racing plans for 2025 * Transporting the boat to different competitions * Enjoying the 500m distance  * How to connect on social media * Contact your local club and give it a go  * Racing as part of the women’s crew  * Commit to it - what you want   Social Media Notts Anaconda - www.nottsanaconda.co.uk [https://www.nottsanaconda.co.uk/]  Instagram - @nottsanaconda [https://www.instagram.com/nottsanaconda/]  THE BDA - the national governing body for Dragon Boat Racing throughout Great Britain. www.dragonboat.org.uk [https://www.dragonboat.org.uk/]  Facebook - www.facebook.com/britishdragonboatracing [https://www.facebook.com/britishdragonboatracing]  @gbpremierdragonboatteam [https://www.instagram.com/gbpremierdragonboatteam/]

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Kristy and Annette—two inspiring women who completely transformed their lives after retirement. In 2015, they sold everything they owned, bought an RV, and set out to live life on their own terms. What began as a “retirement gift” hike on the Colorado Trail quickly evolved into a bold new chapter of full-time adventure. Since then, Kristy and Annette have completed the Triple Crown of Hiking—the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail—and spend each year splitting their time between life on the road and life on foot. Together, they share their journey of choosing freedom, rejecting fear, and expanding the limits of what life after 50 can look like. This episode is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to chase your dreams, explore the unknown, and live life unapologetically. If you’ve ever felt the urge to change direction, embrace the outdoors, or reclaim your time and energy for what truly lights you up—this conversation is for you.  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 [http://www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast].  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x   Show notes * Annette - working as a teacher and school Librarian  * Deciding to retire in 2015  * Doing a lot of backpacking trips before retirement  * Giving themselves the trip to do the Colorado Trail as a retirement present * Getting hooked on long hikes * Travelling and hiking full time since them * Growing up in California and being outdoorsy, but not getting into travelling and hiking until moving to Colorado as a senior in high school  * Loving the South West of America * Hiking the Appalachian Trail and having a blast! * Meeting Kristy, born in Washington, USA before moving to Colorado at 8 years old * Growing up adventuring and spending time in the mountains and woods * Going to college on a basketball scholarship * Always being active  * Really enjoying the backpacking and spending long periods of time in nature as she’s gotten older * Working as a mental health therapist and working with children who had early trauma * Making a change in 2015 and deciding to end that chapter  * Thinking that life is a gift and it goes by really fast and wanting to live it up while they can * Wanting to do all of the hard things * Wanting to write a new chapter and try new things * Selling everything they owned and buying an RV * Deciding to walk more long distance trails * Wanting to hike the triple crown  * How Kristy and Annette met at a sweat lodge (sauna) in 2003 * Meeting for a coffee and saying ‘wanting to walk the earth’ * Starting to go on weekend trips  * Wanting to stay out in nature for longer * Seeing a financial planner  * Starting to think differently  * Figuring out how to live the cheapest way and to do the things they love * Starting adventuring 10 years ago full time at 51 and 57 * Having a 5 year plan * Completing the plan in 4 years * Not caring about stuff and not being materialistic  * Loving this lifestyle  * Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2019 * How demanding it was (aged 62) * Starting slow and building and seeing how their bodies held up for the long haul * Having to change plans due to covid * Starting the continental divide trail  * The amazing people met along the way * The simplicity of life on the trail * Sharing their dreams with family and friends * Other people’s fears * The dream verses the reality of this life * Wanting to create her life how she wants it * Planning for the year ahead * Wanting to expand the confines of their life until they die  * Claiming space in the world and making it exactly how you want it * Handling disagreements  * How plans evolve overtime * Having low expectations and why it can be a key for happiness * Planning a trip to South America  * Booking the hiking part of the trip and keeping the rest free * Working within a framework  * Annettee doing the researching  * Creating the grand plans! * Training and doing a marathon while selling the house! * Getting into pack rafts  * Leaving the RV while hiking  * Making this life work * The triple hike and the differences between the big three hikes * Water carries, desert, hiking at elevation, sun levels, resupply * Why the Appalachian Trail is a good beginner trail for newbies  * Watch the videos on YouTube  * Wanting to inspire people to get outside especially older people * Words of advice for women listening  * Starting small and find what you love * Building success into it  * Figure out what works for you * Setting yourself up for big success  * Why life is a huge gift * Don’t let it (life) go to waste * Be in your power   Social Media Instagram @wanderwomen_kristy_annette [https://www.instagram.com/wanderwomen_kristy_annette/]  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RVsters/ [https://www.facebook.com/RVsters/]  Youtube: @wanderwomenkristyannette5021 [https://www.youtube.com/@wanderwomenkristyannette5021]