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Tough Girl Podcast

Tough Girl Podcast

Written by: Sarah Williams
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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. Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Hannah Webster - From Marathon Runner to Adaptive CrossFit Athlete: Living with Multiple Sclerosis

    Hannah Webster - From Marathon Runner to Adaptive CrossFit Athlete: Living with Multiple Sclerosis
    Oct 13 2026
    Hannah Webster is an adaptive CrossFit athlete, writer, and former PR executive who swapped corporate life for chaos somewhere along the Pembrokeshire coast. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 40, she underwent a stem cell transplant to reset her immune system — and has been navigating the unpredictable aftermath ever since. She now competes internationally in adaptive CrossFit, despite significant mobility challenges, including foot drop and what she describes as "one good leg on a good day." A former marathon runner — with nine London Marathons, two Paris Marathons, and the Médoc Marathon under her belt — Hannah continues to wrestle with the loss of running and the reality of limited mobility, finding new ways to push herself through CrossFit. Hannah is currently studying for a Master's in Creative Writing and working on her memoir, Still Standing, which blends dark humour with the reality of living in the uncomfortable middle ground between "fine" and "not fine at all." Whether she's training for competition, building a coffee van business, or questioning her life choices mid-workout, she brings honesty, grit, and a healthy dose of sarcasm to everything she does. Hannah and her husband Neil have recently launched Great Escape Coffee Co. — a refurbished 20-year-old Land Rover Defender serving proper coffee to the Pembrokeshire community, sea swimmers, dog walkers, and anyone in need of a decent start to the day. *** 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 Hannah46 years oldLiving in Pembrokeshire in WalesMoving after covidBeing given a life changing diagnosis of Multiple sclerosis (MS)Growing up in CheltenhamMoving back to Wales for University Spending 2.5 years travelling around the world Moving to Spain to work on an newspaper Always wanting to be a journalist Ending up working in corporate PR and getting to travel the world Getting diagnosed just before turning 40Running loads of marathons and half marathons Running a half marathon and having her legs feel like jellyKnowing that something wasn't quite right Going to see the Doctor a few times and having it put down to stress, travel etc Getting referred to see a neurologist and having an MRI scan (December)Being called for a 2nd MRI (January)Not being able to remember much about the conversation The shock and not knowing anyone else who has MS6 years later and still not accepting that she'll never run againDiscovering CrossFit and all the adaptions that can be madeMoving to Pembrokeshire during covidStruggling to walk - and walking with walking sticks Making the best of what you've got and not wanting to be miserable Discovering a whole new world of adaptive athletes Finding inspiration in everybody else Starting to write more, starting to blog more and share her stories Starting to connect with others who had MS Wanting to make happy memories Live is for living and not being totally depressed all the time The community of CrossFit and how accepting they areGetting to the Adaptive CrossFit Games in Las Vegas Coming 4th Globally!Having 2 dogsGetting sad something and accepting that that will happenDealing with a lot of fatigue Under going a stem cell transplant to reset her immune system4 years old! Why it's not promoted as a treatment for MS by the NHS How it's meant to work Having regular MRI scans and hoping that their are no new lesionsHaving a fight on her hands to get BUPA to pay for it Having the treatment done in 2022 It's an extreme treatment with 3 lots of chemotherapy and spending 3 weeks in hospital and having a compromised immune system for about a year So far, it hasn't got any worseRecovery as an athlete and recovery from intense treatments Why there is a mental aspect to recovery Learning to rest, doing more yoga and pilates Being told at the start that having MS is like having a battery - you only have so much energy and try to spread it out throughout the day.Making herself lie down Doing a Masters in creative writing Writing her memoir as part of her dissertation Training her mindSharing on Substack and trying to connect with 'my people'Feeling better that she's not alone Having her rubbish days Going to Wodapalooza in Miami Working with an adaptive coach Why it's better to have done it rather than not done it Starting CrossFit 3 years before diagnosis Dealing with foot drop and poor balance Trying not to compare herself to who she use to be previously Getting the balance right with training, ...
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    38 mins
  • Nora Williams - From Burnout in Law to 3+ Years of Solo Travel and Living a Life of Freedom

    Nora Williams - From Burnout in Law to 3+ Years of Solo Travel and Living a Life of Freedom
    Oct 6 2026
    Nora used to be a San Francisco lawyer representing workers facing discrimination by their employers -- her dream job! But a few years into her career, Nora found herself experiencing severe burnout while working 60 to 80-hour weeks. Her dream job had become a real life nightmare impacting her physical and mental health and her relationships. One day, she reached her breaking point and decided she needed a big change. Nora ended a 5-year relationship, quit her job, and left the country on a one way ticket. What started as a career break turned into 3+ years of solo traveling around the world focusing on "hidden gem" and less-traveled destinations. Her favourites so far have been hiking in the Balkans, exploring archaeological sites in Iraq, and eating her way around Georgia. Nora even started her own tour company hosting adventurous group trips to bring others along with her. Her life at 30 is unconventional and certainly nowhere near where she imagined she would be, but somehow so much more fulfilling. In this episode, Nora shares the reality behind leaving a high-pressure legal career, the emotional toll of burnout, and what it really takes to rebuild your life from scratch. We talk about the unexpected freedom—and challenges—of long-term solo travel, how she navigates uncertainty while constantly on the move, and what it means to create a life outside of traditional expectations. Listen to this episode to hear how one bold decision changed everything, why solo travel can be both confronting and empowering, and how stepping into the unknown can lead to a life that feels more honest, expansive, and free. *** 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 Living a bit of an unconventional life at the moment Previously working as as workers rights lawyer, based out of San Francisco, CaliforniaHitting a breaking point 3 years ago with her jobRealising she was burn outGetting out of a long term relationship and quitting her job Making the decision to book a one way flight out of the USATravelling to the less travelled places Heading off the beaten track - with a focus on outdoor adventures Why it was an out of character decision Having a 'sliding door' moment Deciding to follow a different pathWhy her dream job tuned out to be a nightmare How covid changed things for the legal professionBeing able to work remotely from Columbia Needing to make money Sharing her travels with her friends and family on instagramHaving a reel go super viral on instagramGoing from 1,200 to over 20,000 people following her!Starting to connect with brands and being able to monetise her travel blogDeciding to start her own tour company about 2 years agoFinding the hidden gem destinationsTrying to keep an open mind and not have strict travel plansBeing invited to explore ancient ruins in IraqHiking in the BalkansFeeling free in nature Waymarking on the trails Using Komoot Keeping herself fit and healthy while travelling full timeBeing sick while travelling Getting the balance right between travel and adventure and not getting burnt outThe benefits of travelling slower and staying in places for longerSaying no a lot more nowDoing what you actually what to do What the rest of the year looks likePlanning to be in Iraq and Syria at the end of the year - but it does depend on what's happening in the gulfSpending 2 months in London Being open to what options become available Thinking about walking in New ZealandGoing to Skyscanner to find cheap flights Deciding to overland the length of ChileThe benefits of finding a remote job and how it can open doors for youHow to connect with Nora on InstagramAdvice for other women who want to live an unconventional lifeWhy the worst thing in life is not being aloneWhy the majority of solo travellers are womenA radical act of self-love Social Media Website: via-adventure.com Instagram: @noratheexplorahh @via.adventure
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    50 mins
  • Alice Baddeley – Bike Touring Britain: Coastlines, Straight Lines and 1,000+ Mile Challenges

    Alice Baddeley – Bike Touring Britain: Coastlines, Straight Lines and 1,000+ Mile Challenges
    Sep 29 2026
    Alice is a long-distance bike tourer, drone pilot, and freelance creative who designs her adventures around self-imposed rules and unconventional challenges. Based in a van and working with Komoot, she uses cycling as both a mode of transport and a way to deeply explore the landscapes of Britain. Her journeys are anything but ordinary. In 2021, Alice cycled through every town and village in Sussex, covering over 1,000 miles without leaving the county. The following year, she completed a full cycle of the British coastline. In 2023, she attempted an even more ambitious challenge—travelling from Shoreham to Oldshoremore in as straight a line across Britain as possible. In this episode, Alice shares how she first discovered bike touring, what inspired her to take on increasingly creative endurance challenges, and why she is drawn to journeys that combine geography, problem-solving, and adventure. She talks about life on the road in a van, the logistics behind her rides, and the realities of planning multi-week cycling expeditions using everything from paper maps to GPS apps. We explore the highs and lows of long-distance cycling, from wild camping and weather challenges to moments of complete freedom on remote coastal routes. Alice also reflects on what she has learned from designing her own rules for adventure, and why letting go of perfection has opened the door to more meaningful experiences. Listen to this episode to hear how cycling can become a creative practice, why the UK is full of endless adventure opportunities, and how setting your own rules might just be the best way to explore the world. *** 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 Being based in a van Originally from South West LondonSelf employed as a drone pilot and freelancing for Komoot Her love for cycling and using if for her main mode of transportGetting interested in bike touring Finding out about cycling from Lands End to John O' Groats (LEJOG)Finding out you don't need to be an athlete to cycle these massive distances Magical moments from her LEJOG TripDoing it with paper maps pre smart phonesMaking a lifestyle decision to become self employed Enjoying the freedom it gave herCycling during covid - staying local in Sussex The Sussex 1000 challenge Wanting to cycle the coast line of Great Britain The reason for the name yellow velloLoving the colour yellow Starting to work with KomootHaving to postpone the cycle trip around GB for 2 years Wanting to see more of her home countryBeing guided by a silly set of rules Stick as closely to the coastline as possible Not cycling islands unless there was a bridgeWanting the GPS to look as close as possible to the outline of GBGoing clockwise Why Devon and Cornwall were the hardest parts Planning for the tripWanting to compete the trip in 80 days - with no days offHaving a bivvy bag but planning to stay in accommodation When things go wrong and you end up sleeping on the beach Spending just under £4k on accommodation What it was like day to day Being able to enjoy it and relax into the rideTaking photos and filming the tripPost admin that still needs to be done!Did the dream match the realityWhy it was the best thing she's ever doneNot having any really low daysBeing very lucky with the weather How the weather can impact your trip Why the North West Coast of Scotland was incredible 340 degrees North The Bryson Line Book: The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes from a Small Island: 1 By Bill Bryson The challenges of cycling on some of the bridle ways and why there was a lot of pushingHaving the confidence to wild campGetting back home after the finishThe lesson learned from these trips and adventures Not worrying as much Using cheap bikes, buying food from supermarkets If you've got an idea that is stuck in your head - that's your gut instinct saying you should do itLoving van lifeLooking to find a base at some point Future adventures and plans Wanting to see more of the UKMaybe Ireland?Doing a perfect circle around London or maybe a flower shape?How to connect with Alice on social media yello.veStart with something small, don't worry too much about thingsThe things you worry about don't tend to happen, so don't waste your time worrying Don't worry too much about how other people do things - there is no wrong or right wayEverything is really personal Be confident and go for it!Why it's always great to go outside your comfort zone. The more you do that - the more adventures ...
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    41 mins
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