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Tough Girl Podcast

Tough Girl Podcast

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
  • Tiphaine Muller – Alps to Himalayas: Cycling Across Continents & Trekking the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal

    Tiphaine Muller – Alps to Himalayas: Cycling Across Continents & Trekking the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal
    Sep 23 2025
    In this Tough Girl EXTRA episode, we catch up with Tiphaine Muller, the intrepid French adventurer who continues to push her boundaries through long-distance cycling and remote, high-altitude trekking. Now 31 and based in Chamonix, France, Tiphaine has spent the last decade traveling the world by bike, exploring five continents. Her latest journey saw her pedaling from the Alps to the Himalayas before tackling one of the toughest and most remote treks on earth: The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) in Nepal. This conversation picks up from where we left off in her first Tough Girl Podcast interview (November 2021) — where she shared her early adventures and passion for slow travel. This time, we dive deep into her 2024 journey: Cycling from France to Nepal through the Balkans, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and the Himalayas — all while managing extreme heat, border crossings, and a strict budget of €10/day. Hiking the Great Himalaya Trail solo (West to East), over 80 days, through towering 5,000m+ passes, remote villages, and ever-changing terrain — while battling physical exhaustion, route-finding issues, and high-altitude nutrition struggles. Tiphaine candidly shares: The logistics and challenges of arranging permits for restricted zones without a guideHer coping strategies for trekking alone in high mountainsCultural highlights from cycling through Turkey and IranHow she funds her travels and balances life back home as a social workerHer future goals — including film-making and another epic cycle across South America This episode is a deep, honest reflection on the highs and lows of big adventures and what it takes — mentally, physically, and emotionally — to keep moving forward when things don’t go to plan. Don’t miss this inspiring update from a woman who truly lives the spirit of adventure, one pedal stroke and step at a time. 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 Tiphaine31 years oldLiving in Chamonix, France Travelling on and off for the past 10 years Going on 3 big bicycle trips1st Tough Girl Podcast episode - November 18th 20212nd Big Cycle Trip - Cycling from Mexico to AlaskaThis episode focusing on cycling from France to Nepal and hiking the Great Himalaya Trail Thinking about the next challengeHiking the High Route of the Pyrenees solo Joking about the Great Himalaya Trail Figuring out the visa and trying to plan for the trail Planning for 6 months and working out how to make it work with the seasonsStarting in March 2024The Route - Cycling Europe really fast in 1 monthGoing through the Balkan Countries, Greece then the ferry over to TurkeyAcross Georgia, Armenia, Iran and the Stan countries Highlights and magical moments from the cycle ride Why Turkey is one of her favourite countries Why Iran was really demanding The bike and gear setup for 6 months Dealing with extreme heat and needing to ride during the night to escape the heat Funding the trip and living off savingsLiving off a daily budget of 10 euro per person per day (while cycling)Earning money working as a social worker Day to day rhythm while riding on the bike Having a rest day every 10 days The Great Himalaya Trail and wanting to walk West to East Needing to go to Katmandu first to sort out all the permits Taking a rest in Katmandu for 10 daysBusing to the start of the trail Having 80 days to walk the trail Why the first 2 weeks were super hard Getting lost of the trail; no signs, no gps on the phone, incorrect maps, not knowing which track was the correct oneStruggling to stick to the schedule, due to the permits Not having a guide Dealing with problem after problem Walking in the high mountains Needing to have guides while walking in Nepal….Going through a trekking agency - who will allow you to get the trekking permits without a guide The restricted areas close to the borders Mixing the high routes and the low routesFinding resupply and food on the trailThe challenges of cooking at altitudeStruggling to get the calories in and needing to focus more on foodNeeding to eat, even when not hungry Paying for food - and taking cash for 80 days…Coping with the altitude and the high passes over 5,000mHiking without a guide Connecting with other hikers and Nepalese people What’s app group for GHT preparation! Hiking or cycling?!Reaching the end of the hike in DecemberDeciding to continue cycling for another 2 months and visiting China and Malaysia Writing another book?Focusing on film and ...
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    44 mins
  • Jenn Phillips - From Medical Menopause to Trail Leader: One Woman’s Journey to Outdoor Empowerment

    Jenn Phillips - From Medical Menopause to Trail Leader: One Woman’s Journey to Outdoor Empowerment
    Sep 18 2025
    Jenn is a long-distance walker, community leader, and passionate advocate for women’s wellbeing in the outdoors — especially during menopause. From battling endometriosis, PCOS, and the trauma of an early medical menopause in her 20s, she was once told she couldn’t live the active, adventurous life she craved. She’s spent the last few years since proving otherwise — one footstep at a time. What began as a personal outlet for healing has evolved into something much bigger: being able to connect women to their strength through hiking, movement, and community. Whether she’s leading local walks, multi-day hikes, backpacking or pushing her own limits, she walks with the intention that creating space for people to feel heard, safe and be around nature is of the upmost importance. A qualified lowland leader, speaker, and founder of a thriving women’s walking community in Kent, she brings insight, humour, and unflinching honesty to conversations about menopause, mental health, leadership, and what it means to feel powerful in your body again — especially when the world told you not to try. Through her trail stories — from ultra hikes to quiet woodland days — she shows that adventure isn’t about speed or summits. It’s simply about showing up. 🎙️ 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 Jenn and running MJ Outdoor Adventures Her aim to get everyone outdoors, regardless of what stage of life people are at Her early years and not being sporty or outdoorsy Getting into fitness in her mid to late 20sGoing through an early menopause in her early 20sGaining weight very quickly Feeling very uncomfortable in her own bodyStarting walking and moving into swimming and yogaGetting into hiking and how her passion came alive Currently 39 years oldTalking about perimenopause and menopause Reflecting back on what happened 20 years ago Only hearing from doctors, not hearing other voices or having other support available. Not having a clue what was happening Discovering hiking and her hiking journey Shifting the weight and starting to get more energy once she started walking Signing up for ultra challenges Adapting gear to make it work for herLowland Leaders Taking a leap of faith and quitting her day job 3 months into the adventure Working in retail and making the transition Setting up her first walking groupWomen’s Wellness Walks The power of women sharing their stories Peri-menopause - and how it’s starting earlier and earlier 51 symptoms of menopause… Vitamin D and bone density lossWhat can women do, to manage the symptoms of peri-menopause Strong not skinny and the importance of keeping mobile Mental health and balancing hormonesHow the outdoors have helpedSolo hiking and the power of spending time alone in the Highlands of Scotland Isle of Wright Ultra - 100km Wanting to prove to everyone that she could do itAchieving 75km and not hitting the 100kmHaving to shift her mindset Learning grace for herself Practicing mindfulness on the trail Saxon Shore Way, KentThe power of natureWalking as part of a group Community and friendships Learning how to be in the outdoors How it helps to build confidence Meeting Mike!The W trail in Patagonia (Feb 2026) The Greensand Way Working as an Ordnance Survey Champion North Down’s Way Ambassadors The challenges of wailing in February in the UKFast packing and going from hotel to hotel, or from B&B to B&BDoing what works for youThe stats from the North Down’s Way (National Trail UK) Being a woman in the outdoors industry How to connect with Jenn and sign up for her walks Final words of advice for other women who want to get outside more Finding your tribe and the right footwear!! Social Media Website: www.mjoutdooradventures.co.uk Instagram: @mjoutdooradventures
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    51 mins
  • Hilde Dosogne – Marathon Woman 366: Running 366 Marathons in a Year at Age 55 to Break a Guinness World Record

    Hilde Dosogne – Marathon Woman 366: Running 366 Marathons in a Year at Age 55 to Break a Guinness World Record
    Sep 16 2025
    At age 55, Belgian runner Hilde Dosogne set out to break boundaries — and did just that. In 2024, she ran 366 marathons in 366 days, earning her the title of Guinness World Record holder for most consecutive marathons in a year. What makes Hilde’s journey so extraordinary is not just the distance she covered, but the relentless dedication she showed while working part-time and managing her daily life with laser-focused discipline. Known as Marathon Woman 366, Hilde didn’t grow up in a sporty family. In fact, she didn’t seriously take up running until her 40s. But once she did, she never looked back — moving from her first marathon with her husband in 2013 to ultra events like the Marathon des Sables and the legendary Spartathlon in Greece. Inspired by endurance runner Candice Burt, who ran an ultra a day, Hilde set a goal that was bold yet (just) manageable alongside her career — a marathon every single day for an entire year. From battling injuries and illness, to running through Belgian storms and even dislocating a finger mid-run, Hilde’s story is one of mental toughness, resilience, and unwavering self-belief. In this episode, Hilde shares: Why she decided to take on this incredible challengeHow she structured her days and managed recoveryThe highs and lows of running every single dayThe mental strategies that helped her keep goingHer thoughts on aging, performance, and redefining what's possible at 55The deep sense of joy and freedom she finds in running Hilde’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to start something extraordinary — and that the only limits are the ones we place on ourselves. New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM UK time. Subscribe and be inspired by stories of women pushing their physical and mental limits across adventure, endurance, and exploration. Support the mission to increase the visibility of female role models in adventure and sport: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast Show notes Who is HildeLiving in Belgium55 years oldMarried with 4 children aged between 18 and 26 years oldWorking in a chemical company and being passionate about runningBeing known as Marathon Woman 366Not growing up in a sporty family and not being encouraged to do sports when she was youngerGetting into running after her children were growing up Being focused on building up her career and raising her children Reaching 40 years old and wanting to lose some weight and deciding to run a marathon with her husband in 2013How her running progressed and wanting to run more marathons and then wanting to run faster and then furtherGetting a lot of satisfaction from achieving her goals and pushing her limitsDeciding to run the coastline of Belgium - 74kmWanting to know what else she could do Deciding to run the Marathon des Sables in Morocco Struggling with sleep in the open tent, and dealing with the sandstorm and the noisy people in the tentRunning Spartathlon Ultra Race Running from Athens to Sparta - having 36 hrs to complete the race Needing to qualify for the SpartathlonRunning 170km in 24 hrs in 2022Running the race again in 2023 and running 1 hr faster than the year beforeBeing inspired by Candice Burt running an ultra marathon everyday Realising that running an ultra marathon a day would take up too much time everydayDeciding to run a marathon everyday and break a world record Feeling that running a marathon everyday would be achievable while working at the same timeStarting to plan for the event in summer 2024 - wanting to run with other people Applying to Guinness World Records and figuring out the logistics for evidence The time commitment involved and trying to run with other people Being commitment to the hours she was running The hard days, especially when she was feeling sick Dealing with stomach pain and covid. Falling while running and dislocating her finger Dealing with bad weather especially at the start of the year Struggling with her sleep and feeling too excited from the running both physically and emotionally Sleeping during her lunch breakNeeding to have her days very strictly scheduled The time commitment of running, social media and the info for Guinness World RecordsThe mindset of taking on a daily challenge like thisHer resilience coming from having a strict childhood and being very disciplinedSeeing her running as a job Feeling gratitude for while she was running Raising funds for breast cancer patients Being supported by the people who ran with her and also supported via social media Daily recovery strategies - having a recovery shake, baths, stretching and a massage 1x per weekBeing supported by her husband in the house Getting to the end of 366 marathonsRunning the last week in pain, due to a hamstring injury Preparing an event for the last dayHer body was telling her to stop running Stopping running on the 1st January 2025 Feeling very happy that it was over!Getting back into ...
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    40 mins
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