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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Biographies & Memoirs Personal Success Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Claire McCall: Hiking the Hexa – A Memoir of Adventure, Fear, and Finding Joy in Midlife

    Claire McCall: Hiking the Hexa – A Memoir of Adventure, Fear, and Finding Joy in Midlife
    Jan 28 2025

    Claire McCall is a Kiwi journalist, author, and self-described "not-so-tough" adventurer who took on a life-changing challenge in her 50s. Born in South Africa and now based in New Zealand, Claire didn’t grow up sporty, but in her 40s, she discovered a love for hiking and new physical challenges, including climbing Kilimanjaro with her son.

    In 2022, Claire and her partner James set out to hike selected stages of the Hexa Trek, a newly established long-distance trail through France.

    Covering just a portion of the trail, the journey became the inspiration for her book, Hiking the Hexa—a candid, warts-and-all memoir that captures the highs, lows, and reality of long-distance hiking.

    In this episode, Claire shares her experience on the trail, from fears of failure and embracing the unknown to the joys of connecting with people along the way and the challenges of hiking as a couple. She reflects on her midlife decision to tackle big dreams, the logistics of planning such an adventure, and the lessons she learned along the way.

    Claire’s story is one of stepping outside comfort zones, overcoming fear, and finding purpose through nature and adventure—reminding us all to ask the ultimate question: “If not now, then when?”

    ***

    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

    • Based in New Zealand, originally from South Africa.
    • Journalist specialising in architecture and design.
    • Began hiking in her 40s, climbing Kilimanjaro with her son as one of her first major adventures.
    • A self-employed creative balancing life as a mum and adventurer.
    • 2022: Set out on her first long-distance hike with her partner, James.
    • Discovered the Hexa Trek, a new long-distance route through France.
    • Decided to hike selected stages.
    • Initially wanting to start in the Pyrenees Mountains.
    • Studying French as part of her preparation.
    • Early fears of failure and overthinking the trip.
    • Facing logistical challenges: savings, renting out her house in Auckland, and planning the hike.
    • Experiencing the reality of long-distance hiking: physical struggles, weather, and the emotional ups and downs.
    • The unique rules of the trail and unexpected encounters—let’s talk about cows!
    • Slowing down the pace and adapting to the demands of the journey.
    • The dynamics of hiking as a couple—how they navigated challenges and strengthened their connection.
    • The importance of stepping outside comfort zones.
    • Finding joy in connection: the people they met along the way.
    • How the experience has changed her perspective on life.
    • Why Claire chose to write a memoir (not a guidebook!).
    • The creative process of blogging throughout the journey and turning it into a book.
    • Considering another long-distance hike.
    • Reflecting on the adventure and how it shaped her life.
    • Final Words of Advice - “If not now, then when?”
    • Don’t let fear or overthinking hold you back from adventure.
    • Learn more about Claire’s journey on her socials or grab a copy of Hiking the Hexa.

    Social Media

    Website www.clairemccall.net

    Instagram @hikingthehexa

    Book: Hiking the Hexa: Up, down and (almost) over the hill on France’s newest long-distance walk

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    50 mins
  • Dr. Susannah O’Sullivan: Teacher, Writer, Activist & Adventurer – From Solo Cycling Across Continents to Empowering Women in Palestine and Beyond

    Dr. Susannah O’Sullivan: Teacher, Writer, Activist & Adventurer – From Solo Cycling Across Continents to Empowering Women in Palestine and Beyond
    Jan 21 2025
    Teacher, writer, activist and adventurer. Susannah quit her job as a university lecturer in 2017 to cycle solo and unsupported from the UK to the Middle East. She camped all along the way, in olive groves, in peoples’ garages, next to motorways, by rivers and lakes, and in caves. She faced many of her own fears on this trip and wants to share her experiences to encourage other women to wild camp safely. In the Middle East she spent 6 months in the West Bank, Palestine, teaching yoga to women in a refugee camp, working as a climbing guide and becoming a solidarity activist with victims of violence. For the next two years she kept returning to Palestine to continue this work. She has just completed writing a book about what she experienced there, including her own battle with depression and PTSD. Her most recent adventures include thru-hiking a section of the Lebanon Mountain Trail, hitchhiking around the South Island of New Zealand, and driving a scooter 5,000km around the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. *** Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, 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 SusannahBeing based in Bali Going on multiple adventures over the years2017 cycling from Bristol to the Middle East2022 hiking a section of the Lebanon Mountain Trail 2023 Riding a scouter around the islands of Indonesia Growing up in Bristol and her early years spent cycling outdoors Finding calm in natureGetting into politics as a teenager and studying politics and history Getting a scholarship to do a Masters & PHDFinishing her PHD in 2014 and working as a university lecturerThe decline in her mental health and developing anxiety around her job and workloadTaking a break in 2016 and moving back home Spending time in Nepal in the Katmandu Valley Cycling and wild camping solo in the South of France Wanting to see more of the worldReading Dervla Murphy - Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle Planning a bigger cycle trip Leaving in September 2017 and cycling to Istanbul Spending the winter in the West Bank, Palestine Taking the first step and what the planning and logistics looked like Dealing with fears and concernsBreaking down the fears in a rational manor Listening to other women who had done similar trips (from podcasts and live talks)If they can do it, why can’t I do it. Digging into the fear to understand where it is coming from Distinguishing what is a real risk and what is a story we are being told about women’s vulnerability Getting into her rhythm and starting to relax into the journey Meeting local peopleNot wild camping as much at the start, while travelling through EuropeWild camping and getting into the mental zone to do itVolunteering with an NGO in Palestine and how it changed herHaving a PHD in International relationsHer work in Palestine Writing a book about her cycle trip to Palestine and her experiences in the country The magical moments from the cycle rideThe countries she would like to go back and visit and spend more timeMeeting other cyclists Heading over to New Zealand to hitch hike around the South IslandHitchhiking….Funding and paying for adventures and living a life of travelThe Queen Charlotte Track, New Zealand Hiking in Lebanon on the mountain trail Foreign Travel Advice - UK Government Learning how to ride a scooter in Indonesia Slower travel and wanting more flexibility and freedomManaging mental health while travelling Feeling traveled out and changing the way she travelsFeeling setting in Indonesia Digital nomad tourist visaPlans for 2025 and wanting to ride a motorbike around Papa New GuineaHow to connect with SusannahFinal words of advice to encourage you to follow your passionsPursuing your passions and ignoring what the negative people have to say about it Social Media Website www.susannahosullivan.org
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    50 mins
  • Naomi Rumble: Leading by Example – Overcoming Barriers and Redefining What an Athlete Looks Like

    Naomi Rumble: Leading by Example – Overcoming Barriers and Redefining What an Athlete Looks Like
    Jan 14 2025
    In this inspiring episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Naomi Rumble, a passionate triathlete, dedicated swimming coach, and advocate for breaking down barriers in sport. By day, Naomi works as a senior market researcher in London, but outside of her 9-to-5, she’s fully immersed in the world of swimming, cycling, and running. While sport has always been a part of Naomi’s life—from childhood swimming lessons and taekwondo to dabbling in netball, boxing, and archery—her relationship with consistent training truly solidified during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a challenge to cycle from London to Brighton evolved into a love for endurance sports and, eventually, the bold decision to pursue triathlons. Naomi shares her journey of overcoming self-doubt, learning to embrace running despite initial resistance, and finding strength through community and connection. As the first sponsored triathlete for Fund Her Tri UK, she’s not only pushing her own boundaries but also paving the way for others to step into the world of triathlons with confidence. From cold-water swims and marathon struggles to managing self-talk and celebrating small wins, Naomi’s story is a testament to perseverance, courage, and the power of showing up for yourself. Tune in as Naomi opens up about her experiences, shares invaluable lessons learned along the way, and offers advice to anyone looking to start their own sporting journey. This episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and actionable takeaways—you won’t want to miss it! *** 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 NaomiWorking in market research as a 9-5 jobSupporting running and cycling clubsTeaching swimming twice a weekGrowing up in London as a city girlBeing in sports from a young ageStarting swimming at age 4 Doing taekwondo until 10 years oldTrying to figure out what she likes; netball, basketball, shot-put, discus, boxing, archery, scouts.Never being fully consistent with sports all the way through Being willing to try new things and wanting to have new challengesRole models and the women who have inspired herLeaving university and starting work and how sport drifted offNot liking runningHow things changed during covidCycling from London to BrightonGetting involved in sport in a more regular way How her view expanded on what’s possibleHaving the confidence and self belief to sign up to new challengesBeing inspired to sing up for a Triathlon Women of Colour Cycling CollectiveMeeting Bianca Fernandez-Clark @biancatriathlonFund Her Tri UK Becoming the first sponsored triathlete for Fund Her Trip UKWorking towards a full distance triathlon How training took a toll on her body Needing to rest more and eat more protein The discipline needed to do the training The importance of discipline and dedication Cold water swimming/open water swimmingNot liking the coldWhat happens when things fall apart and everything goes wrongNeeding to stop in the water and just breatheConcerns and fears before taking up triathlon Not being a runner and not liking running Not calling herself a runner and finding running difficultNot being a fast runnerStruggling with the breathing and overheatingJeffing (run/walk/run)Running the London marathon and what the experience was likeHow new opportunities can change your thinking Wanting to do an ironman Persevering though the tough moments Changing her tacticsWhat her self talk looks likeManaging negative thoughtsThe power of reflecting backBeing her own worst criticLearning to celebrate the small wins Goals for 2025Team Outlaw Fitting in exercise and training Turning training into social eventsHow to connect with Naomi Final words of adviceFind your group and your community Don’t be afraid to ask for helpFigure out what works best for you. Social Media Instagram @nay.aminah
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    1 hr and 5 mins

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I Relate To This Tough Girl!

Very few podcasts can get me to laugh out loud. This was one. Thanks! Great !

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