Tough Girl Podcast
The Tough Girl Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration from women who dare to dream big, push boundaries, and redefine what’s possible. Hosted by adventurer and speaker Sarah Williams, the podcast shares the raw, real, and remarkable stories of women from around the world who have taken on extraordinary challenges — from climbing mountains and crossing oceans to running ultramarathons and biking across continents. Each episode dives deep into the journeys behind the achievements: the grit, resilience, setbacks, and triumphs. These conversations aren't just about finish lines — they’re about courage, growth, and what it truly means to step outside your comfort zone. Whether you’re seeking motivation for your next adventure, training for your first race, or simply want to be uplifted by stories of women doing extraordinary things, the Tough Girl Podcast is here to show you that you are capable of so much more than you realise. Be inspired. Get motivated. Feel empowered.
Episodes
In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Sarah Ruggins—a high-achieving investment professional, academic powerhouse, and now a record-breaking ultra-endurance cyclist. From her early days as a national-level track athlete in Canada to surviving complex PTSD and rebuilding her life, Sarah’s journey is one of transformation, resilience, and radical self-belief.
In 2023, Sarah competed in the Transcontinental Bi...
I can’t quite believe it, but here we are — the 800th episode of the Tough Girl Podcast!
In this special solo episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes for a personal catch-up and reflection on everything that’s happened so far in 2025 — from January through to August. I talk about what life has looked like lately (yes, still living at home with my parents!), working part-time at AIM Health, the adventures I’ve been on, the c...
In this powerful episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Tia Banks—a former professional basketball player turned mountaineer and certified resilience expert. Based in Texas, Tia is on a bold mission to climb all seven volcanic summits, one on each continent, using her journey as a platform to inspire strength, courage, and mental resilience.
Her love for adventure began with Mount Kilimanjaro in 2021, where she faced illn...
In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Sharon Evans, also known as the Free Wheeling Kiwi—a 58-year-old adventurer, storyteller, and passionate advocate for women embracing the outdoors, especially later in life.
Sharon shares the incredible story of walking the full Te Araroa Trail, a 3,000km thru-hike stretching the length of New Zealand. Alongside her partner, she tackled harsh weather, blisters, foot p...
In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, meet Ioana Barbu—an unstoppable ultra runner with big goals, bold energy, and a fierce belief in betting on herself.
After winning the Ice Ultra (230km at the Arctic Circle) and the Highland Ultra (125km in the Scottish Highlands) in 2025—each by hours and against stacked fields—Ioana is now going all-in to complete the entire Beyond the Ultimate series in one calendar year. That mea...
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 sup...
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, E...
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...
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, representin...
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...
In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by the incredible Rebecca Devereux — a dedicated mum, a vet, and a passionate trail and ultra runner. Rebecca shares her journey into endurance running, her training highs and lows, and what it took to place third in one of Britain’s most brutal races — the Montane Winter Spine Sprint, a 46-mile challenge across the rugged Pennine Way in the depths of winter.
We dive into Rebe...
What began as a way to cope with grief became a world record-breaking journey that’s taken Helen Ryvar across the globe — from sunrise runs in North Wales to volcanic trails in Fuerteventura and the ancient deserts of Petra.
A single mum of three and a self-described non-athlete in her youth, Helen’s transformation into a Guinness World Record holder for running consecutive half marathons is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
In this...
Caroline Livesey is an adventurer, extreme triathlete, ultracyclist, elite gravel cyclist and triathlon and life coach.
Caroline started her journey into triathlon while serving with the Royal Engineers in the British Army. After 10 years service she left as a Major in 2013 and pursued a career as a professional triathlete (while working full time as a geotechnical design consultant), originally in Ironman events.
In 2019 circums...
In this inspiring episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we set sail with Dr. Sheridan Lathe, aka Dr. Sheddy — a wildlife veterinarian, sailor, YouTuber, and passionate advocate for both animal and human wellness.
After years of working with domestic and exotic animals in Australia and rescuing bears in China, Dr. Sheddy took her expertise to the seas. Now based on her 37ft sailboat Chuffed, she delivers free veterinary care to animals...
In this episode, we sit down with Tinuke Oyediran, an extraordinary adventure presenter and thrill-seeking daredevil who’s breaking barriers in the world of extreme adventure. You may recognise Tinuke from her recent stint on Survivor UK on BBC1, but her journey goes far beyond reality TV. Tinuke is on a mission to show that anyone, regardless of background, can embrace life’s greatest adventures and that the most rewarding e...
In this episode, we’re joined by the fearless Ann Whatmore, an adventurer who proves that asthma doesn’t have to set limits on what you can achieve. Ann has faced numerous health challenges, but rather than letting them hold her back, she’s embraced adventure in a big way.
In May 2024, she cycled over 3,000km across the UK on her recumbent e-trike, “Bob,” completing a solo journey from Land’s End to Orkney before speaking at Yesti...
In this powerful episode, we meet Aisling Byrne — an international showjumper, successful businesswoman, and an extraordinary example of resilience in the face of life-altering adversity. After a devastating horse riding accident left her with multiple broken bones, internal injuries, and the prognosis that she would never walk again, Aisling refused to accept defeat.
Over the course of a gruelling three-year recovery, she not only...
In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we’re joined by Pamela Lee, a professional offshore sailor from Ireland who’s breaking records and barriers in one of the most extreme, male-dominated sports on the planet. Now based in Brittany, France—the heart of short-handed offshore racing—Pamela has carved out her path with grit, determination, and a clear vision for empowering women through sailing.
Pam shares her journey from growi...
Bianca Fernandez-Clark is a 7x Ironman finisher, Chair, and co-founder of Women in Tri UK, a charity on a mission to bring more women into triathlon and break down barriers in the sport. With no background in sport, Bianca laced up her trainers at age 29 to tackle a 10km as a way to manage her mental health. From there, she progressed to marathons and, in 2016, took on the challenge of learning to swim and cycle to complete her fir...
Harriet Frost is a force of energy, endurance, and entrepreneurial grit.
From completing the notorious Arc of Attrition 100-mile ultra twice, to directing multiple trail races, to co-founding a menstrual cup company focused on sustainable period care for athletes — Harriet is redefining what it means to pursue hard things, in business and on the trail.
In this episode, Harriet shares her journey from growing up in Cornwall to disc...
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