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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Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Alexandra Garcia: Why Difficult Pursuits Matter — Resilience, Running & the Mountains

    Alexandra Garcia: Why Difficult Pursuits Matter — Resilience, Running & the Mountains
    May 8 2025
    Alexandra Garcia’s journey into the outdoors began in adulthood, after relocating from Puerto Rico to Virginia, USA. What started as a personal reconnection with nature quickly turned into a deep passion for endurance challenges that test both body and mind. Since climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2017 and completing the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in 2018, Alex has pursued adventures that push her limits — including backpacking rugged trails in Puerto Rico and continuously seeking what she calls “difficult pursuits.” Now based in Western North Carolina near Pisgah National Forest, Alex is not only an outdoor athlete and writer but also a changemaker. She co-founded the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation to increase accessibility and gender equity in mountain sports, helping women and girls around the world reach new heights — literally. In 2025, Alex will travel to France to climb Mt. Blanc, and she’s also training for a Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt on a challenging trail route. Whether she’s writing, running, or leading with purpose, Alexandra is passionate about personal growth, emotional resilience, and helping others find the courage to take on their own version of hard. *** 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 AlexGrowing up in Porto Ricco - a small island in the Caribbean Her childhood and early years Spending time in nature from a young ageLiving in Western Northern Carolina, USASpending time around the ocean Swimming and respecting the waterHer parents farm Hiking with her family2017 and deciding to climb Mt KilimanjaroLooking for the next thing to work towardsPushing herself to achieveDifficult pursuits of the yearTraining physically and mentally for the challenge2018 and doing the Grand Canyon - Rim to Rim Challenge Keeping herself learning and engaged and wanting the challenges to be fun Running….Learning as she goesThe importance of trainingPlanning ApproachThinking of her own ideas for Difficult PursuitsFocusing on challenges in Porto Ricco 35 miles - Backpacking trail in Porto RiccoThe power of visualisationThe power of doing hard thingsGoing through hard timesManaging emotions while on challengesLetting emotions out and acknowledging them Journaling and writing for outdoor magazines in the USThe women who inspire AlexBeing inspired by Sunny Stroeer Co founding the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation Their mission to increase accessibility for women and girls and for gender equality in the mountainsOffering scholarships to 25 women to climb mountains around the world Her difficult pursuit in 2025Heading to France in July and wanting to climb Mt BlancWanting to set a Fastest Known Time (FKT) How to connect and support AlexFinal words of advice for other women who want to take on difficult pursuitsFind a community of people or women who can support your goals over a period of time. The advice of ‘just do it’ Choosing what is difficult for you Social Media Website www.trailrunningpuertorico.com Instagram @alexandramariagarcia_
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    59 mins
  • Lis van Lynden: Cycling 5,000 Miles with MS – A Story of Grit, Kindness & Adventure

    Lis van Lynden: Cycling 5,000 Miles with MS – A Story of Grit, Kindness & Adventure
    May 6 2025

    Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2013, Lis van Lynden has refused to let the condition define her limits. With no prior cycling experience or training, Lis set off in 2022 on a solo, unsupported ride around the entire coastline of Great Britain—covering 5,000 miles over seven months and raising over £13,000 for MS charities.

    Her journey didn’t stop there. Lis went on to cycle the Irish coastline and most recently visited 12 of the UK’s national parks by bike, with plans to complete the final 3 in 2025.

    Along the way, she’s faced physical challenges, experienced incredible acts of kindness, and become a passionate advocate for others living with MS.

    Lis’s story is one of courage, conviction, and living life on her own terms—no matter the obstacles.

    ***

    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 Lis
    • Half Dutch, Half British
    • Growing up abroad
    • Moving to London and training as a teacher
    • Losing her brother in a sailing accident
    • Losing her father to bowl cancer
    • Working in West Dulwich for 12 years
    • Thinking there must be more to life
    • Being interested in adventure travel
    • Climbing Kilimanjaro and doing a mountaineering course
    • Slowing the group down
    • The first signs of having Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
    • 2008 packing in her job and doing a history degree with the Open University
    • Losing her mother to lung cancer
    • Meeting someone and buying a house together
    • Getting diagnosed in 2013 with MS
    • Going through a divorce
    • Heading to Svalbard in 2018
    • Reading “one man and his bike’ by Mike Carter
    • Book: One Man and His Bike: A Life-Changing Journey All the Way Around the Coast of Britain
    • “Can I do this? Could this be my adventure challenge?”
    • Having 100% conviction
    • Being inspired by and supported by Verdangi Kulkarni
    • Being consumed by her dream
    • 2020 and dealing with lockdowns
    • 2022 7th May - Ready to start the journey!
    • No training and doing 68 miles on the first day.
    • Ripping up the rules….
    • 7 months, 3 days and 1 hour
    • 1 month into the journey and how everything had changed
    • Going off medication and feeling free
    • Heading to Northern Ireland
    • Meeting Ann Whatmore on the road (her episode on the TGP goes live on 5th June 2025)
    • MS Symptoms and dealing with it on the road
    • Wanting to make changes in her life and live life to the fullest
    • Trying to figure out a different way of earning income
    • Movement, eating well and sleep
    • The power of helping ourselves and the importance of mindset
    • Getting through the shitty days
    • Reframing
    • Next challenge
    • How to connect with Lis on social media
    • Final words of advice for other women who want to take on a new challenge

    Social Media

    Just giving: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lisvanlynden

    Instagram: @coddiwomple2wander

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/lis.vanlynden

    Twitter: @LisvlTravels

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    34 mins
  • Rahema Mamodo: Mum of 3, Finding Running Later in Life – From Couch to Ultra, Inspiring Women to Break Barriers.

    Rahema Mamodo: Mum of 3, Finding Running Later in Life – From Couch to Ultra, Inspiring Women to Break Barriers.
    Apr 29 2025
    Rahema Mamodo is a mum of three, a passionate runner, and a trailblazer for women in sport. Growing up in Portugal and now based in Birmingham, Rahema discovered running later in life, starting with a simple couch-to-5k program. What began as a personal challenge has blossomed into a mission to inspire women—especially those who look like her—to break barriers, embrace fitness, and find joy in movement. Since her first hesitant steps on a treadmill, Rahema has run over 180 Park Runs in more than 50 locations, completed marathons, and even tackled ultramarathons like Race to the Stones. Along the way, she’s used her platform to share her journey, celebrate diversity in sport, and encourage others to believe in themselves. In this episode, Rahema shares how running transformed her life, the lessons she’s learned from pushing her limits, and her passion for inspiring her daughters and other women to chase their goals. From practical tips for getting started to her unforgettable experiences at marathons and ultras, Rahema’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and self-belief. *** 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 RahemaGrowing up in Portugal and now living in Birmingham Speaking 3 languages (Portuguese, English and Gujarati)What her early years were like Not being into sports or any physical activities Being a teenage girl Being inspired to do a couch to 5kUsing a treadmill at home and not wanting to run outdoors at firstThe benefits of joining a running groupHer first Park Run and why she loves it Wearing a hijab How her running journey progressed10k to Half Marathon Being supported by her family Wanting to inspire her girls to be activeIncreasing her distance every week Using online programs and doing her best to get beyond the 5k distanceBeing a Park Run Tourist 180+ park runs in over 50 different locationsDoing the A to Z of Park Runs Finding a Z Park RunHighlights from running and running on sandPractical tips to encourage women to get involved in Park RunThe benefits of finding like minded people to runTracking her running with Garmin Deciding to run Manchester Marathon as her first marathon Hating the experience Getting the chance to run the London Marathon Learning a lot from the marathon experiences Running for other people Muslim Runners Running 3/4 times a week5 weeks to prepare for the marathonRace strategy and goals Visiting the London Marathon EXPO Connecting with people from social mediaDeciding to run an ultra - Race to the Stones - 50k She Ultra Sophie Power on the Tough Girl Podcast Training for an ultra No pressure, no cut off times and just smiles!Racing with her daughter in 2025How to connect with Rahema onlineBeing a cover girl! On the cover of Women’s Running Wanting to inspire other women to go out and runThe power of believing in yourself Social Media Website www.rahema.co.uk/blog Instagram @Rahema_m Facebook @rahemasw
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    50 mins

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Profile Image for H. Miller

Inspirational and amazing

I love this podcast and would wholeheartedly recommend following there is something for everyone! Whether you want to listen to cyclists, hikers, swimmers, rowers, mums, grandparents, every time that I listen I’m inspired and have more ideas and gets
Me one step forward in my own adventures.

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