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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
  • Ann Whatmore: A Fearless Adventurer Who Proves Severe Asthma Doesn’t Set Limits – Cycling 3000km Across the UK on a Recumbent E-Trike

    Ann Whatmore: A Fearless Adventurer Who Proves Severe Asthma Doesn’t Set Limits – Cycling 3000km Across the UK on a Recumbent E-Trike
    Jun 5 2025
    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 Yestival. This was no easy feat – Ann had only a sixth of her lung function available and had to rely on determination, resourcefulness, and a supportive community to make the journey possible. In this episode, Ann shares how she turned her dream into reality, navigating the ups and downs of planning such a massive adventure. She talks about the emotional and physical struggles of living with asthma, how she managed her condition on the road, and the lessons she learned along the way. Whether you’re living with a chronic condition, longing for adventure, or simply looking for inspiration to push through your own barriers, Ann’s story is one you won’t want to miss. Tune in to hear how Ann turned her “limitations” into an opportunity for growth and exploration, proving that the only true limits are the ones we place on ourselves. 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 Patron! 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 Ann Having numerous health issuesBeing based near the Jurassic Coast, UKLiving by the seaNot being able to explore the landscape as much as she would likeDeciding to get a 3 wheeled e-trike (called Bob)Wanting to say yes to adventure Getting asthma problems after the age of 18Being able to manage her condition at 19 Her early years growing up, being very sporty and outdoorsy Having horses and enjoying riding Getting covid on 21st march 2020 and how it impacted on her lung functionNot being able to walk up stairsBeing on high dose steroids and inhalersThe mental challenges of dealing with health issuesGrieving for the person she wasFinding out her lungs have been damaged and developing breathing pattern disorders Joining adventure book clubs and listening to podcastsBringing the adventures to her Finding positivity in other people adventures Looking for glimmers of hope Say Yes More TribeYestival - Dave Cornwaithe Losing her balance and co-ordination ability Finding out about trikesFree trike rehabilitation in Exeter Finding ways to fund her trikeThe price to have independence outsideBike to Work Scheme (UK) Having a bike fit check Going for short, local rides on flat groundFinding a little route and going out with her partner to gain confidence The plan for the adventure Taking a year to plan and how the journey changedBOOK: Britain Best Bike Ride: The ultimate thousand-mile cycling adventure from Land’s End to John o’ Groats - Hannah Reynolds & John Walsh Planning to cycle from Lands End to John O’GroatsWanting to see Skara Brae in the Orkneys Making herself accountability and standing up on stage at Yestival to announce her challengeDeciding to finish the challenge at Yestival Committing to the 2,000 mile adventure! Figuring out how to charge her bike batteryNot being able to wild camp and always needing to find a plug each dayThe reality of the challenge, compared to what she expectedHaving a supportive and encouraging partner Being able to enjoy it moreLoving the highlands How her perception changed of what she could do Dealing with the hills…The feelings of ‘awe’Focusing on the next goal, and breaking down the challengeThe kindness of strangers when you were at your lowestBig Sky Hideaway Adjusting back to normal life - after spending 50 days on the roadPacking up her e-trike to go home and heading back to workHaving 121 support The next challenge….Chase the Sun - 205 miles in 1 day The lessons learned from the experience Being vulnerable and asking for help when neededFundraising for Asthma + Lung UK Sea Swimming Ice mile swim…Social media…How to connect with AnnFind your community Figure out what you can do Learning how to ask for helpSaying yes to adventure and finding that supportFind your tribe, say yes more Social Media Website www.wanderingwhatmore.com
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    53 mins
  • Aisling Byrne: International Showjumper and Businesswoman on Surviving a Devastating Riding Accident and Defying the Odds to Walk and Compete Again

    Aisling Byrne: International Showjumper and Businesswoman on Surviving a Devastating Riding Accident and Defying the Odds to Walk and Compete Again
    Jun 3 2025

    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 walked again — she returned to the international showjumping circuit, proving that mindset, grit, and determination can overcome even the most impossible odds.

    In our conversation, Aisling shares her journey from a small-town Irish girl discovering horses for the first time to the elite competitive showjumping stage, and the mindset strategies that carried her through her darkest moments. We also dive into her life as a business owner, how she balances her entrepreneurial ventures with her sporting goals, and her advice for women navigating setbacks of any kind.

    Whether you’re facing a personal challenge, working toward a big goal, or simply in need of some serious inspiration, this episode will remind you of what’s possible when you choose to keep moving forward — no matter the obstacle.

    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 Aisling
    • Born and raised in Ireland
    • Being passionate about showjumping
    • Running a funding company and a travel company
    • Growing up in Ireland
    • Having 1 brother and supportive parents
    • Not growing up around horses
    • Going to the local equestrian centre
    • Riding the neighbours ponies
    • Getting her own pony at 11
    • Transitioning from riding ponies to horses
    • Enjoying the partnership with the horse
    • How showjumping works
    • Competition time and doing a course walk
    • What does it take to make a great show jumper
    • Needing determination and tenacity
    • The ability to work hard and learning from different people
    • Building a partnership with a horse
    • Figuring out what makes your horse tick
    • Making your horses as happy as possible
    • Having a near death experience
    • Breaking multiple bones and damaging internal organs
    • Being in a Portuguese hospital and people not realising the severity of the injury
    • Bleeding internally
    • Being able to detach herself from the situation
    • Calmness during emergency situations
    • Being very practical and level headed
    • The recovery journey - 3 years
    • Taking a long time to get off crutches
    • Staying positive (even if you have to fake it)
    • How mindset can speed up your physical recovery
    • Practical tips to manage levels of positivity so not to go to a dark place
    • Walking for the first time
    • Going to a specialist sports physio
    • Being told she would never be able to ride a horse again
    • First time getting back on a pony after the accident in 2018
    • Being lifted onto the pony with a forklift truck
    • Getting back into showjumping and competing again
    • Not sweating the small stuff
    • Not looking for perfection and how everything goes a little bit smoother
    • How the travel company works
    • Lending money to law firms
    • Advice for women who want to get into the world of showjumping
    • Wanting to get back to world ranking jumping
    • No age limit on showjumping
    • How to connect on social media
    • Words of advice for women who are dealing with a setback
    • Staying positive for others
    • Not having to do things - but getting to do things

    Social Media

    Instagram: @aislingbyrne1

    TikTok: @asheyb1
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    45 mins
  • Pamela Lee: Irish Offshore Sailor, World Record Holder, Empowering Women Through Sailing, Training for Route du Rhum 2026.

    Pamela Lee: Irish Offshore Sailor, World Record Holder, Empowering Women Through Sailing, Training for Route du Rhum 2026.
    May 29 2025
    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 growing up beside the sea in Ireland to becoming the first Irish woman to skipper the Transat Jacques Vabre Race, setting three world records sailing around Ireland, and now training for the 2026 Route du Rhum, one of the toughest solo ocean races in the world. We dive deep into her early influences, the realities of offshore racing, learning French to break into the French sailing scene, and the financial, emotional, and physical challenges of pursuing elite-level sailing. From boat borrowing to breaking glass ceilings, Pamela opens up about the power of visibility, representation, and believing in your own potential—no matter how big the dream. Whether you're interested in sailing, women in sport, or chasing bold goals, this is an empowering and eye-opening conversation not to miss. *** 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 PamelaLiving and working in Brittany, FranceProfessional Off-shore Sailor Living in the mecca of off-shore sailing What short-handed sailing isSpeaking French and sailing in French Studying French at school and doing a French exchange The challenge of learning French The power of emersion when learning a language Growing up in Ireland (south of Dublin, on the South East Coast) beside the sea Having a dad who is a sailing fanatic Family holidays camping and sailing Opportunities to become a professional sailor?Adapting her mentality on how she wanted to live her lifeKnowing that a 9-5 job was not for herLiving in Sydney, Australia and wanting to sailSydney Hobart offshore sailing race Finding a boat to sail on Wanting to travel and to sail more Wanting to make a changeConsidering the possibility of becoming a professional sailor Getting her Yacht Master Qualification Getting the opportunity to move to FranceWanting to learn more skills and not getting to do those positions Reaching a glass ceiling and not seeing how to get to the next levelLooking for the next opportunity and heading back to Ireland to figure it outDiscussion around the Olympics and sailing (double handed offshore racing) Being part of a mixed sex duo Being invited to train for the Irish team for this potential eventHeading to France to trail for this type of racing Being exposed to the French offshore racing world Deciding to stay in France 2019 - 2020Setting 3 world records by sailing around Ireland and how the goal came about Fastest sailing around Ireland in a boat of 40ft or underSetting the record for double handed and the women’s record for racing around Ireland The covid years and going back and forth between France and Ireland Personal inner ambition and wanting to know what she could do Needing to get a boatBorrowing a boat and starting to train with it for racing around IrelandSpending several days at seas and racing 700 nautical miles in approx 3-4 daysFunding for sailingMaking a big media splash and getting your name out there with the record Getting women’s stories in main stream pressWomen’s voices and the progress being made in women’s sports and how they are represented The push towards progressThe Route du Rhum a transatlantic single-handed yacht race, which takes place every four years in November. Racing from France to the Caribbean solo - the longest and toughest trans-atlantic race Being the first Irish female to do the raceNeeding to qualify for the race (based on miles raced)Needed to race and train beforeStarting the project and finding their founding sponsor - DFDS Funding costs via sponsorship The dream budget and costs involved The stress of getting sponsorship and maintaining the relationship Filming a documentary with Musto (Sailing clothing brand) The importance of visibility and representation Being inspired by the sporting women in the Olympics The importance of PERSONAL challenges How to connect with Pam Words of advice for other women who want to go after their own goals Encouraging women to go after big goals and building a step by step progression planLisa - Life & Business Mindset CoachBuilding your ...
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    55 mins
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