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Tough Girl Podcast

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. Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Paula McGuire – Stroke, Autism Diagnosis & Why She's Still Saying Yes to Adventure

    Paula McGuire – Stroke, Autism Diagnosis & Why She's Still Saying Yes to Adventure
    May 5 2026
    In this Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode, we catch up with Paula "Must Try Harder" McGuire — author, speaker, triathlete, wing-walker, double TEDx speaker, mental health ambassador… and proudly, a trier. Based just outside Glasgow, Paula has been adventuring since 2015 and has built a reputation for trying something new every day — including completing 366 new experiences in 2020. But the years since we last spoke have brought extraordinary challenges. Paula shares openly about being diagnosed as autistic at 44, having a stroke at the end of 2021 and developing epilepsy, going through a divorce after 15 years of marriage, losing her home to a flood, and navigating post-stroke fatigue — all while spending six months in enforced van life. We talk about how adventure supported her through the hardest moments, how her neurodivergent brain fuels her love of planning and trying, and why you don't need to be the best at something to enjoy giving it a go. Paula also reflects on writing her book Adventures for Bored Adults (commissioned by Penguin), rediscovering her love of swimming, and learning acceptance in the face of uncertainty. Honest, funny and deeply human, this conversation is about resilience, identity, and continuing to say yes — even when life doesn't go to plan. *** 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 PaulaBeing based just outside of GlasgowBeing adventuring since 2015TGP Episode Working as an electronic note taker and captioner for deaf peopleTGP Extra Episode 6 years since we last spoke How things have changed over the past few years in quite negative ways before eventually turning to a positive thing In 2020 trying something new every day 366 new things (leap year!)Starting off the year really positively How it became an adventure in creativityFeeling exhausted after the year was over What that the last few years have taught her Figuring out her place in the world of adventure Being ready to relax Social media not coming naturally to her Struggling with the negativity of social media Paula has tried hard enough - Paula is done.Being diagnosed with Autism at 446 months of enforced van life (November 24 - May 25)At the end of 2021 having a stroke and developing epilepsy Her husband leaving her after 15 years and going through a divorce Losing her house after a flood One thing after another Feeling that the universe had turned against herFeeling very luckyBrain tumour??Start to prepare for Paula last Christmas Moving on with a stroke and the potential for more strokes in the future How the adventures from before really supported herReminding herself of things she achieved, things that she'd failed at and survivedAdventure and acceptance Continuing to do fun things A to Z of AdventurePost stroke fatigue Not sticking to things - buying all the gearGetting the most mental stimulation in the trying Wanting to be the person who tries it all Her love for swimming and going back to it again and againHer neurodivergent brain - the planning, the execution, the reflecting Being butterfly minded Why you don't need to be the best at everything to enjoy having agoCoping with how your brain works How her entire life has become clear after her diagnosisAdvent(ure) Writing a book commissioned by PenguinBook: Adventures for Bored Adults: Games. Challenges. Activities. Treats.How to connect with Paula on social mediaSupporting people with mental healthAdvice for women going through lots of challenges Social Media Website: www.paulamusttryharder.co.uk Instagram: @pmusttryharder Facebook: @pmusttryharder
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    45 mins
  • Rebecca Dent: High-Performance Dietitian for Ultra Runners & Mountain Athletes

    Rebecca Dent: High-Performance Dietitian for Ultra Runners & Mountain Athletes
    Apr 28 2026
    Rebecca Dent is a high-performance dietitian specialising in ultra runners and mountain sport athletes — from passionate recreational runners to world-class professionals. Based in the Chamonix Valley for the past 10 years, she combines her expertise in performance nutrition with a life immersed in ski touring, trail running, mountaineering, and the mountains she loves. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Rebecca shares her journey from the Forest of Dean to the French Alps, balancing elite-level training with everyday life, and the nutrition strategies that help athletes optimise performance, recovery, and health — particularly for women navigating hormonal changes and perimenopause. We talk race day fuel, strength training, managing limiting beliefs, and why it's never too late to start a new adventure. Whether you're chasing your first trail race or aiming to summit Mont Blanc, Rebecca's insights will inspire you to push your limits while taking care of your body. New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time). Support the Tough Girl mission via Patreon: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast *** Show notes Who is RebeccaWorking as a high performance dietician for 25 yearsStarting out in the NHS, before moving into elite sportFocusing on climber and ultra runnersMoving to the Chamonix Valley in the French Alps, 10 years agoTraining for an ultra race in SnowdonBeing passionate about ski touring, trail running, hiking, climbing and spending time in the mountains Growing up in the Forest of Dean in a little villageSpending a lot of time outdoors Starting trail running in her teenage years Always enjoying athletics and being inspired by the women on TV Doing GCSE PE and A'Level PEHaving fun doing sports in a team environment Deciding what to study at university Niching down in her careerBeing exposed in the NHS to different areas of health careStarting to enter trail races and pushing herself physicallyHer running journey and progression in the sportEntering into races for funFollowing a training plan for a 50k trail race in SnowdonUsing Training Peaks and working with a coachDoing approx 7hr of training per weekUsing sports drinks, gels, kindle mint cake, chews and jelly sweetsNeeding to get good at running up hillDoing 2, 1hr gym sessions per week46 years old and why it's so important to strength trainPerimenopause and changes in hormonesChanges in body composition and carrying extra body fatStarting to work with a personal trainer once a weekHow a change in hormones can affect your confidence and mood Feeling stronger and lifting heavierHow the extra's were creeping inEating well and focusing on things that were easy to changeFocusing on the protein What a typical breakfast, lunch, and dinner looks like Keep things simple and nutritiousDoing a recovery shake after the gymRace day nutrition - before, during and afterBeing guided (by her husband) up Mont Blanc - up and down in 1 dayStruggling with acclimatisation The mental side of running and climbing Reflecting and working on her limiting beliefs Being able to regulate thoughts that are't helpful Reframing thoughts Dealing with disappointment Being good at feeling your feelings Planning, logistics, and being organisedDeciding to pull back and focus on resting and recouping Doing an ultra every 2 to 5 years Being a procrastinator Having to make training a priority Why it is hard sometimes Needing to have a balance with lifeWhy some things do need to be delayed How to connect with Rebecca on social mediaFinal words of wisdom and advice It's not too late!!!!Find what it is you're interested in Social Media Website: highperformancedietitian.com Instagram: @high_performance_dietitian Facebook: @HighPerformanceDietitian
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    48 mins
  • Manika Gamble – Racing 155-Mile Desert Ultras & Chasing Bold Adventures

    Manika Gamble – Racing 155-Mile Desert Ultras & Chasing Bold Adventures
    Apr 21 2026
    In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Manika Gamble — an Atlanta-based trail runner who thrives on testing her limits in some of the world's toughest ultra races. Manika's running journey started with casual neighbourhood runs, but soon she found herself racing 155-mile desert ultras in Africa, tackling Mongolia's Gobi March, and pushing through multi-stage, extreme endurance events. She shares the highs, the lows, and the mental grit it takes to keep moving when every muscle is screaming. We dive into: Training by feel, without a watch or GPSFueling, hydration, and surviving the desert heatCoping with pain, blisters, and fatigue without relying on painkillersRecovery strategies, sleep, and balancing life with trainingThe mental challenges of multi-day ultra racesStaying motivated and tackling new adventures outside your comfort zone Manika's message is simple: don't let fear hold you back. Find what excites you, lean in, and see what you're capable of. *** 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 ManikaBeing based out of Atlanta, USA Trail RunnerCurrently training for a race our in MoroccoRunning every since she was a child but being new to long distance runningAlways being an active child Going out for the track team and how it became her whole lifeFocusing on 100 m and 400 m hurdlesWanting to run furtherDreaming of the day she would be able to run casually Starting with 20 min runs throughout the neighbourhood Signing up for more and more races from 5k, up to Marathon distance Deciding to take on an ultra race Seeing a YouTube video of a man running in Namibia, Africa Signing up for the race and giving herself a 1 year time line to train for The running logistics and what her training looked like Being a laidback person when it comes to a training schedule Not running with a watch or gps tracking device Training based on feel and time Leaning about fuelling and nutrition and how to manage herself in the desertCarrying everything she needed on her back for 7 days while running through the desertLearning how to hydrate probably What worked well nutrition wise while racing Using Tailwind Powder The mental and emotional side of the challengeWhy it was so tough Why it was such a beautiful race Issues with her feet and dealing with blisters Dealing with pain and not being able to block it out Not being able to take pain medication - due to the heat and potential damage to organs Telling herself - you're not going to stop Trying to divert her mind from the pain Camp life Finishing the race and the thoughts running through her head Never Again….Sprinting V Longer RacesWhat does recovery look like?Incorporating creatine into her diet, resting more, prioritising sleep and taking on less races Taking 5g of creatine in the morning, and 5g in the eveningTaking other supplements, Magnesium, potassium and starting to take athletic green in the future Trying to have a well rounded diet based on feel with a focus on protein, fibre and carbsTrying the carnivore diet but not having the energy to runWaking at 4am - but staying in bed till 6am Not napping during the day Heading over to Mongolia to race the Gobi March (250km across the desert)Racing the Planet Racing on green trails through the Mongolian Desert Getting very tired of eating the same food day after day How things changed mentally having done the Nambia Race previously Getting bored of the green pastures - being ready for it to be over Feeling mentally drained on her 2nd Ultra Too much too soon? Racing in Mongolia only 6 weeks after Nambia Racing the Planet - Grand Slam Challenge Trying to raise funds to race an ultra in Antarctica ($14,100)Fitting training into her life and work Having a pretty flexible schedule and stating to work with brandUsing running as work Stone Everest, Atlanta Challenge (May 16th & 17th) Races for 2026Training for a team relay 100k challenge Running a Marathon in MoroccoRunning a 3 day stage race through Utah How to connect with Manika on social media Advice and top tips for other women who want to take on new challengesOutside of just do it Don't allow fear to rule youFind something that intrigues you and go with that Social Media Instagram: @manikaruns Youtube: @ManikaRuns
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    34 mins
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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.

Inspirational and amazing

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