Tough Girl Podcast Podcast By Sarah Williams cover art

Tough Girl Podcast

Tough Girl Podcast

By: Sarah Williams
Listen for free

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. Biographies & Memoirs Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Stephanie Ho: Adventurer and Endurance Athlete Skiing Solo to the South Pole & Pushing Beyond Limits

    Stephanie Ho: Adventurer and Endurance Athlete Skiing Solo to the South Pole & Pushing Beyond Limits
    Mar 24 2026
    Stephanie Ho is a 24-year-old adventurer, endurance athlete, and exercise physiologist based on the Gold Coast, Australia. From rock climbing and ocean swimming to triathlons and mountain expeditions, Stephanie has always chased the outdoors — but her biggest goals lie in the polar regions. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Stephanie shares her journey from discovering hiking and camping as a teenager to trekking Everest Base Camp, running 43km a day for a week, and skiing 540km across Greenland. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of polar expeditions, the lessons she's learned in extreme environments, and what it takes to keep motivation alive when the goal seems impossible. Stephanie is now preparing for a solo 1,200km expedition to the South Pole in 2026 — hauling a 100kg sled through temperatures as low as -50°C — a feat that, if successful, will make her the first Australian woman to achieve it. Along the way, she talks logistics, training, nutrition, dealing with fears and unsolicited advice, and the importance of listening to your body while chasing what sets your soul on fire. This conversation is a masterclass in mental toughness, gratitude, and stepping beyond your comfort zone. Stephanie's story will inspire you to dream big, push limits, and embrace adventure — no matter your age or background. 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 StephBeing based on the Gold Coast, Australia 24 years oldWorking as an exercise physiologist - both in the office and in a clinical setting Her love for any activity that is outdoors from rock climbing to hiking, cycling, ocean swimming, skiing and doing triathlons Her main goal is to train for big skiing expeditions and big mountain expeditions Her early memories and not being encouraged to be that active Growing up as an only child Wanting to do more runningHow things changed at 14 and going camping for the first time in her lifeFinding friends who wanted to go hiking and camping Heading over to Nepal to do the Everest base camp after graduating high school Wanting to spend some time alone reflecting on the past 18 years Having a good reset before starting university Why her trip to Nepal was so formative Trekking to Everest Base camp in Winter Getting up to 5,500 metresClimbing Kala Patthar, Nepal Enjoying being in the cold, remote environmentKnowing that her next big adventure was going to be Antarctica Starting to plan her training trips to Norway and Greenland Having everything put on hold until 2023Doing her Polar Training course in NorwaySkiing across Greenland in 2023Doing more solo expeditions in the polar regionsPlanning to head to the South Pole at the end of 2026Polar training and the lessons learned Being part of a team to do the Greenland crossing in May 202330 days on the ice - starting on the west coast and heading to the East coast Learning how to cope in the cold and the windDealing with polar thighWhy the journey has been rewarding and feeling a lot of pride with what's been achieved.Thinking about what's next and struggling to be satisfied with the achievements Running for 43k a day for 7 days…Learning how to suffer mentally while out on the iceStaying positive and the other lessons learned to help mentally Practicing gratitude and being grateful for where she it Keeping the motivation aliveThe logistics and finances to pay for the expedition Working with ALE Training and what that looks likeRecovery and paying more attention to nutrition Being vegetation, but eating some white meat, such as chicken and fishHaving cold showersConcerns and fears to mange before the tripManaging unsolicited opinions and advice How to connect with Stephanie Advice to motivate and inspire other women to step outside their comfort zoneDon't be afraid of what other people might think of you. Listening to your body and what you want to do Do something that sets your soul on fire Social Media Website: solosouth.com.au
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • Birgit Hermann – Turning Extreme Endurance into Bolder Leadership for People and Planet

    Birgit Hermann – Turning Extreme Endurance into Bolder Leadership for People and Planet
    Mar 17 2026
    Birgit Hermann is a global leadership coach, speaker, executive leader, ocean advocate, professional freediver, and extreme endurance athlete who translates lessons from the edge into meaningful impact for people and planet. She supports purpose-driven leaders to turn bold challenges into grounded, values-led action. She has raced the Marathon des Sables, run a marathon in Antarctica, freedived beneath Arctic ice without a wetsuit, and cycled across the African continent — often as the only woman on the start line. Alongside these edge-tested experiences, Birgit brings over 20 years of leading and coaching teams across marine conservation, climate resilience, international development, and peace building in more than 20 countries. Based between Timor-Leste, Germany, New Zealand, and Egypt, she is the founder of Inspired by Nature and the author of B.O.L.D.E.R.™ — a leadership framework forged at the edge and built for real-world change. *** 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 BirgitGrowing up in GermanySpending a lot of her life in Asia- Pacific, specifically New ZealandConsidering herself a change maker Working in management positions in relation to climate change adaptions, marine conservation, supporting livelihoods and communities to make changes for the better Growing up sporty and active Becoming an outdoor lover after moving to New Zealand Being a competitive swimmer for many yearsTrying all sports from judo, to volleyball and cycling Being interested in different cultures and travelling Deciding to do her Masters Degree in New Zealand Deciding to take on Tour d'AfriqueCycling 12,000km from north to south AfricaFeeing unsettled and wanting more from life Getting her courage together to sign up for the challenge Planning and training for a 4 month challengeChanging her perspective on what's possible The physical achievement and trusting herselfRealising how all the small steps accumulate over time especially at the end of the journey and looking back on what's been achievedKnowing that there was more to what she believed she could achieve Deciding to spend more time in Africa Freeing herself up to be open to something new Testing herself in a new environment Making something close to impossible happenStarting to think and dream big Why the physical experience can change your mindset Knowing that the next step was the right step Why it wasn't easy Deciding to head back to New ZealandBeing a pioneer and looking to find a role model Continuing to take on big challengesLiving in Timor-Leste in 2016 Wanting to share her experiences of traveling the world while doing endurance challenges Her experience in Antarctica and wanting to raise awareness and funds for climate changeLearning how to free-dive and the benefits experienced The importance of relaxing - truly relaxingThe journey over the last 3 years and putting all the lessons togetherBoosting her confidence and starting to work for herselfDeciding to write her bookBeing a trail blazer, and shifting cultureThe lessons to be learned Inspire change, shift culture and build sustainable impact - without burnout! Who would benefit from reading from the bookWanting to make a positive change in the worldShout out for the Tough Girl Podcast!How to connect with BirgitFinal words of advice for other women who want to live bolder Talk about it!!Why it's the first step - talking about it out loud. There will be people who will support you. Social Media Website: www.birgithermann.com Instagram: @b_inspiredbynature Facebook: @b.inspiredbynature Youtube: @b.inspiredbynature Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/birgithermann Direct link to the book: www.birgithermann.com/bolder.html
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Amanda Duling: Endurance Sport After Gastric Bypass — Grit, Fueling & Radical Honesty

    Amanda Duling: Endurance Sport After Gastric Bypass — Grit, Fueling & Radical Honesty
    Mar 10 2026
    Amanda Duling is an endurance athlete, writer, and founder of One Gear Short of Normal™. A post-bariatric, perimenopausal gravel cyclist and Ironman 70.3 finisher, Amanda uses grit, science, and unapologetic humour to tell the stories no one else is telling about endurance sports, women's bodies, and doing hard things later in life. Through her writing and community work, she challenges the "suffer in silence" culture of endurance athletics and advocates for smarter fueling, better hygiene, realistic training, and radical honesty—especially for women navigating menopause, major weight loss, and endurance sport at the same time. When she's not riding gravel roads or lifting heavy things, Amanda writes research-backed, laugh-out-loud essays on endurance life, parenting, and why choosing your hard matters more than perfection. *** 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 AmandaLiving in Kansas City, USAWorking as an IT professional during the dayMum to a special needs son Building a brand in relation to being a post-bariatric endurance athlete Publishing an e-book in relation to saddle sores Why reinvention is possible Growing up in a small rural community Being into reading, writing and artHaving a lot of anxiety about her body and body imageEnjoying being active Not having the confidence when she was younger Getting married and settling downHaving gastric bypass surgery in her early 40s Having an Roux-en-Y gastric bypass - having a large portion of her stomach removed along with a large portion of her small intestines Having the surgery at the beginning of COVID and being stuck at homeHer journey with food, health and fitness Going for walks with her husband Finding the motivation for the next stepFeeling uncomfortable wearing shorts and form fitting clothes Starting to walk a little quicker Hiring a personal trainer at the gym to gain some of the lost muscle backSeeing her strength coming back Thinking about doing a half marathon Finding a couch to 5k program Not making a lot of progress due to not being able to eat a lotStarting to work with a dietician Having to re-learn eating Passing out after exercise and having no energy Dumping syndrome - when the body is not able to process sugarUCAN and Waxy MaizeFinding support through community Joining a run club and meeting new people Being able to complete the half marathon Confidence and having confidence around her bodyBuilding her self confidenceWhen things started to changeShowing up to different racesDoing hard things Wanting to encourage individuals starting out to volunteer at a couple of eventsOvercoming a challenge during a raceGravel cycling/racing, and why it's the hardest disciple in endurance sportsUnbound Gravel Race Breaking down the challenge into smaller and smaller steps and grinding it outLogistics of gravel racing in relation to hydration and fuelling ElectrolytesUCAN Fuel— ucan.co Running on sheer grit What training looks like and why she needed a lot of structureTraining PeaksLearning about heart rate training Training in the morning and making training work for her and her familyThe importance of social interactions during workoutsBeing surrounded by the right people and how it can help with motivation How to connect with Amanda on social mediaHer love for writing and sharing her stories on SubstackFinal words of advice to motivate and inspire youThe importance of showing up Social Media Website: onegearshortofnormal.gumroad.com/l/prrdc thecookiewaitlist.com Instagram: @onegearshortofnormal Facebook: Amanda McMahon Substack: @onegearshortofnormal1 Youtube: One Gear Short of Normal
    Show more Show less
    40 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Very few podcasts can get me to laugh out loud. This was one. Thanks! Great !

I Relate To This Tough Girl!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.