ABOUT ME
Tough Girl Challenges was started in 2014 as a way of motivating and inspiring women and girls.
My mission is to increase the amount of female role models in the media, with a focus on women who do adventures and undertake big physical challenges
I'm the host of the 3x award winning Tough Girl Podcast where I interview inspirational female explorers, adventurers, athletes and everyday women who have overcome great challenges.
The podcast is listened to in 210 countries around the world and has passed 2 Million downloads. Based on monthly downloads, the Tough Girl Podcast is in the top 15% of podcasts globally.
I completed the Marathon des Sables in April 2016 (6 marathons in 6 days across the Sahara Desert), in 2017 I thru hiked the Appalachian Trail solo and unsupported (2,190 miles) in 100 days (which I also daily vlogged)! In 2018 I cycled over 4,000 km from Vancouver, Canada via the Pacific Coast Highway to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.
I have a Masters in Women & Gender Studies from Lancaster University (2018), with my dissertation focusing on "Women, Adventure and Fear". I am a qualified Yoga Instructor & Personal Trainer (2019).
In September 2019, I walked the Camino Portugués 675km from Lisbon, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain #ChallengeWithCicerone. I ended the year by walking the Lycian Way in Turkey. Followed by walking the Overland Track in Tasmania.
To celebrate the 6th Year Anniversary of the Tough Girl Podcast. I created the Tough Girl UK Adventure Series, which was supported by Cicerone. This involved walking the Anglesey Coastal Path, the South Down’s Way, the Pilgrims Way, the West Highland Way. Climbing Ben Nevis and walking the Great Glen Way.
In 2022 I will be walking the Wales Coast Path - 870 miles in 50 days. The walk is being sponsored by Cicerone #ChallengeWithCicerone
Tough Girl Awards & Nominations
2015 - Finalist in the New Media Europe - Influencer Award and Audience Appreciate Award
2016 - Tough Girl Blog was Highly Recommended in the UK Blog Awards
2016 - Recognised by the Guardian as one of the 10 most inspiring contemporary female adventurers
2016 - Northern Power named me as one of the top 50 women to follow on the Future List
2017 - Tough Girl Blog was a Finalist in the UK Blog Awards
2018 - Winner - Women's Sports Trust #BeAGameChanger Media Initiative of the Year Award
2018 - Red Bull named me as one of the adventurers to follow on Instagram
2019 - Winner of the SheExtreme Best Adventure Podcast Award
2021 - Winner of the Best Urban & Adventure Podcast for the Sports Podcast Awards.