ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Sarah Williams, the founder of Tough Girl Challenges and host of the award-winning Tough Girl Podcast.
Ten years ago, I walked away from a successful career in banking, burnt out and searching for something more. I was 32, dealing with chronic fatigue and anaemia, and knew I needed a radical change. I wanted to live a life filled with passion, purpose, and adventure — so I created it.
Since founding Tough Girl Challenges in 2014, I’ve completed 31 incredible adventures across 13+ countries, including the Appalachian Trail, the Marathon des Sables, cycling the length of North America, walking the Te Araroa Trail in New Zealand, and so many more. To date, I’ve hiked over 7,400 miles, cycled 2,500 miles, and continue to push myself with new endurance challenges around the world.
Through it all, I’ve documented the highs and lows — not only of my own expeditions but those of extraordinary women around the globe. Since launching the Tough Girl Podcast in 2015, I’ve released over 800 episodes, garnered 3.6 million+ downloads, and proudly rank in the top 0.1% of podcasts worldwide. The show is a platform for sharing untold stories of strength, resilience, and courage.
Tough Girl Challenges isn’t just about adventure — it’s about inspiring women and girls to dream big, break barriers, and step outside their comfort zones. I believe in showing, not just telling. I’ve lived every mile, blister, and breakthrough to better understand and share what it truly means to challenge yourself — mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Now, over a decade into this journey — and as a single woman in her 40s living life on her own terms — I’ve never felt more empowered, more aligned, or more excited about what’s ahead.
Whether you're here for inspiration, information, or to start your own next chapter — welcome.
You’re in the right place.
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.
2022 - Best Adventure Sports Podcast in the Sports Podcast Awards
Tough Girl Solo Podcast Episodes
 Reflections on the South West Coast Path, Health, Money & Future Plans for 2025 *** 2nd Jan 2025 *** |  Reflecting on the Past 6 Months and Future Plans for 2024. *** 1st Aug 2024 *** |  Reflections & Learnings from the 3,000km Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand. *** 14th Mar 2024 *** |
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 Planning and Preparation for thru hiking the 3,000 km Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand. *** 2nd Nov 2023 *** |  A Look Back at the End of 2022 + Adventures and Challenges in 2023. *** 10th Sep 2023 *** |  Reflects on the end of 2021 and the start of 2022. *** 5th Aug 2022 *** |
 Reflects on the end of 2020 and the start of 2021. *** 4th Aug 2021 *** |  Reflections on 2019 & and the start of 2020 *** 7th Aug 2020 *** |  Reflections on 2018 and the start of 2019 - plus update on Tough Girl Challenges *** 4th Aug 2019 *** |
 Cycling the Pacific Coast Highway & the Baja Divide! *** 25th Dec 2018 *** |  Planning and Preparation for the Pacific Coast Highway & the Baja Divide! *** 4th Sep 2018 *** |  Thru hiking the Appalachian Trail (2,190 miles) in 100 days! *** 19th Sep 2017 *** |
 Answering all your questions about Boxing! *** 8th Dec 2016 *** |  Psychological demands and overcoming mental challenges! *** 6th Oct 2016 *** |  My journey of getting to the start line of the Marathon des Sables (MDS) *** 26th Apr 2016 *** |
Podcast Interviews
 Becoming the Adventurer, Tough Girl Challenges *** 2nd July 2025 *** |  Ep 14 - Resilience Rising Podcast *** 5th May 2023 *** |  Ep. 893: Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 100 Days - Revisited - Sarah Williams *** 29th Dec 2022 *** |
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 My First Season *** 29th Nov 2021 *** |  EP25 – Adventurer, Podcaster, Tough Girl – Sarah Williams |  Why so many women are scared to adventure and recognising our female role models with Sarah Williams *** 30th Sep 2021 *** |
 #10 Sarah Williams from Tough Girl Challenges on Inspiring Women to Dream Big *** 14th Jun 2021 *** |  Life Her Way Podcast *** 1st Jun 2021 *** |  EP4 - Living Life Differently *** 20th Mar 2021 *** |
 My Adventure Series: interview with Sarah Williams *** 16th Apr 2020 *** |  Adventurer And ‘Tough Girl’ Podcast Host Sarah Williams Talks In Shaftesbury *** 24th Oct 2019 *** |  EP22 - The Trail Dames Podcast *** 24th Jul 2019 *** |
 Episode 17 - Sarah Williams (Tough Girl podcast host, Marathon des Sables, Appalachian Trail) *** 28th Oct 2018 *** |  NomadMe | The Digital Nomad Daily Show *** 14th May 2018 *** |  Ep 26 | If It Doesn't Challenge You, It Doesn't Change You with Sarah Williams *** 27th Feb 2018 *** |
 EP20 - Simply Designed Life *** 22nd Oct 2017 *** |  EP36 - Mighty Blue on the Appalachian Trail *** 25th May 2017 *** |  [S1E01] How to stop letting fear, overwhelm and/or lack of motivation from achieving your goals with Sarah Williams *** 31st Mar 2017 *** |
 Ep. 214: Adventure Travel & The Tough Girl Podcast - Sarah Williams *** 31st Oct 2016 *** |  EP42 - Live By Design Radio *** 15th Nov 2015 *** |  Tough Girl Sarah Williams on getting started in podcasting |