Dr. Kerri Andrews is a writer, academic, and passionate walker whose work explores the deep connection between women, walking, and storytelling. She is the author of Wanderers: A History of Women Walking and editor of Way Makers: An Anthology of Women's Writing about Walking. Her latest book, Pathfinding: On Walking, Motherhood and Freedom, is a deeply personal and thought-provoking exploration of how motherhood reshapes a woman’s identity, freedom, and relationship with the outdoors.
Having developed a love for walking in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, Kerri has since climbed over 100 Munros in Scotland, though she has yet to convince her two young children to join her.
In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Kerri shares her journey through postnatal depression, the challenges of early motherhood, and how walking became a vital tool for self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. She also sheds light on the often-overlooked stories of historical women walkers, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of movement, motherhood, and independence.
Tune in to hear Kerri’s inspiring story and how she found her way back to herself—one step at a time.
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Show notes
Who is Kerri Andrews
Working as a writer and planning to move into the charity sector
Catching up with what’s been happening since 2020
Welcoming her daughter in 2021
Being made redundant last year and now working as a freelance writer and teaching creative writing
Dealing with the stress of life
Having a supportive partner and dealing with post natal depression after her first child was born
Working with a doula
The stress of being a new parent
The transition into motherhood
Dealing with Post Natal Depression…
Being frightened of losing herself
Finding bodily sensations overwhelming
Working with the charity - Nurture the borders
Having a different perspective the second time she gave birth
Going to some deep and scary places and knowing that her brain was lying to her
Motherhood and childbirth - and losing your identity
Finding yourself again after childbirth
Learning how to bond with her son
Going through the motions of motherhood and not feeling it
Mum befrienders
Feeling very lonely and abandoned
Being expected to know what to do
Working on a women’s anthology
Not having an agent and not knowing what was next
Seeing Sarah Rigby advertising book coaching
Producing a submission for a book agent
Getting a boost in her confidence
Receiving lots of guidance and support from other women
Being vulnerable in sharing her story
Dedicating the book to her ‘mothers’
New job and feeling wanted again in an employment context
Working with an incredible gifted and talented team
Working on her confidence
The crafting of the book and the chapter title
The anger which came after her second pregnancy
Welcome to motherhood!
Not feeling like she mattered
Allowing mothers to have ambition
Why hope had to be the last chapter
Wanting to make it better for the women who come after her
Walking and spending time in nature
The physical changes in her body and not being as fit as she was
Walking with her children
Researching about the history of walking in Scotland
How to connect with Kerri
Final words of advice
The importance of being kind to yourself and being accepting of your body
“Don’t let go of your dreams, don’t let go of your ambitions, hold onto them, they are valid, they matter, go pursue them.”
Try to find your tribe
Get in touch with Girls on Hills
You matter.
Social Media
Website kerriandrews.co.uk
X/Twitter: @kerriandrewsuk
Bluesky: @kerriandrewsuk.bsky.social
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