From Dream to Reality: 10 Years of Tough Girl Challenges
- Tough Girl
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Originally written on May 27, 2014. Reflected on in 2025.
In 2014, I sat down to write my very first blog post. I was still trying to piece together who I was and what I wanted my life to become. I’d left my banking job in 2013, taken a “gap year” to travel, explore, and breathe — but eventually, the big questions found me again.
What am I doing? Where am I going? What do I want my life to be?
Tough Girl Challenges was born out of that space of uncertainty, curiosity, and deep desire for change. I wasn’t entirely sure how it would evolve — but I did write down what I hoped it could become.
Now, 10 years later, I’m looking back at those early goals — and reflecting on how they’ve unfolded in ways I never could have imagined.
🖥️ 2014: “To design and create an incredible website: a living, breathing entity I can run from anywhere.”
2025: That website still stands today — a hub for inspiration, podcasts, blog posts, and community. It’s been updated, refined, and reshaped over the years, but its mission hasn’t changed. To increase the amount of female role models in the media especially in relation to adventure and physically challenges. I can run TGC from anywhere in the world (as long as I have wifi), which is pretty cool!
🥾 2014: “For me to complete challenges, share them on the blog, write and publish books.”
2025: I've completed 31 major challenges across 13+ countries. From the Appalachian Trail to the Te Araroa Trail, from cycling through North America to trekking the GR20 — I’ve pushed my limits, shared every step, and self-published two books along the way.
📝 2014: “To blog on a regular basis, providing tips and advice.”
2025: While blogging has shifted more toward podcasting and social media storytelling, the spirit is still alive. I share everything I learn — from gear tips and trail nutrition to mindset, blisters, and breakthroughs.
🎤 2014: “To give inspirational talks around the world, inspiring women and girls.”
2025: From stages in the UK to virtual keynotes across continents, I’ve had the honor of speaking with schools, corporate teams, women’s groups, and adventure communities. And the podcast — with over 800 episodes — has been a voice for hundreds of extraordinary women.
🤝 2014: “To create a community where people can support each other’s personal challenges.”
2025: The Tough Girl Tribe is real. It’s powerful. It's supportive, fierce, and full of women doing incredible things. From listeners-turned-guests to challenge completers and new podcasters, the ripple effect keeps growing.
📸 2014: “To take and share stunning photos of the moments that matter.”
2025: My camera roll has seen it all — muddy trails, sunrise summits, tearful finishes, solo moments of joy. I’ve shared so many of them across Instagram, YouTube, and the website — and they continue to tell the story behind the miles.
🎥 2014: “To load motivational films on YouTube. Maybe even vlog?”
2025: The vlogs are here. 🎬 I’ve documented the Te Araroa, the Camino trails, the Welsh Coast Path, and now the GR20. And there’s so much more to come (such as the South West Coast Path vlogs!)
📲 2014: “I’d like to get one hundred followers on each social media platform… eventually over one million!”
2025: That first 100 felt impossible — but slowly, steadily, with consistency and purpose, the numbers grew. Now we’re in the tens of thousands — across IG, YouTube, Linkedin, Facebook, the Tribe — and the global reach continues to grow every day.
🧭 And one more thing…
When I started Tough Girl Challenges, I knew I couldn’t just talk about adventure. I needed to live it. I needed to understand what it really meant to be exhausted, to fail, to get blisters, to hike through pain and fear and doubt — and still keep going.
Because that’s what my guests were doing. And if I wanted to share their stories authentically, I had to earn the right to speak alongside them.
💫 Now, in 2025…
I’ve trekked over 7,400 miles, cycled thousands more, visited 13+ countries, and taken on challenge after challenge — each one pushing me further physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’ve celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Tough Girl Podcast, and I’m still growing, learning, evolving.
This was never just about adventures — it was about showing what’s possible when a woman backs herself, starts from zero, and takes bold, scary action.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. The next chapter is just getting started. 💥
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