Charlotte Garner is a 58-year-old runner and cyclist, living in France, who only took up sports ten years ago, aged 48. She advocates for the physical and mental benefits of sports for women in their 50s.
In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, she shares her journey of getting involved in sports and how it has transformed her life.
Charlotte grew up in Wales but has lived in France all her life, working as a freelance translator and raising her two daughters. It wasn't until her early 40s that she started to become interested in sports.
After a divorce, Charlotte moved to Leon and got into running, completing her first 5km and 10km race. She felt a sense of achievement after completing the distance and proud to be part of a community of runners.
Joining a running club changed her running for the better, and having a coach and following a training plan helped her structure her running routine. Charlotte has since completed seven marathons and two ultra marathons, enjoying the challenge of pushing herself further.
Charlotte's journey is an inspiration for women who may have thought it was too late to start being active.
It is never too late to start, and the physical and mental benefits are well worth it.
***
Stay updated with the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast by hitting the subscribe button. Don't miss out on inspiring stories of adventurous and resilient women.
You can also make a difference by supporting the mission to increase the representation of female role models in the media especially in relation to adventure and physical challenges. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast to contribute and help create a more inclusive world. Thank you for your support!
Listen to Charlotte Now!
Click here if you can't see the link below.
Show notes
Who is Charlotte
58 years old
Growing up in Wales
Living in France all her life
Working as a freelance translator
Mother to two daughters
Getting interested in sports in her early 40s
Why 50 is a great age to get involved in sports
Her early years growing up in Wales
Not liking sports at school and being bullied
Making the decision to move to France at 25
Studying French and Spanish at University
Becoming qualified to Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
Marrying a French man and having 2 daughters
Getting move active in her late 40s
Going through a divorce
Moving to Leon
Getting into running and doing her first 5km and 10km race
Feeling a sense of achievement after completing the distance
Feeling proud to be a part of a community of runners
Joining a running club and how it changed her running for the better
Having a running coach and following a training plan
Liking a structure and enjoying following a plan
Running 7 marathons and doing 2 ultra marathons
Enjoying the challenge of pushing herself further
Running 70/80km per week in training
Peri-menopause and menopause and the impact on running
Not sleeping properly and going on HRT tablets
The mental side of running longer distances
The power of gratitude
Turning 50 and not looking forward to it
Getting fitter and feeling younger
Bike touring around New Zealand for 3 months
Starting cycle touring in Switzerland and her love of travelling this way
Wanting to get more long term adventure in her life
Figuring out how to do that as a freelance translator
Working and travelling while on the road
Heading to New Zealand in December 2022
Having to be disciplined while on the road
Advice for other women who want to go cycle touring
Find a bike that fits you and suits you
Start small with a weekend trip and build it up from there
Learning to be happy with your own company
Using an old folding bike to get around the city
Buying an Avanti bike in New Zealand
The challenges of selling the bike at the end
Words of advice for women in their 50s who want to get more physically active
Connecting with other like minded people
Join a running club or another inclusive group. e.g. Adventure Queens
Social Media
None
Feeling inspired week after week?
You can do 3 easy things to help me continue to grow the podcast!
Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, so you won’t miss a single episode
If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on iTunes! I read every single comment!
Share the podcast with your friends, especially if you think it could help them, and spread the #ToughGirlPodcast love.
Your support helps me continue to grow the podcast and do inspiring things in this space! Already done all 3? You’re a rockstar! Thank you!
Want to do more?
Please become a Patron and donate US$5 a month to help fund the runnings costs. Thank you.
