Kiko a former teacher, now turned SUPer and adventurer, at 36, rowed 3,000 nautical miles from Gran Canaria to Barbados in 49 days! Gaining a new Guinness World Record in the process! Solo and unsupported, she was rowing for up to 16 hours a day, sleeping in two-hour shifts. What makes this story even more incredible is that in 2009, Kiko, was diagnosed with Cushing's disease, a rare condition that made even walking up the stairs impossible. The tumour on her pituitary gland also caused severe memory loss, psychosis, diabetes, osteoporosis, insomnia and muscle wastage. In order to give back Kiko stated fundraising for Kings College Hospital Charity, who helped save her life. Whilst in the middle of her training to row the Atlantic, she was diagnosed with a second tumour which was successfully removed in August 2017. In March 2018, she smashed the previous record or 56 days and in the process motivated and inspired others to challenge themselves to do the unthinkable.
During this podcast we learn more about Kiko; her life, the decisions she’s made and the challenges she’s overcome, what she has learnt on the way and why she wants to continue to inspire and motivate others. She also give a few hints about her next challenge!
Listen Now
Show notes
Thinking about her recent achievement!
Wanting to move on and focus on the next thing
When the dream for rowing the Atlantic came about
Growing up as one of 4 children
Adventures growing up, travelling and taking gap years
Driving to Cape Town from the UK in a team of 4 over 6 months
What she learnt on this adventure…
Learning to speak honestly to people and to be honest to herself
Being diagnosed with Cushing Disease in 2009
Why you have to let go of the things you can’t control and focus on what you can control
The recovery process…over 18 months
Going off her medication and the negative impact…
Trying to find her passion
Learning to stand up paddle board on the Nile
Wanting to do paddle board life coaching in the future
Telling her friends and family about her Atlantic Rowing Challenge!
Not having the support from her family
Doing the planning at the start
Deciding to do women only funding
Having to deal with her tumour coming back
Why it was a relief to start rowing the Atlantic
Being closest to a person in space rather than on earth!
Never feeling lonely or alone
What a typical day was like on the water - her routine and day to day habits
How she entertained herself while on the boat & getting obsessed with the data
The last day and the finish
Knowing her life was going to change after getting the world record
What she’s learnt from this experience
The next big challenge!
Final words of wisdom…
Where her name - Kiko came from
Social Media
Personal Website: http://www.kikomatthews.co.uk
Twitter: @Kikomatthews
Instagram: @kikomatthews
Donate here to help raise funds for Kings College Hospital Charity
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 every month to help fund the runnings costs.
