At 30 years old, Sara is no stranger to pushing her limits. From attempting to run 500 miles to taking on the North Coast 500, her journey into ultra-running has been anything but straightforward. But behind the miles is a powerful and deeply honest story about mental health, identity, resilience, and learning to change the narrative.

The book is structured into 12 captivating chapters, exploring topics as diverse as a river that boils, life in the clouds, glowing creatures, jaguar perspectives, and even “evil spirits” — each chapter weaving together adventure, scientific inquiry, and cultural insight.

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, I’m joined by Starre Vartan — science and environment writer, author, and lifelong question-asker whose work sits at the powerful intersection of the human body and the natural world.

From ultra-light hotel bikepacking on a road bike to six-month expeditions in remote regions on a heavily laden hybrid, Emma has experienced nearly every form of bike travel, including ultra-endurance racing.

Lorraine Lewis is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Lewis Foundation, an award-winning cancer charity providing free gift packs and ongoing support to adult cancer patients across 17 hospitals in the Midlands. Founded from lived experience, the charity has become a lifeline for thousands of people diagnosed with cancer.

This is a book I’ve been sitting with — and not just because it’s intense, but because it asks a lot of the reader. 31 Days  is brutally honest. At times, it feels like a slap in the face — or like someone has grabbed you by the shoulders and is trying to shake some sense into you. There were moments when I physically had to hold the book away from me because what Allie was saying was so direct, so confronting, and so uncomfortable to read. And that’s kind of the point. One o

Alex is a qualified International Mountain Leader, Polar Guide, and a professional Photographer based in St. Moritz, Switzerland. From scaling the world’s highest peaks to leading expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, she thrives where the wild meets the extreme.

Bonita Norris became the youngest woman to reach both the summit of Mt Everest at just 22 and the North Pole at 23, and her story is nothing short of extraordinary. In this episode, she shares the journey that took her from school trips in North Wales to climbing some of the world’s highest peaks, navigating extreme environments, and pushing the limits of what’s possible.

From the very beginning, I found myself reacting out loud while reading — thinking oh no, don’t do that or this is going to end in tears. I could see the mistakes coming, almost predict what might go wrong. And that, actually, is one of the great joys of reading adventure books. Mistakes happen. Errors are made. Plans unravel. The real story lies in how those challenges are faced and overcome.

Still Running After All These Tears  is a deeply moving, honest and life-affirming book about love, loss, grief and the slow, often messy process of learning how to live again. It is not an easy book to read — but it is an important one. This is a difficult book to review, not because of the writing (which is warm, open and engaging), but because of the subject matter. The book deals head-on with death, grief and the aftermath of losing those you love. There were moments wher

The book features in-depth conversations with researchers across biology, physiology, and sports science, alongside powerful stories from athletes, firefighters, and even wood choppers. Together, they systematically dismantle outdated ideas about women’s bodies. Ideas that should be outdated — but often aren’t.

Jacquetta Megarry didn’t grow up in the outdoors, and she certainly didn’t see herself as an adventurer—or a publisher. But turning 50 sparked a journey that would transform her life. From walking the West Highland Way with friends to summiting Mt Kilimanjaro, Jacquetta discovered the power of pacing yourself, listening to your body, and building unshakeable self-belief.

Sabrina Pace-Humphreys is back on the Tough Girl Podcast for her third appearance, sharing her incredible journey as a runner, coach, and advocate for representation in trail running. From being a mum of four and grandmother of three, to taking on some of the toughest ultramarathons in the world, Sabrina’s story is one of resilience, community, and the relentless pursuit of goals.