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.

Becky Wandell is a Teacher, Writer, Tour Guide, Volunteer, and Solo Traveler. At 47, while weathering a difficult divorce and the death of four close relatives, she clawed her way up from the depths of grief and, in her words, set out to “find her way back to Becky again”.

This is an easy, compelling read, but don’t mistake that for light or shallow. What really stood out for me were the flashback sequences. Learning more about Noraly’s childhood, her relationship and the breakup, and the thoughts and emotions she was processing at different points along the journey added so much depth. I also loved the flashbacks to moments in her career where she had to make big decisions — and how those decisions ultimately led her to working all over the wo

What does it mean to challenge the limits of both body and mind—and to redefine what success looks like along the way? Denisa Krásná, scholar, author, and adventurer from the Czech Republic, takes us on a journey into the world of women in extreme sports.

Happy New Year! I’m taking a moment to look back at the last six months of 2025—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what the numbers tell me about the year so far. I reflect on the journey I’ve been on, the adventures, the challenges, and the mindset shifts that have shaped my life.