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 Together, they systematically dismantle outdated ideas about women’s bodies. Ideas that should be outdated — but often aren’t.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.

From the jungles of India to the global stage of wildlife conservation, Dr Latika Nath has spent her life studying and protecting big cats, becoming the first woman in the world to study tigers in the wild. Known as Nat Geo’s “Tiger Princess,” she shares stories from deep in the forests where she observed tigers using tools, hunting porcupines, and navigating complex human-wildlife conflicts.

What does it take to return to the top of the ultra running world after major life changes and a “career-ending” surgery? Kaytlyn Gerbin knows. In this episode, Kaytlyn shares her journey from a scientist with a love for the outdoors to a world-class trail and ultra runner. Growing up active but without formal running experience, she discovered her talent in her mid-twenties and quickly fell in love with the 100-mile distance.

As we reach the end of 2025, there’s a familiar buzz in the air. Everywhere you look, people are talking about goals, plans, and intentions for the year ahead. What they want to stop doing. What they want to give up. What they want to achieve in 2026.