Tough Girl Podcast

Hannah Webster is an adaptive CrossFit athlete, writer, and former PR executive who swapped corporate life for chaos somewhere along the Pembrokeshire coast.
Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 40, she underwent a stem cell transplant to reset her immune system — and has been navigating the unpredictable aftermath ever since. She now competes internationally in adaptive CrossFit, despite significant mobility challenges, including foot drop and what she describes as "one good leg on a good day."
A former marathon runner — with nine London Marathons, two Paris Marathons, and the Médoc Marathon under her belt — Hannah continues to wrestle with the loss of running and the reality of limited mobility, finding new ways to push herself through CrossFit.
Hannah is currently studying for a Master's in Creative Writing and working on her memoir, Still Standing, which blends dark humour with the reality of living in the uncomfortable middle ground between "fine" and "not fine at all." Whether she's training for competition, building a coffee van business, or questioning her life choices mid-workout, she brings honesty, grit, and a healthy dose of sarcasm to everything she does.
Hannah and her husband Neil have recently launched Great Escape Coffee Co. — a refurbished 20-year-old Land Rover Defender serving proper coffee to the Pembrokeshire community, sea swimmers, dog walkers, and anyone in need of a decent start to the day.
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New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.
Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
Your support makes a difference. Thank you x
***
Show notes
Who is Hannah
46 years old
Living in Pembrokeshire in Wales
Moving after covid
Being given a life changing diagnosis of Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Growing up in Cheltenham
Moving back to Wales for University 
Spending 2.5 years travelling around the world 
Moving to Spain to work on an newspaper 
Always wanting to be a journalist 
Ending up working in corporate PR and getting to travel the world 
Getting diagnosed just before turning 40
Running loads of marathons and half marathons 
Running a half marathon and having her legs feel like jelly
Knowing that something wasn't quite right 
Going to see the Doctor a few times and having it put down to stress, travel etc 
Getting referred to see a neurologist and having an MRI scan (December)
Being called for a 2nd MRI (January)
Not being able to remember much about the conversation 
The shock and not knowing anyone else who has MS
6 years later and still not accepting that she'll never run again
Discovering CrossFit and all the adaptions that can be made
Moving to Pembrokeshire during covid
Struggling to walk - and walking with walking sticks 
Making the best of what you've got and not wanting to be miserable 
Discovering a whole new world of adaptive athletes 
Finding inspiration in everybody else 
Starting to write more, starting to blog more and share her stories 
Starting to connect with others who had MS 
Wanting to make happy memories 
Live is for living and not being totally depressed all the time 
The community of CrossFit and how accepting they are
Getting to the Adaptive CrossFit Games in Las Vegas 
Coming 4th Globally!
Having 2 dogs
Getting sad something and accepting that that will happen
Dealing with a lot of fatigue 
Under going a stem cell transplant to reset her immune system
4 years old! 
Why it's not promoted as a treatment for MS by the NHS 
How it's meant to work 
Having regular MRI scans and hoping that their are no new lesions
Having a fight on her hands to get BUPA to pay for it 
Having the treatment done in 2022 
It's an extreme treatment with 3 lots of chemotherapy and spending 3 weeks in hospital and having a compromised immune system for about a year 
So far, it hasn't got any worse
Recovery as an athlete and recovery from intense treatments 
Why there is a mental aspect to recovery 
Learning to rest, doing more yoga and pilates 
Being told at the start that having MS is like having a battery - you only have so much energy and try to spread it out throughout the day.
Making herself lie down 
Doing a Masters in creative writing 
Writing her memoir as part of her dissertation 
Training her mind
Sharing on Substack and trying to connect with 'my people'
Feeling better that she's not alone 
Having her rubbish days 
Going to Wodapalooza in Miami 
Working with an adaptive coach 
Why it's better to have done it rather than not done it 
Starting CrossFit 3 years before diagnosis 
Dealing with foot drop and poor balance 
Trying not to compare herself to who she use to be previously 
Getting the balance right with training, listening to your body and managing energy levels
Being very stubborn 
Trying to be less harsh on herself and show appreciation to her body 
How the messages get confused in the body and why everybody who has MS has it differently 
Trying her best 
Writing her story and having to learn a new style of writing
Hoping to get the book done by Christmas, if not sooner
Needed to get on with it!
CrossFit goals in 2026 and 2027
How to connect with Hannah online
Wanting to connect to people 
Why it might be the best thing that ever happened
You're not alone—reach out and talk to people you trust. 
Avoid immediately Googling symptoms or diagnoses, as it often leads to worst-case scenarios and unnecessary anxiety.
Connect with others who have been through a similar experience for support and reassurance.
Remember that whatever you're facing, it's not the end of the world.
There are incredible treatments, resources, and people ready to help.
Lean on the people who love and support you—you don't have to go through it alone.
Life is short, so focus on finding moments of happiness where you can.
It's okay to acknowledge that life can be difficult at times.
Give yourself permission to feel sad, frustrated, or to have a moan when you need to.
Hold onto hope—better days can still lie ahead.
Believe that happiness is possible, even after going through tough times.
 
Social Media
Instagram @hannahjweb 
TikTok @hansquesttofukMS
YouTube - @HannahJWeb
SubStuck - @hannahwebster3

Nora used to be a San Francisco lawyer representing workers facing discrimination by their employers -- her dream job! But a few years into her career, Nora found herself experiencing severe burnout while working 60 to 80-hour weeks. Her dream job had become a real life nightmare impacting her physical and mental health and her relationships.
One day, she reached her breaking point and decided she needed a big change. Nora ended a 5-year relationship, quit her job, and left the country on a one way ticket. What started as a career break turned into 3+ years of solo traveling around the world focusing on "hidden gem" and less-traveled destinations. Her favourites so far have been hiking in the Balkans, exploring archaeological sites in Iraq, and eating her way around Georgia. 
Nora even started her own tour company hosting adventurous group trips to bring others along with her. Her life at 30 is unconventional and certainly nowhere near where she imagined she would be, but somehow so much more fulfilling.
In this episode, Nora shares the reality behind leaving a high-pressure legal career, the emotional toll of burnout, and what it really takes to rebuild your life from scratch.
We talk about the unexpected freedom—and challenges—of long-term solo travel, how she navigates uncertainty while constantly on the move, and what it means to create a life outside of traditional expectations.
Listen to this episode to hear how one bold decision changed everything, why solo travel can be both confronting and empowering, and how stepping into the unknown can lead to a life that feels more honest, expansive, and free.
***
 New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.
 Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
 Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x
***
Show notes
Living a bit of an unconventional life at the moment 
Previously working as as workers rights lawyer, based out of San Francisco, California
Hitting a breaking point 3 years ago with her job
Realising she was burn out
Getting out of a long term relationship and quitting her job 
Making the decision to book a one way flight out of the USA
Travelling to the less travelled places 
Heading off the beaten track - with a focus on outdoor adventures 
Why it was an out of character decision 
Having a 'sliding door' moment 
Deciding to follow a different path
Why her dream job tuned out to be a nightmare 
How covid changed things for the legal profession
Being able to work remotely from Columbia 
Needing to make money 
Sharing her travels with her friends and family on instagram
Having a reel go super viral on instagram
Going from 1,200 to over 20,000 people following her!
Starting to connect with brands and being able to monetise her travel blog
Deciding to start her own tour company about 2 years ago
Finding the hidden gem destinations
Trying to keep an open mind and not have strict travel plans
Being invited to explore ancient ruins in Iraq
Hiking in the Balkans
Feeling free in nature 
Waymarking on the trails 
Using Komoot 
Keeping herself fit and healthy while travelling full time
Being sick while travelling 
Getting the balance right between travel and adventure and not getting burnt out
The benefits of travelling slower and staying in places for longer
Saying no a lot more now
Doing what you actually what to do 
What the rest of the year looks like
Planning to be in Iraq and Syria at the end of the year - but it does depend on what's happening in the gulf
Spending 2 months in London 
Being open to what options become available 
Thinking about walking in New Zealand
Going to Skyscanner to find cheap flights 
Deciding to overland the length of Chile
The benefits of finding a remote job and how it can open doors for you
How to connect with Nora on Instagram
Advice for other women who want to live an unconventional life
Why the worst thing in life is not being alone
Why the majority of solo travellers are women
A radical act of self-love 
 
Social Media
Website: via-adventure.com 
Instagram: 
@noratheexplorahh 
@via.adventure

Alice is a long-distance bike tourer, drone pilot, and freelance creative who designs her adventures around self-imposed rules and unconventional challenges. Based in a van and working with Komoot, she uses cycling as both a mode of transport and a way to deeply explore the landscapes of Britain.
Her journeys are anything but ordinary. In 2021, Alice cycled through every town and village in Sussex, covering over 1,000 miles without leaving the county. The following year, she completed a full cycle of the British coastline. 
In 2023, she attempted an even more ambitious challenge—travelling from Shoreham to Oldshoremore in as straight a line across Britain as possible.
In this episode, Alice shares how she first discovered bike touring, what inspired her to take on increasingly creative endurance challenges, and why she is drawn to journeys that combine geography, problem-solving, and adventure. She talks about life on the road in a van, the logistics behind her rides, and the realities of planning multi-week cycling expeditions using everything from paper maps to GPS apps.
We explore the highs and lows of long-distance cycling, from wild camping and weather challenges to moments of complete freedom on remote coastal routes. Alice also reflects on what she has learned from designing her own rules for adventure, and why letting go of perfection has opened the door to more meaningful experiences.
Listen to this episode to hear how cycling can become a creative practice, why the UK is full of endless adventure opportunities, and how setting your own rules might just be the best way to explore the world.
***
 New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.
 Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
 Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x
***
Show notes
Being based in a van 
Originally from South West London
Self employed as a drone pilot and freelancing for Komoot 
Her love for cycling and using if for her main mode of transport
Getting interested in bike touring 
Finding out about cycling from Lands End to John O' Groats (LEJOG)
Finding out you don't need to be an athlete to cycle these massive distances 
Magical moments from her LEJOG Trip
Doing it with paper maps pre smart phones
Making a lifestyle decision to become self employed 
Enjoying the freedom it gave her
Cycling during covid - staying local in Sussex 
The Sussex 1000 challenge 
Wanting to cycle the coast line of Great Britain 
The reason for the name yellow vello
Loving the colour yellow 
Starting to work with Komoot
Having to postpone the cycle trip around GB for 2 years 
Wanting to see more of her home country
Being guided by a silly set of rules 
Stick as closely to the coastline as possible 
Not cycling islands unless there was a bridge
Wanting the GPS to look as close as possible to the outline of GB
Going clockwise 
Why Devon and Cornwall were the hardest parts 
Planning for the trip
Wanting to compete the trip in 80 days - with no days off
Having a bivvy bag but planning to stay in accommodation 
When things go wrong and you end up sleeping on the beach 
Spending just under £4k on accommodation 
What it was like day to day 
Being able to enjoy it and relax into the ride
Taking photos and filming the trip
Post admin that still needs to be done!
Did the dream match the reality
Why it was the best thing she's ever done
Not having any really low days
Being very lucky with the weather 
How the weather can impact your trip 
Why the North West Coast of Scotland was incredible 
340 degrees North 
The Bryson Line 
Book: The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes from a Small Island: 1 By Bill Bryson 
The challenges of cycling on some of the bridle ways and why there was a lot of pushing
Having the confidence to wild camp
Getting back home after the finish
The lesson learned from these trips and adventures 
Not worrying as much 
Using cheap bikes, buying food from supermarkets 
If you've got an idea that is stuck in your head - that's your gut instinct saying you should do it
Loving van life
Looking to find a base at some point 
Future adventures and plans 
Wanting to see more of the UK
Maybe Ireland?
Doing a perfect circle around London or maybe a flower shape?
How to connect with Alice on social media 
yello.ve
Start with something small, don't worry too much about things
The things you worry about don't tend to happen, so don't waste your time worrying 
Don't worry too much about how other people do things - there is no wrong or right way
Everything is really personal 
Be confident and go for it!
Why it's always great to go outside your comfort zone. The more you do that - the more adventures you go on. 
 
Social Media
Website: www.yellovelo.co.uk 
Instagram: @yello.velo

Anna Wells is a mountaineer, former doctor, and outdoor instructor based in Inverness, Scotland. Her life has been shaped by a deep love of the mountains, beginning with indoor rock climbing at the age of 12 and growing through years of study, sport, and exploration.
Although she followed a traditional academic path—studying maths and medicine and later working as a doctor—Anna eventually realised that her true passion lay in the outdoors. After time spent living in Chamonix and working as a mountaineering instructor, she made the decision to leave medicine behind and pursue a life more aligned with her values and love of adventure.
In this episode, Anna shares her journey from medicine to the mountains, including her time competing in ice climbing, navigating injury, and rethinking what a fulfilling life looks like. We dive into her incredible Winter Munro Round in Scotland, inspired by Martin Moran, where she took on the challenge of climbing all 100+ Munros in winter conditions over just a few months.
She talks about the realities of spending long days in the mountains, averaging multiple Munros per day, dealing with weather, injury, nutrition, motivation, and the mental challenges that come with endurance adventure. Anna also reflects on the kindness of strangers who supported her along the way, and the importance of flexibility, self-belief, and listening to your body.
More recently, Anna has stepped into a new chapter of life as a mother, exploring how adventure, skiing, and time in the mountains can evolve alongside motherhood.
Listen to this episode to hear what it takes to leave medicine for the mountains, how a Winter Munro Round pushes both body and mind, and why thinking outside the box can lead to a life that feels truly your own.
***
 New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.
 Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
 Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x
***
Show notes
Who is Anna
36 years old 
Based in Inverness in Scotland 
Currently on maternity leave
Her love for adventure and being outside 
Growing up in Inverness and not coming from a particularly outdoorsy family 
Starting indoor rock climbing at 12 years old and falling in love with the sport 
The Girl Guides and the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme 
Being addicted to rock climbing and feeling everything click
Her progress in the sport 
Meeting more like minded people at university in Aberdeen 
Being a student for 9 years - studying Maths for 4 years and doing a medical degree for 5 years 
Deciding to leave medicine after 2 years of working as a doctor and moving in a different direction 
Spending 2 years living in Chamonix 
Deciding to give up her license to practice medicine 
Wanting to focus on ice climbing competitions 
Dealing with a shoulder injury and not being able to climb that hard
Take a year and don't force yourself to make any decisions
Starting to consider a career in the outdoors
Wanting to live a life that makes you happy
Thinking more about confidence 
Working as a mountaineering instructor for a number of years
Wanting to do the IFMGA but deciding against it
Wanting to climb the Munro's in Scotland 
Moving to Edinburgh and working in a bank as a data analyst
A Winter Munro Round….
Inspired by Martin Moran  who was the first to do this over 1984/85
Starting to think about getting 3 months of unpaid leave
Deciding in the October and starting in December 
Figuring out the first 100 munro's
Doing 65k and 4,400 m of ascent and being out for 19 hours
Doing an average 4.4 munro's per day
Putting out a message on social media looking for help with accommodation
The kindness of strangers
Having a lot of self confidence with navigation, make sensible decisions and look after herself
Wondering if she would keep wanting it
Injury, weather and not wanting it anymore 
Feeling low on motivation during her menstrual cycle
Dr Stacy Simms on the Tough Girl Podcast 
Dealing with the low moments and keeping on walking 
When your mood is low - walk with friends
Finding it logistically a lot easer to be on her own 
Having a few foot issues
The magical moments from the experience 
Writing her book - Breaking the Snowline
Nutrition and eating on the mountains 
Getting addicted to Lucazade 
Gear and making risk based decisions 
Having an emergency bag - that went with her everyday 
Working with Alpkit
Wearing trainers and waterproof socks and why it worked for her
Motherhood, mountains and adventuring with a new baby (Fergus) 
Having different parameters for what a day in the mountains looks like
Getting back to skiing and the mountains quickly
How to connect with Anna online
Final words of advice for other women who want to spend more time in the outdoors
Start thinking outside the box 
 
Social Media
Website: rocksandtrails.com 
Instagram: @rocksandtrails
To buy my book: shop.rocksandtrails.com

Natasha is a year-round wild swimmer, qualified Stand-Up Paddleboarding instructor, freelance travel writer, and outdoor adventurer with a deep love of water in all its forms. Based in Suffolk, she is also a volunteer for the Bluetits Chill Swimmers and an Ordnance Survey Champion.
Natasha's journey into the outdoors began early, swimming in the sea as a child, but like many people, her connection to sport and adventure faded during her 20s and 30s. It wasn't until her 40s that she rediscovered the water, found her community, and stepped into a completely new chapter of adventure.
In this episode, Natasha shares how she went from feeling like she wasn't "outdoorsy" to becoming immersed in wild swimming and paddle boarding, including getting involved with inclusive swimming communities, discovering cold water swimming, and building confidence in outdoor spaces. She opens up about being diagnosed as autistic in her 40s, and how understanding herself better helped her find her tribe and her confidence.
We also talk about her progression into Stand-Up Paddleboarding, from early lockdown experiments to completing endurance challenges such as the Race to the Castle, and preparing for a 162-mile coast-to-coast SUP journey across England. Natasha shares what it's really like training around work and family life, the realities of cold water swimming, and why time on the water has become so important for her wellbeing.
Alongside her adventures, Natasha is also the author of the upcoming guidebook Swimming Wild in London and South East England, featuring 100 incredible swimming spots across beaches, rivers, lakes, lidos, and hidden wild locations.
Listen to this episode to hear how Natasha found confidence through cold water and community, why it's never too late to become an adventurer, and how simple steps—like saying yes and asking for help—can open the door to a whole new way of living.
***
 New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.
 Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.
 Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x
***
Show notes
Who is Natasha
46 year old adventurer and Mum of three
Passionate year round wild swimmer, outdoor adventurer, and freelance travel writer with a deep love of all things water
Living in Suffolk 
Swimming in the sea from a young age
Moving out to a small village into the countryside, which was 5 mins from the seaside
Not being involved in sports or the outdoors in her 20s and 30s
What changed in her 40s?
Making new friends when your older
Being shy when she was younger 
Discovering she was autistic about 5 years ago 
Finding the swimming and outdoorsy community 
Feeling like she has found her tribe
Getting into paddle boarding during lockdown
Being introduced into wild swimming but not really enjoying it at first
Setting up a local group for The Bluetits 
Joining the Adventure Queens and attending a camp out 
Saying her adventure idea out loud for the first time 
Applying for the Adventure Queens Grant
Wanting to paddle board in Finland and experience the endless summer
Not having any idea on how to plan her adventure 
Working with Gee Jackson as her mentor 
Feeling overwhelmed by all the advice out there in relation to multi-way adventures 
Struggling to find advice about doing a multi-day adventure on SUP
Planning to visit 4/5 islands and how plans changed over time
Being worried about feeling lonely 
Not thinking she was an outdoorsy person 
The barriers for women to get into water sports 
Becoming an ambassador for This Girl Can, Suffolk 
Writing her first guide book about Wild Swimming - with Vertebrate Publishing 
Common misconceptions about swimming in London  
Why swimming in Canary Wharf is one of her favourite swim locations 
How it works with access rights for swimming in England 
The Outdoor Swimming Society
The do's and don'ts of getting into water 
Why you always swim with a buddy
Entering into different events
Winter Swimming World Championships 
What it feels like to swim in cold water 
Deciding what challenge to do next
Following adventurers and outdoorsy people on social media 
Doing the Race to the Castle - 25 mile paddleboarding race on the River Trent with a cut off time of 9 hours  
Winter training and fitting training into her life 
Working with an elite paddle board racer—Emily King 
Why it was about time on the water 
Using an ironing board instead of a standing desk 
The next adventure and paddle boarding coast to coast across England (162 miles over 9/10 days). Going from Liverpool to Yorkshire
Being supported by RED Equipment 
Meeting up with Jo Moseley
Fundraising for the Canal and River Trust 
How to connect with Natasha and follow along with her adventures 
Advice for other women who want to take their next step into adventure 
Just try it, and if you're unsure, ask for help
Follow people and get inspired 
 
Social Media
Website: www.natashasoneseditorial.com 
Instagram: @natashastarseeker 
Book: Swimming Wild in South East England. Over 100 of the best outdoor swimming spots in London, the Home Counties and the Isle of Wight