Tough Girl Podcast

Juls Stodel is a writer, long-distance hiker, TGO (The Great Outdoors) magazine columnist, and trustee of the Mountain Bothy Association. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Juls has a deep love of history, wild places, and slow adventure.
In this episode, Juls shares the story behind her ambitious Big Bothy Adventure – a journey to visit and spend a night in all 104 Mountain Bothy Association bothies across Scotland. Rather than racing from one destination to the next, Juls embraces a slower, more meaningful approach to adventure, giving herself permission to follow side quests, connect with people she meets along the way, and explore the rich human history woven into the landscape.
We also dive into her experience walking the Wales Coast Path during the storm-filled winter of 2021/22, navigating broken tents, loneliness, river crossings gone wrong, and the importance of asking for help when you need it. Juls speaks openly about working with a therapist while on trail, why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing, and how walking has become an important part of her life despite growing up with dyspraxia and never considering herself sporty.
This conversation is full of stories about bothies, kindness, resilience, history, and the joy of exploring at your own pace. Juls also shares practical advice for anyone dreaming of their first adventure, reminding us that the biggest obstacle is often not the world around us, but doubting our own ability to cope when things don't go to plan.
If you've ever been curious about bothies, long-distance walking, or finding confidence through adventure, this episode is for you.
EXPLICIT: One F-bomb dropped! Listener discretion advised.
***
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 Juls
Living in Edinburgh,  Scotland
Working as a columnist for the TGO Magazine (The Great Outdoors) 
Going on a Big Bothy Adventure - visiting all 104 MBA Bothies and staying the night at each one
Trustee of the Mountain Bothy Association 
Not being a sporty kid and having dyspraxia (which affects your balance and co-ordination)
Going on long walks and being introduced to the outdoors with her Dad
Discovering bothy's in her mid-twenties by accident 
Visiting her first bothy close to Hadrian's Wall 
Her love of history and nature 
Why it wasn't going to be a traditional thru-hike
Giving herself permission to go off on side quests and to join other people on their journey's
Not wanting to get lonely 
Not wanting her challenge to become a chore or a checklist
Walking the Wales Coast Path (WCP) over the winter of 2021/22 
Dealing with multiple storms, broken tents, and other challenges
Getting her equipment and gear from Wild Bounds
The long boring bits and feeling very isolated 
Doing a lot of hiking previously, especially the UK National Trails 
Long Distance Walkers 
Why she loves hiking 
Dealing with low points on the trail
Working with a therapist and speaking to them every week while on the WCP 
How a sense of movement can help
Why there isn't a one size fits all approach
Why we need to be careful about the conversation around health and healing in nature 
What hiking looks like for Juls
Starting walking at 9 am 
Why it's not about keeping to the exact route 
Using the route as a guide and being less strict with herself now 
Doing it for the plot! 
The standout moments from the WCP
Why the Pembrokeshire Coast path was a real highlight 
Meeting people on the trail 
The kindest of strangers 
Walking St Wilfrid's Way (Hexham to Edinburgh)  
Having the opportunity to go and visit all the bothies
What is a bothy?
Bothy rules to be aware of 
The Bothy Code - based on respect 
Guirdil Bothy - Isle of Rum 
The people she's met while on the Bothy Adventure 
Leaving postcards at every Bothy
Doing the Skye Trail the September before 
When things go wrong…
Snow, sausages and a sled! 
Having an advice column - for TGO Magazine
The lessons learned from the Big Bothy Walk 
Why the most experience you have, you can find new things to be sacred off
Cows on the WCP and going on big detours to avoid them now
Being taken away by the water during a river crossing and having to call Scottish Mountain Rescue to get help  
Needing to do a reset and get new gear 
Heading back when the rains had cleared
Why you should call Mountain Rescue when you need to 
The power of nature 
Her love of history and where it comes from 
Moving from the Netherlands to the UK 
Joining a young archeologist club and how it inspired her 
The importance of learning/keeping the history of the ordinary people 
History from a number of the bothies 
100 Scottish Islands Project
Getting to see other places that she wouldn't get to see normally 
76 islands done so far 
Having to make a plan to see the islands on the North East Coast of Scotland 
Great joy
Follow Juls on Instagram 
Many women are curious about starting an adventure but haven't taken the first step yet.
The biggest barrier is often not fear of strangers or external dangers.
Instead, it's doubting their own ability to cope when things go wrong.
Trust that you are more capable than you think.
When challenges arise, you'll often find the strength and resourcefulness to deal with them in the moment.
Avoid overthinking every possible scenario before you begin.
Confidence grows through experience, not by waiting until you feel completely ready.
You are capable of far more than you give yourself credit for—you just don't know it yet.
 
Social Media
Instagram: @over_stepping

On 20 July 2026, I set off from Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands, with the goal of hiking approximately 2,200km all the way to Nice on the Mediterranean coast. 70 days later, I reached the finish line after an incredible journey through the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and France, tackling the French Alps and pushing myself both physically and mentally along the way.
In this episode, I'm sharing the numbers, the stats, the preparation and the reality of taking on a challenge of this scale. From training and planning to wild camping, navigation, food, kit, motivation and the highs and lows of hiking solo, I'm answering your questions and sharing what I learnt along the way.
I also reflect on why I chose the GR5, how I make time for these adventures, how it compares to my previous long-distance hikes, and what happens when you finally reach the finish line and have to adjust to normal life again.
Whether you're planning your own long-distance hike, dreaming about a future adventure, or simply curious about what it takes to walk 2,200km in 70 days, this episode is for you!
So grab a cuppa, get comfortable and join me for a deep dive into my GR5 adventure.
***
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
Welcome to the episode 
Who am I and the Tough Girl Mission
Focusing on the GR5, the numbers, the stats and answering your questions
How do I make time in my life for doing these walks
A brief overview of my backstory
You can listen to other solo reflections episodes (see below)
How tough girl challenges came about
Starting the tough girl podcast in 2015
Taking on my own personal challenges since 2016
Watch the short film - "TEN"
Why the GR5 
Doing a trail knowing how much road walking there would be
Road walking through Holland and Belgium
Wanting to do the full distance
Getting the guidebooks from Cicerone 
Checking out the FKT website 
"women have always been 50% of the population, but only occupy around 0.5% of recorded history"
How long is it, how do I get to the start, how do I get back from the finish
Training for the GR5
Putting a plan together with the help of Chat GPT
Having a base level of fitness
Incline treadmill walk
Back to back training days
Training on concrete
Doing the Two Saints Way as a Training hike
The plan to arrive healthy at the start line
Tracking my training and making tweaks when needed
Daily stats posts while being on adventures 
Measuring my fatigue levels
Talking through the numbers 
Total Stats blog post 
Welcome To My Garden 
Hiiker App 
Vitality bits 
Food
My schedule
Decompressing on the trail
Insights from the trail
Tracking my weight via HUME 
Wild camping and navigation
Charging electronics
Motivation tips and tricks
GR20 vlogs
Hygiene and washing clothes on the trail
Battery packs and a fast charge plug
Essentials for your backpack
Benefits of a ground sheet
My 2 fears
Trainers
Cooking and being stove less
Women backpacking resources
The French Alps
Adjusting back to normal life
Gear I would add to my pack
Do you need to carry a tent
4G in the mountains 
Meeting other hikers
How the hike compares to the Camino hikes and the Appalachian Trail
Trail Angels…
 Donations
Direction of travel
Cooking on trail
Feeling lonely on the trail
Adventure blues
The next adventure 
The best and the worst part
Would I change anything?
Vlogs coming soon
Applying for the FKT
GR5 info on the TG Website
 
Previous Reflections/Solo Episodes 
Jan 2nd 2025 - Sarah Williams: Reflections on the South West Coast Path, Health, Money & Future Plans for 2025
Aug 1, 2024 - Sarah Williams: Reflecting on the Past 6 Months and Future Plans for 2024 – Insights, Challenges, and Adventures.
Mar 14, 2024 - Sarah Williams - Reflections & Learnings from the 3,000km Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand.
Nov 2, 2023 - Sarah Williams - Planning and Preparation for thru hiking the 3,000 km Te Araroa Trail, New Zealand. #ChallengeWithZOLEO
Sep 10, 2023 - Sarah Williams - Solo Reflections: A Look Back at the End of 2022, Adventures and Challenges in 2023
Aug 4th 2022 - Sarah Williams - Reflects on the end of 2021 and the start of 2022.
Aug 4th 2021 - Sarah Williams - Reflects on the end of 2020 and the start of 2021.
Aug 7th 2020 - Sarah Williams - Reflections on 2019 & and the start of 2020. 
Aug 4th, 2019 - Sarah Williams - Reflections on 2018 and the start of 2019. Plus plans for Tough Girl Challenges.
Dec 25, 2018 - Sarah Williams - Cycling the Pacific Coast Highway & Baja Divide   
Sep 4, 2018 - Sarah Williams - Planning and Preparation for the Pacific Coast Highway & the Baja Divide!
Sep 19, 2017 - Sarah Williams - Thru hiking the Appalachian Trail (2,190 miles) in 100 days!
 Apr 26, 2016 - Sarah Williams - Shares her journey of getting to the start line of the Marathon des Sables (MDS) & running the toughest footrace on earth!
 
Social Media
Instagram: @toughgirlchallenges
Facebook: @toughgirlchallenges 
YouTube: @toughgirlchallenges 
Patrons: www.patreon.com/c/ToughGirlPodcast

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.
***
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