Tough Girl Podcast

Meet Helen Spencer, a veterinarian from Kent who swapped clinic life for the extremes of the world. From hiking in Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Yemen to caring for orangutans in Borneo, Helen has chased adventure across the globe.
In this episode, she shares her journey to ski the last degree to the South Pole, including:
Training, kit prep, and polar skills courses
The physical and mental challenges of long polar expeditions
Coping with loss, vulnerability, and finding strength on the ice
Lessons in perseverance, confidence, and small steps toward big dreams
Helen's story is a testament to courage, resilience, and pursuing your goals—even when the journey is long and demanding.
***
 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 Helen
Being based in Kent
Growing up on a farm and having a lot of freedom 
Becoming a vet
Wanting more adventure 
Working for the charity: World Wide Veterinary Service 
In her free time loving to travel 
Leaving school and travelling with her backpack, and staying in hostels 
Starting to do a few solo and group expeditions
Hiking in Afganistan, Madagascar, Mongolia, Yemen, Palestine, North Korea
Recently skiing the last degree of the South Pole  
Building her confidence with travelling 
Earning enough money to go f www.interrail.eu/en
Having a budget of £10 per day
Spending time in Borneo looking after Orangutans
Being a shy, farm kid growing up and being better with animals than people 
Having 5 years at university 
Having a neighbour who had a zoo and spending time helping out at the zoo
Knowing what she wanted to do when she was 5
Building internal confidence 
Hiking in Afganistan's Wakhan Corridor  
Why expedition are about the people you meet as well as where you go
Getting the balance right between being social enough but also having time for herself 
Needing time out and making sure she has her own tent
Having a 10 day tolerance on expeditions 
Her goal to ski to the the pole in Antarctica and where the dream came from 
Being fascinated by polar history 
A week long polar skills course in Finse, Norway 
Needing a challenge - being in bad mental and physical health 
Taking some time out after selling her veterinarian clinic in London
Having a year to get in shape 
Training at the Altitude Centre in London 
Not being able to test her kit
Receiving a lot of help and advice 
Heading to Loughborough Elite Sports Centre to have her fitness tested 
Dr Amelia Rudd 
Heading over to Antarctica and what it was like 
Antarctic Logistics Expeditions (ALE)
Being out on the ice and why it was like being out on the open ocean 
Pulling the pulk at altitude on the ice 
Why it was a physical challenge but also a mental challenge 
Her way of coping with difficulties 
Wanting to feel small 
Being there mid summer, when the sun never sets.
Rainbows and halos forming around the sun
Being able to move forward after the challenge
Trying to cope with the loss of her parents in an accident, 2 weeks before she was due to be married 
Being in a dark place 
Coping by being on her own and doing physical endurance 
Wanting to be broken down and feel vulnerable 
Getting to the pole and why it was hugely emotional 
Why it meant everything to her 
Kick on
Fundraising £20K in memory of her mum who had Parkinson's
Gaining confidence, a bit more self assurance and pride.  
Spending 3 weeks in Antarctica, and skiing for 8 days 
Tent life…
Going to the loo! Code Brown! Pooing in a bag and packing out your poo.
The worst bit of the expedition and having to leave your warm sleeping bag
How to connect with Helen on Social Media 
Final words of advice
Some dreams can take time
Taking small steps and trying the thing you want to do
Her mantras in life…. "Don't be a dick to yourself", "Don't be a dick to others" and Don't be a dick with our environment" 
 
Social Media
Instagram: @adventure_vet_spence 
Justgiving: www.justgiving.com/page/helen-spencer-1728903029666

Meet Dr. Shawna Pandya, Canada's first named female commercial astronaut and a leading figure in space medicine. From emergency medicine to aquanaut missions and suborbital research flights, Shawna has trained to thrive in some of the most extreme environments on Earth—and soon, in space.
In this episode, she shares her journey from a childhood inspired by Dr. Roberta Bondar, through neuroscience and medical training, to testing spacesuits in zero gravity and completing multiple NEPTUNE aquanaut missions. 
We dive into:
The challenges of spaceflight on the body and mind
The "RIDGE" framework Radiation, Isolation, Distance, Gravity, Environment
Using emergency medicine, diving, and piloting to build operational readiness
Maintaining balance, avoiding burnout, and living a life aligned with values
Preparing for her upcoming flight with Virgin Galactic
Shawna's story is a masterclass in perseverance, curiosity, and aiming for the stars—literally.
***
 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 Shawna 
Being Canada's first named female Astronaut 
Her early years and growing up in the 90s
Wanting to be an Astronaut since she was a child and being inspired by Dr. Roberta Bondar
Simplifying things 
Wanting to follow in her footsteps 
Doing a neuroscience degree
The influence of her parents 
Girl Guides of Canada 
Doing outdoor education during junior high and building her spirit of adventure 
Inheriting her work ethic from her parents - thinking the normal work day was from 7am to 10pm
Sharing her goal and telling people what she wanted to achieve 
Taking a family trip to Australia at 12 years old and being obsessed with the Southern Night Sky 
Not knowing if it will work out or not - Having to love the grind and the journey 
Keeping focused on the goal 
Not letting other people opinions stop her 
Her parents wanting her to have a realistic career ambition 
The roadmap included medicine 
After doing her undergrad in neuroscience and applying for medical school
Having a back up plan - just in case 
International Space University - Masters Program 
Asking medical school for a deferral 
Doing an internship at the European Space Agency European Space Centre and making a meaningful contribution to space medicine 
Dealing with criticism
Having balance in her life and not suffering from burnout 
Pursuing the trajectory as a research astronaut - and still maintaining her clinical hours in emergency medicine 
Work life balance 
Why she does't burn out
Living her life according to her values 
Having complete control over her schedule  
Being surrounded by good people
Finding fulfilment and loving what she does
Being inspired to be a better version of herself everyday 
Fitness and health in space 
Bone density and muscle mass 
Space Medicine 
The challenges of space flight environment and why it's trying to kill you 
The "RIDGE" Framework short for Space Radiation, Isolation and Confinement, Distance from Earth, Gravity fields, and Hostile/Closed Environments.
Altered day night cycles - 1 sunrise/sunset every 90 mins - 16 sunrise - sunset cycles per 24hr period every and how it interferes with your sleep cycle
Micro-gravity and how it affects your bodily systems 
Physical activity as therapy and using it as a way of investing in herself. 
The days she doesn't make it to the gym 
Needing to change something up - or end up burning out 
Learning diving skills and spending time underwater
Looking for transferable skills
Being operational good and a good team mate
Operational environments: - emergency medicine, diving, sky diving and piloting 
The importance of having aqua-naught experience 
Going on 2 NEPTUNE Missions 
NEPTUNE (Nautical Experiments in Physiology, Technology and Underwater Exploration)
Building her space flight readiness
Learning to handle stress in challenging situations 
Why there is no room for ego 
Using emergency medicine as an example 
Escalation patterns of communication 
Question - Suggestion - Statement - Command 
Why there is a time and place for everything 
If everything is urgent - nothing is urgent!
Urgency fatigue - not knowing what do first
Being aware of what tools you have at your disposal
High risk - high reward scenarios 
The countdown to flight 
Since 2021 - the launch of private companies into space 
Going to space for research 
What kind of astronaut do you want to be?
Being a research astronaut 
Training flights as a team - and getting to fly with her good friends
Kellie Gerardi 
Dr. Norah Patten 
Figuring out research priorities 
The outreach aspects of what they do
Science diplomacy 
The lead up to the space flight 
Managing fears and concerns 
Having a job to do 
Being aware of the need to be prepared 
Deciding on the final payloads
Dealing with periods in space 
Quick Fire Questions
Being an evening person
Not scheduling early morning meetings
Starting her day at 9am
Favourite movie and favourite space movie 
2007 movie - Sunshine
Book inspiration - Chris Hatfield - An Astronaut's guide to Earth 
Music inspiration - liking high adrenaline workout play lists 
Liking the John Wicks Soundtrack 
Beach or mountains..
Favourite food at home and in space
High RPM skipping
Rest and relaxation
Her love for birds - having a 56g Lovebird - 'Jules' 
Mantra and words she lives by - 'You've got this"
Words from mum - "Keep going" - "Keep moving"
Words from dad - "What's the difference between success and activity? Success is eating tomato soup with a spoon, activity is eating tomato soup with a fork"
How to connect and follow along on social media
Final words of advice and wisdom for other girls who want to pursue 
Pick what you want to do, aim to be really, really good at it. 
Aim to become the hardest working person in the room. Because the work ethic is free.
Work really hard to get to where you want to be and then act like you belong there, because you do.
You just need to make space for yourself. 
 
Social Media
Website: shawnapandya.com 
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shawnapandya 
Instagram: @shawnapandya 
Facebook: @shawnapandyaofficial

Jeannette McGill is a seasoned mountaineer and executive leader who, at 52, became the oldest South African woman to summit Everest in May 2025. With more than 30 years of global climbing experience—including leading expeditions across four continents—she knows deeply that the summit is never just about standing on top. 
Jeannette's journey is a testament to patience, resilience, and the quiet power of backing yourself, no matter how many setbacks you face. Beyond her personal achievements, she is passionate about demystifying the modern-day myths of Everest and advocates instead for the very real challenges mountain terrains face through climate change globally. Having been there herself, she brings an informed, honest perspective on what is truly happening above 8,000m. 
Today, Jeannette combines her love for high-altitude adventure with leadership on Boards and helping others explore their own limits. She also supports future generations through leading snow camps in the Victorian Alps and mountaineering scholarships, believing that mountains are powerful teachers of courage and humility. Her story is not just about conquering peaks but about becoming the kind of person who dares to try.
We first spoke with Jeannette on 7th January 2021 - Jeannette McGill - 1st South African woman to summit Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in 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
Who is Jeanette
Corporate executive, board director and most importantly a mountaineer
South African by origin,  located in Melbourne and spending up to 5 months in Nepal
TGP Episode - January 7th 2021 - - 1st South African woman to summit Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world
Her Mt. Everest dream 
A one day - someday project…
How climbing Mt. Everest came to the forefront of her mind
To be a real mountaineer you needed to tick Mt. Everest off the list
Deciding to go in a different direction in 1995 
The pivotal moment - university and having a career or entering the climbing competition 
Pursuing her career 
Was Mt. Everest a realistic goal?
Growing into the project
Adding Mt. Everest to the bucket list after covid
Going through a back surgery and perimenopause and deciding that 2023 would be her Mt. Everest year
Using Mera Peak as an acclimatisation strategy 
Getting sick and not recovering well, getting to camp 2 and not being able to continue.
Heading back to Australia and deciding to go back in 2024
Deciding to gift herself the power of a mid-life sabbatical 
Exciting her role in December 2023 and starting to train properly for Mt. Everest in 2024
Joining a small team
Mechanical failure on the mountain - her jumar not working and getting word that her house in Australia had burnt down. 
Getting to the South Col and not being in the right head space. 
Knowing she was making the right decision to turn around and head back down the mountain 
Dealing with the frustration and disappointment and why it was difficult 
Not being in a good head space. Needing to pivot and become nomadic during the winter 
Floundering and not knowing what was next
Deciding that she would regret it if she didn't back herself one final time. 
Pivoting and making the best of the situation 
Having flexibility and deciding to do Mt. Everest one last time 
Figuring out where to do the winter work - in either Scotland or New Zealand 
Packing up and heading over to New Zealand to do training 
Doing more mountain work, on the NZ Alps in the South Island 
How it became a more personal/internal  objective/goal 
What training looked like 
Working with a mental and physical coach
Using Training Peaks 
Evoke Endurance Coach 
Returning to Manaslu in the fall of 2024
Muscle endurance - steep hills in NZ out of Queenstown carrying 20kgs 
Following a structured gym program 
Her 'A' Team 
Figuring out through processes and what could derail her
Having cheat sheets e.g. a mopey list to keep her focused on her goal and what she needed to do
Heading back to Mt Everest in 2025 and wanting to do the Everest - Lhotse Double (having 2 permits) 
Acclimatising on Mt. Mera Peak 
Being an older climber and the changes she made
Sleeping at camp 3 on her rotation 
Heading up to the balcony 
The challenge of the 2025 season 
Dealing with extreme winds and not being able to stand up
Having to turn around - returning to her tent on the South Col and being hit with disappointment. 
Maybe climbing Mt. Everest just isn't going to happen again - shedding a tear 
Having her main sherpa needing to head back down to camp 2
Having the opportunity to go for the summit of Mt. Everest the following night 
Now or never!!!!!
Starting to prepare, getting herself together and heading back to the balcony before reaching the summit
Reaching the summit - A surreal, glorious moment. 
Crying on the summit and why she will never forget it
The descent back to base camp - dealing with fatigue 
Being able to look after herself on the descent 
The afterwards - Relief? Adventure blues?
The pressure on herself to achieve the goal
Being at peace with herself 
Needing to rest this calendar year and savour her summit
Wallowing in the peace and knowledge of achievement 
How to connect with Jeannette 
Final words of advice for other women who want to take on their own mountains and challenges
Keep stretching your fear muscle 
 
Social Media
Website: www.mcgillsmountains.com
Instagram: @mcgills_mountains

Lauren Burnison is the founder of We Love Lucid, the UK's first alcohol-free travel company, and a trailblazer in the sober travel movement. From couch-surfing with nomads on the Mongolian steppe to snorkelling with sharks in Oman, Lauren has spent her life seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures—and this year, she took a two-month road trip through Spain and Portugal in a micro camper with her four-year-old daughter to celebrate ten years of sobriety.
In this candid conversation, Lauren shares her journey from self-destructive habits to sobriety, how travel became her school of life, and the joys and challenges of being a single parent exploring the world. She talks about starting We Love Lucid, the lessons learned while traveling solo and with her daughter, and how adventure can transform the way we see ourselves.
Explicit content: We touch on drugs, drinking, and addiction.
***
 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 Lauren
Coming from Northern Ireland Originally
41 years old
Founder of We Love Lucid - The UK's First Alcohol-free Travel Company
Being a single mum to a very energetic 4 year old girl 
Being an aspiring writer
Reflecting back on her early years 
Being very creative, loving animals, and growing up in the countryside 
Where her love of travel came from 
Starting to learn Spanish in school and how her teacher inspired her
Having a knack for learning languages 
Finding a diary entry from when she was 15 years old
Having an ambition to learn Spanish and French and wanting to live in Spain 
Getting to visit Spain at 16 on a sports camp 
Having her eyes opened and feeling invigorated while travelling on the road 
Why A'Levels were such a slog and hated being told what to do 
Being confident about travelling 
Deciding to travel around South America 
Getting into drugs and going down a self destructive path 
Heading back home to go to university 
Spending 6 months in Barcelona - working in a pizza restaurant and living in a tent
Getting her degree
Being taken further down the path and still being self destructive 
Making changes at 32 
Wanting to explore and see more of the world - spending time in South Africa
Getting in more and more trouble 
Turning 30 and heading to South Korea to work as an English Teacher 
Having the best and worst moments of her life
Hitting rock bottom and deciding not to drink ever since
Getting in trouble, and having the fear of losing her life
Partying with Chinese Dwarfs 
Seeing how bad her behaviour had gotten
Feeling and being alone on this part of the journey 
Drinking 4 nights a week
The hardest part - being faced with this situation of not knowing who she was 
Who is Lauren? Having to deal with difficult emotions.
Feeing so vulnerable 
The night she decided to quit drinking 
Creating 'We Love Lucid' and how it helped her stay connected with the sober community 
Visiting the vast empty spaces in Mongolia 
Growing up with horses and riding horses 
Wanting to ride horses in Mongolia and how it turned in to a trip of self discovery 
Trying to figure out the next steps
Why life is not just good or bad - it's a mixture of everything 
Heading to the South of Spain and doing a workaday experience over there
How the idea for - We Love Lucid came about 
Not having a positive view of sobriety 
Thinking about her experiences as a sober person travelling 
Starting to run the trips 
Why the trips are all about connecting with sober people 
Cycling from Beer to Soberton….
Why not all projects turn out how you want them to 
Not wanting to be a quitter
Getting to 70 miles…..
Why it was a bit of a failure, but also a valuable lesson at the same time 
Riding up the East Coast of Korea on a bike to North Korea
The goodness of people 
How travel and adventure changed after having her daughter
Feeling as though her world has been shrinking
How it affected her mentally - with not being able to travel 
The realities of being a single mum in Scotland
How her life seems so normal
Starting to go away with her daughter 
Being on a road trip in Portugal for 1/2 months 
Trying to escape the winter in the UK
Needing to stay in the UK and going with that 
Starting to accept the reality 
Wanting to start her blog - "Adventures of a single, sober mum" 
Being able to afford a micro camper 
Why trips are a condensed school of life 
The beauty and joy of the quiet moments
Walking with 12 women on the Santiago de Compostela 
Mandy Manners - Sober Coach 
She Recovers Foundation 
How to connect with Lauren
The stigma around being a single parent 
Wanting to feel more empowered
Final words of advice for other women
Change is possible 
Being inspired by Terence McKenna 
Try something hard, push yourself out of your comfort zone. 
 
Social Media
Website: www.welovelucid.com - The UK's First Alcohol-free Travel Company 
Instagram: @welovelucid 
Substack: adventuresofasobersinglemum.substack.com

In this Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode, we catch up with Helen Dainty — solo female cyclist, self-described "full-time global hobo," and one of the most committed long-distance bike travellers you'll ever meet.
For the past decade, Helen has spent nine years on the road, travelling exclusively by bicycle and living on around £50 a week. She's cycled across Australia, ridden from London to Nordkapp and back, travelled extensively through the Middle East and North Africa — and in 2025 became the first woman to cycle across Libya.
When war in Sudan forced her to abandon an overland route into East Africa, Helen adapted and rerouted — because that's what life on the road demands: flexibility, resilience, and the ability to trust the process.
In this episode, we dive into what's happened since we last spoke in January 2022. From navigating complex visa systems (including Algeria and Libya), to travelling with police security details, being detained in Libya, and accepting incredible hospitality through the Warm Showers community — Helen shares the raw, practical realities of long-term cycle touring.
We also talk about:
The logistics of visas with a British passport
Working with visa agents and last-minute plan changes
Cycling in Algeria and Libya
Budget travel (sticking to AUD $100 per week)
Her bike setup — switching from chain to belt drive
Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and long-distance reliability
Not collecting souvenirs and living with less
Documenting her journey on YouTube (and the time spent editing!)
Saying yes to unexpected opportunities
Helen also opens up about going through perimenopause and menopause while cycling through deserts — dealing with extreme sadness, brain fog, hot sweats in the middle of the night, and coming out the other side feeling stronger and more balanced. At 47, she believes she has another strong decade of adventure ahead — and she's not slowing down.
Looking forward, Helen plans to spend the next two years cycling down the west coast of Africa in an attempt to circle the continent, before eventually heading back towards Australia through Asia.
Her advice for women wanting to do something different?
Say yes to the opportunity — you can work out the details on the way.
Accept without hesitation.
Raw, honest, practical and deeply inspiring — this is a powerful catch-up with a woman who has built her entire life around two wheels.
***
 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 Helen
Catching up since we last spoke
Cycling through the Middle East and Africa 
TGP Episode - January 2022 - 
TGP Extra Episode - 
What's changed?!
Going back to the start of 2022 
Taking the ferry from Turkey to Lebanon 
Flying home to surprise her family for Christmas 
Setting off toward Iran in 2022 
The practical side of travel - visa's, entering and leaving countries (with a British Passport)
Saudi Arabia and Oman using a E-visa system 
Getting a visa for Algeria - paperwork, needing to be in your home country while applying for the visa, face to face visit to the Embassy in London 
Visa's for Libya - not being issues and needing to work with a contact to get a visa 
Using a visa agent - Tap Persia 
Last minute change of plans and trying to extend a 2 week visa while in the country - which proved impossible 
Booking accommodation to get the visa 
Cycle touring being a little stressful at times
Cycling in Algeria for a few days and what the experience was like
Warmshowers hosts 
Accepting hospitality 
Having an Algerian security detail (police) and what that entails 
Needing to trust the process 
Having her passport taken off her…
Arrested/detained in Libya by the police 
Finding affordable accommodation 
Tourist sites in Algeria and Libya 
Not meeting other bike packers in Libya 
How it all happened….
Saying yes to opportunities as they present themselves 
Libyan Cycling Centre 
Starting to share videos on Youtube and documenting her trips 
Working on improving the sound quality 
Aiming for 8 min vlogs
The time spend editing….
Sticking to her budget of AUD $100 a week
The bike, the bike set up and new gear
Changing from a chain to a belt drive 
Getting a new saddle - Repente 
What is a belt drive and needing a specific frame for it and how it works 
Why it's popular with long distance tourers 
Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires 
Not collecting souvenirs 
Day to day emotions and loving life on the road
Not having any plans to stop cycling 
Heading into Western Africa - and taking 2 years to cycle down the coast 
Planning to cycle back to Australia through Asia
47 years old - another good decade ahead of her
Going through menopause 3/4 years ago
Not knowing what was happening in 2021/2022 and not undertaking that she was going through perimenopause 
Experiencing extreme sadness and brain fog 
Feeling more balanced and having less brain fog, and less depression bouts
Having hot sweats in the desert, in the middle of the night 
Feeling glad to be on the other side of it
Starting to think about bone density 
Cycling down the West Coast of Africa 
Using this downtime over winter to plan out her route and sort out visa's.
Taking her dad to Ethiopia 
How to connect with Helen on social media and follow along with her journey 
9,570 subscribers on YouTube - wanting to reach 10k! 
Final words of advice for women who want to do something different and take on new challenges 
Say yes to an opportunity -you can work out the details on the way
Accept without hesitation! 
 
Social Media
All links: helsonwheels.bio.link  
Instagram: @hels.on.wheels 
Facebook:  @Helsonwheelswithmlt 
Youtube: @helsonwheels