Tough Girl Podcast

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.
Beyond her role as a charity leader, Lorraine is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, inspiring audiences ranging from school children to corporate professionals. She has delivered talks for organisations including The Eden Project, the European Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and AJ Bell, sharing powerful messages of resilience, purpose and hope.
Lorraine's remarkable journey has captured national attention. She has been featured in publications such as The Sun and HELLO! Magazine, and has appeared on Channel 4 News, highlighting her work and personal story.
Her dedication to community service has been recognised through numerous accolades, including the HELLO! Magazine Inspiration Award, Great British Entrepreneur Award, and the prestigious Prime Minister's Point of Light Award. In recognition of her services to cancer, Lorraine was recently invited to meet Their Majesties The King and Queen.
In addition to her charitable work, Lorraine is an author, with her memoir Dare To Dream chronicling her journey from lawyer to charity founder. She also hosts the podcast "See Through The Big C", amplifying the voices of those living with cancer, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals.
A passionate artist, Lorraine discovered her love for art in her forties and continues to explore creativity alongside her enthusiasm for fitness, including HYROX competitions, running, and ultra-distance challenges—living proof that it's never too late to dream, create, and push beyond perceived limits.
***
 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 Lorraine
Being based in Northampton
Co-founder of The Lewis Foundation which supports cancer patients in hospital  
Writing her book, 'Dare to Dream' 
Her early years growing up 
Not being sporty and always trying to get out of PE
Being into reading and writing 
Her dream of wanting to become a barrister
Being supported and encouraged by her parents
Her determination and resilience 
Not knowing how she would achieve her goals 
Doing old school research by heading to the library
Creating her own opportunities to gain the experiences she needed 
Doing the Bar Vocational Course 
Not having time for sport or physical activity 
£50k of student debt….
Being determined to make it happen
Dealing with challenges and changes
How it changed their life
Starting to question everything and why there must be more to life
What can be done?
Wanting to make people feel better
Dealing with cancer, death and grief
Supporting people with cancer
Bringing joy to peoples days
Getting into fitness and ultra running to raise funds for the charity
Deciding to sign up to do a Tough Mudder (Obstacle Run) 
Wanting to push herself more physically and step outside her comfort zone 
Running out of money for the charity
How Mike supported the charity with a £50k donation 
The kindness of strangers 
Deciding to take on the 3 Peaks Challenge 
Taking on more and more running challenges
Being consumed by the Lewis Foundation and starting to neglect herself
Rat Race 
The Wall 
Discovering Hyrox 
Getting back on her feet and being more active and more healthy 
Starting to feel stronger mentally and more resilient to handle challenges
January 2025 - and doing her vision board and goals for the year
Deciding to sign up for the 70 mile race
Not training for the ultra in the best way…
Being at the start of the race 
The struggle during the race and crossing the finishing line
Feeling physically broken but knowing it was her mental resilience that got her across the finish line
The mental side of running 70 miles
Setting a big challenge for 2026
Taking on a 100 mile ultra! The Rat Race Castle to Castle 
The Lewis Foundation will be celebrating it's 10th Anniversary in 2026 
Starting to follow a specific running program 
Being pushed in her training
Making sure to eat better 
The challenges of fuelling while being coeliac 
Feeling in a much better place physically 
Needing to exercise at 6am
Training about 35 hrs a week
What is the race strategy….
Breaking down the training 
Fuelling her training and needing to eat more 
Not being afraid to consume food—especially carbs
Taking supplements to help with iron levels 
Creatine and omega-3
The benefits of hiking poles/sticks
Rotating trainers
The financial impact of taking on challenges/runs etc
How to connect with Lorraine on social media
Podcast: See through the big C 
Final words of advice 
The importance of living your life 
Make the most of the time we have on this planet
 
Social Media
Website: www.lorrainelewisbcah.co.uk 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-lewis-bcah 
Youtube: @Seethroughthebigc 
Instagram: @lorraine_lewisbca
Book: Dare to Dream

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.
Her passion for high-altitude exploration took her on a relentless quest; climbing the highest mountain on every continent, culminating on the summit of Mt. Everest in 2018. She became the first ever Hungarian to climb the Seven Summits. This journey ignited her mission to guide others through the raw beauty of the mountains and beyond.
In the winter, she guides private snowshoe and fat bike around St. Moritz; in the summer, she leads exhilarating hiking and mountain biking adventures across the Alps. Between her Alps seasons, she's found working in the Polar regions (Antarctica: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and lead crevasse rescue guide. Arctic: guide, zodiac driver, lecturer and polar bear guard)
Her expertise extends far beyond Europe, guiding bespoke expeditions across the globe.
An endurance athlete at heart, Alex is always chasing the next adventure—whether Polar ski crossing, racing mountain bikes, or pushing limits in the mountains.
As a professional photographer and drone pilot, she uses her lens to capture the world's most remote landscapes, advocate for environmental conservation, and document the stories of the Polar regions. Her work is deeply inspired by mountains, polar history, pioneering female explorers, and the delicate balance of nature.
In her recent book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin, Alex shares her experiences of climbing these mountains, and she also explores the journey that shaped who she is today: all the highs and lows. I hope to bring these peaks closer to readers by including short historical notes alongside each climb and sharing everything she learned along the way. The book is also rich in photographs, helping to bring both the stories and these beautiful mountains vividly to life.
First TGP episode - August 25th 2020 - Alexandra Nemeth the first Hungarian to climb the 7 summits! 
***
 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 Alex
Being born in Hungary, but spending most of her adult life in the UK
Deciding to move to the Swiss Alps to work as an International Mountain Leader
Climbing the 7 Summits and becoming the first Hungarian to do so
Coming on the Tough Girl Podcast - August 25th 2020 
What's been the biggest changes over the past few years 
Making the decision to move from the UK to Switzerland 
Having a plan to live in the mountains 
Waiting for the right opportunity. 
Packing up her car in 2020
What life has been like in Switzerland 
Being a qualified Mountain Bike Guide 
The Next chapter in her life
Becoming an International Mountain Leader (IML)
Working 2 part time jobs to make a living 
Finding a community in Switzerland 
Ending up doing things on her own 
Needing to prioritise herself and gaining her qualifications 
Focusing on navigation 
The 4 stages of the IML 
Becoming a polar guide 
Getting a job on an expedition ship 
What is ship life like?
Documenting her journey in a book!
Connecting with nature can be incredible powerful
Dealing with her fears, most noticeably her fear of heights
Choosing to heal in nature 
Turning her passion into a job
Putting together expeditions to Peru
Keeping it fun and exciting 
Planning for adventures and expeditions 
How to start and why you need to build things up
Being on a ship for the next 2 months
International Women's Day 8th March 2025
Free Snowshoe Tour for Women!
Doing a hut to hut tour!
Teaching women winter survival skills
How to connect with Alex on social media 
Advice who want to follow their dreams and passions
Don't let excuses stop you on your way. Stay on the path, even if you have to slow down. 
Live your life without excuses! 
 
Social Media
Website alex7summits.com 
Instagram @alex7summits 
Email: [email protected]
Book: Beyond the Seven Summits: Finding Strength Where the Air is Thin

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.
Bonita reflects on the early steps that built her career in mountaineering—starting with beginner climbing courses, funding her expeditions, and preparing for the Himalayan peaks. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of summiting Everest, managing fear in remote and hostile environments, and how these experiences shaped her life and perspective.
Now a mother of two, Bonita also discusses how she balances adventure with family life, inspiring her children to embrace courage and curiosity. From attempting K2 to climbing the Matterhorn after an eight-year hiatus, she emphasises the importance of showing up, trusting the process, and meeting opportunity with determination.
Whether you're chasing literal mountains or metaphorical ones in your own life, Bonita's insights, lessons in bravery, and personal stories will motivate you to take the next bold step.
***
 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 Bonita 
The youngest person to have reached both the summit of Mt Everest (age 22) and the North Pole (age 23)
Book: The Girl Who Climbed Everest (2022) 
Mother of 2 children
Growing up and her early years 
Going on a school trip to North Wales and loving every moment of hiking in the mountains 
Finishing her A'levels and going off to South America to climb to Machu Picchu at 18
Not realising she could make a career out of mountaineering
Alison Hargreaves's dying on K2 in 1995 
Mothers and taking risks
Being in her 2nd year at university and going to a mountaineering talk at the Royal Geographical Society 
Realising that she wanted to climb and wanting to climb Mt Everest 
I don't know how, but I'm going to make it happen
Being inspired and maintaining the inspiration/motivation
Why it felt so meaningful 
2 years - 24 months to gain the skills, knowledge and funding
Starting with a beginners climbing course
Working backwards from her goal
Completing the smaller milestones and trusting in the process
Funding and paying for everything
Heading off on her first Himalayan Expedition - Manaslu (eighth-highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres (26,781 ft))
Getting a job, using her student loan and receiving a grant from her university
Having 6 months to find £50k to join her team going to Everest.
Getting out of bed bad making another call
Speaking with Capital FM on the radio
How everything turned around
Getting the money, getting the sponsorship
Why you don't need to be an Olympic Athlete to climb Everest 
Why you need to work on the actual problem - don't work around the problem 
Fitness before heading of to Nepal 
Doing multi-days of training without rest
If you want to get good at climbing mountains, climb mountains
Reflecting back on the experience 
Worrying about what may go wrong on the mountain
Reaching the summit and how it's changed her life
Understanding the risks at 22
Thoughts on letting her children climb Everest
Climbing Everest with her daughter in the future
Attempting to climb K2 and managing fear in remote, hostile environments
Encouraging bravery and courage in her children 
Climbing the Matterhorn in 2025 after 8 years off climbing 
Not knowing if she would still enjoy it
Taking the time to figure out what is next
How you can connect with Bonita
Final words of advice 
Put yourself out there and luck will meet you half way 
You have to show up
 
Social Media
Website: www.bonita-norris.com 
Linkedin: Bonita Norris

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.
Her adventures inspired her to found Rucksack Readers, a guidebook company that helps hikers navigate trails around the world. Over 25 years later, Jacquetta shares stories from her experiences—from hiking in the UK during Storm Amy, to trekking the Inca Trail, to exploring Antarctica—along with lessons on making mistakes, learning from them, and embracing challenges at any age.
In this episode, Jacquetta shares how stepping outside your everyday life can open doors to new passions, transform confidence, and even create a career doing what you love. She offers practical tips for hikers, insights into publishing, and encouragement for women ready to explore the world on their own terms.
This episode is for you if you:
Want inspiration to start a new adventure at any age
Dream of hiking, trekking, or exploring the outdoors
Are curious about publishing guidebooks and sharing your knowledge
Believe it's never too late to embrace challenges and grow
Ready to be inspired? Hit play and let Jacquetta take you on a journey of mountains, maps, and life-changing adventures.
***
 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 Jacquetta
Growing up in London and going to school there
Living all her adult life in Scotland 
Living in Edinburgh
Founding Rucksack Readers a guidebook company 
Not being sporty or into the great outdoors at a young age
Turning 50 and deciding to go and walk the West Highland Way with 4 female friends to celebrate 200 years of womanhood 
Feeling dissatisfied with the official guidebook
This frustration lay dormant for 18 months 
Heading off to climb Mt Kilimanjaro for the first time and why the altitude was a great leveller
How climbing Kilimanjaro gave her the self belief in order to make a career change 
Going from working in IT to starting a guidebook company 
The importance of pacing yourself and listening to your body
Building self belief on the mountain 
How only 9 out of the 16 made it to the summit
Feeling health, taking photos and enjoying the experience 
Doing something so far outside your normal everyday life and how it can make you think differently about life
Becoming a publisher and having the confidence to think you can write a guidebook after one experience
Deciding to do the Inca Trail in 2001 and the challenges involved in gathering the info for a guidebook 
Why would you not want the paper to be rainproof?
Hiking the Dales Way during Storm Amy
Creating little map booklets for hikers (waterproof)
Apps verses Guidebooks 
Planning a walk with ChatGPT
The structure of the guidebook
Mapping and keeping route information updated
Being a volunteer - on the Xtreme Everest Project  
Dealing with altitude sickness - keeping well hydrated and monitoring her heart 
Maintaining a base level of fitness…
Celebrating 25 years of Rucksack Readers
Writing about the mistakes made in publishing
Talking about failure and mistakes and the lessons made 
Visiting Antarctica and wanting to go sea kayaking and see the emperor penguins 
Dealing with the cold and the conditions on the ship 
How her hiking has changed now entering her 70s
The joy of being a publisher and being able to follow her passions
Future challenge and revisiting the Dales Way
Succession planning for Rucksack Readers
Having a year of consolidation and looking after the future
How to connect with Jacquetta and Rucksack Readers
Discount code for the listeners of the Tough Girl Podcast—use toughgirl for a 20% discount of all books 
Final words of advice for other women who want to go on more adventures and challenges around the world
Mistakes and being afraid of getting it wrong. 
Get out there, make the mistakes, and be sure to learn from them. 
 
Social Media
Website: rucsacs.com
use toughgirl for a 20% discount off books - valid until 20th January 2027
Instagram: @rucksack_readers
Facebook: Rucksack Readers

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.
In this episode, Sabrina reflects on her time at the UTMB, the challenges of race preparation, and the lessons learned when things don't go to plan. She also shares updates on her work with Black Trail Runners, supporting women and runners of the global majority, and gives a sneak peek into her new book, Start Where You Are: The Beginner's 5k Running Guide for Women.
Whether you're chasing your first 5k, dreaming of ultra distances, or passionate about creating inclusive running communities, Sabrina's insights, advice, and personal stories will inspire you to lace up and claim your mantle as a runner.
Listen to past episodes with Sabrina on the Tough Girl Podcast 
July 7th 2020 - Sabrina Pace-Humpreys - Ultra runner, going from Anxiety to Accomplishment - Running the MDS
August 30th - 2022 - Sabrina Pace-Humphreys - Co-founder of Black Trail Runners and running Britain's most brutal race 
***
 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 Sabrina Pace-Humphreys
Run coach, personal trainer and community builder 
Advocate for representation in running 
Mum of 4, grandmother of 3
3rd time on the Tough Girl Podcast!
Speaking with Sabrina on August 30th 2022
The final things we talked about - Back to the Trails, creating a vision board, wanting to participate in the UTMB race and wanting to write a 2nd book about running 
What's happened over the past few years
2023 Survivor! 
Not being able to hide being a hype woman! 
Why you will either love it or hate it
Being voted out in the 2nd week 
Why it was such a bizarre experience seeing herself
Having an episode of poor mental health after the show and feeling out of control
Using her voice to motivate a team
Coming out of the low moments and the connection to running, community and friendships 
Her go to tools
Update on Black Trail Runners
Running social runs with students of the global majority
Creating a sustainable charity and model
HERE FOR THE WOMEN'S RACE
Being involved in a steering committee to get more women in the trail running space 
Creating the black and gold t-shirt - "Here for the women's race"
Her journey to the UTMB
Running stones and collecting them 
UK race - Arc of Attrition and Ultra Trail Snowdonia
Applying via the ballot 
The planning and preparation for UTMB
B and C races, planning weekends in Snowdonia and France
Using an altitude chamber for training 
Booking accommodation for the UTMB a year in advance
Financial access to races 
£15,000 for races, accommodations, travel costs, gear, supplements etc
August on the start line of the UTMB
Working on a film to be released next year
Not wanting to let anyone down
Not liking the pre-race faff
Why it was different to what she thought it would be
The brutal conditions and being timed out 
Tweaking her calf the week before
The weather challenges and the impact on the racers
Not being able to get out of the slump
How the race made her question everything 
Being supported by her husband and friends
Battling cutoffs 
Not having it in her and the end of the race
Working on her running book!
New Book: Start Where You Are: The Beginner's 5k Running Guide for Women
How you can connect with Sabrina
Final words of advice and wisdom
You can do hard things 
Claiming the mantle - I am a runner
 
Social Media
Website: www.sabrinapacehumphreys.com
Instagram: @sabrunsmiles 
New book: Start Where You Are: The Beginner's 5k Running Guide for Women