Tough Girl Podcast

Helen Watson is a traveller, writer, and conservationist based in the Scottish Highlands. Born in Scotland and raised in Switzerland, she has always been drawn to adventures that are both physically and culturally challenging.
In 2009, shortly after completing her PhD, Helen and her husband Ed set off on an extraordinary bicycle journey from Scotland to China. Over the course of a year, they cycled 15,000 kilometres across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and China, following sections of the ancient Silk Road and relying on paper maps, curiosity, and the kindness of strangers.
The journey took them through countries including Syria, Iran, and the Central Asian 'Stans', where they experienced incredible hospitality and forged meaningful connections with people from vastly different cultures and backgrounds. The trip would later inspire Helen's first book, Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road, published in January 2026.
In this episode, Helen shares the spark behind the adventure, the logistics of planning a long-distance cycle journey, and the realities of life on the road. We discuss what it means to become comfortable with discomfort, the privileges and challenges of travelling as a woman, and how her experiences in Syria took on a new significance in the years that followed during the refugee crisis.
Helen also reflects on the importance of storytelling, why she felt compelled to write her book, and the lessons she has learned from a life shaped by travel, endurance, and human connection.
Listen to this episode to hear about cycling 15,000km along the Silk Road, the generosity of people across cultures, and why stepping just outside your comfort zone can lead to the most transformative 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
Being based in the Scotland Highlands
2009/2010 - cycling from Scotland to China
Being born in Scotland and moving to Switzerland at 5 years old
Going to St. Andrews for University 
Speaking; English, Swiss-German and German 
Growing up in Switzerland and spending time in the outdoors
Growing up with a lot of cultures 
Wanting to take on this adventure and where the spark came from
Being interested in long distance journeys
Being inspired by Ffyona Campbell 
Walking some long trails in New Zealand 
Meeting her husband Ed at University 
Wanting to do a longer trip after marriage 
Heading off after she fished her PhD
Studying genetics of the red deer in Scotland 
Applying the lessons learned from studying for her PhD to planning the cycle ride
Learning endurance from her PhD
The logistics of getting visa's
Not wanting to set a specific route in advance 
Using paper maps and making route decisions as they went 
Making some radical route decisions and deciding to go to Syria 
Why it was one of the best decisions she's made (apart from marrying Ed!)
The route - Scotland - Newcastle - Holland - Germany - France - Switzerland, Austria, Hungry, Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Greece, Syria, Turkey, Iran, the Stans…to China 
Spending 2 months cycling around China
The reality of what it was like being on the road
Loving the experience most of the time!
Meeting different people and experiencing hospitality in different countries
Getting to the deeper levels of connection with people 
Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable in awkward social situations 
The privilege of being a woman while travelling with her male partner 
Getting to experience the best of both worlds
What being a feminist means 
The amazing women who are fighting against oppression around the world 
Gender roles while travelling as a couple
Having a love for writing 
Keeping a journal to document the journey 
Feeling depressed with what happened in Syria
Doing volunteer work related to refugees 
Wanting to tell the story of the people she met
The Arab Spring and the refugee crises 
Community Refugee Sponsorship
The book being released in January 2026 - Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road
The point she wanted to make with the book
Wanting to go on the same trip again 
How to connect with Helen 
Final words of advice and wisdom for other women who want to take on an adventure or challenge 
Start with something that is a little bit outside your comfort zone and build up 
Break it down  
 
Social Media
Website: www.helenwatsonwriting.com 
Instagram: @helenwatsonwriter 
The Book: Tea and Grit: A Bicycle Journey along the Silk Road

Gaby Dijkstra is an outdoor enthusiast, solo traveller, and researcher with a passion for remote mountain environments. Whether climbing, skiing, or paragliding, she feels most at home in the mountains and has travelled to all seven continents, breaking barriers as a solo female adventurer.
After years of working in education and girl empowerment projects, Gaby became increasingly curious about the construct of gender and how societal expectations shape our behaviours, opportunities, and experiences. This curiosity ultimately led her to pursue a PhD at Rotterdam School of Management, designing her own research project to investigate the role of gender in extreme environments.
In 2024, Gaby spent 191 days in the Himalayas, including 132 days living on the mountains, conducting fieldwork during a full climbing season in Nepal. Her research explored the role of gender in the extreme mountaineering industry, particularly among the people who work and operate in these challenging environments.
Along the way, she joined a commercial expedition to climb Ama Dablam, visited the Khumbu Icefall and the Manaslu region, and was invited to take part in an exclusive winter expedition to Annapurna I. Through interviews, observations, and lived experience, Gaby gathered what she describes as "a mountain of data" on how gender norms continue to shape the culture of mountaineering.
In this episode, Gaby shares what she learned from her time in the Himalayas, why the traditional heroic narrative of mountaineering can be harmful to both men and women, and how understanding gender as a social construct can help us rethink leadership, decision-making, and belonging in extreme environments.
Listen to this episode to learn about conducting a PhD in one of the world's most challenging landscapes, the hidden gender dynamics within the mountaineering industry, and why talking to other women and pursuing your curiosities can open doors to entirely new 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
Living in Amsterdam, Netherlands
37, freelancer and researcher 
Having a background in sports management 
Using sports to help society tackle challenges
PhD at Rotterdam School of Management 
Designing her own study project - the role of gender in extreme environments 
Gender as a social construct 
How social constructs can limit us in who we are and how we behave
What is appropriate behaviour for societies gender expectations 
Study something that is interesting for you
Looking at gender and not understanding the construct 
Loving all types of outdoor sports. 
Being most happy when in the mountains 
Where are all the women - always being surrounded by men
Starting to work in leadership project. Girl empowerment projects.
Introducing girls to sports 
Getting frustrated and wanting to learn more about the construct of gender 
Wanting to know how this plays out in extreme environments 
If there are no obstacles - where would you like to go for your PhD?
Wanting to go back to the Himalayas 
191 days in the field, spending 132 days on a mountain
Conducting fieldwork in the mountains of Nepal for a full climbing season 
Looking at the role of gender in the climbing industry - especially for people working in the mountains
Studying only from the Nepal side
Taking part in a commercial climbing expedition - climbing Ama Dablam (6,812 metres (22,349 ft))
Doing a participant observation study - What it means to be a client in the industry 
Being invited to join an exclusive winter expedition - visiting Annapurna I
Visiting the Manaslu Region
Vistiting Mt. Everest and the Khumbu icefalls 
Speaking with women climbing and working 
The lessons and learning from the research - having "a mountain of data!"
Her PnD based on three articles 
The first article based on doing a discourse analysis based on 100 years of expedition reports - looking at gender norms and how they can be identified 
The 2nd and 3rd articles based on her experience 
Looking at the theory of sense making, decision making 
Not looking at the different between men and women
The heroic sense of mountaineering  - the summit above all else….
The traditional norms and how it can harm both men and women
Women being extra tough on other women
How to connect with Gaby to find out more about her work 
Wanting to be outside rather than on social media
Words of advice for other women who want to purse their interests 
Talk to other women 
 
Social Media
Website: www.sportsleadership.nl 
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gabydijkstra

Holly Budge is a global keynote speaker on risk, innovation, and human potential, operating at the intersection of conservation, science, and bold ideas. As an Everest summiteer and the first woman to skydive Everest, she now focuses less on surviving extremes and more on solving the complex conservation challenges shaping our future. 
As founder of international NGO How Many Elephants and World Female Ranger Week, Holly explores how nature, technology, and innovation can work together to design smarter systems, from using bees as bio-engineers to reduce human-elephant conflict in Africa, to empowering women as front-line wildlife rangers. Her work has reached over 500 million people globally, been featured in Forbes, and praised by Sir David Attenborough.
In this episode, Holly shares powerful insights from her journey between extreme adventure and global conservation work, including how her definition of risk and purpose has evolved over time.
We dive into the real-world impact of wildlife conservation projects, from elephant corridors and bee-based deterrents to the rise of female ranger teams protecting some of the world's most vulnerable ecosystems.
Listen to this episode to hear how adventure can become a force for global change, why women are reshaping the future of conservation, and what it takes to turn bold ideas into real-world impact at scale.
***
 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 Holly
Being an adventurer and passionate conservationist 
Founder of How Many Elephants, Wildlife Positive Travel and World Female Ranger Week
First speaking to Holly March 26th 2019 on the Tough Girl Podcast  
Recap on what was discussed on that episode 
Deciding to move to New Zealand in 2019
Training for the Coast to Coast Race 
Learning how to kayak especially for this race 
Getting over her fear of fast moving water
Doing a training course and getting to a Grade 2 whitewater certification
Doing the challenge solo and being supported by her mum at the checkpoints
Working on her charity - How Many Elephants 
How have things changed for the elephants over the years 
How poaching numbers have come down 
Human elephant conflict and how it has increased over the years
Partnering with an NGO in Tanzania 
Elephants being scared off bees and creating elephant corridors 
Dr Lucy King 
Why it works differently in Asia 
How her definition of adventure has changed over the years
Heading out with armed rangers
Creating world female ranger week in 2021 and how it's gotten bigger and bigger every year
Reaching over 500 million people!!
The importance of women in these roles
Why it matters that women are involved 
The Black Mambas - the all female anti -poaching team 
Women are proving to be way less corruptible than men
June 23rd - 30th - world female ranger week - same week - every year
How it has evolved to - Women in conservative 
Amanda Dungeon - Ambassador - world female ranger week
Listen to Amanda on the Tough Girl Podcast
The goal of getting the untold stories out there
Connecting donors and their money to the right projects 
Conservation without funding is just conversation 
Needing to be able to track and measure the money and the impact
Making her money via speaking events at corporates and conferences 
Looking at sustainable tourism - with Wildlife Positive Travel 
Why every year is different
Moving into a camper van and planning to drive to New Zealand
How does it work with her husband?
Training for the Montane Arctic Spine Race (290 miles) 
Cold weather experience and training 
Training with Chat GBP
How to connect with Holly on social media
Putting herself into more uncomfortable situations
Final words of advice and wisdom for other women who want to get outside their comfort zone
Think Tall - Start Small
Get prepared 
Win or Learn
Smile through the pain
A positive mindset is a resilient mindset
 
Social Media
Holly Budge
Website: www.hollybudge.com
Instagram: @hollybudge
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hollybudge

Wildlife Positive Travel
Website: www.wildlifepositivetravel.com
Instagram: @wildlifepositivetravel
How Many Elephants
Website: howmanyelephants.org
Instagram: @howmanyelephants
World Female Ranger Week
Website: www.worldfemalerangerweek.org
Instagram: @worldfemalerangerweek

Devin Brown is a Minneapolis-based paddler and founder of Sovereign Waters, an emerging organisation focused on connection, access, and purpose through time spent on the water.
In 2024, Devin set out on an ambitious source-to-sea journey along the Mississippi River, paddling 1,025 miles before high water forced an early end to the expedition. What remained was not failure, but a powerful experience of resilience, learning, and deep connection to the river and herself.
Her journey into paddling began long before that expedition, rooted in childhood summer camps, early experiences on the water, and a growing understanding of how time in nature supports her mental health. Over the years, she developed her skills step by step, eventually building the confidence to attempt one of North America's great river journeys.
In this episode, Devin shares the realities of endurance paddling, from long days in the rain and logistical challenges on the Mississippi to moments of fear, uncertainty, and unexpected support from "river angels" along the way. She also opens up about feeling like one of the only women on the water, and why creating more inclusive access to paddling has become central to her mission.
We explore the founding of Sovereign Waters, her vision for helping more people connect with rivers in ways that feel safe and empowering, and why building community around water is essential for both wellbeing and environmental connection.
Listen to this episode to hear what it really takes to learn endurance one stroke at a time, why connection to rivers can be life-changing, and how one woman is working to bring more people—especially women—into the world of paddling and wild water.
***
 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 Devin
Living in Minneapolis in Minnesota 
Being a passionate paddler and loving spending time on the water
Spending her early years going to summer camps 
Learning that kayaking was essential for her mental health 
Moving to the twin cities 
Sending out on her long term goal of paddling the Mississippi River
The freedom on being on the river and the river angels 
Learning to paddle at a young age 
Frost Valley YMCA
Her love for nature and developing independence 
Being a counsellor in training and becoming a trip leader 
Making connections with local organisations
Wanting to connect people to the Mississippi River
Founding Sovereign Waters to get more people on the water in ways that feel comfortable for them 
The war on water in Minnesota
Needing people to fall in love with the natural world
The story of getting to the start line of paddling the Mississippi River
Thinking more and more about the Mississippi River
Source to Sea and why it was going to be her one day
Making a career change to a massage therapist
Being supported by her community
Not being able to afford to go paddling
Getting back to the river during covid
Mississippi River Paddle Share 
Feeling like the only women paddler
Building up her endurance with paddling 
Working with a personal trainer
The logistics of paddling the river
Having 55 days for the paddle
Feeling unsafe while on the river
River angels
Being on the water day after day and why it was incredible, but also frightening and traumatising 
Planning to paddle again in 2028 - depending on the political climate
The film - Mother River 
Introducing paddling to her son
The journey down the Mississippi River
Spending the first 3 weeks paddling in the rain
Knowing it was time to stop paddling 
Following her gut instinct
Not having classic adventure blues
Plan for time after adventure to reflect
How people can connect online 
Final words of advice (apart from just do it!)
Connect with other women who want to get dirty, grungy and empowered to do things outside 
Building sisterhoods around nature 
Get out there - make a plan and ask people to go with you
Make your spirit happy 
 
Social Media
Website: sovereignwaters.org 
Instagram: @afrodiskayak

Gina Johansen is a Swedish-born endurance athlete, adventurer, and a track work rider based in Sydney and Norway. She is currently preparing for a world record attempt to become the fastest woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole in 2026. 

She grew up on a horse farm in Sweden, where her love for horses and the outdoors began early. Gina spent eight years riding trackwork for leading Thoroughbred racing stables in Australia and is now back riding racehorses in Sydney alongside her polar training. 

Her previous expeditions include becoming the first woman to cross Lake Baikal in Siberia solo by foot, skiing solo from North Cape to Jäckvik, crossing Svalbard on skis, cycling 2700km from Sydney to Cairns, and hiking the full length of Norway with her partner and their dog. She also spent eight years living near North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe, training in extreme Arctic conditions. 

Through her journey, Gina hopes to inspire others—especially women—to push beyond their limits, take on big challenges, and discover what they're truly capable of.
***
 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
From Sweden originally 
Being based in Northern Norway (North Cape) for the past 8 years before moving to Sydney in December 2025
Riding racehorse in the early morning and training for her South Pole Expedition in the afternoon 
Her goal - to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole, attempting to break the women's speed record
Gina shared her story on the Tough Girl Podcast - April 28th 2020 - Walking 3,000km the length of Norway, plus a solo crossing of Lake Baikal in Siberia
You can listen to that episode HERE 
What's been going on in the past 6 years 
Living in remote mountain areas doing a lot of skiing, hiking, hunting and dealing with a lot of injuries 
Trying to work on the financials to pay for the expedition 
Doing training expeditions and building up her skills 
After the Lake Baikal expedition in 2019 - starting to think about the next big challenge 
Always wanting to go to Antarctica and the challenges of doing a solo expedition 
Wanting a real test - both physically and mentally 
The last 4 years being focused on the expedition 
Dealing with injuries and set backs along the way
Struggling to get the financial support to make it possible
US$95,000 plus costs for equipment and flights 
Needing to be ready fitness wise and mentally 
What the planning looks like to plan an expedition of this size
Trying not to get overwhelmed with the size of the challenge
Taking some time out - to reset 
Dealing with two stress fractures 
Wanting to understand why she was getting stress fractures 
Doing the rehab and keeping fit 
Having smaller projects to focus on and having things to look forward to
Working with a coach
Starting at 5am and riding horse for 4.5 hrs
Trying to eat a lot and not being afraid of eating fast carbs
Handling set backs 
Working with a physio 
Focusing on staying positive
Doing a crossing of Svalbard from East to West with a team of women
Being in an environment with polar bears - needing to take on night watch shifts to keep the camp safe from polar bears 
Mentally preparation before the challenge 
Knowing it will hard and lonely 
Also understanding it will be very tough 
Focusing on the goal and being so motivated to reach it
Discipline 
The pain of disciple is lighter than the pain of regret
The importance of socialising with friends - but organising this around training 
If you want to achieve anything, you've got to put in the work
Showing up even when you don't feel like it
Needing to make the final payment by August, and send the equipment over in September 
Trying to get sponsorship from corporate and individuals 
Meeting the right people 
How to connect with Gina
Final words of advice for women who want to step outside their comfort zone
When things go wrong, that is when the best stories are created! 
 
Social Media
Website: www.ginajohansen.com
Instagram: @Ginajohansen91 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ginajohansen91