Holly Budge: From Extreme Adventure to Protecting Elephants and Empowering Women Rangers

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

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 Havin

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

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: Mo

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