Kate Strong - 3x cycling world record holder, high performance coach & climate advocate. In June 2023, Kate will start a 3-month cycle (on a bamboo bike) around mainland Britain.

<p>Kate in her own words...</p> <p>"My name is Kate Strong and I don’t believe in living a compromised life. From an early age, I felt I was different. I was curiously questioning almost everything I did, and realised that living within society’s comfort zone doesn’t always create inspiring and extraordinary results.</p> <p>My mission is to inspire and empower people just like you to step up and achieve what you know intuitively that you know you want.</p> <p>Add clarity, direction, a sense of purpose and methods to maintain your desire to move forward to achieve and live your dreams.</p> <p>For over two decades, I tried to fit in. I put what other people expected of me ahead of what I truly wanted to do. I was not being entirely me – I was conforming and compromising.</p> <p>At university, I studied Engineering – to please my parents (I did enjoy the challenge of learning a new topic, but being an engineer was never my dream).</p> <p>After graduating, I went to Latin America. Yet, I eventually ‘returned to normal’ and started to ‘settle down’ – following the unspoken rules of society.</p> <p>I find it curious why most people wait until a ‘cliff edge moment’ before making significant changes. I was no different, waiting until after a dramatic break-up with my fiancé that left me financially in debt and emotionally distraught did I finally accept that things needed to change. I needed to change.</p> <p>It was time I started to live for me and feed what could be rather than resign to what is already. Far too many people are settling for below their potential, in a state of discomfort: Living for Friday afternoon and the next pay cheque. Life doesn’t have to be like this.</p> <p>Applying this philosophy, I took up running and became age-group World Triathlon Champion. I have been striving to stop reacting to circumstances and instead continue to consciously create a life that inspires me and others."</p> <p> </p> <p>New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t