In her words:

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We live in a world in which adventure and men dominate exploration, in a way adventure is almost encouraged amongst men, whereas it is the opposite for women. Women are often viewed as less capable at endurance or adventure challenges and I hope (if possible) to dispel those ideas. 

​Over the past 3 years I've spent 96 days on the Atlantic Ocean, 13 days on a Belgium cargo ship deported into Canada, 3 weeks walking across Sri Lanka, 6 weeks marooned on a desert Island in South America, 7 days running 7 marathons in 7 different countries and 40 days back on the Atlantic Ocean getting TWO WORLD RECORDS (and closing the chapter on ocean rowing, well…for now). I’m also spending this January (2017) and February sailing across the Atlantic as part of the support and rescue yacht for this year’s ocean rower.

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Phew, now that’s out of the way.

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I think it would be fair to say I haven’t always been like this. Three years ago life was passing me by; I was following the standard path that every 23 year old is programmed to do. I was finishing university, and staring blankly and rather despairingly at what my chosen lifelong ‘normal’ would be. The problem was I didn't feel passionately about any of it. How was I meant to commit the best part of day, week and probably my life to something that inspired me as much as watching magnolia paint dry? In truth, I envy people that have always known what they wanted to do. I have friends that have always 'known' they want to be Doctor or a Lawyer, and that is not something to turn your nose up at. But what happens when the thing *you* want to do most, the thing that makes you excited and inspired to get up in the morning is not something that is deemed normal or even acceptable, and in some peoples opinion just downright stupid. 

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I can still to this day remember HUGE 20ft waves rolling around the sides of my 7-metre rowing boat, being thousands of miles away from land and home- yet absolutely and unequivocally loving it. For the first time in my life I felt I had tapped into a part of the real me, and ever since, no matter what part of the world I am in, I am never happier or more content then when I’m pushing myself both physically and mentally and stripped of all 21st century commodities. I don’t know why I was born this way, friends would always describe me as having some sort of a screw loose but pushing my mind and body to the extreme, placing myself in unknown places and situations is where I get a kick out of life.

I have spent the past 2 years fighting this, working in 'the city', pleasing my parents and trying to tell myself every single excuse under the sun as to why I shouldn’t follow my dreams (trust me there is a million I can roll off). But the truth is if I don’t, then I'd by lying to myself, and I’m no longer prepared to do that.

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Growing up, I can remember watching the likes of Bruce Parry, Bear Grylls, Ray Mears (to name a few) and I loved it- but why is there no women out there? I hope to show that women can be just as strong, just as independent and push their limits too- sometimes further then you or themselves can ever imagine. When I look at female role models in the media today- sadly I think the Kardashians would take the top spot. We need positive role models for young people, and I hope to be that person.