Alexandra Garcia: Why Difficult Pursuits Matter — Resilience, Running & the Mountains

Alexandra Garcia's journey into the outdoors began in adulthood, after relocating from Puerto Rico to Virginia, USA. What started as a personal reconnection with nature quickly turned into a deep passion for endurance challenges that test both body and mind.    Since climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2017 and completing the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in 2018, Alex has pursued adventures that push her limits — including backpacking rugged trails in Puerto Rico and continuously seeking what she calls "difficult pursuits."   Now based in Western North Carolina near Pisgah National Forest, Alex is not only an outdoor athlete and writer but also a changemaker. She co-founded the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation to increase accessibility and gender equity in mountain sports, helping women and girls around the world reach new heights — literally.   In 2025, Alex will travel to France to climb Mt. Blanc, and she's also training for a Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt on a challenging trail route.    Whether she's writing, running, or leading with purpose, Alexandra is passionate about personal growth, emotional resilience, and helping others find the courage to take on their own version of hard.   ***  Catch the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, dropping every Tuesday at 7 am UK time! Don't forget to subscribe so you won't miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women.    Want to play a part in uplifting female representation in the media? Support the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon! Your generosity helps shine a spotlight on female role models in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Join us in making a positive impact by visiting www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.    Thank you for your amazing support!   ***   Show notes Who is Alex Growing up in Porto Ricco - a small island in the Caribbean  Her childhood and early years  Spending time in nature from a young age Living in Western Northern Carolina, USA Spending time around the ocean  Swimming and respecting the water Her parents farm  Hiking with her family 2017 and deciding to climb Mt Kilimanjaro Looking for the next thing to work towards Pushing herself to achieve Difficult pursuits of the year Training physically and mentally for the challenge 2018 and doing the Grand Canyon - Rim to Rim Challenge  Keeping herself learning and engaged and wanting the challenges to be fun  Running…. Learning as she goes The importance of training Planning Approach Thinking of her own ideas for Difficult Pursuits Focusing on challenges in Porto Ricco  35 miles - Backpacking trail in Porto Ricco The power of visualisation The power of doing hard things Going through hard times Managing emotions while on challenges Letting emotions out and acknowledging them  Journaling and writing for outdoor magazines in the US The women who inspire Alex Being inspired by Sunny Stroeer  Co founding the AWE Summit Scholarship Foundation  Their mission to increase accessibility for women and girls and for gender equality in the mountains Offering scholarships to 25 women to climb mountains around the world  Her difficult pursuit in 2025 Heading to France in July and wanting to climb Mt Blanc Wanting to set a Fastest Known Time (FKT)  How to connect and support Alex Final words of advice for other women who want to take on difficult pursuits Find a community of people or women who can support your goals over a period of time.  The advice of 'just do it'  Choosing what is difficult for you     Social Media   Website www.trailrunningpuertorico.com    Instagram @alexandramariagarcia_