Denise Leonard - The World's Toughest Row, 50 Days at Sea and Inspiring Women into Adventure

Denise is part of a team of women who have just successfully rowed 3000 miles, unsupported, across the Atlantic Ocean as part of the 'World's Toughest Row'. Rowing 12 hours a day for over 50 days, Denise drew on decades of experience from white water and sea kayaking, alongside years spent as an outdoor instructor.  Driven by a deep belief that adventure belongs to everyone, Denise champions the visibility of women in outdoor spaces. She's passionate about showing that ordinary women can achieve extraordinary things, and that authentic role models have the power to inspire the next generation of adventure-loving women. In this episode, Denise shares what it really takes to row across an ocean, from raising the funds and building the right team to coping with exhaustion, fear and the mental challenges of spending 50 days at sea. She opens up about the power of mindset, learning to be kinder to herself, and why focusing on what you can control can make all the difference in the toughest moments. Listen to this episode to discover how adventure can transform your perspective, why saying yes to opportunities can lead to extraordinary experiences, and why Denise believes that adventure truly is for everyone. ***  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 Denise Working as a Lecturer at the University of Wales, Trinity St Davids  Being based in Pembrokeshire in West Wales Growing up in the South of England in Wiltshire Her early years and not coming from an outdoorsy family Getting into slalom kayaking Her journey to becoming a lecturer Studying sports science at university  Moving from kayaking into rowing  After graduation and not knowing what she wanted to do  Working at the National Water Sports Centre Finding her community of people  Deciding to go traveling for the next few years Having an innate desire for freedom Being quite risk adverse  Struggling with predictability  Needing moments of real significant change in order to feel alive Saying yes to opportunities  Putting one foot in front of the other and seeing the positive in things Rowing across the Atlantic Ocean and where the idea came from Being inspired by Jasmine Harrison  Taking it from a dream/opportunity to making it happen Spending a year trying to get a crew together  Not being able to get people to commit Starting to ask people again in January 2022 Getting the crew together  Raising the funds to pay for the row  Why it was a 3.5 year process Working as a team and all bringing their best to the table Keeping motivated through the tough challenging moments Being able to rely on the team for support The start line and feeling a sense of relief When the nerves started to kick in a few days before setting off Journalling As the skipper feeling responsible for keeping the girls safe Starting the process of writing a book Not sleeping for 2 nights before the row Heading out in big conditions  The simplicity of surviving When the nerves disappeared  Why the row was the best form of CBD - Cognitive behavioural therapy  Being forced to confront her thought processes  Feeling so tired and physically exhausted  Not having the space for anything that drains energy Seeing the positives in the situation and asking for help  Learning acceptance while on the row  The challenges from week 6 Focusing on what you can control during the row  What is my attitude, how am I talking to myself Being kinder to myself  The team dynamics and how the tough situations were handled  Working with an emotional performance coach  Stop talking to my friend/yourself like that The power of self talk  Seeing land for the first time and getting to the end of the challenge  The final push at the end  Picturing the finish line in her mind  Being the first all welsh, women team to complete the row  Singing the national anthem on land after 50 days on sea  Adapting back to reality and getting back to 'normal' life  Wanting to leave a legacy How to connect  Merchedymor - Women/girls/sisters of the sea Final words of advice for other women who want to step outside their comfort zone Why it's about mindset   Social Media Website: www.merchedymor.wales  Instagram: @Merchedymor2025  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-leonard-21b35638