Jenn Phillips - From Medical Menopause to Trail Leader: One Woman's Journey to Outdoor Empowerment

Jenn is a long-distance walker, community leader, and passionate advocate for women's wellbeing in the outdoors — especially during menopause. From battling endometriosis, PCOS, and the trauma of an early medical menopause in her 20s, she was once told she couldn't live the active, adventurous life she craved. She's spent the last few years since proving otherwise — one footstep at a time. What began as a personal outlet for healing has evolved into something much bigger: being able to connect women to their strength through hiking, movement, and community. Whether she's leading local walks, multi-day hikes, backpacking or pushing her own limits, she walks with the intention that creating space for people to feel heard, safe and be around nature is of the upmost importance. A qualified lowland leader, speaker, and founder of a thriving women's walking community in Kent, she brings insight, humour, and unflinching honesty to conversations about menopause, mental health, leadership, and what it means to feel powerful in your body again — especially when the world told you not to try. Through her trail stories — from ultra hikes to quiet woodland days — she shows that adventure isn't about speed or summits. It's simply about showing up. 🎙️ 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 Jenn and running MJ Outdoor Adventures  Her aim to get everyone outdoors, regardless of what stage of life people are at  Her early years and not being sporty or outdoorsy  Getting into fitness in her mid to late 20s Going through an early menopause in her early 20s Gaining weight very quickly  Feeling very uncomfortable in her own body Starting walking and moving into swimming and yoga Getting into hiking and how her passion came alive  Currently 39 years old Talking about perimenopause and menopause  Reflecting back on what happened 20 years ago  Only hearing from doctors, not hearing other voices or having other support available.  Not having a clue what was happening  Discovering hiking and her hiking journey  Shifting the weight and starting to get more energy once she started walking  Signing up for ultra challenges  Adapting gear to make it work for her Lowland Leaders  Taking a leap of faith and quitting her day job  3 months into the adventure  Working in retail and making the transition  Setting up her first walking group Women's Wellness Walks  The power of women sharing their stories  Peri-menopause - and how it's starting earlier and earlier  51 symptoms of menopause…  Vitamin D and bone density loss What can women do, to manage the symptoms of peri-menopause  Strong not skinny and the importance of keeping mobile  Mental health and balancing hormones How the outdoors have helped Solo hiking and the power of spending time alone in the Highlands of Scotland  Isle of Wright Ultra - 100km  Wanting to prove to everyone that she could do it Achieving 75km and not hitting the 100km Having to shift her mindset  Learning grace for herself  Practicing mindfulness on the trail  Saxon Shore Way, Kent The power of nature Walking as part of a group  Community and friendships  Learning how to be in the outdoors  How it helps to build confidence  Meeting Mike! The W trail in Patagonia (Feb 2026)  The Greensand Way  Working as an Ordnance Survey Champion  North Down's Way Ambassadors  The challenges of wailing in February in the UK Fast packing and going from hotel to hotel, or from B&B to B&B Doing what works for you The stats from the North Down's Way (National Trail UK)  Being a woman in the outdoors industry  How to connect with Jenn and sign up for her walks  Final words of advice for other women who want to get outside more  Finding your tribe and the right footwear!!    Social Media Website: www.mjoutdooradventures.co.uk Instagram: @mjoutdooradventures