Nicola Hardy worked in IT in South Yorkshire for a decade before diving into freelance life as an adventurer and outdoor writer in 2019. She began by climbing all 282 of Scotland's Munros and - after her plans to hike 3000km in New Zealand were scuppered by Covid - she continued adventuring closer to home.    In 2020 she walked 330km from her birthplace in Sheffield to her new home in Cockermouth, Cumbria, journeying on foot across three national parks; and in 2021 she climbed all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District over seven long weekends, a quirky book-by-book peak-bagging adventure.   Nic in her own words:   “I'm basically half IT organised spreadsheet nerd and half outdoor adventure loving hiker. I've taken a series of steps over the last 5 years to make my life as outdoorsy and adventurous as possible. I quit my job and sold my house in April 2019 and had 6 months of Scottish hill walking adventure, since then I've dabbled in route writing, gear reviewing, festival speaking, outdoor magazine/website writing whilst spending as much time outdoors around all that as I can.    I also now work a 2-day a week job to keep regular income coming in whilst doing my freelance work and adventuring around that. Flipping the 5-day working week on its head and ensuring my love for the outdoors doesn't become stressful due to the need to focus constantly on monetising it.”   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7am UK time - Make sure you hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out.    The Tough Girl Podcast is being sponsored throughout March by Inov-8 supporting the #MarchDailyMile Challenge.   If you’re interested in Inov-8 products send me a DM – I have a special discount code for you!!   Show Notes Who is Nicola Hardy? Getting into the outdoors 5 years ago Being inspired by her parents to be active Growing up in Sheffield Falling in and out of love with running Reaching her early 30s in a senior management role Living to work  Making changes to her life in 2016 Planning some walks in the Peak District Spending more time in the outdoors in 2017 Wanting to go higher, further and to really challenge herself Making a commitment to spending time outdoors Deciding to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro and getting a team together  Having 100 followers on Instagram Meeting her partner James though an IG meet up Peak Bagging and getting to explore more of the Lake District Enjoying the planning of routes Wanting to do more but being held back by work commitments Making big changes to her life Selling her house and quitting her job Wanting to make a full time living from Adventure How she approached the first few months Planning to hike all 282 munros in Scotland in a 6 months period Wanting to try a thru-hike Not looking after herself when it came to nutrition Wanting to have a healthy work life balance  Going tunnel vision on a task Wanting to leave a legacy and to show people they can make brave choices Connecting with adventurers through instagram  Getting into volunteering  Walking home 2020 Settling in the Lake District 2020 and working with Komoot Working 2 days per week and having 5 days off to adventure  Creating a life that works for her Talking through the planning process of turning an idea into reality Starting with maps and picking something which is a bit quirky Using public transport to get around all the Wainwrights in the Lake District. Nutrient and current diet Making sure to fuel adequately during hikes Maintaining fitness and what training looks like Magical moments out in the mountains Getting nervous about parking Working as an ambassador for Inov-8 Inov-8 creating gear for the fast and light, hiker market Super light hiking boot - ROCFLY G 390 - World’s first hiking boot with Graphene foam. 390g My next challenge… Advice and top tips for other women who want to get into the mountains  The benefits of spending time with other people who have more experience  Trying new things and figuring