Kate in her own words... "My name is Kate Strong and I don’t believe in living a compromised life. From an early age, I felt I was different. I was curiously questioning almost everything I did, and realised that living within society’s comfort zone doesn’t always create inspiring and extraordinary results. My mission is to inspire and empower people just like you to step up and achieve what you know intuitively that you know you want. Add clarity, direction, a sense of purpose and methods to maintain your desire to move forward to achieve and live your dreams. For over two decades, I tried to fit in. I put what other people expected of me ahead of what I truly wanted to do. I was not being entirely me – I was conforming and compromising. At university, I studied Engineering – to please my parents (I did enjoy the challenge of learning a new topic, but being an engineer was never my dream). After graduating, I went to Latin America. Yet, I eventually ‘returned to normal’ and started to ‘settle down’ – following the unspoken rules of society. I find it curious why most people wait until a ‘cliff edge moment’ before making significant changes. I was no different, waiting until after a dramatic break-up with my fiancé that left me financially in debt and emotionally distraught did I finally accept that things needed to change. I needed to change. It was time I started to live for me and feed what could be rather than resign to what is already. Far too many people are settling for below their potential, in a state of discomfort: Living for Friday afternoon and the next pay cheque. Life doesn’t have to be like this. Applying this philosophy, I took up running and became age-group World Triathlon Champion. I have been striving to stop reacting to circumstances and instead continue to consciously create a life that inspires me and others."   New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Subscribe so you don’t miss out.  Support the Tough Girl mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media - especially in relation to adventure and physical challenge by signing up as a patron. www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you.    Show Notes Who is Kate Strong Her early years and growing up in Wales Loving sport from a young age Not loving the competitive side of sport Wanting to connect with herself and nature through sport Studying engineering in France for 5 years Having a life while studying  Her first big physical challenge Learning lessons from cycling to the Alps Treating physical challenges with respect Going through an emotional breakup  Getting into triathlon while being based in Australia Not wanting to cap her potential   Wanting to be number one in the world Needing a big goal  Getting started with training for a triathlon Just wanting to spend time outside and do something physical Overcoming her own excuses  Letting herself have the permission to put herself first  Starting to add some structure to her training Healing from the breakup and moving on  Why she’s still on the healing journey  Learning to use her pain as a strength  Using triathlon as a distraction Becoming age group world champion in 14 months  Selling the business and moving back to UK in 2014 Starting at zero  Working on her mindset and belief in herself Racing at the world championships in China  Figuring out ways to make it happen Focusing on her future and healing  Focus on the WHY and the HOW will sort itself out Showing up everyday regardless of what was happening in her life Being supported by her local community who crowdfunded for her Race day and saying her intentions to come first in the race Focusing on doing her best in the current moment Having an attitude of gratitude  Being vegan and plant based Deciding to stop eating dairy and the impact it had on her performance after 5 days What a typical day of eating looks like Tour de Wales and Challenge 3000 Getting injured during Tour de Wales and having