Abi is a white, neurodivergent and fat writer, artist, cyclist and student nurse. She recently featured in Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling 2021 for her working promoting fat lib in cycling. Abigail was nominated for the 100 Women in Cycling by Chloe Bramwell who said: "Abigail shows that cycling is open to everyone. Not just only women, but LGBT women, too. Her work embracing body positivity has made me change my relationship with my own body. I make healthier choices for myself because I love my body rather than to punish it. I admire her vulnerability and strength in showing how she sees herself. I admire that she holds the cycling community to account by expecting accessibility for everyone. I admire her for showing that cycling is for us all." Abi is the co-author of her first book all about cycle touring 'Gears for Queers'. She lives on the Fife Coast with her partner Lea and cat Boba. She can normally be found riding her bike, cooking vegan feasts or obsessively playing The Sims! "I believe that if people see a diversity of bodies on bikes and trikes, more people will feel like cycling is for them. I feel so happy when we get messages on social media from people who have got on their bikes again after reading our book or blogs. In the future I'd love to organise a big fat cycle tour!" - Abi Melton 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. To find out more about supporting the Tough Girl Podcast and becoming a patron please visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Show Notes Who is Abi in her own words Here passions and interests Publishing her first book in June 2020 Being a 1st year student nurse What is neurodivergency Examples of neurodivergency and how it's impacted Abi throughout her life Challenges with communication Using masking as a technique to appear normal Her early childhood and growing up in Norfolk Being the eldest child Living by the coast Going to holiday camps and wanting to try everything available. Being an avid reader and wanting to be the hero of the story Wanting to be going out and having adventures Not having a lot of opportunities Her late teenage years and her early 20s Struggling with her mental health for 16 years onwards Going to Edinburgh University to study English Literature Why she stoped riding bikes Becoming more self conscious Not knowing how to travel or go on adventures Meeting Lea Woman on the Edge of Time: The classic feminist dystopian novel - By Marge Piercy Going on an accidental mini-break to Brighton Deciding to go on a cycle adventure in Europe Fears and concerns before heading out on the cycle adventure Feeling anxious about fitness levels Going with a partner and handling tough situations while on the road Magical moments while travelling and the places that stand out Being vegan and gluten free and trying to find food to eat Budgets and paying for the trip Having a supportive family Mental health while travelling Writing the book - "Gears for Queers" and how it came about Going on a 2nd cycling tour Planning their 3rd cycle tour Going back to university to study to become a nurse Following your passions and dreams Being featured in Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling 2021 Wanting to promote adventure for everyone Advice for women who want to go cycle touring Enjoying having a purpose for cycling Not cycling for fitness or weight loss How to connect with Abi Final words of advice Social Media Blog: https://gearsforqueers.squarespace.com Instagram: @gearsforqueers Facebook: @gearsforqueers Twitter: @gearsforqueers Book: Gear for Queers

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