Show notes
Natasha is a year-round wild swimmer, qualified Stand-Up Paddleboarding instructor, freelance travel writer, and outdoor adventurer with a deep love of water in all its forms. Based in Suffolk, she is also a volunteer for the Bluetits Chill Swimmers and an Ordnance Survey Champion. Natasha's journey into the outdoors began early, swimming in the sea as a child, but like many people, her connection to sport and adventure faded during her 20s and 30s. It wasn't until her 40s that she rediscovered the water, found her community, and stepped into a completely new chapter of adventure. In this episode, Natasha shares how she went from feeling like she wasn't "outdoorsy" to becoming immersed in wild swimming and paddle boarding, including getting involved with inclusive swimming communities, discovering cold water swimming, and building confidence in outdoor spaces. She opens up about being diagnosed as autistic in her 40s, and how understanding herself better helped her find her tribe and her confidence. We also talk about her progression into Stand-Up Paddleboarding, from early lockdown experiments to completing endurance challenges such as the Race to the Castle, and preparing for a 162-mile coast-to-coast SUP journey across England. Natasha shares what it's really like training around work and family life, the realities of cold water swimming, and why time on the water has become so important for her wellbeing. Alongside her adventures, Natasha is also the author of the upcoming guidebook Swimming Wild in London and South East England, featuring 100 incredible swimming spots across beaches, rivers, lakes, lidos, and hidden wild locations. Listen to this episode to hear how Natasha found confidence through cold water and community, why it's never too late to become an adventurer, and how simple steps—like saying yes and asking for help—can open the door to a whole new way of living. *** 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 Natasha 46 year old adventurer and Mum of three Passionate year round wild swimmer, outdoor adventurer, and freelance travel writer with a deep love of all things water Living in Suffolk Swimming in the sea from a young age Moving out to a small village into the countryside, which was 5 mins from the seaside Not being involved in sports or the outdoors in her 20s and 30s What changed in her 40s? Making new friends when your older Being shy when she was younger Discovering she was autistic about 5 years ago Finding the swimming and outdoorsy community Feeling like she has found her tribe Getting into paddle boarding during lockdown Being introduced into wild swimming but not really enjoying it at first Setting up a local group for The Bluetits Joining the Adventure Queens and attending a camp out Saying her adventure idea out loud for the first time Applying for the Adventure Queens Grant Wanting to paddle board in Finland and experience the endless summer Not having any idea on how to plan her adventure Working with Gee Jackson as her mentor Feeling overwhelmed by all the advice out there in relation to multi-way adventures Struggling to find advice about doing a multi-day adventure on SUP Planning to visit 4/5 islands and how plans changed over time Being worried about feeling lonely Not thinking she was an outdoorsy person The barriers for women to get into water sports Becoming an ambassador for This Girl Can, Suffolk Writing her first guide book about Wild Swimming - with Vertebrate Publishing Common misconceptions about swimming in London Why swimming in Canary Wharf is one of her favourite swim locations How it works with access rights for swimming in England The Outdoor Swimming Society The do's and don'ts of getting into water Why you always swim with a buddy Entering into different events Winter Swimming World Championships What it feels like to swim in cold water Deciding what challenge to do next Following adventurers and outdoorsy people on social media Doing the Race to the Castle - 25 mile paddleboarding race on the River Trent with a cut off time of 9 hours Winter training and fitting training into her life Working with an elite paddle board racer—Emily King Why it was about time on the water Using an ironing board instead of a standing desk The next adventure and paddle boarding coast to coast across England (162 miles over 9/10 days). Going from Liverpool to Yorkshire Being supported by RED Equipment Meeting up with Jo Moseley Fundraising for the Canal and River Trust How to connect with Natasha and follow along with her adventures Advice for other women who want to take their next step into adventure Just try it, and if you're unsure, ask for help Follow people and get inspired Social Media Website: www.natashasoneseditorial.com Instagram: @natashastarseeker Book: Swimming Wild in South East England. Over 100 of the best outdoor swimming spots in London, the Home Counties and the Isle of Wight