Show notes
Stephanie Ho is a 24-year-old adventurer, endurance athlete, and exercise physiologist based on the Gold Coast, Australia. From rock climbing and ocean swimming to triathlons and mountain expeditions, Stephanie has always chased the outdoors — but her biggest goals lie in the polar regions. In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, Stephanie shares her journey from discovering hiking and camping as a teenager to trekking Everest Base Camp, running 43km a day for a week, and skiing 540km across Greenland. She opens up about the mental and physical challenges of polar expeditions, the lessons she's learned in extreme environments, and what it takes to keep motivation alive when the goal seems impossible. Stephanie is now preparing for a solo 1,200km expedition to the South Pole in 2026 — hauling a 100kg sled through temperatures as low as -50°C — a feat that, if successful, will make her the first Australian woman to achieve it. Along the way, she talks logistics, training, nutrition, dealing with fears and unsolicited advice, and the importance of listening to your body while chasing what sets your soul on fire. This conversation is a masterclass in mental toughness, gratitude, and stepping beyond your comfort zone. Stephanie's story will inspire you to dream big, push limits, and embrace adventure — no matter your age or background. New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time). Support the Tough Girl mission via Patreon: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast *** Show notes Who is Steph Being based on the Gold Coast, Australia 24 years old Working as an exercise physiologist - both in the office and in a clinical setting Her love for any activity that is outdoors from rock climbing to hiking, cycling, ocean swimming, skiing and doing triathlons Her main goal is to train for big skiing expeditions and big mountain expeditions Her early memories and not being encouraged to be that active Growing up as an only child Wanting to do more running How things changed at 14 and going camping for the first time in her life Finding friends who wanted to go hiking and camping Heading over to Nepal to do the Everest base camp after graduating high school Wanting to spend some time alone reflecting on the past 18 years Having a good reset before starting university Why her trip to Nepal was so formative Trekking to Everest Base camp in Winter Getting up to 5,500 metres Climbing Kala Patthar, Nepal Enjoying being in the cold, remote environment Knowing that her next big adventure was going to be Antarctica Starting to plan her training trips to Norway and Greenland Having everything put on hold until 2023 Doing her Polar Training course in Norway Skiing across Greenland in 2023 Doing more solo expeditions in the polar regions Planning to head to the South Pole at the end of 2026 Polar training and the lessons learned Being part of a team to do the Greenland crossing in May 2023 30 days on the ice - starting on the west coast and heading to the East coast Learning how to cope in the cold and the wind Dealing with polar thigh Why the journey has been rewarding and feeling a lot of pride with what's been achieved. Thinking about what's next and struggling to be satisfied with the achievements Running for 43k a day for 7 days… Learning how to suffer mentally while out on the ice Staying positive and the other lessons learned to help mentally Practicing gratitude and being grateful for where she it Keeping the motivation alive The logistics and finances to pay for the expedition Working with ALE Training and what that looks like Recovery and paying more attention to nutrition Being vegetation, but eating some white meat, such as chicken and fish Having cold showers Concerns and fears to mange before the trip Managing unsolicited opinions and advice How to connect with Stephanie Advice to motivate and inspire other women to step outside their comfort zone Don't be afraid of what other people might think of you. Listening to your body and what you want to do Do something that sets your soul on fire Social Media Website: solosouth.com.au