Paula McGuire – Stroke, Autism Diagnosis & Why She's Still Saying Yes to Adventure

In this Tough Girl Podcast EXTRA episode, we catch up with Paula "Must Try Harder" McGuire — author, speaker, triathlete, wing-walker, double TEDx speaker, mental health ambassador… and proudly, a trier. Based just outside Glasgow, Paula has been adventuring since 2015 and has built a reputation for trying something new every day — including completing 366 new experiences in 2020. But the years since we last spoke have brought extraordinary challenges. Paula shares openly about being diagnosed as autistic at 44, having a stroke at the end of 2021 and developing epilepsy, going through a divorce after 15 years of marriage, losing her home to a flood, and navigating post-stroke fatigue — all while spending six months in enforced van life. We talk about how adventure supported her through the hardest moments, how her neurodivergent brain fuels her love of planning and trying, and why you don't need to be the best at something to enjoy giving it a go. Paula also reflects on writing her book Adventures for Bored Adults (commissioned by Penguin), rediscovering her love of swimming, and learning acceptance in the face of uncertainty. Honest, funny and deeply human, this conversation is about resilience, identity, and continuing to say yes — even when life doesn't go to plan. ***  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 Paula Being based just outside of Glasgow Being adventuring since 2015 TGP Episode  Working as an electronic note taker and captioner for deaf people TGP Extra Episode  6 years since we last spoke  How things have changed over the past few years in quite negative ways before eventually turning to a positive thing  In 2020 trying something new every day 366 new things (leap year!) Starting off the year really positively  How it became an adventure in creativity Feeling exhausted after the year was over  What that the last few years have taught her  Figuring out her place in the world of adventure  Being ready to relax  Social media not coming naturally to her  Struggling with the negativity of social media  Paula has tried hard enough - Paula is done. Being diagnosed with Autism at 44 6 months of enforced van life (November 24 - May 25) At the end of 2021 having a stroke and developing epilepsy  Her husband leaving her after 15 years and going through a divorce  Losing her house after a flood  One thing after another  Feeling that the universe had turned against her Feeling very lucky Brain tumour?? Start to prepare for Paula last Christmas  Moving on with a stroke and the potential for more strokes in the future  How the adventures from before really supported her Reminding herself of things she achieved, things that she'd failed at and survived Adventure and acceptance  Continuing to do fun things    A to Z of Adventure Post stroke fatigue  Not sticking to things - buying all the gear Getting the most mental stimulation in the trying  Wanting to be the person who tries it all  Her love for swimming and going back to it again and again Her neurodivergent brain - the planning, the execution, the reflecting  Being butterfly minded  Why yo