Naomi Rumble: Leading by Example – Overcoming Barriers and Redefining What an Athlete Looks Like

Tough Girl Podcast

In this inspiring episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Naomi Rumble, a passionate triathlete, dedicated swimming coach, and advocate for breaking down barriers in sport. By day, Naomi works as a senior market researcher in London, but outside of her 9-to-5, she’s fully immersed in the world of swimming, cycling, and running.

While sport has always been a part of Naomi’s life—from childhood swimming lessons and taekwondo to dabbling in netball, boxing, and archery—her relationship with consistent training truly solidified during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a challenge to cycle from London to Brighton evolved into a love for endurance sports and, eventually, the bold decision to pursue triathlons.

Naomi shares her journey of overcoming self-doubt, learning to embrace running despite initial resistance, and finding strength through community and connection. As the first sponsored triathlete for Fund Her Tri UK, she’s not only pushing her own boundaries but also paving the way for others to step into the world of triathlons with confidence.

From cold-water swims and marathon struggles to managing self-talk and celebrating small wins, Naomi’s story is a testament to perseverance, courage, and the power of showing up for yourself.

Tune in as Naomi opens up about her experiences, shares invaluable lessons learned along the way, and offers advice to anyone looking to start their own sporting journey. This episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and actionable takeaways—you won’t want to miss it!

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Show notes

• Who is Naomi
• Working in market research as a 9-5 job
• Supporting running and cycling clubs
• Teaching swimming twice a week
• Growing up in London as a city girl
• Being in sports from a young age
• Starting swimming at age 4
• Doing taekwondo until 10 years old
• Trying to figure out what she likes; netball, basketball, shot-put, discus, boxing, archery, scouts.
• Never being fully consistent with sports all the way through
• Being willing to try new things and wanting to have new challenges
• Role models and the women who have inspired her
• Leaving university and starting work and how sport drifted off
• Not liking running
• How things changed during covid
• Cycling from London to Brighton
• Getting involved in sport in a more regular way
• How her view expanded on what’s possible
• Having the confidence and self belief to sign up to new challenges
• Being inspired to sing up for a Triathlon
• Women of Colour Cycling Collective
• Meeting Bianca Fernandez-Clark @biancatriathlon
• Fund Her Tri UK
• Becoming the first sponsored triathlete for Fund Her Trip UK
• Working towards a full distance triathlon
• How training took a toll on her body
• Needing to rest more and eat more protein
• The discipline needed to do the training
• The importance of discipline and dedication
• Cold water swimming/open water swimming
• Not liking the cold
• What happens when things fall apart and everything goes wrong
• Needing to stop in the water and just breathe
• Concerns and fears before taking up triathlon
• Not being a runner and not liking running
• Not calling herself a runner and finding running difficult
• Not being a fast runner
• Struggling with the breathing and overheating
• Jeffing (run/walk/run)
• Running the London marathon and what the experience was like
• How new opportunities can change your thinking
• Wanting to do an ironman
• Persevering though the tough moments
• Changing her tactics
• What her self talk looks like
• Managing negative thoughts
• The power of reflecting back
• Being her own worst critic
• Learning to celebrate the small wins
• Goals for 2025
• Team Outlaw
• Fitting in exercise and training
• Turning training into social events
• How to connect with Naomi
• Final words of advice
• Find your group and your community
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help
• Figure out what works best for you.

Social Media

Instagram @nay.aminah