Welcome to Strong Girl Talk, where we dive into the latest in sports science, performance, and well-being—all with a focus on women and girls in sport. This week Sasha and Molly talk about all the takeaways from last week’s Female Athlete Conference.
Before we dive in, do us a huge favor and make sure you give the podcast 5 stars and click follow:
.
Sports-ish Highlights!
NY Liberty officially became the highest valued women's sports team in history at $450 million, while a Deloitte report projects that women's global sports revenues will reach $2.35 billion in 2025. That’s a 300% growth in global revenues from women's sports in just three years, according to the report. They also noted that 99% of brand decision-makers saying they have increased investments in women's sports over the past five years (which Molly is dubious about!)
The number of women’s sports bars in the US is expected to quadruple this year! The OG, The Sports Bra in Portland is set to open for more locations. Time to buy in? And at the bars, it’s easier to watch women’s sports: co-founded by Whoopi Goldberg, the All Women's Sports Network debuted a 24/7 streaming channel across UK, US, Canada, and Nordic markets on Pluto TV.
World Boxing has introduced sex screening for all athletes. Their May 30th statement, which first named a specific individual has been updated, along with an apology for naming this particular athlete. This sex screening differs from World Athletics and requires all athletes, regardless of sex or gender, to comply with this screening.
The French Open wrapped up with two hard-fought, electric finals—on both the women’s and men’s sides. The women’s final between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff was a showcase of power, grit, and world-class tennis. But here’s the thing: the only women’s match scheduled even remotely during prime time was the final. Despite the growing talent, audience interest, and equity conversations post-Paris 2024, the scheduling and coverage still reflect a bias.
What a weekend in Leogang for the UCI Women’s Mountain Bike! Puck Pieterse was unstoppable, taking dominant solo wins in both the XCC (Short Track) and XCO (Olympic) events—cementing her return to top form. But the overall XCO standings are still led by New Zealand’s Sammy Maxwell, showcasing the depth and talent across the women’s field this season. Women’s mountain biking continues to thrill—with grit, strategy, and a growing global audience.
There is so much track going on. Fastwomen has the best coverage of women’s track and field, including road races. We are into the final weeks before Faith Kipyegon attempts to be the first woman to break the 4-minute barrier in the mile (1609m).
5 Takeaways from The Female Athlete Conference:
💡 Takeaway #1: Knowledge Translation in Action
Check out these five authors who are translating research into stories that move us—and move the needle in sport:
Christine Yu who wrote Up to Speed
Katie Steele who wrote The Price She Pays
Letisha Brown who wrote Say Her Name
Maggie Mertens who wrote Better, Farther, Faster
Lauren Fleshman who wrote Good for a Girl
Wednesday night: The conversation was moderated by Frankie de la Cretaz who wrote Hail Mary. Frankie asked awesome questions!
💡 Takeaway #2: Sports Bras—From Apparel to Equipment
It’s time we stop treating sports bras as “extras” and start recognizing them as essential gear. From biomechanical research to athlete testimonies, the message was loud and clear: a well-fitted sports bra is just as important as shoes or uniforms. Comfort, support, and performance go hand in hand—and investing in bras is investing in athletes.
💡 Takeaway #3: Sports Psychology & Speaking to Athletes
One of the most impactful tools shared at the conference was the C.O.A.C.H. framework for having meaningful conversations with athletes:
Connect – Offer a warm greeting and show concern through observation.
Open up – Ask open-ended questions and make space for emotion.
Affirm – Validate their emotions and lived experience.
Collaborate – Identify support options and transition together.
Hop Around – These aren’t linear steps—circle back as needed.
This approach isn’t just for sport psychologists—it’s for all of us working with athletes to build trust, understanding, and resilience.
💡 Takeaway #4: Drop the Cape and Crown — Understanding the Superwoman Complex
This concept, developed by and for Black women, was a powerful theme at the Female Athlete Conference. The “Superwoman Schema” highlights the pressures Black women face to always be strong, composed, and self-sacrificing:
Obligation to Present Strength – Expected to be unbreakable, even under pressure.
Suppression of Emotions – Vulnerability is hidden to protect that image.
Resistance to Seeking Help – Asking for support can feel like failure.
Motivation to Succeed – Often driven to prove worth despite limited resources.
Obligation to Help Others – Prioritizing others, sometimes at the cost of their own well-being.
This takeaway challenged us to rethink support, visibility, and wellness through an intersectional lens
💡 Takeaway #5: Rethinking Early Specialization — Especially for Teens
We recorded this episode on the UN’s International Day of Play, a reminder that sport should be rooted in joy and exploration. Timely, too, as Project Play just released new guidelines for parents of 13–17-year-olds.
👉 According to Project Play’s latest checklist, too many teens are pushed toward early specialization—a path that’s not only risky but often counterproductive.
🎯 Instead, the guidelines advocate for:
Encouraging multisport participation
Prioritizing mental health and rest
Redefining success to include confidence, friendships, and fun
As we discussed, kids aren’t just small adults. Developmental differences matter, and so does making space for the full social, emotional, and physical experience of sport. Let’s make sure the path to high performance doesn’t come at the cost of long-term participation—or long-term health.
Tell us what knowledge nuggets you took from the conversation about the Female Athlete Conference.
Remember you can follow Molly and Sasha on Social Media including:
Molly - @mollyjhurford @stronggirlpublishing
Sasha - @SGollishRuns @Yellow_Running_Shoes
Listen, Subscribe, Rate + Review on Substack | Spotify | iTunes
Grab the Latest Shred Girls Book!
In Shred Girls: Lindsay and The Curse of Gemini Lakes, Lindsay, Ali and Jen are heading to a multi-sport camp in the mountains where they’ll ride bikes, swim, canoe and try out all new sports. But something strange is going on at Gemini Lake. It’s almost like the camp is… cursed!
Will the Shred Girls save their camp, or will this be the worst summer of their lives?
Get the book here:
Share this post