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She does this by sharing both her own story and thesystemic problemsshes witnessed.
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Lauren Fleshman is a heavily decorated professional runner and author.
But I also felt like it wasnt enough, that the problem would still continue indefinitely.
WhenMary CainsNew York Timesinterview and op-docwas published, that was really powerful for me.
But it was really just the latest in a long line of stories.
Lauren Fleshman is a heavily decorated professional runner and author.
While her story clearly outraged a lot of people, it didnt actually change anything fundamentally about womens sports.
I guess I just had lost the naivete that any one story could make it better.
So the book is just my best attempt to have a go at help with the problem.
W+G: Where did the title come from?
W+G Have you seen any strides being made that give you hope?
Those things make me not hopeful.
That doesnt happen just in sports, but in all industries.
Were at a really exciting time in history, but I dont feel like weve made big gains yet.
There should be mandatory training for any adult that is going to be coaching female athletes.
LF:I dont think that adding more female coaches is enough of a solution.
Also menstruates is not enough of a qualification.
Id certainly want there to be gender equity in the coaching profession, but not in exchange for education.
Bias is definitely still a problem.
But then theres also a lot of shame around money.
I think there was shame, too, in getting my contract reduced.
Its feeling so narrowly valued as a person and having that value be so fragile.
I think I have more confidence talking about that now because I know how much that silence hurts athletes.
Its important that people understand financial scarcity as one of the forces at play.
In fact, one of the alternate titles I had for my book was Forces at Play.
That is a huge incentive that were working against.
What made the timing right to talk about it now?
You probably shouldnt need to come out to be more vocal, though.
I think that thats just part of the damage of being the closet in general.
How did this realization happen for you?
white men), then once you get in the room, you might change things for other people.
What was your reaction to that feedback?
LF:It was really hard to hear at first and easy to feel naturally defensive.
Since then, Ive been involved with the team at Oiselle in making true change from the inside out.
Ive been impressed and its made me proud to work for that company as theyve gone through that.
W+G: Youve been with Oiselle for 10 years now.
How has your work with the brand evolved?
How have they supported your personal endeavors?
Now, Im more involved in strategic conversations.
My involvement is a lot less than it used to be, but Im still very passionate about it.
W+G: What goals do you have for your future?
But Im definitely interested in those larger-scale shifts that can make things better.
So well just have to see what happens.
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