Episode 249: Good for a Girl - A Woman Running in a Man's World (Interview with Lauren Fleshman)

Jan 11, 2023

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Matt Welcomes former professional runner, running coach, and author Lauren Fleshman to the show to celebrate the release of her autobiographical memoir, Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man’s World.

Lauren details her new book which uses her personal experience and the challenges she faced as a collegiate and professional athlete in a male-centric environment, as a catalyst to bring about significant change in women’s athletics.

Matt and Lauren discuss women’s sports in a male arena and how to reframe the female experience in a way that is grounded in knowledge of the female body. They cover the taboo of female physiology embedded in the culture of the sport. Lauren dissects the toxic talk that hinders natural performance development, can lead to body dysmorphia, and can encourage disordered eating habits in athletes.

Matt and Lauren offer applicable tools for developing a foundation of support for female athletes as coaches, teammates, and loved ones, to help foster positive and healthy growth, improved performance, and longevity.

Whether you are a coach, a parent, a supporter, or an athlete yourself, this episode provides insight into the diversity of voices and experiences at every level of sport. It inspires a call to action to create an environment that accommodates every type of athlete and helps nurture a deep love for sport.

Lauren Fleshman - Highlights

5 NCAA championships at Stanford
2 USA Outdoor 5,000 meters championships
15-time NCAA ALL-American
Former member of Nike’s Oregon Track Club Elite
Brand strategy advisor for Oiselle, a fitness apparel company for women.
Co-founder of Picky Bars, a natural food company.
Her writing has appeared in The New York Times and Runner’s World.
She lives in Bend, OR with her spouse, triathlete Jesse Thomas, and their two children.