Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day with Foundation Athlete Barbara Powell
February 7, 2024, is the 38th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day! This day is used to recognize the importance of providing equal opportunities for girls and women in sports, promoting gender equality, and encouraging participation in physical activities. By engaging in sports, participants gain confidence, strength, and character, all of which are traits that girls and women need to become exceptional leaders in sports and life.
In honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we had the privilege of sitting down with one of our exceptional Foundation Athletes, Barbara Powell, to discuss her journey, experiences, and insights as a female runner. Barbara, a dedicated athlete and Life Time Mind coach, showcased her athleticism as a 2023 Foundation Athlete by running the Leadville Trail Marathon and Silver Rush 50, and fundraising for the Leadville Trail 100.
How did you first get involved in running?
I'm the middle child of 12 kids (7 girls, 5 boys) and there wasn't a lot of money for extracurricular activities. Running, however, was low cost, accessible, and all my older siblings took part. I started run-walking with my dad as a preteen, then joined the cross country team as a freshman in high school. I felt strong in my body and loved being part of an all-girls team.
Can you speak about any challenges you faced as a female athlete and how you overcame them?
I definitely struggled with body image, especially in my late teens and into my twenties. I paid lots of attention to the examples of a woman's running body in magazines, on podiums, and in running culture. I have naturally strong-built legs and my body type is more cross-fit-esque than the slim-and-slight distance runner physique. Too many times, I allowed my sense of "not enough-ness" to disrupt confidence about myself and my body. I changed that thought pattern intentionally – and slowly. By finding runners who looked like me, like ultrarunner Sally McRae. By noticing and appreciating all the ways my body supported me. And by wearing clothing that fit me and my body type, instead of squeezing into running clothes that weren't comfortable.
I experienced sexual assault in my late teens. This caused me to feel really disconnected from my body. My identity and self-worth were tied to how fit and fast I could be, and how appealing my body looked. It was easy for me to feel like my body was not mine. In my late 20s and into my 30s, all that changed as I focused on healing. I began to work with various trauma-informed practitioners, including therapy, breathwork, and acupuncture. I learned how to feel safe in my body. I began to slowly love running for the love of it, not because I was running away from my own emotions. It's all a work in progress and I know that I am not alone in this.
What moment in your sports career are you most proud of?
To this day, I am most proud of a 3-mile cross country race in the pouring rain during my senior year of high school. My team was scheduled to race against our greatest rival. The rain was coming down in buckets. My coach called me and the other team captain in for a meeting around lunchtime and told us it was our decision to go run the race as planned or call a rain delay for another day. We knew the team was ready – we were going to run. Splashing through puddles, sliding through mud, and sprinting into slanted rainfall, we ended up winning by a mere 2 or so points. There's a picture from that day the team grinning, laughing, towels wrapped around us, and our arms wrapped around each other. That day was running for the love of it, with passion in the belly and fire in our feet. I call on that moment often as I show up for the challenges of life. I can say "yes" and show up and work hard and love every delicious moment of it – especially when I am surrounded by good people.
In what ways do you hope to inspire the next generation of female athletes?
I am a big believer that our actions speak volumes. Through my actions of taking personal responsibility for my healing, running for the love of running, and holistic coaching to give back to others, I hope to leave the following impressions:
Your body is YOUR body. Honor and respect her.
Your healing matters. More than winning ever will.
The women by your side are an important part of your team. Lift each other up.
The journey is everything. Embrace the process, regardless of the outcome.
Skip the workout and eat the ice cream any time you please 😉
What advice would you give to young girls who want to get into running?
If you want to run – run! If you want to explore a different sport or skill – explore it! It's your body, listen to what makes you feel empowered. Don't let the opinions of others stop you.
How can we encourage more girls to participate in sports and physical activities?
Keep creating an open, safe, and exploratory environment for all, as often as possible. No matter what a person's gender is, they deserve to explore the outer limits of their body without comparison or judgement. I deeply appreciate my high school team and coach for giving me the space I needed to explore running. I also appreciate the women I have met along the way who have allowed me to be the version of myself that I needed to be.
Keep paying attention to the language we use. It's not about trimming down, losing weight, having a runner's body, or pitting women against each other. It's about building strength and confidence in one's body, actively doing what we love, and lifting each other up. It's about running for the love of it.
The Life Time Foundation remains committed to empowering athletes and enabling them to reach new heights in their sporting endeavors. The 2024 program promises to build on past successes in the Youth Nutrition and Youth Movement areas, while expanding its focus on conserving, preserving, and protecting the environment, so everyone can live healthy, happy lives.
For more information on how you can make an impact, please email Lindsay Gaesser!