Feisty Women's Performance

Dr. Emily Matheson dives deep into the hidden “gender tax” that female athletes pay and why the sport system is unintentionally building their resilience.
She reveals how traditional resilience measures miss the relational strengths women bring to sport and shares actionable strategies for athletes, coaches, and entrepreneurs to foster genuine mental‑health support.
Listeners will walk away with fresh perspectives on measuring resilience, practical tools for building it, and a roadmap for creating more equitable athletic environments.
Traditional resilience scales often overlook relational and gender‑specific factors; consider a more holistic assessment.
Female athletes develop “relational resilience” by leaning on self‑awareness, community, and supportive networks.
Systemic changes—like equitable scheduling and resource allocation—can reduce the hidden gender tax in sports.
Coaches and leaders should shift from “forcing resilience” to co‑creating environments that nurture it.
Entrepreneurs can apply these insights to build inclusive, high‑performing teams that value mental health as a core asset.

Emily Matheson, PhD is a sport psychologist and research strategist specializing in mental health, body image, and resilience among female athletes. Currently leads research strategy at Great Minds and collaborates with brands such as Dove and Nike.
https://dremilymatheson.com - Related research on resilience and gender in sport
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Dr. Erin Ayala sits down with sport psychologist Dr. Erin Haugen to explore strategies for managing pre‑race anxiety and building sustainable performance habits for female athletes.
Listeners will discover practical tools to calm nerves, balance training with life demands, and build resilience that translates to both sport and everyday challenges.
Identify “bravery goals” that focus on showing up despite anxiety, rather than solely on performance outcomes.
Use intentional “intent‑setting” or “whoop‑goal” frameworks to align daily actions with core values.
Incorporate mental rest (e.g., stepping away from sport, mindfulness breaks) to prevent burnout and boost creativity.
Leverage body cues and HRV trends to make informed training adjustments instead of reacting to single‑day data.
Practice the “what if I don’t do it?” question to gain perspective on fear, relief, and motivation before races.

Dr. Erin Haugen, PhD is a licensed sports psychologist, performance consultant, and founder of Haugen Performance. Specializes in mental health, performance psychology, well-being, and leadership training for those working in demanding industries.
Dr. Haugen’s website: https://www.haugenperformance.com/
Dr. Haugen’s Performance Consulting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haugenperform/
Dr. Erin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drerinhaugen/
If you found this conversation valuable, hit subscribe so you never miss a new episode, leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform, and join the discussion on Instagram @Feisty_womens_performance. We’d love to hear from you!
FeistyFest Info: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip
Courses and Coaching: https://feisty.learnworlds.com/
Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/women-s-bike-mechanic-camp-tucson-az-feisty-media-24985624#about-this-trip
Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:
https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/
Follow us on Instagram:
@feisty_womens_performance
Support our Partners:
Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order
Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR
Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/
Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/
Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

How do female ultra-endurance athletes experience, interpret, and cope with pain—and when does pushing through become too much?
Erin Ayala, PhD, speaks with sport psychology researcher Dr. Britta Maria Sorensen about the complex role pain plays in women’s ultra-endurance sport.
Dr. Sorensen explains why pain is more than a physical sensation. Biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors can all influence how athletes interpret discomfort, respond to it, and decide whether to continue or stop.
They also explore the relationship between endurance sport, emotional stress, and past trauma; the difference between harmonious and obsessive passion; and how athletes can recognize when training is supporting their well-being versus becoming a form of avoidance.
This conversation offers practical strategies for managing pain, reducing burnout risk, and building a healthier, more sustainable relationship with performance.
In this episode:
Why pain should be understood through a biopsychosocial lens
What qualitative research reveals about how women cope with extreme discomfort
How past trauma and emotional stress may shape participation in ultra-endurance sport
The difference between using sport as a healthy outlet and using it as avoidance
Practical tools such as body scans, progressive self-talk, fueling, hydration, and properly fitted gear
Why scheduled rest and recovery can help prevent compulsive training patterns
How coaches, therapists, partners, and support systems can help athletes stay balanced

Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share this conversation with an athlete, coach, or practitioner interested in pain, performance, and long-term well-being.
Dr. Sorenson's Open Access Research Article
FeistyFest Info: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip
Courses and Coaching: https://feisty.learnworlds.com/
Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/women-s-bike-mechanic-camp-tucson-az-feisty-media-24985624#about-this-trip
Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:
https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/
Follow us on Instagram:
@feisty_womens_performance
Support our Partners:
Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order
Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR
Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/
Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/
Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

What does athlete safety look like beyond preventing physical injury?
In this episode, Erin Ayala, PhD, speaks with Dr. Gretchen Kerr, professor of kinesiology at the University of Toronto and an internationally recognized expert on psychological abuse, interpersonal violence, and maltreatment in sport.
They explore why psychological harm is the most common—and often the least recognized—form of abuse in athletics, how win-at-all-costs cultures can normalize harmful behavior, and why some safe-sport reporting processes may unintentionally re-traumatize athletes.
Dr. Kerr also shares evidence-based strategies for prevention, including shifting the definition of success toward athlete well-being, enjoyment, and belonging; strengthening communication among coaches, parents, and administrators; and using practical tools that address harmful behavior before it escalates.
This conversation offers clear, actionable guidance for coaches, athletes, parents, sport leaders, and anyone invested in creating healthier, safer, and more positive sport environments.
In this episode:
Why psychological abuse is so common in sport—and why it often goes unnoticed
How safe-sport reporting systems can unintentionally cause additional harm
Why athletes need ongoing support beyond the initial reporting process
How win-focused performance metrics can contribute to unhealthy environments
The importance of prioritizing well-being, enjoyment, and belonging
Preventive approaches, including quality-coaching tools and restorative practices
How transparent communication can help protect athletes

About Dr. Gretchen Kerr
Dr. Gretchen Kerr is a professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on psychological abuse, interpersonal violence, athlete maltreatment, and the development of safer, more supportive sport systems.
Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and share this conversation with a coach, parent, athlete, or sport leader who is working to create a safer and more supportive culture.
FeistyFest Info: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip
Courses and Coaching: https://feisty.learnworlds.com/
Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/women-s-bike-mechanic-camp-tucson-az-feisty-media-24985624#about-this-trip
Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:
https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/
Follow us on Instagram:
@feisty_womens_performance
Support our Partners:
Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order
Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR
Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/
Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/
Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

In this episode, Dr. Erin Ayala sits down with Mireille Siné, MPH — a certified running coach, lupus endurance athlete, and advocate for athletes living with autoimmune and chronic conditions.
Mireille has lived with lupus for 13 years and now coaches athletes who are navigating autoimmune disease, chronic illness, flares, fatigue, and identity shifts — while doing endurance sports.
Together, Erin and Mireille discuss:
Why autoimmune athletes carry a “double load”
How training stress can interact with immune dysregulation
How to distinguish overtraining from a possible flare
Why “push through it” can be harmful advice
The importance of symptom tracking and medical self-advocacy
What coaches should ask athletes with autoimmune conditions
How to build flexible training plans
Why performance is not just pace, PRs, and finish lines
How to stop chasing the athlete you used to be and build toward who you can still become

Mireille Siné is a USATF and 80/20 Endurance-certified run coach, 14-time marathoner, and ultramarathoner based in Los Angeles. She is the founder of Coached by Mireille LLC, a virtual coaching practice specializing in runners and endurance athletes managing autoimmune conditions and chronic illness. Mireille coaches with the philosophy "train with compassion" — building training plans that account for the full reality of her athletes' lives, not just their race goals. She has been featured in Runner's World and has spoken at the AIP Summit and Skadi Sports Psychology Athlete Summit. Living with lupus herself, Mireille brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work, helping athletes redefine what strength and performance can look like with a chronic illness diagnosis.
Follow Mireille on Instagram
FeistyFest Info: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/feistyfest-feisty-media-1943243299#about-this-trip
Courses and Coaching: https://feisty.learnworlds.com/
Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/women-s-bike-mechanic-camp-tucson-az-feisty-media-24985624#about-this-trip
Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:
https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/
Follow us on Instagram:
@feisty_womens_performance
Support our Partners:
Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order
Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR
Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/
Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/
Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo