Bringing Your Whole Self

Lessons from 2024 Olympic Women

I don’t often talk about this period in my life, but there was a time when I was a budding biochemist, taking classes at UW and working away at an internship at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. My goal was to make my way towards med school, with hopes of one day helping treat kids with cancer.

I specialized in imaging cell-to-cell adhesions, looking at the ways proteins form (or do not) and how that could cause cancer. Prostate cancer to be particular.?

I worked under the most amazing Principal Investigators, many of whom became dear friends, but ultimately, a series of personal hardships led me to the difficult decision to no longer pursue becoming a pediatric oncologist. After not being able to go to the program I wanted at Berkeley and having my first child between my junior and senior years of college, I made the tough call to set aside my pre-med studies and shift my focus toward medical anthropology.?

Like so many, my formal degree has little to do with the work I do today. But in an interesting full circle, I’ve recently found myself in the fortunate position of working with some of the nation’s leading women in integrative medicine.?

I learn from them daily, and I grow in their presence. Their wisdom has shifted the way I look inward at my own health and outward at the state of health as a whole. I’ve been thinking and listening a lot in this area, and the thing that I feel in my bones is that so many women, like me, are sick and struggling in our current society.?

I have struggled with disordered eating for most of my life.?

My whole life, I have been fed ads and audio clips and swimsuits and Victoria's Secret, and everything else that is meant to make me feel like the size of my body matters more than almost anything else in the world. These messages told me over and over that the best thing I can do is to keep my body thin and to keep my body quiet.?

But my body has rebelled over the years through chronic pain, traumatic injury, and inflammation. It’s no coincidence that these symptoms of a larger problem impact women at ridiculously disproportionate rates.?

Women carry the burden of these health conditions because our bodies and spirits are consistently expected to bear the weight of holding it all together while also trying to show up, get our work done, and take care of those around us formally (as matriarchs of our families) and informally (as emotional conduits in professional settings)... without truly knowing how to rest or relax.?

The highest performing women I coach constantly feel like they're set up to fail because they set such high expectations on themselves to show up publicly, to put on their best face, and to look the part.?

If there was one thing that watching the Olympics in recent weeks has taught me, it is that women are so powerful and capable that in the US alone, our forces combined made up the equivalent of a third ranking in the world for gold medal recipients.?

If we combine all of women, we have the power to win gold across the board.?

And not because we’re playing small, or staying thin — but because we are showing up in our messy, brilliant, bold, fully-embodied glory.

The Olympics also reminded me that celebrating our differences isn’t just about acknowledging them; it’s about recognizing that these differences are our strengths. ?

Women excelled not only because of their physical abilities but because they brought their whole selves to the competition. They brought their stories, their struggles, their perseverance, and their resilience. And they showed the world what happens when women support each other, when they cheer each other on, and when they recognize that every victory is a collective one.

But as the spotlight dims on the Olympics and turns towards the height of election season, we are called to remember that the real world is not always as supportive. In the coming months, as political tensions rise and the virtual onslaught against women’s rights and voices reach new heights, let us remember to care for ourselves and each other. ?

This means prioritizing our mental and physical health, seeking out spaces that uplift us, and building communities where we can be our whole selves—messy, brilliant, bold, and unapologetically ourselves.

It means acknowledging that rest is a form of resistance. Let us not forget that Simone Biles took time off before getting back in the game. Taking care of our bodies, nourishing our minds, and protecting our spirits are not luxuries—they are necessities. They are essential practices that give us the strength to stand up, speak out, and fight for the change we want to see in the world. ?

As we head into a season that will test us, let’s commit to lifting each other up. Let’s celebrate the strength that lies in our differences and find power in our collective voices. Whether it’s showing up at the ballot box, supporting women-owned businesses, or simply being there for a friend, let’s remember that every action counts. ?

We are not just spectators in this world—we are change-makers who can bring the future we’ve hoped for into reality. Together, we redefine what’s possible, and build a world where everyone can thrive. ?

Committing to that level of change and care first begins to committing to care for ourselves. ?

Here is to making our health a priority,

- Madeline

Speaking of badass women making a difference in the world, this week’s Finding Fearless podcast will get you inspired if you’re feeling tired! Briana Franklin thought she was completely out of options when she found herself saddled with nearly $120,000 in student debt. But she was able to look around and connect her struggles as a Black woman to systemic chains that weigh down women like her– and she did something about it.?

When so many others might have given up, Briana founded a nonprofit, The Prosp(a)rity Project, and its fintech offshoot, Cadet Prosparette, to combat predatory lending practices. Her initiatives aim to empower the Black community and other marginalized groups by breaking the cycle of debt-based poverty.?

Listen to this week’s interview to learn what you can do to help end debt-based poverty, an issue with so many racial and gender implications.

Listen to the Episode

If you're like the Fearless team, you're likely feeling the urgency of this political moment and want to know what you can do to make a difference. Fearless Foundry can help your brand partner meaningfully with non-partisan organizations that are focused on protecting voting rights, craft effective messages that align with your brand values, and build social campaigns that support your work and make a difference this election season. ?

Want to learn more? Click to book a free, no-pressure strategy session to see what the Fearless Foundry team can envision with you!

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During this week’s Power Panel at the Figure 8 leadership program, the discussion centered on networking. Even as the word “networking” was mentioned during the introduction to the panel, a virtual shiver was felt throughout the Zoom room. That’s why it's so exciting to have created the antidote to typical smarmy networking events that often feel awkward and uncomfortable. ?

That’s what Uplift is – an online event with a heart-centered structure designed to help mission-driven leaders and founders connect with each other and reconnect with their purpose during a challenging time for everyone. The next Uplift event will be held on Wednesday, September 18th. ?

The event is absolutely free, and interested individuals can click here to learn more and RSVP!

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