Unexpected Curves

A lot has to come together for an athlete to perform at their best. Coaches, physio, family, talent, work ethic, a little luck, and a lot of faith. Tara Woodhall Davis has all of that, but what sets her apart is her energy. Every time she steps onto the runway, there’s an expectation of performance, and it’s her unapologetic energy that continues to push her to the next level.
I caught up with Tara in Tokyo at the World Championships to talk about what it means to bring a big personality to a small sport still fighting to make its name. We get into Athlos, the moment she almost walked away from the sport, her journey to becoming an Olympic and World champion, and why the long jump, in her eyes, represents all of track and field.

A new year often comes with a renewed focus on health. Setting routines, getting organized, and trying to “start fresh.” In sport, that mindset can be powerful, but it can also come with hidden risks, especially for women. In this episode, I’m joined by researcher and athlete Melissa Lodge to unpack the realities of under-fueling and RED-S, why so many female athletes are affected, and how sport systems often miss the mark. From the lab to the lived experience, this conversation explores what it actually takes to create healthier starting lines, and why better support early on can change everything.

What does the rise of Pilates reveal about women, power, and the bodies we value most? This week, I’m joined by fitness instructor, creator, and writer Mary Beth to unpack how her viral New York Times feature connects Pilates to larger political and cultural trends. We talk about going viral, desirability, privilege, and what the most radical future for fitness could look like.

This week we're talking about the fictional characters that made all the athletic girls feel validated, and gave women and girls a chance to see themselves on screen.
I'm joined by filmmaker Jac'leen Smith to discuss her short film Flex Venus, inspired by her experiences as a track athlete.
Jac'leen is currently crowdfunding for her project. You can find out more about her film, and support her and her team here.

Doping scandals often make headlines with a clear villain and a rule broken. But the story is often more complicated than that.
In this episode, I’m joined by Olympian and American record holder Emily Sisson, in the shadow of the recent news that world record holder Ruth Chepngetich tested positive for a banned substance. Instead of focusing on individual choices, we explore the deeper forces shaping athletes today: the blurred line between personal accountability and systemic expectation, the emotional toll of competing on uneven ground, and how to hold space for grief and frustration without losing love for the sport.