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Good for a Girl. by Lauren Fleshman

"Good for a Girl" is a personal essay written by Lauren Fleshman, a former professional runner, and coach. In the essay, Fleshman reflects on her experiences as a female athlete and the challenges she faced in a male-dominated sport.



Fleshman begins by describing her childhood love of running and how it made her feel powerful and free. She recalls running around the neighborhood with her brother and friends, competing in races at school, and feeling like she could accomplish anything when she ran. She writes, "Running made me feel like I had a superpower, and it was mine to use whenever I wanted."

However, as she got older and began competing more seriously, Fleshman began to experience the gender disparities and inequalities that exist in sports. She writes about her experience as a collegiate runner at Stanford University, where she struggled to fit in with her male teammates and faced pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. She recalls a moment when a male teammate commented that she was "good for a girl" but not good enough to compete with the men. This comment made her feel invisible and insignificant as an athlete.


Fleshman goes on to discuss her professional running career and how she tried to navigate the challenges of being a female athlete in a male-dominated sport. She writes about the pressure to look a certain way, to be both feminine and athletic, and to be constantly aware of how she was perceived by others. She writes, "I felt like I had to walk a tightrope, balancing the expectations of what a female athlete was supposed to look and act like with my own sense of self."


Fleshman also writes about how she tried to use her platform as a successful athlete to advocate for gender equality and to inspire other young girls to pursue their dreams. She describes her involvement in the nonprofit organization, Believes in the Run, which aims to empower girls through running and athletics. She writes, "I wanted to create a community where girls could feel like they belonged, where they could feel strong and powerful and free, just like I did when I was a kid running around my neighborhood."

Throughout the essay, Fleshman reflects on the progress that has been made in women's sports and the ways in which she hopes to continue to be a positive influence on the next generation of female athletes. She writes, "I believe that we are on the cusp of a revolution in women's sports, and I am proud to be a part of it. I want to use my voice to advocate for change and to inspire girls to dream big and chase after their goals with everything they have."

In the conclusion of the essay, Fleshman reflects on the power of sports to empower and inspire young girls. She writes, "Sports have the power to change lives, to give girls a sense of purpose and belonging, to teach them that they are capable of greatness. I want every girl to know that she is good enough, that she is strong enough, that she can do anything she sets her mind to."

Overall, "Good for a Girl" is a powerful and inspiring essay that highlights the challenges and triumphs of being a female athlete in a male-dominated sport. Fleshman's honesty and vulnerability make her story relatable and inspiring, and her commitment to advocating for gender equality is both admirable and necessary. The essay serves as a reminder of the importance of representation and the power of sports to empower and inspire young girls to pursue their dreams.

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