Strength and Femininity

The womxn I have the pleasure of knowing through climbing are incredible. They are strong, brilliant and endlessly multifaceted. And yet, for many of us, there is a seemingly endless struggle against a raging current of gender norms and ideologies around femininity. It’s time for the sun to set on the antiquated concept that strength and beauty cannot coincide.

My strength and power have allowed me opportunities that the terrified, teenage version of myself, who was afraid that looking bulky meant she had to let go of her femininity, could never have dreamed possible. Being able to climb and compete with my heroes who I now have the honor of calling friends has taught me that wearing the musculature that I work so hard for with pride, does not make me any less feminine. That having muscles plays a part of who I am but doesn’t negate the remainder of my identity. I can’t go back and tell the younger version of myself these things, so instead, I am telling you and am hoping that someone who needs to hear it, will hear it, and that it will make a difference.

I don’t write this from a place of perfection. In fact, perfection has always been a dream of mine that I have slowly had to learn to let go of. Many days, it feels like I have to try really hard to remind myself that being who I am is okay. My hope is that through vulnerable and honest conversations, the messages about strength that we share both overtly and covertly with young athletes will change. Then, the places in my mind that were overcome by a consuming conflict can become still in the minds of the next generation.