In Episode 90 of Trail Society, we sit down with Leela Srinivasan, the CEO of Parity Now, a pioneering platform that aims to close the gender income and opportunity gap in professional sports. Parity, founded in 2020, works with over 1,000 women athletes across 80+ sports, from archery to weightlifting, empowering athletes through impactful brand partnerships. Leela, a runner, mother, and passionate advocate for women's sports, brings her unique perspective to the conversation, exploring how her platform is reshaping the future of women's athletics. Her leadership at Parity is focused on tackling the financial inequities faced by female athletes, with an emphasis on securing meaningful sponsorships and creating long-term opportunities for women in sports.

A key highlight of this episode is the release of Parity's groundbreaking research, "Beyond the Game: Exposing The Economic Realities of Professional Women Athletes". The study sheds light on the harsh financial realities faced by many female athletes, with findings such as 50% reporting a negative or zero net income, and 74% working another job to make ends meet. Leela discusses the contrast between the booming investment in women’s sports leagues, like the NWSL and WNBA, and the ongoing struggles for athletes themselves. Despite these challenges, the research also highlights the potential for growth in women’s sports, with consumers increasingly backing brands that support female athletes. Leela’s insights into the disparity between league success and individual athlete earnings offer a sobering look at the financial landscape, while also providing a call to action for brands and fans to invest in women’s sports to create lasting change.

Follow Leela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leelasrinivasan/

Learn more or partner with Parity Now: https://paritynow.co/

Parity Report: https://20518965.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20518965/Parity%20Athlete%20Survey%20Report_Dec2024.pdf

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail

www.freetrail.com - subscribe and JOIN US IN SLACK

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Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle!

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Study participants needed for NSAID use in ultra endurance https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ljmu/nsaid-use-in-ultra-running?fbclid=PAY2xjawGrFxRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpvuapRmCwZbGr1EUWHfwFKESpScIckcrKajtfiwy76m7LfUWDQh9r-lFBA_aem_Vvg3cX6CUqqjF0uPWb2JbQ

Citations:

Díaz‐Lara, Javier, et al. “Delaying Post‐Exercise Carbohydrate Intake Impairs Next‐Day Exercise Capacity but Not Muscle Glycogen or Molecular Responses.” Acta Physiologica, 12 Sept. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1111/apha.14215.

In Episode 89 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm, Hillary Allen, and Keely Henninger reflect on their personal journeys and careers, answering listener questions about their professional paths and how they found success in their respective fields. They explore topics such as Keely's decision to finally pursue medical school after many different pursuits, Hillary’s evolving relationship with sport and her partnership with Brooks, and Corrine’s entry into broadcasting. The hosts also share insights into their early sports experiences and offer advice to a listener navigating post-graduation uncertainty. The conversation highlights how each of them found their way to trail running and how they balance career ambitions with their athletic goals.

The episode also includes a reflection on the year 2024, where the hosts share their proudest moments, biggest challenges, and lessons learned. They discuss the future of trail running, including trends to watch for in 2025 and personal goals they’re excited to pursue in the upcoming year. The hosts also delve into what they’re keeping and leaving behind in 2025, from embracing boundaries and focusing on protein to letting go of performative behaviors and doom scrolling.

Sponsors:

This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail

www.freetrail.com - subscribe and JOIN US IN SLACK

&

Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle!

Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us! @trail.society

Articles:

Role of PT in management of RED-S: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2024/10/25/bjsports-2024-108751.long

In episode 88 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm, Hillary Allen, and Keely Henninger take a deep dive into all things trail running as they answer listener questions in a special "Ask Us Anything" format. From training theories to nutrition hacks, they tackle everything from treadmill hill intervals to how to train for mountain races while living in an urban environment. The trio also shares their personal must-do exercises for the off-season, discusses the nuances of ultra-marathon training, and offers tips on improving technical trail running skills.

The episode also touches on the importance of community and how to find your tribe, whether you're new to the sport or looking to connect with other trail runners. The hosts give advice on how to overcome the intimidation factor of running on trails and how to build meaningful connections without relying on formal running clubs. They also explore the challenges of balancing relationships with training and share their experiences with sponsorships, providing candid insights into what it's like to be a professional athlete.

To round out the episode, the team answers a series of fun "rapid fire" questions, including dream running partners from any era, the best advice they've ever received, and their thoughts on what makes someone a "real" runner. They close by highlighting a special cause—an endurance festival to support the hurricane-devastated town of Old Fort, North Carolina—and remind listeners to give back this holiday season. Whether you're looking for expert training advice or a good dose of motivation, this episode has something for every trail runner.

This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail

&

Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle!

Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us! @trail.society

Links:

Donate to Old Fort Community: https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/NC/OldFort/OldFortStrongEnduranceFestival