RE: Thriving as a female in professional sport

While a large body of literature has examined the underrepresentation of women in coaching (see Prof. Norman’s work), investigations into the professional challenges facing women strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches have been limited. As such, the interview with Dr Lorena Torres-Ronda was a refreshing read. It provided an insider’s account of the social and cultural challenges faced during her journey to the ‘top’ of the profession.
When asked about S&C coach stereotypes, Lorena conveyed “you have to have big muscles and yell during the sessions!”. This highlights the masculinized association with the job. When women enter traditionally male-exclusive spaces, e.g., the weight room, it continues to threaten established male privilege and gender order.
This can often result in mansplaining being experienced, with men saying “Is she gonna know what to do with the weights?”. Consequently, Lorena noted she often over compensated to establish credibility. Feeling she had more to prove than her male counterparts and to demonstrate gender isn’t an issue. To help negotiate the social dynamics of a male dominated environment, the take-home message was “all of us” have a part to play to help females emerge as successful S&C coaches