For too long, the sports world has operated under the myth that women experience stress more intensely and cope less effectively than men. It’s time to put that tired idea to rest.
In this powerful episode, brought to you by New Balance, recorded live at the Emirates Sports Medicine Conference, we sit down with leading sports psychologist and researcher Dr. Mariana Kessler to debunk this outdated belief. Drawing from years of research, she explores stress, coping, wellbeing, and gender differences in athletes.
Dr. Mariana dives into years of research on athlete stress, coping, and gender differences. The verdict? Biology is not the barrier. If women’s experiences often feel more stressful, it’s not because of a biological failing. It’s because of the system they operate in.
Dr. Kessler exposes the true source of elevated stress: systemic barriers like daily microaggressions, a lack of support due to pervasive under-representation, and biased research frameworks built around male-dominated models. The environment shapes stress far more than individual ability or inherent traits.
This conversation isn’t just about identifying problems, it’s about charting a path forward. We unpack the four crucial areas where inequality remains rampant and must be fixed: Research, Representation, Media Visibility, and Funding. Don’t miss this essential conversation that shifts the focus from “fixing women” to fixing the system.
🎧 Listen to the episode now
📷 Follow Dr. Mariana Kessler on Instagram:@mari_kaiseler
👟 This episode of The Mettleset Podcast is supported by New Balance.
