The 135 Challenge Blog

Today’s coverage of women’s sports lacks depth and development. We’re missing the narrative. We’re missing the characters. We’re missing the whole story.

 
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Sports coverage needs dynamic characters.

People who love sports love more than just the game. We follow athletes and teams because we can follow the storylines. We know and identify with the characters.

  • Tom Brady, an underrated underdog turned top dog.

  • LeBron James, the redeemed king.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo — hero or heel?

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But most people don’t know the characters in women’s sports.

Media coverage of women’s sports is so slim and surface-level that unless you are already a superfan, you probably don’t know much about even the top women athletes in the world.

Without developing the characters and narrative, it’s almost impossible for the average sports fan to become invested in the stories, the characters, and the narrative of the athletes and their teams.

 
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With the 135 Challenge, I’m trying to change that.

For the next 135 days, I’m spotlighting one important woman in sports every damn day while training for the Badwater 135 mile race.

Many of these women inspire me, and I believe that if you knew more of their stories, they’d inspire you too.

My goal is to tell you who these athletes are—their athletic accomplishments & character archetypes—so you follow their stories, long after my race is run.

March 7th - July 19th, 2021

135 Badass women & 135 days of training for the Badwater 135.

While training for this year’s Badwater 135 footrace, I’m spotlighting 135 women in sports.

You better recognize.

Sue Bird - The Sage
the sage Kelaine Conochan the sage Kelaine Conochan

Sue Bird - The Sage

Day 131/135. At 40, Sue Bird is the oldest player in the WNBA. But after winning a 2020 championship and making her 5th Olympic roster, it sure doesn’t seem that way. That experience makes her the best to ever do it.

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Tamika Catchings - The Hero
the hero Kelaine Conochan the hero Kelaine Conochan

Tamika Catchings - The Hero

Day 113/135. This year, Tamika Catchings was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, the same class as her childhood friend, Kobe Bryant. But that ain’t even the half of it. She’s a real hero.

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Renee Montgomery - The Creator
the creator Kelaine Conochan the creator Kelaine Conochan

Renee Montgomery - The Creator

Day 111/135. Renee Montgomery is a 2x WNBA champion and a champion of racial justice and voting rights. Despite sitting out the 2020 season, she’s the biggest winner of them all… because now she’s an owner of the Dream.

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Doris Burke - The Voice
the voice Kelaine Conochan the voice Kelaine Conochan

Doris Burke - The Voice

Day 108/135. Back in the day, Doris Burke was a baller herself. Right now, she’s the best voice in NBA broadcasting, breaking down X’s and O’s while breaking glass ceilings.

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Sheryl Swoopes - The Shoes
the shoes Kelaine Conochan the shoes Kelaine Conochan

Sheryl Swoopes - The Shoes

Day 105/135. Sheryl Swoopes is one of the best players in WNBA history. While leading a dynasty with the Houston Comets, she also inspired the first signature shoe for a woman athlete, Air Swoopes. Who got next?

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Azzi Fudd - The Prodigy
the prodigy Kelaine Conochan the prodigy Kelaine Conochan

Azzi Fudd - The Prodigy

Day 94/135. Azzi Fudd is the most hyped college basketball prospect in a minute. After recovering from a torn ACL, this dynamic guard is heading to UConn to once again make the Huskies a national powerhouse.

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Natasha Cloud - The Activist
the activist Kelaine Conochan the activist Kelaine Conochan

Natasha Cloud - The Activist

Day 90/135. In 2020, Natasha Cloud led protests for Black Lives Matter and pressured D.C. officials to use the Mystics arena as an election site. But it’s nothing new. She’s been using her voice for her whole career.

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Becky Hammon - The Underdog
the underdog Kelaine Conochan the underdog Kelaine Conochan

Becky Hammon - The Underdog

Day 79/135. When it comes to hooping, Becky Hammon has been proving her doubters wrong since her high school days. Now, as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, she’s still showing the world what she can do.

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DeWanna Bonner - The Lover
the lover Kelaine Conochan the lover Kelaine Conochan

DeWanna Bonner - The Lover

Day 70/135. DeWanna Bonner is a 2x WNBA champ and a 3x WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year. But will things get messy with her teammate and cross-league romantic relationships? We’ll find out this season.

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Breanna Stewart - The Hero
the hero Kelaine Conochan the hero Kelaine Conochan

Breanna Stewart - The Hero

Day 69/135. Breanna Stewart has racked up every award, trophy, and title imaginable in her basketball career. She’s also a vocal advocate for women, sexual assault survivors, and racial justice. Her heroics just don’t quit.

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