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.
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?
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.
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
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.
Skylar Diggins-Smith - The Beauty & The Beast
Day 123/135. It’s hard to put a label on Team USA’s point guard, Skylar Diggins-Smith. She’s versatile on and off the court. So why not be everything: beauty, beast, and baller?
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.
Sabrina Ionescu - The Student Becomes the Teacher
Day 97/135. Sabrina Ionescu is a bucket. The all-time NCAA leader in triple doubles went ahead and became the youngest to ever get one in the WNBA. She was mentored by some of the greats, but now it’s her turn.
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.
Layshia Clarendon - The Leader
Day 82/135. Layshia Clarendon is not only a legendary hooper. She’s also a leader, whose advocacy for Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ inclusiveness, and gender equity are truly unmatched.
Sunisa Lee - The Avenger
Day 68/135. Sunisa Lee is on a quest to make the Team USA Olympic gymnastics team this year. She has the toughness and focus that only comes from knowing how to face adversity head-on.
Dawn Staley - The Hero
Day 65/135. As both a player and a head coach, Dawn Staley is one of the all-time greatest in the game of basketball. But her impact, leadership, and legacy go far beyond the hardwood.
Caitlin Clark - The Rival
Day 21/135. Caitlin Clark is BALLIN. She’s the nation’s leading scorer and assist leader, but still gets second billing compared to Paige Bueckers. Is there room for 2 freshmen point guard sensations in this storyline?
Paige Bueckers - The Innocent
Day 15/135. Paige Bueckers is the most highly anticipated players to enter the NCAA in years. Will she lead UConn back to dominance?