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.
Odicci Alexander - The Underdog
Day 110/135. No one expected much from JMU at the 2021 Women’s College World Series. But with Odicci Alexander in the pitching circle, the team won games, hearts, and minds.
Jennie Finch - The Femme Fatale
Day 104/135. Jennie Finch is softball royalty. Her entire career, she was a pitching ace who made no excuses for wearing makeup or hair bows. Because being pretty is neither a requirement nor disqualifier for being a badass.
Monica Abbott - The Million Dollar Baby
Day 67/135. After throwing the fastest pitch ever recorded, Monica Abbott landed the first million dollar deal to play softball. When it comes to this summer’s Olympics, Team USA has their ace.
Mo’ne Davis - The Sensation
Day 57/135. Mo’ne Davis won every baseball fan’s heart when she became the first girl to ever pitch a shutout in the 2014 Little League World Series. But that’s not where her athletic career ends.
Jess Mendoza - The Creator
Day 54/135. Jess Mendoza’s is in the Softball Hall of Fame for her legendary career as a top hitter and outfielder of all time. These days, she’s building a new legacy in the broadcast booth.
Hope Trautwein - The Innocent
Day 43/135. University of North Texas pitched Hope Trautwein just did something never been done before. She pitched a perfect game—no hits, no walks—on ALL strikeouts. 21 up, 21 Ks. And she didn’t even know she was doing it.
Amanda Chidester - The Hero
Day 35/135. Amanda Chidester is an explosive hitter and one of the most outstanding players for Team USA softball. Behind the plate, she calls pitches. At bat, she annihilates them.
Haylie McCleney - The Sage
Day 32/135. Haylie McCleney is more than just a star for Team USA’s softball team. She’s also a brilliant student, whose brain helps her on the field and beyond.
Cat Osterman - The Caregiver
Day 14/135. Cat Osterman is one of the most dominant pitchers in the history of softball. But even as an Olympian, pro fastpitch ace, and surefire Hall of Famer, Osterman is not widely known. She’s working to change that.