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.
Abby Wambach - The Mentor
Day 135/135. Abby Wambach is the all-time leading scorer of the USWNT. But because of her commitment to mentoring up-and-coming players, her impact on the pitch continues, even after her retirement.
Julie Foudy - The Mentor
Day 125/135. Julie Foudy is more than a soccer player. More than a broadcaster. She has been a trailblazer and a leader in the fight for gender equity, paving the way for more girls and women in sports.
Rose Lavelle - The Joker
Day 122/135. Rose Lavelle was THE breakout star of the 2019 World Cup, scoring clutch goals while showing off her footwork AND winning personality.
Carli Lloyd - The Workhorse
Day 117/135. How did Carli Lloyd make her 4th USWNT Olympic roster at age 39? Fueled by haters, hustle, and hard work. The only thing stronger than her game is her mental game.
Kelley O’Hara - The Competitor
Day 114/135. Throughout her career, Kelley O’Hara has been carded, concussed, and courageous in pursuit of every championship. That will to win is what sets apart the USWNT’s right back.
Tobin Heath - The Magician
Day 107/135. Nutmeg, cross, finish. No matter what she does, it’s always magic. USWNT winger Tobin Heath has the trickiest footwork in the game right now.
Mia Hamm - The Hero
Day 103/135. Mia Hamm was a household name before there was even a pro soccer league for her to play in. A hero of the USWNT, a winner on and off the field, and now a pro sports owner. Total hero.
Sophia Smith - The Rising Star
Day 96/135. The USWNT have a legacy of excellence, and youngin Sophia Smith might just be the next big thing. At just 20 years old, she’s making waves in the NWSL and carving out her spot on the national team roster.
Lindsey Horan - The Rebel
Day 80/135. When coaches at Paris Saint-Germain were more concerned with looks than results, that’s when Lindsey Horan took matters into her own hands, headed to the USWNT, won a World Cup, and every title available for Portland Thorns FC.
Becky Sauerbrunn - The Leader
Day 75/135. Becky Sauerbrunn is the anchor of the defense for both the USWNT and the Portland Thorns. Known as the moral compass, it’s no surprise she was just chosen as team captain heading to the Summer Olympics.
Lynn Williams - The Flash
Day 66/135. Lynn Williams has won both the Golden Boot AND MVP awards in the NWSL. She’s one of the most exciting up-and-coming players for the USWNT. What sets her apart? She’s the fastest player in the game.
The Lamoureux Twins
Day 53/135. The Lamoureux twins each played a key role and scored a key goal on the way to USA winning the 2018 Olympic gold. But their legacy is bigger than just the hardware.
Crystal Dunn - The Mentor
Day 46/135. As a player, Crystal Dunn has BEEN one of the top players on the USWNT and in the NWSL. As a Black woman, she is stepping into her power, becoming a vocal leader on the team and as an advocate for racial justice.
Hope Solo - The Villain
Day 41/135. Hope Solo is undeniably the best goalkeeper in USWNT history. But as a teammate and as a person, she leaves a lot to be desired. It’s not easy being the villain, but someone’s got to do it.
Sam Mewis - The Rising Star
Day 39/135. Sam Mewis might just be the best soccer player in the world right now. As a midfielder, an elite passer, and one of the tallest bodies on the pitch the Tower of Power controls the flow of the game and her destiny.
Sydney Leroux Dwyer - The Joker
Day 34/135. Sydney Leroux has a great personality and sense of humor. But as a Black woman in sports, and a mom of two, she’s also not afraid to tackle the hard issues or loose balls.
Midge Purce - The Creator
Day 29/135. Midge Purce has a promising career ahead of her in soccer AND off the pitch. At just 25, she's already using her voice to fight for gender equity and racial justice.
Hilary Knight - The Rebel
Day 18/135. Hilary Knight is one of ice hockey’s most dynamic forwards and prolific scorers. But instead of focusing on the game, Knight is working toward building a sustainable women’s pro hockey league.
Julie Ertz - The Innocent
Day 17/135. Winning makes Julie Ertz happy. As one of the most physically dominant soccer players in the world and center mid for the USWNT, Ertz controls the flow of the game, is great in the air, and sacrifices her body for the ball.
Alyssa Naeher - The Orphan
Day 13/135. Alyssa Naeher has earned her place as the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. Women’s National Team. But some were surprised when she landed the role, seemingly out of nowhere.