Great podcast and thanks to both Laura and Mathew for making this happen. Eating disorders are still often misunderstood, so Laura , thank you for telling your story so beautifully and honestly.
Laura gives so many powerful (but sadly not shocking) examples of the ways the surf industry has, and still objectifies and sexualises many female surfers. Laura is such a great advocate for women who surf. But while i agree there has been so much positive change over the past decade, I'm less positive about the future being rosy. Positive change seems to mostly happen when exceptional women 'prove ' the (male dominated industry) were wrong. e.g. just recently that women can charge barrels at Pipe, Chopes etc, if given the opportunity by the WSL. i.e. the women have been the change makers here. I still hear (including through my academic research) horror stories about how girl's sponsorship is still related to their bikini appeal, even if it has improved. And what about the ways this heterosexuality that underpins the surf industry has impacted on gay women's mental health and sponsorship? Tyler Wright has been a great advocate recently (and of course others before her like Cori Schumaker, Keala Kennelly). But, it still a big issue.. sorry, i'll stop. Loved the podcast and Mathew please keel asking thought provoking questions about why the surf media (or at least most of it) appear to be stuck in a time warp.
It’s imperative that we hear from more women with similar experiences. So brave of Laura and people like Jenny Tough and Emily Chappell talking about their experiences with body dysmorphia, eating disorders, amenorrhea and poor mental health, all down to the ‘ideal’ athletic aesthetic. Little girls need to hear more from these people. Thankyou for this
Thanks for the comment Naomi. I agree - it’s really remarkable how rare it still is to read these stories or hear about these devastatingly commonplace experiences 🙏
Look after yourself & enjoy every minute of it. I’m 70 and the memories I have are so precious, even if it takes my grandchildren to remind me of them.
Great podcast and thanks to both Laura and Mathew for making this happen. Eating disorders are still often misunderstood, so Laura , thank you for telling your story so beautifully and honestly.
Laura gives so many powerful (but sadly not shocking) examples of the ways the surf industry has, and still objectifies and sexualises many female surfers. Laura is such a great advocate for women who surf. But while i agree there has been so much positive change over the past decade, I'm less positive about the future being rosy. Positive change seems to mostly happen when exceptional women 'prove ' the (male dominated industry) were wrong. e.g. just recently that women can charge barrels at Pipe, Chopes etc, if given the opportunity by the WSL. i.e. the women have been the change makers here. I still hear (including through my academic research) horror stories about how girl's sponsorship is still related to their bikini appeal, even if it has improved. And what about the ways this heterosexuality that underpins the surf industry has impacted on gay women's mental health and sponsorship? Tyler Wright has been a great advocate recently (and of course others before her like Cori Schumaker, Keala Kennelly). But, it still a big issue.. sorry, i'll stop. Loved the podcast and Mathew please keel asking thought provoking questions about why the surf media (or at least most of it) appear to be stuck in a time warp.
Thanks so much for this comment and feedback Belinda 🙏
It’s imperative that we hear from more women with similar experiences. So brave of Laura and people like Jenny Tough and Emily Chappell talking about their experiences with body dysmorphia, eating disorders, amenorrhea and poor mental health, all down to the ‘ideal’ athletic aesthetic. Little girls need to hear more from these people. Thankyou for this
Thanks for the comment Naomi. I agree - it’s really remarkable how rare it still is to read these stories or hear about these devastatingly commonplace experiences 🙏
Thankyou so much for sharing my story <3
Look after yourself & enjoy every minute of it. I’m 70 and the memories I have are so precious, even if it takes my grandchildren to remind me of them.
Looking fwd to this. Always great to see North Devon put on the surf map.
Thanks Seb. Waste Mail is still one of my favourite newsletters on here!