Balancing Wellness & Family as Endurance Athletes
The recent Skadi Athlete Summit offered valuable insights for those wanting to balance personal health, family responsibilities, and inclusion in athletic spaces. Sabrina Lott, a running coach with 80/20 and an advocate for curvy women of color, highlighted strategies for creating more inclusive wellness practices, building resilient communities, and reshaping the way we think about athletic performance.
Here are the key lessons from the summit, distilled into practical takeaways that athletes, coaches, and supporters of inclusivity can apply to foster sustainable growth and meaningful change in their own athletic journeys.
Self-Care is a Necessity, Not a Luxury
One key theme was the importance of reframing self-care. For many, especially mothers and caregivers, personal wellness is often deprioritized amid life’s demands. However, Sabrina highlighted how self-care isn’t selfish—it’s an investment in your ability to support others and thrive.
Action Step: Instead of seeing workouts as optional, treat them like appointments that you can’t miss. Even short bouts of movement, like a brisk five-minute walk, are meaningful progress.
Pro Tip: Use “pencil planning”—schedule plans flexibly to account for life’s inevitable interruptions without abandoning your goals.
Finding Joy in Everyday Movement
For busy individuals, squeezing workouts into packed schedules can seem impossible. Sabrina shared creative suggestions to incorporate movement naturally into daily life. Whether it’s walking while your child is at the park or pacing during a work break, movement doesn’t have to be traditional to count.
Action Step:
Take active breaks during work—walk around instead of sitting.
Park farther from your destination for a quick dose of activity.
Encourage family routines like group bike rides or weekend hikes.
Rethink the Concept of Balance
The idea of perfect balance between work, family, and personal life is, simply put, a myth. Sabrina encouraged participants to focus on prioritization instead of unrealistic ideals, reminding us that flexibility and realism create sustainability.
Action Step:
Use a calendar to communicate and align commitments with family members or partners.
Accept that “good enough” is often better than “perfect.” Delegate where possible and give yourself room to breathe.
Address the Guilt Factor
Another recurring obstacle is guilt—particularly for mothers. Taking time away from family responsibilities often feels indulgent, but Sabrina was clear about reframing this mindset. The best version of you is one that feels healthy and fulfilled, better equipped to support loved ones.
Action Step:
Post-workout, reflect on how movement made you feel. Focus on the energy, positivity, and mental clarity it provides—and remind yourself that this is how you can best serve those you care for.
Advocating for Inclusion in Endurance Sports
Sabrina’s experience as a curvy woman of color entering predominantly white, fast-paced running communities brought the discussion around inclusion to the forefront. Many endurance sports spaces fail to represent diverse body types, races, and abilities, creating environments that feel unwelcoming.
But true inclusion goes beyond tolerance—it requires intention. Everyone in the community, from seasoned athletes to event organizers, plays a role in creating spaces where all participants feel supported and valued.
Action steps for athletes:
If you’re a faster runner, try running at the back of the pack occasionally. Build connections with individuals who might normally feel left behind.
Introduce yourself to newcomers and foster authentic conversation—they may be stepping out of their comfort zone just by showing up.
Action steps for organizers:
Keep event aid stations stocked until the last participant has passed.
Center inclusivity through diverse marketing and representation of athletes across races, body types, and abilities.
Strength in Community
Having a supportive network is a powerful antidote to the isolation and rejection some endurance athletes, particularly slower or underrepresented participants, feel. Sabrina’s own running group provided her with an affirming space to connect and succeed, even when her fears about joining were high.
Action Steps:
Seek out a community that aligns with your values. If one doesn’t exist, consider starting your own.
Contribute by showing up authentically. Whether cheering at races, advocating for changes, or simply offering a kind word, community grows through consistent action.
Challenge Stereotypes and Redefine Possibility
Representation matters. Seeing someone who looks like you achieving something great can be the encouragement you need to try it yourself. Sabrina’s story reminded us that athletes come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds—and every participant has a unique contribution to offer.
Action Steps:
If you’re an individual in a marginalized group, remember that showing up in spaces where you may feel invisible or underrepresented is a radical and inspiring act.
If you’re an ally, recognize that small acts—like inclusivity efforts or cheering on individuals at the back of the pack—can make a significant difference.
Final Reflection
The Skadi Athlete Summit reinforced one simple but profound truth: athletic spaces thrive when inclusivity, empowerment, and community intersect. By prioritizing self-care, advocating for structural change, and showing empathy to others, athletes of all backgrounds can create environments that foster belonging and resilience.
Ask yourself today:
How can I show up for myself and my goals this week?
Who in my community can I lift up or encourage?
Whether you’re starting out, welcoming someone new, or breaking barriers of your own, these steps pave the way for meaningful transformation—in sport and in life.
