Recognize

13/07/2022

Insane. Amazing. Ridiculous. The hardest, hottest thing I've ever done in my life.

RIGHT NOW, a new crop of amazing ultramarathoners are making their way across Death Valley, running Badwater 135, the world's toughest foot race. I am so pumped for them to conquer the heat, the hills, and their own limits. Last year, I had the privilege of running Badwater, where I learned so much about myself as a runner, athlete, and human. So today, to celebrate the runners making their way across the brutally hot desert, we're sharing a "very special episode" of Recognize, where I recap my race experience with .

But—just like any good ultramarathon—this is far from the end, y'all. is coming back with a vengeance this fall, with full-length episodes exploring coverage of women’s sports—what’s wrong, how you can help fix it, why it matters, and giving you the REAL story about these amazing athletes. LET'S F***ING GOOOOOOO

For now, put on your hoodie, crank up that space heater, and enjoy today's episode. And make sure you subscribe to Recognize on your favorite podcast channel or app, so you can get our content as soon as it drops. Good luck to the runners, and thanks to all our dope listeners out there!

20/07/2021

Day 136/135. Kelaine Conochan, The Everywoman

We’re in OVERTIME! Conochan, our trusted scribe, is running the Badwater 135 right freaking now. 135 miles through the heat and hills of Death Valley. Why? Because she loves it. And because girls and women belong in sports.

This race is the culmination of months of training and years of playing every freaking sport. Let’s GO!

https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/kelaine-conochan-the-everywoman

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19/07/2021

Day 135/135. Abby Wambach, The Mentor ⚽️👩‍👧

Abby Wambach is the all-time leading scorer of the . But she's bigger than the game and her records. Her commitment to mentoring up-and-coming players like Alex Morgan is why she's the GOAT, even after her retirement.

Leadership is making sure that the next generation has more, does more, and is more — simply because you led them to believe they could be.



https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/abby-wambach-the-mentor

18/07/2021

Day 134/135. Megan Rapinoe, The Rebel 👩🏼‍🎤⚽️

Megan Rapinoe is a clutch player who makes the most of big moments on a global stage. She’s more than a soccer player. She's a true rebel: a pink-haired, anthem-kneeling, Trump-rebuffing icon.


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/megan-rapinoe-the-rebel

Day 134/135. Megan Rapinoe is a clutch player who makes the most of big moments. She’s a true rebel: a pink-haired, anthem-kneeling, Trump-rebuffing icon.

17/07/2021

Maya Moore, The Caregiver 🏀🗽

Day 133/135. On the basketball court, Maya Moore has won just about all there is to win—NCAA & WNBA titles, MVPs, gold medals. In the court of appeals, she’s only just starting her win streak. Witness her greatness.



https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/maya-moore-the-caregiver

Day 133/135. On the basketball court, Maya Moore has won just about all there is to win. In the court of appeals, she’s only just starting her win streak.

16/07/2021

Day 132/135. Diana Taurasi, The Ruler 🏀👑

The White Mamba doesn’t always play nice. But when you’re trying to win basketball games and be the best of all time… does you even have to?


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/diana-taurasi-the-ruler

Day 132/135. Diana Taurasi doesn’t always play nice. But when you’re trying to win basketball games and be the best of all time… does you even have to?

15/07/2021

Day 131/135. Sue Bird, The Sage 🏀🌿🔮

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. Her experience makes her the best point guard to ever do it.


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/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.

14/07/2021

Day 130/135. Simone Biles, The Magician 🤸🏿‍♀️🪄🎩

Simone Biles is the undisputed GOAT. She's not only the winningest American gymnast of all time. She's also so good that judges are literally recalibrating the scores as she invents new moves, raises the bar, and sticks the landing.

We can't wait to see her compete at this summer's Olympic Games.


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/simone-biles-the-magician

Day 130/135. Simone Biles is the undisputed GOAT. The winningest American gymnast is so good, she’s recalibrating the scores, inventing new moves, and changing the game.

13/07/2021

Day 129/135. Holly Rowe, The Truth 🎙️🙌

Holly Rowe is a trusted & beloved voice in sports media. This 2x cancer survivor covers just about every sport for ESPN. But she doesn't just focus on big name men's sports. She also uses her platform to shine a light on women athletes—from the WNBA to the Women's College World Series and beyond.

THAT'S why we're holding her up.


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/holly-rowe-the-truth

Day 129/135. Holly Rowe is a trusted and beloved voice in sports media. Though this 2x cancer survivor covers just about every sport for ESPN, she has used her platform to shine a light on women athletes.

12/07/2021

Day 128/135. Lisa Leslie, The Femme Fatale ⛹🏿‍♀️💅🏿

When the WNBA launched 25 years ago, Lisa Leslie was the face of the league—and not just because she was pretty. She was an 8x All-Star, 2x WNBA champion, and the first to dunk in the league.

Los Angeles Sparks

https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/lisa-leslie-the-femme-fatale

Day 128/135. When the WNBA launched 25 years ago, Lisa Leslie was the face of the league—and not just because she was pretty. She was an All-Star, champion, and first to dunk.

11/07/2021

Day 127/135. Florence Griffith-Joyner, The Ruler 🏃🏿‍♀️👑

33 years after setting World Records in the 100m and 200m, Flo-Jo is still the fastest woman of all-time.

A style icon on and off the track—with even Beyoncé dressing up as Flo-Jo for Halloween—she was unapologetically herself, despite critics trying to make her into something more conventional.


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/florence-griffith-joyner-the-ruler

Day 127/135. 33 years after setting records in the 100m and 200m, Flo-Jo is still the fastest woman to ever live. She was a style icon on the track, and unapologetically herself, despite critics trying to make her into something more conventional.

10/07/2021

Day 126/135. Jonquel Jones, The Best Kept Secret 🏀🤐

Flying under the radar is nothing new for Jonquel Jones, who is quietly putting together an MVP season for the Connecticut Sun. Sports media may not notice, but real WNBA fans sure do.

https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/jonquel-jones-the-best-kept-secret

Day 126/135. Flying under the radar is nothing new for Jonquel Jones, who is quietly putting together an MVP season for the Connecticut Sun. The media may not notice, but real fans sure do.

09/07/2021

Day 125/135. Julie Foudy, The Mentor ⚽️👩‍👧‍👧

Julie Foudy is more than a soccer player. More than a broadcaster. Her entire career, she has been a trailblazer and leader in the fight for gender equity, paving the way for more girls and women in sports.

From captain of the USWNT to the ESPN broadcast booth, Foudy has always led with integrity, a positive attitude, and intelligence. She's a hero, an icon, and a mentor.

https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/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.

08/07/2021

Day 124/135. Naomi Osaka, The Innocent 🎾🤲🏽

After deciding not to do press, Naomi Osaka 大坂なおみ pulled out of the French Open and Wimbledon to take care of her mental health. It's a bummer for fans and the tournament officials, sure, but if your job is to play well and press makes you doubt yourself, and doubting yourself results in unforced errors... what would you do?

Osaka is a different kind of athlete. She's obviously dominant on the court, but her off-court actions—advocating against Asian hate and police brutality—show that she's soft in the heart.

Competitors beware: empathy is NOT weakness.

https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/naomi-osaka-the-innocent

Day 124/135. Naomi Osaka has missed the French Open and Wimbledon to take care of her mental health. She’s a different kind of athlete, dominant on the court, but soft in the heart.

07/07/2021

Day 123/135. Skylar Diggins-Smith, The Beauty AND The Beast

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?

https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/skylar-diggins-smith-the-beauty-and-the-beast

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?

06/07/2021

Day 122/135. Rose Lavelle, The Joker ⚽️🃏

Rose Lavelle was THE breakout star of the 2019 World Cup, scoring clutch goals while showing off her footwork AND winning personality. Come get your roses, Rose! 🌹



https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/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.

05/07/2021

Day 121/135. Joan Benoit Samuelson, The Unstoppable 🏃🏼‍♀️🔁

Joan Benoit won the first EVER women’s Olympic marathon in 1984, in front of a home crowd right here in the USA. Today, at 64 years old, she’s STILL going. (And running faster than I could ever dream of.) Unstoppable.
https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/joan-benoit-samuelson-the-unstoppable

Day 121/135. Joan Benoit Samuelson won the first EVER women’s Olympic marathon. And today, at 64 years old she’s STILL going. Still running faster than I could ever dream of. Unstoppable.

04/07/2021

Day 120/135. Mary Lou Retton, The Innocent 🤸🏻‍♀️👼🏻

🇺🇸 HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! 🇺🇸
In the 1984 Olympics, Mary Lou Retton was the first American woman to win the all-around competition—by an extremely tight margin. She became America’s sweetheart and paved the way for future USA gymnastics champions like Simone Biles, Nastia Liukin, and Gabby Douglas, and women athletes everywhere.

://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/mary-lou-retton-the-innocent

Day 120/135. In the 1984 Olympics, Mary Lou Retton was the first American woman to win the all-around competition. She became America’s sweetheart and paved the way for future champions.

03/07/2021

Day 119/135. Elle Purrier St. Pierre, The Farmer 🏃🏼‍♀️👩🏼‍🌾

Running the 1500m is anything but easy. But in the Olympic trials, Elle Purrier St. Pierre made it look like light work, leading the race from gun to tape and breaking a meet record. Growing up on a dairy farm, she's used to hard work.
https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/elle-purrier-st-pierre-the-farmer

Day 119/135. Running the 1500m is anything but easy. But in the Olympic trials, Elle Purrier St. Pierre made it look like light work, leading gun to tape. The work ethic came from growing up on a dairy farm.

02/07/2021

Day 118/135. April Ross, The Phoenix 🏐🔥🦅

April Ross has twice faced down challenges that made her want to quit volleyball. But she always finds a way to rise up. After already winning gold and silver in 2012 and 2016, this year she's striving for her first gold medal in an Olympic Games.



https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/april-ross-the-phoenix

Day 118/135. April Ross has twice faced down challenges that made her want to quit volleyball. But she always rises up, this year striving for her first gold medal in the Olympic Games.

01/07/2021

Day 117/135. Carli Lloyd, The Workhorse ⚽️🐎

2x World Cup, 2x Player of the Year, 2x Olympic gold winner. How the heck 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 physical game is her mental game. Giddy up!


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/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.

30/06/2021

Day 116/135. A’ja Wilson, The Joker 🏀🃏

A'ja Wilson is not just the 2020 WNBA MVP. She’s got post moves, an outside shot, AND jokes. She's amazing on offense, defense, AND modeling the latest Olympic gear for Team USA.

The best player is also the best personality in the league. There's nothing she can't do.

✍️ SIGN YOUR MARKETING CONTRACTS NOW.


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/aja-wilson-the-joker

Day 116/135. A’ja Wilson is not just the 2020 WNBA MVP. She’s got post moves, an outside shot, AND jokes. The best player is also the best personality in the league. SIGN YOUR MARKETING CONTRACTS NOW.

29/06/2021

Day 115/135. Cathy Engelbert, The Business 🏀📈

Yesterday, the WNBA announced that the league is 99% vaccinated and has had ZERO players test positive for COVID since the start of the regular season. Who leads this group of leaders?

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert took her post in early 2020 and has been full steam ahead ever since. She has helped the league navigate a new CBA and COVID while delivering better ratings, partnerships, and on-court product. What a BOSS.

https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/cathy-engelbert-the-business

Day 115/135. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert took her post in early 2020 and has been full steam ahead ever since, navigating a new CBA and COVID while delivering better ratings and partnerships. What a BOSS.

28/06/2021

Day 114/135. Kelley O’Hara, The Competitor ⚽️😈

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 feisty, fearless right back.

27/06/2021

Day 113/135. Tamika Catchings, The Hero 🏀🦸‍♀️

This year, Tamika Catchings was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the same class as her childhood friend, Kobe Bryant. But that ain’t even the half of it. WNBA champion. 10x All-Star. MVP. Top 15 WNBA player of all-time.

There's no catching Tamika Catchings. She’s a real hero.


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/tamika-catchings-the-hero

Day 113/135. This year, Tamika Catchings was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, the same class as her childhood friend, Kobe Bryant. But that ain’t even the half of it. She’s a real hero.

27/06/2021

Day 112/135. Laila Ali, The Heiress 🥊

Laila Ali is more than just "Muhammad Ali’s daughter." As an undefeated boxer, she earned her own stripes, scars, and super middleweight titles. Put some respect on her name.


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/laila-ali-the-heiress

Day 112/135. Laila Ali is more than Muhammad Ali’s daughter. As an undefeated boxer, she earned her own stripes, scars, and super middleweight titles.

25/06/2021

Day 111/135. Renee Montgomery, The Creator

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 Atlanta Dream.



https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/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.

24/06/2021

Day 110/135. Odicci Alexander, The Underdog ⚾️🐶

No one expected much from James Madison University softball at the 2021 Women’s College World Series. But with Odicci Alexander in the pitching circle, the team won games, hearts, and minds.


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/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.

23/06/2021

Day 109/135. Martina Navratilova, The Rival 🎾⚔️

Martina Navratilova is the FIRST person to ever win a Grand Slam... in fact, the term was coined after she did it. As one of the all-time greats, her rivalry with Chris Evert defined and dominated tennis for over a decade.

Advantage: women.



https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/martina-navratilova-the-rival

Day 109/135. Martina Navratilova is one of the all time greats of tennis. Her rivalry with Chris Evert defined and dominated tennis for over a decade. Advantage: fans.

22/06/2021

Day 108/135. Doris Burke, The Voice 🏀🎙️

Back in the day, Doris Burke was a baller herself. Today, she’s the best voice in NBA broadcasting, breaking down X’s and O’s while breaking glass ceilings.


https://www.recognizepod.com/135-challenge/doris-burke-the-voice

Day 108/135. Back in the day, Doris Burke was a baller herself. Right now, she’s the best voice in NBA broadcasting, breaking down X’s and O’s while breaking glass ceilings.