More Than an Athlete: Women’s Multiple Identities

By: Lisa Pena-Sabanal – Healing Recovery Centre 

Women in sports don’t just carry the weight of dual identities; they’re constantly holding space for the many intersecting parts of who they are, how they show up and who they want to become. These overlapping roles of being an athlete and a teammate, a child and a parent, a lover and a friend and a leader and a trainer can feel overwhelmingly challenging. When cultural expectations tied to family, community or even tradition are brought to the forefront, the navigation of identity becomes even more complex. The pressures to respect cultural roles while meeting the demands of sport often leave women athletes balancing not just performance but identity itself, thereby influencing their overall health and well-being. This piece is written to honour the lived experiences of these women by acknowledging the complexity of their intersecting identities and the additional expectations that shape how they experience the game and the world around them. It offers support in finding more balance, ensuring that wellbeing is nurtured without compromising the values, traditions or commitments that are just as important in their lives. 

The Weight of Intersectionality

For women, identity is never singular, nor is it monolithic. In sport, bearing the title of ‘athlete’ is only one part of their narrative, and it rarely considers the many other roles and responsibilities women are expected to negotiate. Family, community and tradition are deeply intertwined, carrying significant meaning. Each of these holds its own set of expectations that can often feel heavy, burdensome, even smothering. At the same time, they are not always intrinsically negative. They can serve to foster strength, connection, resilience and all things that provide protection and security during times of uncertainty and disappointment. 

In truth, the duality of many of the competing tensions leaves women athletes questioning whether they are giving enough to each part of their lives, and to the people within them. The push to be the very best in the sport may conflict with the pull of maintaining interpersonal relationships, while the desire to build their abilities can clash with their need for rest and recovery. Inevitably, the mental strain of moving between roles is an unseen reality, influencing athletic performance and overall well-being. Identifying this weight of intersectionality is the first step toward acknowledging how identity and sport intersect, but equally important is discovering ways to honour and protect their well-being. 

Finding Balance

Finding balance is not an easy undertaking, but fortunately, it does not mean eliminating roles or selecting one identity over another. For women in sport, it often involves coming to accept and understand how to integrate the many parts of themselves in ways that is authentic and genuine to their becoming. Yes, setting boundaries can feel unsettling, but their impact is powerful, particularly for those who have never given themselves the space to establish them. This involves unapologetically saying no when demands become overwhelming and scheduling time for rest without feeling guilty. The act of reframing one’s identity as a priority allows women athletes to honour other commitments without compromising their pursuit of excellence in sport. Transparency with coaches, teammates, families and other significant people can also ease some of the burdens experienced. Intentionally building in grounding practices that are consistent with their values also helps sustain a healthier quality of life. 

Conclusion   

Women athletes are so much more than just the sport itself. Honouring this truth means recognizing that strength is not measured by athletic abilities, the number of wins had, or the type of medals earned. It is about the capacity to remain whole, while navigating the competing demands of life itself. For every woman in sport, negotiating between identity and performance is an ongoing journey. Balance is not unrealistic or impossible; it is achievable, and respecting identity and performance excellence can coexist.