Welcome to Breaking Boundaries
The transformative stories of women in sports across cultures and continents.
We shine a light on the athletes, coaches, and changemakers who are reshaping the landscape of global sports.
Newest episode
Strategic Swing (pt 1)
In part one of this two-part episode, Isabella Rahm, former UPenn golf student-athlete and WGCA Scholar All-American, shares her journey competing on international golf circuits before transitioning to NCAA play. She opens up about balancing elite athletics with Ivy League academics and how her time on the golf course paved the way for her initial career move into golf strategy.
The Pathway Problem - Issue 01
Dollars and Cents, Sexism and Sense
For many young girls, the dream of becoming a professional athlete fades when they see the financial realities facing women in sports. This article examines how pay inequity, underfunding, and the devaluation of women’s professional leagues can discourage girls from pursuing athletics, arguing that a sustainable career path could help keep more girls in the game.
No One Cares. Play Harder.
After years of competitive field hockey, relentless pressure from a toxic coach and a fear of failure transformed a sport she once loved into a source of anxiety and self-doubt. Leaving her elite club team and returning to school field hockey taught her that success is not worth sacrificing your happiness, and that sometimes, walking away is how you find your love for the game again.
Side-Lined: The Hidden Crisis in Girls’ Athletics
Girls are leaving sports at significantly higher rates than boys, but the reasons extend beyond confidence or motivation. This article examines how unequal opportunities, gender stereotypes, limited resources, and a lack of support create systemic barriers that can push girls out of athletics, and argues that lasting change requires addressing these inequalities rather than placing the responsibility on girls themselves.
When the Love of Sport isn't Enough
A decade of competitive sport reveals a troubling pattern: too many girls are leaving sports before reaching the elite level, not because they lack talent, but because mounting pressure, appearance standards, and expectations can drain the joy from competition. This article explores how stronger support systems and healthier sporting environments can help girls stay in the sports they love.
Content Areas
- Global Game Changers
- Cultural Context
- Beyond the Field
- Next Generation
- Tactical Training
- Leadership Lessons
- Fan Culture
Earlier episodes
Spike Mentality
In this episode, we sit down with former Simon Fraser University volleyball standout Amanda Renkema to trace her journey from her first serve to competing at the collegiate level and everything in between.
Peak Performance
In this episode, we are joined by Dr.
Inner Advantage
In this episode, we talk with Megan Pan, a high school student who has just submitted a research paper on the gut microbiome and its relationship with athletic performance.
Calling the Shots
This episode features Marilena Spagnolo, a standout goalkeeper for the Simcoe County Rovers FC and the UBC women’s soccer team, who shares an inside look at high-performance coaching, advocacy, and building confidence.
Shifting Gears
This episode's topic is “shifting gears”, which will highlight female pioneers and current trailblazers who have redefined the F1 track.
Queens of the Court
Women’s basketball today is fast, dynamic, global, and deeply influential, with icons such as Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark.
No Limits
This episode features Vanessa Zhang, a Vancouver based golfer who now represents Team Canada while competing for Harvard.
Why It Matters
Understanding women's experiences in sports across different cultures helps create a more inclusive and equitable sporting world.
By sharing these stories, we inspire the next generation while providing valuable insights into how cultural differences shape athletic experiences and opportunities.
