Canadian masters distance champ Sasha Gollish, who has numerous race wins and Canadian masters records to her name, has been open about her experience as a woman athlete—breaking taboos surrounding perimenopause and amplifying the importance of inclusive role models. In honour of International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, which has a theme of “inspire inclusion,” she shared her story and insight with World Athletics.
Breaking the silence
Gollish highlights the transformative power of speaking out about the challenges her 41-year-old (now 42) body began to face during perimenopause—a stage in life that she, like many people, hadn’t realized was a phase of the menstrual cycle. Gollish experienced symptoms of dry skin, crippling anxiety, irregular menstrual patterns and disrupted sleep, and at first, kept the symptoms to herself. “Because we simplify the menstrual cycle, I went about my life having no idea what was happening to my body and the effects on my mood,” she says.
Sasha Gollish breaks two Canadian masters records in one night
During a particularly anxious period, Gollish turned to humour to help her navigate the challenges she was facing, and began to share on social media. She was met with a community of women, many of them runners, who posted comments and sent direct messages sharing their similar experiences. Gollish emphasizes the importance of working together to move forward in destigmatizing the menstrual cycle. “Collectively we–not just women, but everyone – can help to remove the bias, the stereotypes and the discrimination that women continue to face,” she says.
Strong women empowering strong women
Gollish has a mantra for 2024 of “strong women empowering strong women.” She explains: “Just like you, I have moments when I do not feel strong, where my confidence wavers and my body goes through changes during which I just don’t feel like myself. What I now know in these moments is that I am surrounded by strong women, who remind me and empower me to be the strong woman that I am.”
Gollish underscores the importance of diverse role models and strives to amplify varied voices, inspiring inclusion in the exercise and play space. “There are a whole bunch of you I look to as role models, too, when I need a boost of motivation,” she says.
Embracing the new normal
Returning to running post-perimenopause, Gollish confronts the challenges of comparison, both to other athletes and to her former self. Embracing a new normal, she gracefully adapts her training routine, emphasizing self-compassion and acceptance. She encourages a shift in focus from external expectations to gratitude for the body’s capabilities.
“Running looks a little different these days, one less big, intense workout a week and more cross-training, adjusting what was my usual runs to the new normal, generally a bit shorter and sometimes a bit slower,” Gollish explains.
Empowering by sharing experiences
On International Women’s Day and onward, Gollish invites everyone, regardless of gender or menstrual cycle, to recognize the common thread that unites us in the running and track and field community. Through shared experiences, she envisions a world where empowerment fosters inclusion. “I want to knit the world together and if you’re reading this—regardless of gender and if you have a menstrual cycle—I know that our common thread is running and track and field, a beautiful community of unique individuals,” she says.
What can we all do?
Researchers who conducted a recent study by ASICS on the gender gap revealed a few key insights. In addressing these, Gollish says we need to look at how we can help ourselves or the women in our lives be more active. “To help women reach the activity levels they desire, we need to first ask them what they want and what barriers they perceive to be facing,” she explains. “…we need to help women give themselves permission to choose exercise over typical gendered roles, such as helping children with homework, cleaning the home, or managing the family’s daily calendars.”
Gollish encourages partners to be helpful by not only encouraging women to chase desired exercise levels, but can also aid by taking on tasks. Finally, she adds: “And while it takes courage, I encourage my female friends to communicate to their families, parents, children, and partners what they need.”
