#037: Stacey Copeland on the Power of Role Models, Language and Women’s Boxing

#037: Stacey Copeland on the Power of Role Models, Language and Women’s BoxingStacey Copeland has represented England at the highest levels in both football and boxing. These day, Stacey is a professional boxer, having gained her professional licence earlier this year.

Stacey began training in the boxing gym run by her Granddad when she was 6 or 7. But she was too young to realise that, at the time, boxing was banned as a sport for women. So when the boys in her training squad turned 11 and were allowed to compete, Stacey was left on the sidelines outside the ring, watching.

An incredible football career followed. And by the time Stacey retired from football, the ban on women’s boxing had been lifted so she returned to the sport she loved.

In this episode, we don’t discuss boxing so much as Stacey’s experience of being a girl and woman involved in two sports that are traditionally seen as “male sports”.

Stacey talks openly about how she’s struggled with the perceptions and labels given to her by others who think that boxing isn’t suitable for women and how that lack of recognition fed a longstanding struggle with the Imposter Complex.

We also talk about what it was like growing up in a boxing gym, the impact that having no female role models in her sport had on her, why role models are so critical, the power of language and why it’s so important to be aware of the words we use and the labels we give others.

Get the full show notes for the episode here.

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