Being an athlete is no easy feat. The sheer dedication, commitment, and perseverance required for training and competing is not for the faint of heart. Today, we bring you a story that showcases the unwavering commitment of a female athlete and the powerful message she shared with the world.
Meet British athlete Emma Pallant-Browne, a true force to be reckoned with in the world of sports. Emma competes in a variety of competitions, including triathlon, duathlon, and aquathlon. Her achievements are nothing short of extraordinary, with a recent highlight being her silver medal at the 2022 World Long Distance Triathlon Championships. In addition to this, she has won two medals at the Ironman 70.3 (silver in 2017 and bronze in 2022) and even secured a gold at the European Championship.
In her most recent multi-sport challenge, Emma finished in fourth place at the PTO Tour European Open in Ibiza. This impressive feat came just days after she claimed the Dualthlon World Championship. As is customary at these events, Emma was photographed, and the images were uploaded to the official event page.
It was during this time that another athlete, Xavier Coppock, noticed something in the picture that others might have missed. What caught his attention became a topic of immense conversation. Emma Pallant-Browne was seen running in a pink and blue swimsuit, with a noticeable red stain. This stain was the result of her having her period during the race.
Coppock commented on the image, suggesting that it could have been cropped in a more flattering way. Instead of feeling embarrassed by the incident, Emma Pallant-Browne chose to embrace it and turn it into a powerful teaching moment for athletes and beyond.
Emma immediately replied to Coppock’s comment, courageously sharing that having her period is a reality that many female athletes face. She explained that even the most absorbent tampons can only provide protection for up to three hours on certain days. Rather than being discouraged, she thanked Coppock for his concern and shed light on the challenges faced by female athletes who continue to compete despite their periods.
A few days later, Emma uploaded the same photo to her Instagram account, intending to drive her message home. In her post, she celebrated the incredible women in sports and the equally amazing men who support them. She expressed her gratitude for the numerous messages she received from both men and women, discussing the unglamorous reality of competing while on your period.
In her heartfelt caption, she offered further context about the photo. Emma explained that she chose to race in a swimsuit because she overheats and faints in hot races. Additionally, her body temperature is higher during her period. While she usually opts for a full-length suit in darker colors for cooler races, this time she decided to experiment with lighter colors for a cooling effect. Emma acknowledged that the bottom and back of the suit are darker, but she admitted a lesson learned regarding next year’s suit design.
Emma addressed the concerns about the photo, stating that many images captured during races do not reveal anything. She explained that often, pouring water over oneself at aid stations does the trick, and even if there is an occasional photo like this one, it should not be seen as something to be edited or ashamed of. She emphasized that there is nothing wrong with the natural process of menstruation.
After overcoming personal challenges with eating disorders that impacted her menstrual cycle, Emma now sees her period as something beautiful. In her closing words, she encouraged others to embrace their own experiences. She urged everyone to save and cherish photos like this, as they serve as a testament to one’s resilience on tough days. Emma passionately concluded her message by stating that one day, these photos might just help someone else.
Emma’s choice of outfit was driven by her desire for safety and comfort during competitions. She aimed to break down barriers and encouraged women to feel proud and unashamed of something as natural as menstruation. Emma beautifully summed up her thoughts by saying, “It’s a natural thing.”
Let’s join this remarkable athlete in celebrating the power and strength of women in sports. Share this inspiring story with other women and remind them to embrace and celebrate themselves, period and all!
