What institutional barriers are (still!) holding back world-class female athletes, and what can we do about it?In this episode, Sylvia is joined by Tara Geraghty-Moats, the Nordic combined women’s World Cup champion in 2021, the first season females were granted a World Cup. The sport, which pairs up ski jumping with a pursuit-start skate ski race, was an original men's event in the first 1924 Winter Olympic program. However, as an Olympic sport, Nordic combined remains the only sport, today, that women cannot compete in and are blocked from participating in despite their exceptional physical accomplishments. Sylvia and Tara discuss the challenges and successes faced in her career as a female athlete and an advocate for gender equality. As we look at ways in which women fly and impediments fixated on denying women opportunities to elevate themselves, this story of gender inequity is dismal but Tara is spirited, optimistic and always ready to pivot, ski, race, and fly on skis - so watch out!Topics Include:

• Growing up in Vermont on skis
• Environmentalism and sustainable living
• The gender pay gap for elite-level athletes
• Concentration and balance during high-pressure performances
• The institutional barriers blocking the nordic combined women in the  Winter Olympics 
• Access and visibility for female athletes
• Advocacy for marginalized groups 
• And other topics....

Tara Geraghty-Moats, who won the inaugural FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Ramsau, Austria and took home the Overall Crystal Globe for the season in 2021. Geraghty-Moats grew up in West Fairlee, Vermont and has been competing on the Ski Jumping World Cup circuit since 2014.The most successful female Nordic Combined athlete of the last few years, USA’s Tara Geraghty-Moats, has decided to put her career in Nordic Combined on hold in favour of studying and returning to biathlon.

She is a passionate gender equality advocate and will soar, regardless the obstacles.Resources Mentioned:Tara's IG – @tarageraghtymoatsBook – WOLFPACK by Abby Wambach –Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for the monthly WWF newsletter!Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – @whenwomenflyEmail – hello@whenwomenfly.com