Women are forced to be resilient: The gender tax on female athletes with Dr. Emily Matheson

Dr. Emily Matheson dives deep into the hidden “gender tax” that female athletes pay and why the sport system is unintentionally building their resilience.

She reveals how traditional resilience measures miss the relational strengths women bring to sport and shares actionable strategies for athletes, coaches, and entrepreneurs to foster genuine mental‑health support.

Listeners will walk away with fresh perspectives on measuring resilience, practical tools for building it, and a roadmap for creating more equitable athletic environments.

• Traditional resilience scales often overlook relational and gender‑specific factors; consider a more holistic assessment.
• Female athletes develop “relational resilience” by leaning on self‑awareness, community, and supportive networks.
• Systemic changes—like equitable scheduling and resource allocation—can reduce the hidden gender tax in sports.
• Coaches and leaders should shift from “forcing resilience” to co‑creating environments that nurture it.
• Entrepreneurs can apply these insights to build inclusive, high‑performing teams that value mental health as a core asset.

Emily Matheson, PhD is a sport psychologist and research strategist specializing in mental health, body image, and resilience among female athletes. Currently leads research strategy at Great Minds and collaborates with brands such as Dove and Nike.

https://dremilymatheson.com - Related research on resilience and gender in sport

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