WEEK #24: COURTNEY A.

 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. 

 

Hi!! My name is Courtney Anglin and I am in my second year at Brock University!! I play basketball (aiming to play at Brock for the 2022-23 season!) and I am also a part of the Brock Track and Field Team!! I absolutely love cooking and meal prepping every week, and I love to read, sing, and paint in my free time between training!

 

What is an issue or topic you are passionate about or would like to see changed?

 

The biggest thing I am passionate about in sport is the representation of all body types. I believe that people of all shapes and sizes should be able to play the sports they love without the fear of being looked down upon or ridiculed simply because of their size. Living in a bigger body has really opened my eyes to the toxic idea of an ‘ideal body standard’ of athletes, which is something I have never really fit into.

 

After going through years of self-doubt, insecurity and harmful dieting and workouts, I finally (recently) got to a place where I realized that looking slim/physically fit and being good at your sport are NOT mutually exclusive.

 

I share the ups and downs of training and living in a bigger body on my public Instagram because I am so passionate about sharing the truth about living in a bigger body and training hard to get better at basketball because I know there are other young athletes who might be feeling the same way I did, and I want to show them you can achieve your goals healthily while learning to love yourself at the same time, even if that come with body changes.

 

What specific strategies would you like to see parents, coaches, or sport administrators do to improve diversity in sport or progress your cause? 

One strategy that I think would make a huge difference is not talking about an athlete’s body if they aren’t specifically asked about it, and if they are, being mindful of the words they’re choosing. I have heard way too many leaders in sport speak about the body composition of an athlete when it is not at all necessary or wanted and describing the traits they don’t like or don’t think ‘fit’ in a negative manner.

 

Another strategy would be to promote being fit and healthy eating habits without placing an emphasis on changing your body in the process. When the focus is solely on training to get better at your sport and eating to fuel your body adequately, it takes the focus from trying to change your body to fit a certain narrative which will in turn help you get better at your sport in greater stride because the focus isn’t on trying to change yourself.

 

What is your favourite leadership quote?  

 

“You cannot achieve unless you believe… in yourself. You are more capable than you think.”

– Elena Delle Donne

 

If you had 25 words worth of advice to share, what would you say? 

 

Never count yourself out. No matter who says what you can or can’t do. You’ve always got to have your own back. Forever and Always.

RESOURCE RECOMMENDATION

 

I love The Players Tribune! Reading all the stories shared directly from athletes always inspired me to be better and push through the hard times. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/