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In this episode, we sit down with former international footballer and boxer Stacy Copeland about identity, exclusion, and changing stereotypes in sport and beyond. Copeland recalls falling back in love with boxing after a heartbreaking football injury and describes being forced out of a primary school football match for being a girl, then cutting her hair and using a boy’s name to keep playing. She explains how women’s football was effectively blocked through lack of FA recognition and how women’s boxing was legally banned until Jane Couch’s 1997–98 court case, alongside myths like women’s uteruses falling out if they ran marathons. Copeland outlines her charity Pave the Way, now focused on challenging gender stereotypes for boys and girls, including school projects. She also recounts winning a Commonwealth boxing title but initially being denied a real belt, prompting her to campaign for women’s belts.

Show Notes • How does an athlete rebuild identity when the sport they love tells them they do not belong. • What happens when gender becomes the biggest barrier to chasing your dream in elite sport. • How can resilience be built when rejection starts in childhood and continues into professional competition. • What does it take to challenge systems, stereotypes, and traditions that were never designed for you to succeed. • How do athletes separate self-worth from exclusion, setbacks, and the feeling of being underestimated. • What role does sport play in challenging social inequality and changing how people see themselves and others. • How can pioneers turn personal injustice into purpose that creates opportunities for future generations. • What happens when success becomes less about medals and more about creating lasting change. • How do athletes use their platform to inspire confidence, challenge bias, and break down stereotypes. • What can Stacey Copeland’s journey teach us about courage, leadership, and paving the way beyond sport.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:06 From Football to Boxing 02:02 Sport Identity and Access 04:38 Playing as a Boy 08:03 Rejection and Resilience 12:21 When Boxing Was Illegal 13:01 Hidden History of Women Sport 20:45 Myths That Block Women 26:54 Pave The Way Origins 29:41 Olympics and Weight Classes 31:20 Expanding Beyond Sport 33:13 Boys Can Dance 34:02 Beyond Gender Lists 35:02 Imposter Syndrome Stories 37:04 Paved The Way Projects 41:10 Sport Barriers And Bias 44:25 Code Switching And Identity 50:27 Commonwealth Belt Fight 56:30 Advice To Younger Self 59:30 Naming The Episode 01:00:24 Final Thanks And Wrap Subscribe to DIVE Beyond Sport Podcast for weekly episodes diving into athlete stories, mindset, and motivation. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dive-beyond-sport/id1832706678 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67pX07qo2f6AZTxOERShpn?si=95b0803ce82642a7

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Stacey Copeland: https://www.instagram.com/staceycopelandboxer

Freddie Woodward: https://www.instagram.com/freddie_woodward

Yona Knight-Wisdom: https://www.instagram.com/yonakw

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Stacey Copeland: Paving the Way (DIVE Ep.25)