Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes interviews returning guest Marina Paul, founder and CEO of Superhera, a data-driven sports apparel company addressing female athletes’ ill-fitting, male-centric gear and its links to body image and performance. Marina describes research conducted with 858 respondents (with researchers from Brooklyn College and Notre Dame) showing contradictions: 65% said sportswear is “fine,” yet 55% considered restricting food to fit better and 39% had done so; many also altered gear to make it work.

Most athletes prioritized fit over look, and while 80% said they look like an athlete, descriptions of the “ideal” athlete emphasized being leaner and more toned. Marina explains Superhera’s evolution into a sizing technology company using athlete measurements and photos to recommend uniform sizes and create custom gear for teams, now including men’s teams.

Marina Paul is the Founder and CEO of Superhera, a data-driven sports apparel company dedicated to closing the "gear gap" for female athletes. A former Division I soccer captain at Georgetown University, Marina transitioned from elite athletics to a career in consulting before launching Superhera to solve a systemic multi-billion dollar sizing error in the sportswear market. Her mission is deeply personal: after a successful career on the field was marred by a battle with body dysmorphia—driven by ill-fitting, male-centric uniforms—Marina set out to revolutionize the industry.

Episode Highlights:

01:22 Period Pain Sponsor
03:00 Meet Marina Paul
04:57 Why Fit Matters
08:23 Data Driven Sportswear
12:29 Sizing Psychology
16:52 Survey Setup
24:59 Key Study Findings
29:52 REDS Check In
30:40 REDS Recovery Options
32:24 Athlete Body Awareness
34:33 Do I Look Athletic
37:19 Toned Lean Ideal Trap
38:33 Healthy Body Goals
42:18 Superhera Tech Evolution
48:05 Fit Over Fashion Trends
51:39 Work With Superhera
55:14 Closing Resources

Resources and Links:

Follow Marina Paul on Instagram
Superhera Website
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258: Data-Driven Apparel for Female Athletes with Marina Paul