Upstate NY woman dedicates a lifetime to sports
A woman has dedicated her life to trying all kinds of sports. She shared her story of the challenges she faces on and off the field. She is bringing more women into the journey into a movement of women supporting women.
Athletes test their endurance in multisport races. But one participant took this idea to the next level.
“When you have a goal and you achieve it, you become empowered,” said Women’s TIES founder Tracy Higginbotham. “That empowered feeling is a little addictive in the sense of ‘what can I do next?'”
Higginbotham strives to try every sport at least once in her life, participating in local sporting competitions and events.
“I’ve always had a deep love for sports, but I’ve watched all my sons play sports,” Higginbotham said. “After they were gone, I filled my time with sport again. And after running the Boston marathon, which is such a big challenge and adventure, I just want to keep doing things that are the same, feel the same.”
She goes through each course with a friend along the way.
“I’m questioning a lot about my past self and I’m registering for this event,” said attendee Hope Breen. “I wanted to support Tracy in all of her work and I haven’t tried any sports with her yet.”
Higginbotham takes women on her athletic journey not only to empower others but also to share her story after being diagnosed with the life-changing condition alopecia.
“The sadness of losing all my care and part of my career where I was a public speaker because I always dressed a certain way, looked a certain way, and had long, beautiful hair,” said Higginbotham. “If you lose that, you lose your own self-image. And the only place I’ve been able to feel good about my self-image was on a bike ride or running when I was feeling good.”
She says it helps regain her confidence.
“When you exercise, no one cares how you look, how slow you go fast,” Higginbotham said. “You know, it doesn’t matter. It’s the sport that really empowered me to accept the image of myself without hair.”
Higginbotham believes exercise is a way of empowering and motivating. She envisions others joining her movement to support other women and equality through her company, Women TIES, a company specializing in the promotion, exposure and association of women entrepreneurs.
“When it comes to making a difference in women’s lives, whether it’s in business, sport or equality issues, it’s going to take more than maybe my entire life to see equality,” Higginbotham said. “So if there are women who aren’t talking about it and inspiring and motivating others to do something, it’s just not going to happen.”
She works to overcome challenges and strives for success on and off the pitch.
“Now that we’re at the end, I feel very accomplished and I feel like I’ve surprised myself, pushed myself and done each of those three things,” Breen said.
“It’s about taking action,” Higginbotham said. “If you see an inequality that you can do something about, do something about it. And of course fighting for women.”