Search
shop

Skye Moench and Sarah True on social media, influencers and expectations in triathlon

Skye Moench and Sarah True on the expectations on female professionals in triathlon.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Speaking to TRI247 in a recent interview, American long course professionals Skye Moench and Sarah True addressed the infrequently talked about factor of a professional triathletes life, social media.

With the pressure to be not just an athlete but also an influencer greater than ever before, True points out how the changing social media landscape is an increasingly difficult space to navigate for women.

She underlines the importance of making it clear that being an athlete is about training and racing, not about looking ready to walk down a runway or go out to a cocktail party.

Advertisement

“We live in a day and age where we can’t just be athletes”

Explaining the pressure of social media, True believes that the current landscape leaves women at a disadvantage compared to their male counterparts.

Skye Moench of the United States of America, Sarah True of the United States of America and Agnieszka Jerzyk of Poland pose for a picture during the flower ceremony of the IRONMAN European Championship Frankfurt on July 02, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Photo by Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images for IRONMAN

“We live in the day and age where we can’t just be athletes, we also have to be influencers and when you start talking about what it means to be a female influencer versus a male influencer, that’s a whole other discussion and that’s what we are treading in.

“The social media landscape has changed a lot, some athletes know how to use the system and for them it’s been great, but overall it’s harder for women to navigate that space than men.” 

“We are not here to walk down a runway”

On the topic of the expectation to always look camera ready, Moench says that it just isn’t realistic, highlighting that athletes should be valued for their performances, not their looks.

“We were talking about the attractive element of women in sport and here we are, I was just going for a run and I’m going for a swim in an hour, I’m not going to put makeup on and I’m not going to straighten my hair.

“What am I supposed to look like? It’s just not practical to constantly look like I’m ready for a cocktail party, it’s just not going to happen. I believe we are all beautiful women and we can all look nice when we want to, but the reality is we are athletes, we’re not here to walk down a runway everyday.” 

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
SunGod FORTY2s running sunglasses review
First look at the NEW SunGod FORTY2s running sunglasses – TRI247 Review
latest News
Paris 2024 Olympics - Cassandre Beaugrand wins
Olympic triathlon greats Beaugrand and Brownlee head star-studded Supertri cast for 2025
Riana Crehan IRONMAN Cairns 2025
SAS Australia superstar Riana Crehan ACES triathlon by passing epic IRONMAN Cairns test
Lionel Sanders training pic August 2023 photo credit Talbot Cox
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders is injured and seeking answers as he confirms IRONMAN Lake Placid DNS
Hiromu Inada IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns 2025
92-year-old IRONMAN triathlete completes 70.3-mile course in iconic Australian race
IRONMAN Cairns
Top triathlon star never feels like doing another IRONMAN after Cairns experience ends in a wheelchair
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...