by Founder & CEO Sammy Berryman

Ask my mom who her athletic heroes were as a kid and she’ll be hard pressed to tell you. As a female born in the late sixties, growing up through a time where men flooded the baseball fields, soccer pitches, magazine covers and boardrooms, you can imagine how difficult it would’ve been to dream of a reality where someone like yourself could achieve athletic success.

Being born in the late 80’s allowed myself to be lucky enough to witness the emergence of female athletes in the media—though it was pretty limited, and still is to this day [women make up 40% of athletes in the U.S. but receive only 4% of sport coverage]. But, the ability to see someone like myself, on TV, competing, and getting every last ounce out of themselves, ignited something deep inside.

With iconic moments such as watching Kerri Strug land her final [excruciatingly painful] vault to secure the gold medal for Team USA in the 1996 Olympics, Brandi Chastain kicking the winning goal in the 1999 World Cup, and … snowboard example?, I began to dream a bit bigger.

Though I didn’t end up competing at the Olympics [I’m a multisport athlete, good at a lot of things but not great at one] I did find my voice thanks to the confidence, determination, and enjoyment that sport allowed me to have.

Yeah The Gals is a place to help other women learn new skills, find their voice, build community, and take up space in the outdoor industry. Together, I hope to elevate women’s sport, empower those who pass through our orbit, fight for equity, and champion those around me who feel the same.

I hope that it will become a place where you feel comfortable asking questions, sharing knowledge, and connecting with other badass gals whether in person at one of our events or online.