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How Would You Feel If The BBC Said You Couldn’t Feature In Their Show Because You Were A Woman?

Sophie Radcliffe was rejected from an adventure program for being female. This is what she did about it...

Photo: Challenge Sophie

If you haven’t heard of Sophie Radcliffe already, you should. The adventurer applied to a BBC programme looking for fit athletes to take part in a show called ‘World’s Toughest Army’.

She was instantly rejected on one ground: that she is female.

We think that Radcliffe, a climber, cyclist, runner and Ironman racer is pretty much one of the toughest and raddest person you could ever meet.

In a world where awesome campaigns like This Girl Can are transforming how people see women in sport, how can such an outdated idea of strength can still exist?

Photo: Challenge Sophie

Encourage people, and especially women, to live fearlessly, live without limits and believe in themselves

The BBC hadn’t mentioned any gender restrictions in the application process for the show, but replied to Radcliffe saying:

“Unfortunately, the application is only open to men currently, as it is in keeping with the selection criteria of the Special Forces, we will be featuring in the series.”

Radcliffe, not ready to accept the BBC’s decision however, wrote this amazing response on her blog.

The BBC have now backtracked on their decision and opened the show up to both men and women.

“A huge part of my mission with the choices I make in life and my blog is to encourage people, and especially women, to live fearlessly, live without limits and believe in themselves.” Radcliffe explains.

“I want to be a change maker in this world, you will not find me rolling over and accepting the way things are just because that’s the way they have been in the past.”

Photo: Challenge Sophie

Today we are going to be taking Sophie’s mantra to challenge ourselves, break boundaries and realise we can achieve more than we think – and channel some of her badass vibes.

So, from Cooler, we would like to send a big high five across to Sophie, along with a big thank you on behalf of all adventurous women. You rule!

 

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