Why was I afraid to wear my own clothing brand?

When I first started my brand, Average Athlete, I was pumped. The name, Average Athlete, made me laugh and was meant to celebrate athletes at all levels. Living in San Francisco, surrounded by entrepreneurial energy and endless athletic adventures, I dove in headfirst. I created shirts and hats proudly displaying the name, and soon enough, people started asking about the brand. It was thrilling to see Average Athlete resonate with others.

But with the good came the not-so-good, and that's when I started to question myself.

My husband, my biggest supporter and walking billboard for Average Athlete, wore the brand alongside me. Together, we’d run through the city with the big block letters across our chests and foreheads. He’d get smiles, nods, and enthusiastic comments like, “Dude, that’s awesome!” Meanwhile, I faced comments like, "You're better than average!" and even experienced a complete stranger yell pretty aggressively at me on the street for wearing it. If you know anything about me, an Enneagram 9 (the peacemaker), getting yelled at by a stranger is a real gut punch.

It was a baffling experience. Why was me, a woman, wearing “Average Athlete” so triggering to people? I started to feel embarrassed when I wore my Average Athlete gear in public…so for a while, I stopped.

It wasn't until I became a mother that I started to notice striking similarities to the pressures I felt. As women, there is a relentless pressure to always, always be above average —whether in motherhood, career, or personal life. There’s a standard of perfection to live up to, and when you can’t—or worse, when you’re okay with just being “average”—you’re criticized.

Women Are Badasses, But We’re Also Allowed to Be “Average”

Don’t get me wrong. Women are badasses. I’ve birthed and am raising two children, I’m running a business, and trying to juggle all that life throws at me. But here’s the thing: Why is “average” something I should feel ashamed of? What even is average?

To me, Average Athlete doesn’t mean lazy or unambitious (but don’t get me wrong, I love a good lazy day). It means showing up and doing the work without chasing perfection. I like to say that everyone has their own average.

I now wear my Average Athlete gear proudly, knowing it represents more than just my fun entrepreneurship journey. I see it as a movement that’s about celebrating the everyday athletes—the ones who work hard, stay consistent, and do their best without chasing perfection or comparison to others.

So, yes, I am an average athlete, and I’m freaking proud of that. Today, I wear my Average Athlete apparel confidently, like a badge of honor.