In this special HumanizeHer live episode from SXSW , we dive deep into the lived experiences and bold voices of two remarkable women reshaping the landscape of sport, identity, and advocacy: Lizzi Smith , Paralympic swimmer and 3x medalist, and Erin Crownover , PhD candidate and Voice In Sport Foundation researcher. From the loneliness that often accompanies the pursuit of excellence to the sisterhood they found in each other, Lizzi and Erin open up about what it truly means to belong—both in and beyond the game. Lizzi shares the emotional journey of growing up with a disability in competitive swimming and what she wishes someone had told her as a young girl not seeing herself reflected in her sport. Erin takes us through her passion for sports history, the evolving portrayal of women athletes in media, and how her PhD work is reframing narratives around beauty, ability, and what sells in women's sports. Together, they unpack the pressure to "hack the system" for visibility, the critical role of mentorship through Voice in Sport, and how brand partnerships can become vehicles for social change when wielded authentically. ✨ Topics we cover: Finding power in vulnerability: redefining what it means to be a woman athlete Representation in Paralympics and the reality behind media exposure What we still get wrong about disability in sport—and how to fix it Navigating identity beyond performance The message Lizzi wants every mom of a child with a disability to hear Why Erin believes the real revolution in women's sports is still ahead The loneliness of ambition—and how friendship makes the journey bearable This is a conversation about fire, fatigue, friendship, and fierce advocacy. If you've ever felt unseen, unheard, or underestimated, this one's for you. 🎧 Tune in. Be moved. HumanizeHer. Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser
