'Not committed enough': The myth holding mother-coaches back with Dr. Tara-Leigh McHugh

Dr. Erin Ayala sits down with Dr. Tara‑Leigh McHugh, a Canada Research Chair in sport and physical activity at the University of Calgary.

They explore the hidden challenges faced by mother‑coaches in high‑performance sport, uncovering systemic barriers, the “mother penalty,” and why women’s expertise is often undervalued.

You'll hear concrete strategies for advocating for better policies and supporting women leaders in sport and business.

Key Takeaways:

- Mother‑coaches experience a “double penalty” of gender bias and motherhood expectations, leading to reduced pay, contract insecurity, and career stagnation.

- Clear, enforceable protections (e.g., parental‑leave policies, contract clauses) are essential first steps for organizations.

- Building mentorship networks and leveraging social media can help mother‑coaches combat isolation and share resources.

- Organizations benefit from inclusive policies: diverse coaching perspectives improve performance outcomes and athlete wellbeing.

- Entrepreneurs should audit their own workplaces for hidden biases and implement transparent, equity‑focused hiring and retention practices.

Dr. McHugh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-leigh-mchugh-0443493a2 -

Article on women’s representation in FIFA World Cup coaching (2026 study) – https://doi.org/10.1080/14660970.2025.2603769

Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe to the Feisty Women’s Performance Podcast on your favorite platform, leave a 5‑star review, and follow us on LinkedIn for episode updates and exclusive resources. Got thoughts on supporting mother‑coaches? Drop us a comment or email erin@feistypodcast.com – we’d love to hear from you!