Sports
Bárbara Dias: Running, Real Bodies, and Overcoming PCOS
The Brazilian runner and entrepreneur shares how the 21K transformed her health and bolstered her self-confidence.
In an inspiring conversation on Girls Who Run, Bárbara Dias reflects on starting running and breaking body stereotypes in sports. She also details how training helped manage her polycystic ovary syndrome and fueled her career transition.
The idea that there is a specific body type for running discourages many people from the sport even before their first workout. Born in Mariana, Minas Gerais, runner and communicator Bárbara Dias transformed her journey by rejecting aesthetic standards and claiming her space in road races for well-being and health.
Bárbara started running consistently in 2023, encouraged by her best friend after becoming a mother. Although she had an unsuccessful initial experience with trail running years earlier, this new attempt on the pavement paved the way for progressive dedication. Her first major goal was a half marathon, following a structured 10-month training cycle before crossing the finish line at the Athens Half Marathon in São Paulo.
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Half marathon challenges and the Latin American circuit
After debuting in the 21K, the distance became Bárbara's favorite. In 2025, alongside joining the influencer team for Maratona do Rio—where she completed the 5K, 10K, and 21K races in the same weekend—she launched her project to complete the Mega Finisher circuit across Latin America.
After running the flat, cold-weather Buenos Aires Half Marathon, the amateur athlete's next goal is the Montevideo Half Marathon, which brings runners together in Uruguay this May. The circuit also includes stops in Brasília (Monumental), Asunción, and Lima.
PCOS diagnosis and a metabolic health turnaround
Behind her athletic progress, running played a pivotal role in managing a chronic condition: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Diagnosed in early 2020, Bárbara had the full clinical picture of the syndrome, characterized by amenorrhea (eight months without a period), testosterone levels at 800 ng/dL, and severe insulin resistance, which placed her in a prediabetic state.
Even with metformin and dietary adjustments, her lab markers were slow to stabilize. The decisive turning point came through consistent running workouts. With regular exercise and lifestyle adjustments—such as reducing alcohol consumption and eating a balanced diet—the syndrome entered clinical remission two years ago, restoring regular menstrual cycles and normalizing hormonal and glycemic markers.
Entrepreneurship and overcoming imposter syndrome
The resilience built during long runs also sparked changes off the pavement. With a background in biochemistry and chemistry and a master's degree in education, Bárbara was working as a teacher when she began offering digital services and creating social media content. Fear of lacking formal marketing training initially triggered imposter syndrome when launching the agency b.comunica.
With the discipline developed through training and a dedication to formal upskilling—completing an MBA in Marketing, Branding, and Growth—she completed her full transition to digital entrepreneurship in 2024 after leaving the classroom.
Running beyond pace and social media
For Bárbara, the goal in races has never been chasing extreme speed or aesthetic weight loss, but finding joy in the journey and autonomy over her body. She argues that beginners shouldn't let themselves be discouraged by comparing themselves to influencers who showcase paces unattainable for people with traditional work routines.
Maintaining an average weekly mileage between 30 km and 42 km during peak training blocks, the runner emphasizes that hitting the pavement is a right for every body and pace, reiterating that sports should serve as a tool for freedom and mental health.
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