Sports
The Performance Society: Running, Burnout, and Real Life
Psychologist Fernanda Lopes and Girls Who Run hosts discuss how the relentless pursuit of high performance impacts well-being and enjoyment in sports.
In a revealing episode, psychologist Fernanda Lopes, alongside Ma Fanti and Mari Real of Girls Who Run, delves into the 'performance society.' They discuss how the pressure to 'do it all' turns even hobbies like running into sources of stress. The debate covers the influence of social media, the female burden, and the importance of reconnecting with the genuine joy of sports.
Girls Who Run, Stemma Sports' running podcast, delved into a theme increasingly prevalent in many women's lives: the performance society. Hosts Ma Fanti and Mari Real welcomed psychologist Fernanda Lopes to discuss the feeling of having to "do it all" – work, train, socialize, rest – without ever seeming lazy. In this mindset, even activities that should be light, like sports, become another source of pressure and exhaustion, extending burnout from the professional environment to all spheres of life.
Fernanda Lopes, who had previously appeared on the podcast in earlier seasons, shared her own running journey. After experiencing a stress fracture and realizing her relationship with the sport was no longer "easygoing," she now seeks a lighter approach, where life and relationships aren't just about "delivering" something, but also about "playing" and allowing oneself to fail.
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Running in the Performance Society
The discussion quickly delved into amateur running, a world where most athletes are immersed in the narrative that a hobby must become work, a relentless pursuit of performance. The market quickly creates needs for products, supplements, and technologies, transforming what was simple into something complex and costly. “Make running cool again,” Fernanda provokes, evoking the feeling that running has become “boring” for many. The idea of people filming their entire run to produce content or ignoring injuries to maintain pace are clear examples of this obsession.
The psychologist introduced the concept from anthropologist Michel Cuforado, author of the bestseller “Coisa de Rico” (Rich People Things), who analyzes performance as an identity marker for the Brazilian elite. It's not enough to be rich; one must perform discipline and focus through high-intensity sports. The idea that an Ironman is the "new MBA" for CEOs reflects this mentality, where physical prowess is equated with professional success. However, this "performance of wealth" is supported by a structure of assistance (personal trainers, physical therapists, cooks, expensive equipment) that not everyone has access to, creating an unattainable standard for most.
In contrast to this reality, the perspective of Kenyan athletes was mentioned, for whom running is a job and, often, a path out of poverty. They do not allow themselves to train while ill, knowing that rest is crucial for recovery and career longevity. This demonstrates a pragmatic view of the body, different from the amateur idealization that often ignores signs of pain and exhaustion.
The Body as a Project and the Risk of Sports Burnout
Fernanda Lopes shared her own injury experience to illustrate the point. After adopting her son, Thiago, she tried to maintain her marathon training routine, even with a newborn baby, a teenage daughter, and a house under renovation. Ignoring pain and her body's signals, she even ran the São Silvestre race with a stress fracture in her fibula, which was only diagnosed months later, in an advanced state. “No pain, no gain” and coach phrases like “after the pain, you still have 30% more to give” contributed to her not listening to her own body, prolonging the injury and causing others. This is a distorted view of “consistency,” which ends up being confused with inflexibility and rigidity, leading to overtraining and sports burnout.
Mari Real questioned the idea that stopping (to recover, travel, or simply rest) means "losing performance." On the contrary, adequate rest is fundamental for progress. The rigidity of schedules and the guilt of “skipping” a training plan, even without races on the horizon, reflect an obsession that diverts sports from their original purpose of well-being. For women, this pressure is compounded by constant concern with body image, where exercise often begins with the pursuit of weight loss, potentially leading to disordered behaviors and eating disorders. The female body, in current society, is frequently treated as a “never-finished project,” with aesthetics prioritized over integral health.
The Role of Social Media and the Search for Genuine Connection
Social media platforms, like LinkedIn, are cited as performance stages where only achievements are displayed, generating a constant feeling of inadequacy and comparison. Ma Fanti shared how, by stepping away from Instagram for a while, she realized she missed genuine connection with people, not the superficiality of "perfect" and rehearsed content. The "productization" of life – where even personal moments become content – creates a false sense of connection and robs the joy of experiencing life without the need to showcase it.
It is crucial, according to the hosts and the psychologist, to discern between what is genuine and what is performative. The freedom to post as a hobby and connect with people authentically is valuable, but it's essential to filter out content that generates comparison and mental fatigue. The inflexibility in routine, imposed by the incessant pursuit of performance, distances people from significant encounters and experiences, neglecting social health – an essential pillar for well-being.
The Female Overload in Sports
The conversation also addressed the specific overload faced by women. In addition to general pressure, they must contend with safety when training outdoors, the mental burden of managing home and children (often while their partner trains), and the expectation to maintain an impeccable image even during exercise. Fernanda's statement illustrates this: "I've never seen so many women dressed up to get sweaty," referring to the concern with outfits, makeup, and hair for the gym, which can even hinder the enjoyment of the activity. Women, in many cases, cannot simply "run wherever they want" due to safety concerns, being forced to resort to treadmills or less convenient times. This reality adds another layer of complexity and exhaustion to female sports practice.
Rediscovering the Joy of Play
The solution to this spiral of pressure and exhaustion lies in "going back to play." This means enjoying sports for their own sake, without the rigidity of performance, the guilt of "failing," or the need to impress. For Fernanda, after a long period of pain, fun returned when running with friends, in an environment free from the pressure of formal coaching. Running, like any hobby, cannot become bigger than life. It should be a means to enjoy, connect, and learn about oneself. This flexibility allows one to adapt the practice to different phases of life, without guilt or external impositions.
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Amidst the rigidity and seriousness imposed by society, the invitation is to rediscover pleasure, lightness, and freedom in the small things. "If we weren't meant to use our livers, we wouldn't have them," Fernanda jokes, emphasizing that the body is a means to enjoy life, not a project to be constantly perfected at the cost of well-being. It's about having choices and using them to build a more balanced and joyful life.
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