International Women’s Week: Gaby Villa

At UWA Sport, we are committed to providing everyone equality of opportunity, experience and outcome.

We #ChooseToChallenge the equality of sport for women all around the world. We are celebrating IWD this year by featuring our sporting game-changers, next up is sports nutritionist and President of the UWA Triathlon Club, Gaby Villa.

After more than 100 years since International Women’s day was first commemorated, this day is important for me as a day for being grateful to all those strong and brave women who decided to raise their voice in the face of inequality. It is thanks to them that today I am able to live in very different circumstances. However, their cause is not over yet. As someone enjoying the privileges that these women fought for, it is now my duty to continue their fight and keep advocating until all women are able to enjoy equal rights, equal pay, equal opportunity, and equal recognition.

I am fortunate enough to have been raised in a family that encouraged me to pursue my dreams and choose to be whoever I wanted to be. It is thanks to this that I decided to pursue a career in sport as a sports nutritionist and that I felt supported enough to move to Australia to study a Master of Health Science at UWA in 2016.

As an age group triathlete and member of the UWA Triathlon Club I am lucky to belong to a community that encourages, nurtures and celebrates diversity. Everyone is welcome regardless of their gender, nationality, ability, or cultural background. Being part of this community has allowed me to enjoy my sport without barriers while feeling empowered to pursue my goals.

My first ever triathlon was close to 15 years ago in my hometown, Saltillo, Mexico. I still remember vividly how I was nervously standing by the pool before starting when another female competitor approached me and wished me good luck. I was already on the bike when this lady flew past me while at the same time saying, “great work!”. She then again lapped me while I was running, once again encouraging me to keep going. Even though it was a short triathlon, to me it felt like an Ironman and I was very proud of myself after finishing. To my surprise, I ended up 3rd with the lady who continued to lap me finishing 1st. I found out her name when it was announced on the microphone - Rosy Riojas. Rosy proudly stepped on the podium carrying her less than 6-month-old first-born daughter in her arms. That day I learned three things:

1. I was in love with triathlon and this was the first of many to come.

2. The competition is against yourself.

3. Strong women lift each other up.

Triathlon, and sport in general, have brought many joys to my life including the opportunity to do something I love every single day. I would like to encourage women considering a career in sport to do it. We need more women challenging the status quo, enabling further opportunities for female athletes to succeed and to continue working towards achieving equality in society and sport.