<p><em>Morning Live </em> sports presenter and producer Vaylen Kirt ley isn&rsquo;t intimidated by working in a historically maledominated industry. Far from it; the 32-yearold from Cape Town has proved she belongs there. From her early beginnings at Topsport&rsquo;s <em>Sportsbuzz </em>, she now co-hosts SABC 2&rsquo;s <em>The Ladies Club</em>, where she advocates for gender equality in sport by giving South Africa&rsquo;s gamechanging women runners the opportunity to share their stories.</p>

- Lisa Abdellah

I was still in high school when I began working for the junior sports programme Sportsbuzz. Later, I worked alongside South Africa’s first black female sports presenter, Cynthia Tshaka, who inspired me to pursue a career in broadcasting.

‘Women in sport’ is a phrase that means bravery, excellence and passion. I have undoubtedly been inspired by every woman runner I’ve interviewed, from Zola BuddPieterse to Caster Semenya, and from Blanche Moila to Gerda Steyn.

We need a new normal, regardless of what we’ve been told in the past. If we harp on about the challenges we face as women working in male dominated industries, then we can’t expect it to become natural and normal that we play in these spaces in society. To truly empower ourselves, we need to act like no space is exclusive to one gender.

I’d like to think I’ve inspired other women, by bringing something positive to sports broadcasting. If anything, I’ve tried to bring the best of myself.

Without my mom’s support, I wouldn’t have achieved half of what I have. She helps me make the most of the opportunities I’m given.

No area of my life is untouched by the fact that I’m a mom. Every decision I make is in consideration of my daughter, Tehya, who is my source of inspiration and motivation. We grow up thinking our parents will be the ones who will teach us all we’ll know. But when you become a parent

यह कहानी Runner's World SA के January 2019 संस्करण से ली गई है।

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