Ali Truwit was a 22-year-old Yale graduate with a five-year plan, a recent marathon under her belt, and a clear path ahead—until a snorkelling trip in May 2023 turned into a life-altering ordeal. Attacked by a shark in the waters off Turks and Caicos, Ali lost her leg and nearly her life. But what followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Truwit refused to be defined by what she lost. Within a year, she became a Paralympic silver medalist, launched a nonprofit and now - at 25 - is training for the NYC Marathon on a running blade. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of turning pain into purpose.
Read the full article below.
Welcome back to Take The Lead, the fortnightly newsletter from The Female Lead.
September is Gynae Cancer Awareness Month, so we’re shining a light on the health stories and resources that have resonated most with our community. From navigating diagnosis to knowing what questions to ask your doctor, we’ve rounded up our most-read articles on gynae health, and more - because informed women make empowered choices.
The traditional career ladder is over – and the “career zigzag” is taking its place. In our feature with Bhavana Smith, Founder & CEO of Until There Are Nine, we explore how zigzagging beats ladder climbing, why job moves every 2–3 years no longer look like “job hopping”, and how to tell your career story as intentional growth.
Meanwhile, a new study in Sex Roles reveals the paradox of women and gaming. Half of women in the UK play, yet many feel guilty, secretive, or unwelcome in gaming culture. Our article unpacks why women still feel excluded from an £8 billion industry and what needs to change.
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The Female Lead Team
I lost my leg in a shark attack. This is how I fought back.
Ali Truwit has always been a planner. Type A, organised, someone who likes to know where she’s going. “Growing up in a swimsuit” she swam competitively for Yale and just …
5 gynaecological symptoms that are 'red flags' never to ignore
Talking about our gynaecological health can sometimes feel awkward or embarrassing, but it is important to contact a professional if you suspect something might be wrong.
What are the early signs of womb cancer and how is it treated?
A less invasive test to diagnose womb cancer, called W…
BBC’s Naga Munchetty: Women are gaslit about their health. I'm among them.
By Naga Munchetty, BBC presenter and journalist
Women with PCOS in the UK face failures in care
Women in the UK living with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are facing long delays in diagnosis, inconsistent treatment, an…
UK women’s ‘guilt’ over their ‘secret’ hobby
Today, 51% of women in the UK play video games in some form – a near equal split with men (53%).
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