Here at the Badass Lady Gang, we strive to be your haven in the fitness world. Honestly. The fitness world has made leaps and bounds from where it was a decade ago but there’s still a lot of diet culture, overexercising, and chasing smaller bodies.

But the running world? HOLY MOLY is the running world in a different place today. Back when I started my blog way back in 2014, the running world was very, very different. Remember 2014? Influencers were just starting to appear and blogging was still a relatively young world. There were only a handful of bloggers. RunKeeper was still very young. (Did you know I was actually RunKeeper’s social media manager for a few years? FUN FACT!) But funny running content? It wasn’t a thing. Running memes? Few and far between. And relatable everyday runners? There was a handful of us but very, very few.

Social media was only just becoming a thing and it was really hard to find people to relate to.

I was a brand new runner who was really struggling to find people who were mirroring my experience. You know, crying on street corners, struggling hard, not feeling like I belonged…the normal laundry list of things you experience when you find running later in life and you’re not naturally athletic.

So, I started creating the space I wanted to belong to and the Badass Lady Gang was born.

Much of fitness culture is expensive, intimidating, and fueled by judgment. We know that running can be the worst sometimes. Our aim here at the Badass Lady Gang is to make running suck less! SERIOUSLY. This may sound wild, but people used to blow up my comments section when I talked about the fact that sometimes, I hated running. “If you hate it so much, WHY DO YOU DO IT?”, internet strangers would scream. It made me feel like I was doing something wrong or like maybe, running just wasn’t for me. But luckily, I had this incredible community here at the Badass Lady Gang to turn to. BALG-ers echoed what I experienced, that they too struggled to get out the door, hated to love running, and cried on street corners.

The Badass Lady Gang was created for women to find joy in the struggle. We provide runners of all athletic levels a safe space to have fun and belong. That’s what we do.

It’s hard to help people understand just what the Badass Lady Gang is because what we do is very different from other running communities. Yes, we have paid programs like our training experiences where we train together focusing on the mental side of running just as much as the physical side, running plans for runners looking for a training plan to prep them for their next race without the guidance of a coach, and our BALG training team for those looking for coaching, a team and access to everything we have to offer year-round. But our free online community is the bread and butter of what we strive to do- CONNECT PEOPLE.

When we say we’re here to make your fitness world one that’s fun and inclusive, our online community makes that happen.

When we say that we believe fitness isn’t one size fits all and that our mission is to foster a community of badasses who redefine what it means to be strong, we’re able to make that dream a reality in our online community.

Here in NYC, we have an infinite number of crews, clubs, and communities to join. But that’s not the case everywhere else. Not only are running clubs intimidating, but sometimes, they aren’t as inclusive as they advertise. (Thinking about joining a group run? CLICK HERE for a list of questions to ask before you show up)

Our BALG online community is a space where women can show up when and how they want. It’s a space to turn to for advice and guidance or lean on for support. The Badass Lady Gang online community is a place to make new friends and connect regardless of how much you love running or love to hate running.

We asked some BALG-ers to help you better understand what you can expect if you join our free online community.

”If you're looking for a group of funny, helpful, understanding, strong, and committed women to guide you through the running maze and whatever hard things life can throw at you, don't look any further, you've found it!” -Carole L.

“My favorite part of the community is that you make running friends, who become real-life friends! My BALG friendships have been so amazing, and I talk to my girls every single day. It’s an awesome way to really meet your people. 💕” - Emma S.

“I don’t ever feel embarrassed or awkward asking questions in this group! People always have supportive answers and are looking to help even though I’ve never met them in person, such a supportive group. 10/10 ❤️☺️” -Margaret D.

“I love that no matter what I share, or what experience I've had, there's someone who has had the same experience, someone who has felt the same way, someone who has overcome the same or similar situation. And a welcoming, inclusive community that asks the hard questions, gives solid advice and offers thoughtful support to anyone in need.” -Diana G.

“It’s so nice to be surrounded by people who aren’t obsessed with pace or hitting 60+ miles a week. Everyone gets celebrated always, just for getting out the door. It’s a nice reprieve from typical running communities. No judgments. No elitism. No gatekeeping. Just runners supporting runners.” -Victoria H.

“I’d say expect to throw out all of your expectations when you join BALG. It’s so much more than running - it’s a support system, a community, a physiology education, and therapy all rolled into one. None of which I expected when I joined.” -Jeanette N.

“This is the most positive space I have ever encountered. As a shy and unacclimated runner (large-bodied, unathletic, not really considering myself a “real” runner) this space and the people who populate it helped me become a real runner and a better person. And they keep doing it every day :)” -Barbara K.

“The BALG is so much more than an inclusive running community. The free network is filled with the most supportive and witty strong women who always lift up one another, remind them to listen to their bodies, and hold them accountable for what they do and say. It is a safe space, to be honest. Wins are celebrated, not felt like brags; down days are supported and allowed.

The group calls that are part of the running plans take this community to the next level. The fun icebreaker questions help everyone get to know each other, but they also give everyone a voice and a place to be heard. Coach Kelly does much more than just setting up running plans and supporting athletes. She teaches science (physiology, fueling, and female hormones); she acts like a social worker, cheerleader, and sports psychologist. The friendships, in-person and virtual, are a big bonus from BALG memberships. This group makes me proud to say “I am a badass!” -Mary S.

“I typically get excited after my runs & want to tell the whole world about how my runs went. I don’t like posting/talking about it though because I don’t fit the status quo of what the media considers a “runner.” No one else gets it like the ladies in BALG. They’re all hard-working ladies just like you who work their asses off! They understand the days that you cry when you finish a run & they also understand the days when it’s easy as heck because you’re listening to the best playlist. It’s a support system with amazing ladies. We celebrate each other’s personal accomplishments and relate when we’re having bad days!” -Casey G.

“With Kelly, you don’t get just a great training plan and workouts, you also get a stand-up routine that will make exercise feel fun and not an ordeal.” -Jessica D.

If you’re looking for a place to make new friends, and find support, guidance, and people who will cheer you on every step of the way, join our free online community.