the TAO Fellowship exists to increase research, funding, and participation for women in sports.

the TAO Fellowship brings together a small group of female athletes, offering €300 over one three-month season to invest in sport and build more opportunity for women — together.

why the fellowship exists

we see a significant gap between men and women in competitive and performance-level sport.


it's not only tough physically and mentally to be a committed athlete, but also financially. at the same time, women receive a fraction of the funding, media coverage, and scientific research dedicated to men’s sports. 

 

this is why we wanted to contribute towards supporting real female athletes with big ambitions: regardless of the level.


change often begins with a single opportunity.

our mission

our mission is to support female athletes with a small but meaningful amount of financial backing for one dedicated training season.


this support can be used flexibly — whether toward race entries, travel, nutrition, gear, or other essential costs — allowing each athlete to decide what they need most.


alongside financial support, we work closely with our Fellows to share honest stories, insights, and advice from life as a female athlete.


by amplifying these voices, we aim to increase visibility, representation, and understanding within women’s sports.

our commitment

our commitment is to the athlete behind the sport.


we are not trying to find the fastest, strongest, or best in their league. 

 

what's most important to us is to find athletes who care deeply about supporting more female athletes.

 

together, we believe that we can start to make a real difference in the research, funding, and participation overall for women in sports.

 

this is just the beginning.

who we are looking for

there is no single “right” background. we’re interested in athletes from different disciplines, levels, and parts of the world who are committed to staying in sport and helping others do the same.

 

the TAO Fellow is:

- Female or female-identifying

- Proficient in English (based anywhere in the world)

- Passionate about sport, especially as a tool for change in women’s sports

- Interested in sharing honest stories and lived experiences

- A clear and thoughtful communicator

- Aligned with TAO’s values around health, sustainability, and long-term participation

the fellowship is for you if...

you would like to:

 

- receive practical financial support to keep training and competing this season

 

- be part of a small group of female athletes who care about more than just results

 

- share honest stories about life, training, and challenges as a woman in sport

 

- use entrepreneurship to help create more opportunities for women in sport 

 

- help increase visibility and opportunity for women in sport through your experience

 

- train sustainably, stay healthy, and remain in the sport for the long run

fellowship commitments

- use the financial stipend solely for training-related costs, such as race entries, travel, nutrition, or essential gear

 

- commit a minimum of 4 hours per month to collaborating with TAO on storytelling and content

 

- share honest feedback, visuals, and lived experience with TAO recovery products

 

- participate in authentic storytelling around life as a female athlete


- engage openly and respectfully as part of a small, values-aligned fellowship group

we recommend reading the TAO Fellowship Pilot Deck for a full overview of expectations and criteria.

APPLY NOW FOR THE PILOT SEASON (Feb 24-Apr 24)

we are overjoyed to be building the future for women in sports together.

FAQs

what is the level of sport required?

no level requirement. In fact, the requirement is for you to not be good enough that you have ever received money from an organization or government to compete (consumer-level brands do not count).

 

most of the fellowship applicants we have been in touch with are either early in their athletic journeys or on the precipice of becoming pro, and just need a little extra support to getting there.

what is the entrepreneurship-level commitment?

we are prioritizing female athletes with a passion for extending their commitment to sport beyond themselves only and are interested in research, impact initiatives, or startups that support female sport. 

 

this might mean a small run club in your local community, re-designing ski-poles, or raising money to provide sports bras for an underdeveloped community.

 

since TAO is co-created by a community of entrepreneurs (many of which are female!) we will all do our best to support you through our vast network of connections and experience.

what is the time commitment?

we want you to be able to focus your efforts on your sport and/or entrepreneurial impact project. we will state in the contract a minimum of four hours a month in communication with the TAO team and supporting with some content creation, but we want the focus to be on you and your goals.

what are the expected deliverables for a TAO Fellow?

we see our fellows as more than just product ambassadors - we want you to be a part of our brand and mission. 

 

this includes supporting in some initiatives in the TAO Foundation (eg. helping to write a "girl's running guide" for a community of young girls in Uganda) and contributing to organic content creation for the brand. 

 

above all, we hope that you love the TAO balm sport for muscle/joint care and will use it to support your athletic goals!

why TAO?

Rachel, the founder of TAO, built the brand on two core missions: 1) to eliminate short-term recovery fixes like painkillers, and 2) to see more women competing alongside her in marathons and triathlons.

 

inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, endurance sport, and modern entrepreneurship, the TAO Fellowship is our small step to support women who play the long game.

 

more women in sport.

more women building.

more women supported while doing both.

representing TAO

TAO Fellows are ambassadors by nature, not by contract.

we ask Fellows to train with TAO products, stand behind what they use, and represent the brand thoughtfully in their journey. this includes:

  • using TAO products as part of your athletic routine
  • representing the brand in a way that aligns with its values
  • sharing your journey honestly, not performatively

we care more about authentic use and real alignment than polished promotion.

 

if TAO is part of your training, your story will speak for itself.

APPLY NOW FOR THE PILOT SEASON

any questions about the program? send us a message and we'll write you back very soon.

Thanks for contacting us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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