360 YOU: Let’s Clean Up Your Social Media Feed
Atalanta NYC's thoughts on social media, plus eight accounts to follow.
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Curating a social media feed that enriches your life can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, especially as a runner, thanks to a bevvy of content that can skew disordered and constantly changing algorithms that push all types of posts into your space.
Throw fitness influencers and professional athletes into the mix, and it can quickly become difficult to tell what sort of training, mileage, and nutrition works best for you—and not just what your feed is telling you works.
“You know, I’ve had people kind of come up to me and be like, ‘Why don’t you share your workouts online?’ And it’s because it’s not actually helping anybody,” says Mary Cain. “I can say I did 12 200s, and this is my base, but like, so what? What’s the endgame of that—and what girl is going to try to go out on the track and and feel bad about herself when she can’t do that.”
Cain is passionate about the power of social media and setting a positive example for young runners and women in sports.
“One of my fears about social media, is that now in a negative way, kids are almost too exposed to what the heck the pros are doing. There’s a lot of pro women who will be like, ‘I had a more low mileage week,’ because everybody thinks they need to overshare on social media,” says Cain. “And I’m just thinking, oh my God, there’s some girl out there who’s reading this thinking 60 miles a week isn’t enough miles.”
RELATED: Research Shows Instagram Promotes Eating Disorder Content. Here’s What to Do About It.
The power of social media is precarious: in some ways it’s a positive, says Atalanta teammate Aoibhe Richardson, who grew up with so few female role models in the media. “I do think that that’s great that you can follow so many female athletes—that I can choose to do that now,” she says. “But it can be a bit too much. People share so much now that I feel like it can be unhealthy or unproductive for younger athletes to see that.”
And even if you’re not a younger athlete, the trap of self-comparison can be easy to fall into. Jamie Morrissey agrees that representation is important, but sharing things beyond running can be just as important. “These people are famous because they’re good at running. So they really dive into that niche, when in reality is that’s not their entire lives,” she says. “And I think it’s important offer a good balance of of who they are outside of running, which might not get as many likes or have as much engagement, because the people that are on that account are more interested in their running. But I think it’s important to like stick to being as authentic as possible.”
RELATED: 5 Ways Runners Can Ditch Self-Comparison on Social Media
Some of Our Favorite Social Media Follows
We asked the athletes of Atalanta NYC to share the accounts that make their feeds better and brighter—running related or not. Here are their picks, plus some of WR’s favorites.
Just Women’s Sports
This active and enlightening account shares news, stories, and inspiration about all sports—so long as women are playing them. It covers everything from pro sports to insane videos of regular women doing amazing things.
TOGETHXR
TOGETHXR is a relatively new media brand cofounded by some of the biggest names in women’s sports, including Alex Morgan and Chloe Kim. Their Instagram account combines takes on topical women’s sports news with pop culture references, hilarious videos and memes, and all-around good content.
Men with the Pot
This account was one of Morrissey’s picks, and it might be our new favorite way to relax. Enjoy calming, ASMR-quality videos of a dude cooking outdoors with rustic utensils over an open flame and feel your stress melt away.
Co-Star Astrology
Even if you’re not into astrology, Co-Star is a clutch follow for some good laughs and friendly tagging. And if you are into astrology, Co-Star’s in-depth birth charts are some of the biggest fan favorites out there.
Perfect Stride PT
This is the account of Richardson’s own physical therapist office, and not only is it extremely active—the videos and info they share is extremely helpful. Having mobility and PT work show up in your feed every day is one great way to remind yourself to do them.
Fueling Forward
Maddie Alm, the registered dietitian behind Fueling Forward, is also a runner and member of Team Boss out of Boulder, Colorado. Her social media tips are geared toward athletes and female runners in particular, with emphasis on a healthy mindset around food and fueling. Follow for some positive nutrition content in your life.
Track Club Babe
When your feed needs a dose of reality, Kim (aka Track Club Babe) delivers. Her posts are honest, real, and really into running, and the community she’s built of female runners is supportive and the definition of a safe place. Her content is a great mix of training and form tips, plus funny videos and relatable stories.
Mrs. Space Cadet
Erin Azar, one of our Power Women of 2022, owns the runtok space. If you’re not on TikTok, she also shares her short, hilarious videos on Insta, but she truly shines with the TikTok format. Read more about Azar and the incredible community of regular runners she’s built here.