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After being bullied and experiencing anxiety and depression, Ashley Wiles found herself struggling with her own body image and confidence like never before.
Ashley Wiles
She then came across an online video that went viral in 2012. It was by Amanda Todd, a 15 year old girl who was bullied and had severe anxiety and depression – to the extent that she committed suicide.
Ashley recognized that she needed to do something so that she didn’t end up following that same path as Amanda. Incorporating her love of running and helping others, she launched Sole Girls and since then has empowered over 1000 girls aged 8 through 12 (tweens) in the past 4 years to make values-based decisions, develop healthy ideas about body image, learn to love physical activity and love living life.
In today’s interview with us, Ashley shares how their program works, the impact it’s making, and how they are creating a safe place for girls to connect and have fun.
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Sole Girls has opened 14 locations in 4 years, and has now expanded to Australia. They offer 9-week running programs, as well as camps and workshops. Their volunteer mentors and coaches are trained through their Leadhership program, which is set to go online in February (2017), to meet the demand for licensees from countries around the world.
Key Takeaways
- You are not your thoughts
- Kids pick up everything you say and do
- Start where you’re at and find your own happy pace
- Change your story, change your life
- Live with SOLE values = Support, Open-minded, Love, Enthusiasm
Resources
Sole Girls Weekly Email Newsletter – sign up at www.solegirls.org
Ashley Wiles Biography
Ashley Wiles is the Founder and Head Coach of Sole Girls, a Youth Speaker, Life Coach, two-time Iron (wo)man, Ironman 70.3 World Championship competitor, and Mental Health Advocate.
Growing up with a family of runners, Ashley started running at 5 years old, and now runs and competes in triathlons around the world.
After seeing Amanda Todd’s video in 2012, she created Sole Girls, a program for girls to build their confidence, connect with mentors and combine that with a love for physical activity.
Sole Girls has empowered over 1000 girls in the past 4 years and Ashley was named top 10 young entrepreneurs to watch in Vancouver by the Globe and Mail and top 5 motivators in Canada by Impact Magazine, and recently the Most Inspiring Coach in North America by Brooks Running.
She has spoken At TedxKidsBC, Rogers Arena, SheTalks, as well as schools in Canada and abroad.
Sole Girls was named a Top 5 Small Business In BC with a Community Impact by Small Business BC, and has expanded to license sole girls curriculum globally.
Connect With Ashley Wiles and Sole Girls
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