In a world where success stories are abundant and barriers are shattered, women athletes are continuously pushing boundaries, defying expectations, and inspiring generations to come. Among these trailblazers are three exceptional sportswomen who stand out not just for their remarkable achievements on the field, but also for their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. 

Spektrum is a brand committed to sustainability and innovation resonated deeply with these sportswomen, who value quality, functionality, and ethical practices in their athletic gear. Spektrum's approach to manufacturing is driven by a vision that combines cutting-edge technology with an unwavering dedication to environmental consciousness. 

We had the privilege of conversing with these extraordinary individuals, Caroline Stromberg, freestyle skier @carolinestromberg, Lea Rovinski, Lawyer & Cycling Aficionado @kidister and Klara Wåhlberg, Ski enthusiast & Social Media Manager @Klarawahlberg 

Firstly, Klara, how do you navigate being a woman in the professional extreme/endurance sports space,  where gender disparity is still prevalent, and what actions do you take to promote gender  equality in the industry? 

Although I consider myself fortunate to be surrounded by inspiring people who help each other  improve and succeed, I have encountered instances where gender equality has been a concern.  These incidents always left me feeling disheartened, but over time, I have developed the courage  to speak up for myself and others. I firmly believe that nobody should be made to feel inferior or  belittled due to their gender. 

My ultimate goal is to inspire others that action sports are accessible to everyone, regardless of  their gender, experience, or skill level. I am always willing to try new things and I refuse to allow  my gender to limit me from doing what I love. It's important to me to inspire other women to  pursue their passions and not let anything hold them back. I believe that by breaking down these  barriers and encouraging gender equality, we can create a more inclusive environment for  everyone.

Caroline Stromberg is a freestyle skier, so what is it that got you into skiing?

I grew up just a few hundreds of meters from the local ski hill, and my parents let me join the ski club. I spent all my spare time on that hill together with friends, whether it was organized training or not - you knew where to find me. I quit ski racing when I was about sixteen and went all in on soccer. But after finishing school I missed skiing and moved to the mountains, and here we are fifteen years later and skiing still keeps growing on me and brings me all the joy in the world. I guess skiing made me fall in 

What challenges (if any) have you faced as a woman in sport, and how have you been working to address gender disparities in the industry?

For me as a younger female skier within the Freeride discipline one of the biggest challenges was the lack of role models and how female athletes often were objectified in the media. Seeing this made me take action and start up a community for women in action sports to meet other like minded people to push the scene in a different direction. InspireUs was founded in 2011 and since then I've met hundreds of women and seen them grow as individuals and athletes. 

Lea Rovinkski is a Lawyer and cycling aficionado.  So Lea, what sparked your interest in cycling?

As long as I remember, my dad has been cycling. When I was growing up he had an old Peugeot road bike and I think Nike cycling shoes. I can still recall him coming home from a ride and walking through the apartment in his road shoes and the sound of his cleats on the floor.

It took me many years before I also got into the sport. I started with spinning classes, some running and going to the gym, and once I got a bad knee from running, I got into cycling. Starting cycling is a jungle. What bike to get, how good or bad should it be, what kind of gears, what kind of clothes, how to ride? It's not as easy as just getting into a pair of shoes and going for a run. Without dads help, I would never have managed to navigate through the jungle.

And so it started, slowly but steady the sport grew into an interest, into a habit, and now into a lifestyle. A week without cycling is not a week where I feel fulfilled. Today it's so much more than just a sport, it's how I meet new and old friends, how I socialize, travel, relax, have time for myself, explore new places and how I enjoy my everyday life.

And Lea, how do you incorporate eco-friendly and sustainable products into cycling?

I think this is one of the biggest issues we are dealing with within cycling today. Cycling is an expensive sport and usually people with .. well... a bit more money get into it. It's also a huge gadget/gear sport and there's always something new coming. If it's new parts for the bike, wheels, or if it's clothing or so. The Instagram community has grown huge in the last couple of years and I feel like more or less everyone is an ambassador for something now, no matter if the brand stands them close to heart or not.

I'm trying to avoid that whole mania as best as I can. I love working with Spektrum because they are bio-based, small, and from Sweden. It gives me more value and I feel proud everytime I say it's a Swedish brand. When it comes to kits and everything else within cycling, these days I try to wear down my stuff before getting something new. I have friends that are always on the look for new drops of clothing and always get the latest there is, while I still have some kits that are from around 2015-2016. Why change it if it still works?

Klara, you take part in a number of different sports including skiing, what steps have you taken to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women and other underrepresented  groups in the ski community? 

For me, inclusivity is super important when it comes to action sports. I strongly believe that  everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill and excitement of these sports,  regardless of their gender or experience level. As a female athlete, I am particularly passionate  about inspiring other women to participate in action sports. I want to show that it's not only  possible but also incredibly rewarding. 

My own journey into action sports started when I discovered a community of girls who were  passionate about freeriding and freeskiing. Through their support and encouragement, I was able  to explore this amazing world of adventure and adrenaline. Now, I want to share my experiences  with others and inspire them to pursue their own passions, mostly through my social media. 

One of the things that I love about action sports is the sense of community that surrounds them.  There are many amazing groups and organizations out there that are dedicated to supporting  women in action sports. These communities have helped me to feel confident and empowered in  my own abilities, and I'm proud to be a part of them. 

One organization that I am particularly proud to be associated with is InspireUs. A few years ago,  after participating in one of their camps, I became an ambassador for them. They have designed a  ski called the "Mother Tree Ski" specifically for women, and I have been riding on them ever since.  It's inspiring to see a community that is committed to supporting women in action sports, and  I'm proud to promote their products and values. 

Finally, I want to give a shoutout to all the incredible women out there who are doing amazing  things within action sports. Their stories and accomplishments are truly inspiring, and I hope to  someday follow in their footsteps. It's important to celebrate and recognize these female trailblazers, as they are paving the way for future generations of women in action sports.