The Manic Pixie Polymath
He’s a Renaissance Man!
He’s a go-getter.
The man is non-stop.
What can’t this guy do?
I don’t know about you; but I grew up thinking women could do anything men could do.
When people tried to tell me not to climb the monkey bars, shoot hoops, or spit, I told them they could take several seats.
Men could beat me out of trying things, or refuse to coach me because “where will she change?” But, they couldn’t keep me from dominating when I was finally asked to play. They’d regret telling me to “earn my place” or “prove it”.
Men couldn’t stop me from putting in the work go from “most improved” to “most valuable player” or risking my body to save the game in overtime. Men couldn’t stop me from out-learning them.
I’ve always looked for areas in which my ability to outlast or outplay my opponent was my greatest asset, because I was born intense and thirsty for new experiences. I didn’t want to just try one fun thing and see if I could win it. I wanted to win it all.
So, it’s no surprise that I’ve worn substantial hats in my career, and - as a former actress - ya girl can rock a hat.
But, when it came down to my resume, I felt stuffed into pencil skirt.
Whereas my male colleagues could list their experiences trying out entrepreneurial ventures, running a pickleball league, or taking improv classes, and be told “good for you!” “What a go-getter!” “What valuable experience!”
I was counseled to remove any experiences that could make me appeared “scattered” or “unfocused”. I mean, people already worry that “you have had so many jobs”. (I countered, “is 4 promotions in 6 years too many jobs?” That seems suss.)
But as I work longer in the entrepreneurial space, I realize that even here - in the Wild West - it’s run by men who perceive women as unable to hyphenate.
Venture Capital firms run by recent Stanford grads whose work experience includes only 2 other failed companies in as many years, find it so easy to tell you that they aren’t investing in you because they want someone who’s “only focused in the tech space” - or some similarly limited and naive view of how any business grows, balances, and funds a virtuous cycle.
This same VC, will turn around and site Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin, or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as their idols when every single one of these men considers themselves a multi-hyphenate. Or a polymath. They are allowed to wear many hats, do many things, and use all of that experience to build their businesses. No one calls them “Manic Pixie Dreamboys”. (Though, perhaps, we should.)
These same men will try to limit the description of the Oprahs, Brene’ Browns, and Glennon Doyles of the world. To them, these are “authors” who only speak to “women”.
So, I’m done playing within this ridiculous sandbox of nonsense. This box doesn’t fit. Your inability to accept value from a well-rounded woman that you would gladly welcome from a man is tired and outdated.
Yes.
Yes, I did excel at Cheerleading as a three-time All-American and NCA Brand Ambassador before I became a full time actress with an Equity Card in New York City, where I then leveraged my leadership abilities from 13 years of leading Rotary youth camps to become a full time producer who wrote and performed in 2 Off-Broadway shows to sold out audiences.
I then was a finalist on a fitness reality television show and took 3 years working as a personal trainer in which I became a triathlete, marathoner and a coach for age-group winning athletes.
Next, I went to business school where I was on the leadership team for the Media, Marketing, Running, and Wine Club. I also did a semester abroad in India and studied in China, Germany, and Japan.
I’ve worked on 3 Olympic Brands - 2 worth over a Billion dollars - and have consulted for 10 start ups in a variety of roles.
I love encouraging others, so I also serve on the boards for local arts groups, where I sometimes teach camps and mentor young business leaders.
I’ve taken on private coaching, writing strategic frameworks, and speaking all while still managing the occasional performance in a play. Just for fun.
I’m not dimming my spectrum of shine anymore.
Stop telling men they can be polymaths while telling women they seem “unfocused”.
It’s gross, and we see you.
A broad spectrum of experience means we know how to approach any situation and untangle it. A past of starting from the beginning, learning something new, then mastering it, means that we are resilient and can quickly pivot when the world turns. A life spent traveling, running different kinds of teams, and playing different roles, means we can be empathetic when others are hostile.
A life as a woman means that we are accustomed to doing all of this exhausted, because studies show that it is 30% harder for women to get hired than their male counterparts.
So, I’m coming out.
I’m not staying in the little box that looks “professional” to a small segment of sheltered male egos.
I have been a Professional:
Cheerleader
Vocalist
Actor
Producer
Improver
Personal Trainer
Speaker
Writer
Coach
Brand Manager
Founder
CEO
CMO
Strategist
Board Member
President
And I don’t intend to stop anytime soon.
I’m not a Manic Pixie Dreamgirl.
I am a well-rounded, responsible, leader with wide-ranging insight and experience, and when you work with me, you get them all.
So, bring it on. (Pun intended.)
*data sited is from https://www.womenontopp.com/do-women-have-fewer-chances-of-getting-hired-than-men/#google_vignette
Related studies:
https://theconversation.com/women-work-harder-than-men-our-anthropological-study-reveals-why-196826#:~:text=assess%20their%20workloads.-,Women%20work%20harder,and%20by%20their%20activity%20trackers.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2018/10/women-are-more-productive-than-men-at-work-these-days/#:~:text=First%2C%20both%20men%20and%20women,they're%20being%20more%20industrious.
and the defining statistic from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2023/employment-differences-of-men-and-women-narrow-with-educational-attainment.htm#:~:text=In%202022%2C%2067.9%20percent%20of,with%2055.4%20percent%20of%20women.
