Female athletes have long been held to complex and competing standards that (unfairly) pit performance against appearance. What does it mean to be—and look—strong? Powerful? How muscular is too muscular?

There’s an emotional and intellectual component women face, as well: Do athletic bodies drive a feeling of empowerment or further deepen insecurities? Athletes come in all shapes and sizes, yet women face intense scrutiny from all sides, particularly on social media.

espnW will moderate a discussion with female athletes who have been featured in the ESPN The Magazine’s iconic Body Issue, plus ESPN The Magazine and espnW editor-in-chief, Alison Overholt. They will examine these pressures that athletes face while preparing to compete, and will examine the evolving role of media in both their public portrayal and in their experience as athletes.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.