A magazine for women and nonbinary athletes
What We Are
BRAWLER is a magazine for women and nonbinary athletes. We celebrate strength, perseverance, dedication, discipline, and achievement on small and large scales. We value community and support of other women and nonbinary folk.
Why We Are
The world is changing. From the women’s national soccer team demanding equal pay, to the NFL hiring the first female and first openly gay football coach, to the indictment of men who abuse their power over female athletes, we are seeing proof of the changing tides. BRAWLER is at the forefront of celebrating women in sports whose recognition is long overdue, and who are finally getting the attention they so deserve. And we want you to be there with us as we tell their stories.
What We’re Not
Many women’s magazines, especially under the fitness umbrella, shame women into buying into an image, one that is often unattainable, unhealthy, and based on an antiquated, patriarchal idea of what a woman should be. Brawler’s sole purpose is to celebrate and empower women exactly as they are.
Who We Are
We’re at the intersection of sports and creativity. We are a team of content creators: a writer, designer, and photographer, each with over a decade of experience in our respective industries; we are immersed in the world female athleticism. We are bicoastal: we represent creators and athletes on the right coast and the best coast.
What We’ve Done
Individually and as a group, our team has produced innovative projects that challenge the status quo across various mediums, including photography, video, illustration, animation, and more. Here’s some more about each of us.
Rachael Roth
Editorial Director
I'm a staff writer and editor at Fodor’s Travel, formerly the Editor-in-Chief of Culture Collide, the creator of CrowdPleaser and CURSE Media, and the world’s most amateur roller skater. My life’s work has centered around shine theory before it was given a name by Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow, lifting up and highlighting women in every industry, and tearing down the patriarchy. To me, Brawler is the door to the club that we never had access to; it’s the radical idea that gender identity does not preclude athletic ability, passion, or curiosity. See my work at rachaelannroth.com
Emily Goldfarb
Design Director
I’m a graphic designer, DIYer, and songwriter. All of which enables me to do what I love: make things. I’ve collaborated on a variety of projects with artists, comedians, musicians, entrepreneurs—helping visualize their ideas, dancing on the line between the known and unknown. Every project presents a unique challenge— a chance to bring my awareness to the moment, refine my craft, use design thinking to explore new mediums and technology, see the world as it is while bringing my imagination to life. See my work at emilygoldfarb.info
Samantha Backhaus
Lead Photographer
I am a Jane of all trades: a boxer, a photographer, and a full-time over thinker. Over 15 years ago I picked up a camera and my life was forever changed.
Photography is one of the most significant vessels for truth. The best photographers are born with the ability to see the beauty in everything; to capture empathy; to tell a story. Capturing the world how you see it and sharing that vision is a vulnerable act. Growing up female and gay, I have experienced my share of vulnerability and overcoming insecurity. My camera gave me freedom, comfort, and power. Photography is a universal language; it’s a unifying medium for telling stories. Now is this time to share stories and create awareness for unaccounted faces, talents, and voices. We acknowledge that the future is female, and we are here to share those stories. See my work at samb.photography