For women athletes, even the court feels unsafe. At the Dubai Tennis Championships on Feb. 18, professional tennis player Emma Raducanu was seen wiping away tears after spotting her stalker in the stands. The man was eventually ejected and given a restraining order due to what Dubai police called “fixated behavior.” But why is 22-year-old Raducanu having to deal with her second stalker in three years? “That man was assessing the situation and looking for the best moment to get closer to her,” said Raducanu’s former coach Roman Kelecic. “He had a strategy that was terrifying.”

For women athletes, stalking and harassment isn’t new (and not uncommon). In 2022, an entirely different man received a five-year restraining order after walking 23 miles to Raducanu’s home. Similarly, in 2011, a man was caught outside the gates of Serena Williams’s property and charged with stalking. In a January TikTok, Olympian Gabby Thomas also spoke about a group of men following and harassing her in airports across the country. In the comments, fellow athletes Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, and Suni Lee all recalled similar scenarios.

On a broader scale, according to an October 2024 study from the NCAA, women basketball players receive three times more threats than men players. Likewise, at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, a study from World Athletics found that women athletes were the target of 87 percent of all online abuse. It’s clear that women athletes continue to experience a disproportionate amount of harassment. So why haven’t we figured out what to do about it?

“Women basketball players receive three times more threats than men players.”

Maybe it’s because people aren’t convinced these threats will manifest as actual violence. To that, we say, look to Monica Seles: the former professional tennis player who was stabbed in the back during a tennis match in April 1993. According to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), stalking victims also experience significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and social dysfunction. Forty-six percent of victims believe it will never get better, and 67 percent fear being killed or physically harmed.

Still, there is some hope amid all the news. Raducanu is set to return to the Indian Wells Open in March, and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) is said to be “actively working with Emma and her team” to provide adequate security, per the Guardian. Britain’s governing board of tennis — known as the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) — has also promised to provide “extensive” security arrangements for upcoming matches in the UK. “This incident once again highlights issues around safety that all players, but female players in particular, can face,” the LTA said. “We have extensive security arrangements at our events in Britain and keep these under constant review.”

We cannot sit and wait for threats and harassment to escalate into physical violence. The vitriol women athletes face is already taking a toll on their mental health . . . and evidently it’s not something they can escape on the court. Extra security measures are a good start, but we need to start taking threats, stalking, and harassment seriously before it escalates. The bottom line? Women athletes deserve safe spaces — it’s high time we deliver.

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.

I’ve never been a workout class girlie. I went to one or two in college, but it’s never been my thing. So, when my friend invited me to her weekly Core Power hot yoga, I was skeptical. First, I’m kind of self-conscious when working out in public (thank you, anxiety). Plus, I’m not super active. Most of my workouts are low-key and consist of 30 minutes on my handy mini stepper followed by 15 minutes of DIY Pilates. If I’m feeling lazy, I’ll trek a couple of miles on my walking pad and maybe do some arm curls. But nothing too intensive or sweat-inducing.

And from what I know about hot yoga — which wasn’t a lot, to be fair — it’s intense. Harder than Pilates, some might say. The allure of hot yoga, compared to regular yoga, is that it’s done in a “heated room, typically between 85-105°F with humidity hovering around 40 percent,” says celebrity trainer and founder of Train Like a Gymnast, Danielle Gray. “The practice combines traditional yoga postures, or asanas, with the added challenge of environmental heat stress, which creates a unique physiological response in the body.”

Eventually, my friend convinced me to come, bribing me with sushi and a bottle of wine. Turns out, I’m that easy. I was nervous to go, especially since hot yoga didn’t exactly sound fun. I mean, I’m prone to sweating, so doing heavy cardio in a hot and humid room sounds low-key traumatic. To my surprise though, it was kind of enjoyable and dare I say, not too distressing on the body. But was it actually benefiting me? I asked the experts before signing up for another class.

Experts Featured in This Article:

Daniel Gray is a celebrity trainer and founder of Train Like a Gymnast.

The Benefits and Risks of Hot Yoga

Is hot yoga easy? Hell no, but that doesn’t mean it’s not great for your physical and mental health. A 2013 study found that Bikram yoga (aka hot yoga) increases deadlift strength and lower back/hamstring flexibility while also decreasing body fat. Gray echoes this, noting that hot yoga “increases flexibility due to muscle warming, enhances cardiovascular conditioning, and possibly improves mental focus.”

I didn’t feel much in the first 15 minutes of my session. Nothing except shortness of breath and extreme dehydration, though Gray says this is common. “The downsides include a risk of dehydration [and] overheating.” Once my body adjusted to the heat and warmed up, I had this sudden burst of energy, as if I’d just downed three espresso shots.

I left my session four times because the air felt so heavy that I couldn’t breathe. And I would do it again.

After the session, I felt happier and proud of myself. There was this underlying satisfaction of “oh my god, I really did that.” My body, however, felt sluggish and extremely sore, more than it would after one of my typical workouts. Gray says this can happen because of overexertion. Your body’s flexibility improves due to the heat, which makes you prone to muscle strains. For example, I normally can’t touch my toes (I know, it’s bad), but during the session, my quads and hamstring were looser. So much so that I was bending my back and reaching my ankles without that usual discomfort feeling.

Hence why my limbs felt achy and tender once they cooled down. Muscle strains are pretty minor injuries — an ice pack or compression sleeve can soothe the pain — but they can occasionally lead to deeper issues, especially if they’re chronic, explains Gray. “From a biomechanical perspective, excessive flexibility without proper strength training can lead to joint instability.”

That’s why “listening to your body is crucial,” Gray says. This applies to hot yoga, but also any type of exercise or workout. If you need to take a break, do it. It might feel weird, especially if everyone around you is up and going. But your body is trying to tell you that it needs rest.

How to Start Hot Yoga as a Beginner

Okay, so you’re interested in hot yoga and want to know where to start? I got you. First, don’t be like me and just show up unprepared. Try going to regular yoga classes before you take on the heated version. Hot yoga isn’t all that different from any other yoga — it’s just “adding an extra layer of cardiovascular and mental resilience challenge,” Gray says. Mastering the basics of yoga first can make hot yoga feel less overwhelming.

Once you’re ready to try a heated class, “start at a reputable studio with certified instructors and be sure to read reviews,” Gray suggests. Some studios offer complimentary yoga mats and water bottles, whereas others require you to bring your own. Check first before going.

As for attire, I kept it simple with a sports bra and gym shorts, but honestly, wear what you want. Just make sure it’s breathable because it will be soaked in sweat. Don’t forget to listen to your body and take breaks during the session. If some of the exercises are too tough, ask your instructor for a modified version.

Also, if you need to leave the room because you feel claustrophobic or overwhelmed by the heat — something Gray says is common — do it. I left my session four times because the air felt so heavy that I couldn’t breathe. And I would do it again.

Hot yoga is only as good as you make it. That means knowing what you’re getting yourself (and your body into), going to the right teachers, and actively listening to your body’s needs. It’s not an easy exercise, and I wouldn’t recommend you do it every day, but it’s a fun way to get in some movement. Especially once you bring along a couple of your friends.

Melanie Curry is a New York-based freelancer who likes reviewing beauty products and writing about our complicated relationship with wellness. Prior to becoming a freelancer, she was the assistant editor at Cosmopolitan, covering lifestyle, wellness, and beauty. You can find her writing in Refinery29, Glamour, Betches, and more.

Diana Taurasi’s name embodies a relentless pursuit of victory, fierce competitiveness, and unshakeable confidence. For a Latine basketball fan such as myself, Taurasi’s career has been nothing short of an inspiration, a testament to what the power of skill and dedication can yield.

With her recent retirement announcement, I couldn’t help but reflect on the legacy of a true icon — a player who dominated the court and helped shape the current landscape of women’s basketball.

Growing up, soccer and baseball were always the main events in my Latine family. It
dominated our family conversations and our gatherings, which often revolved around who won a soccer match or the latest MLB season.

Somewhere along the way, I discovered a love for basketball, and it became a personal connection and a cultural bridge with my peers. Beyond the legendary figures like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, another name stood out: Diana Taurasi.

Her relentless drive, fearless leadership, and undeniable skill solidified my love for the sport. And seeing a Latine player break barriers in the way Taurasi did inspired me to break barriers of my own.

“Obviously, I’m an American, but I lived in an Argentinian household, and sometimes I’d leave the house, and I thought I was in a foreign country. We grew up in a strong Argentinian household, from the language, the music, and to the food,” she once said when asked about Dia Latina, a night where the WNBA honored Latin culture.

Her words spoke directly to me as a child of immigrants, and as an immigrant myself, that’s exactly how I grew up.

When she was 13, Taurasi and her family returned to Argentina for a year, where she witnessed firsthand the financial struggles of her extended family. The experience gave her a new perspective on the duality of the American immigrant experience. Her family’s hardships became part of her own identity, and upon returning to her hometown in California, she adopted a different mindset: “I don’t want to waste this. I don’t want to waste any opportunities,” she once wrote.

Taurasi entered the league in 2004, after being drafted first overall by the Phoenix Mercury during a time when the league was struggling to find its footing within mainstream sports culture. Despite talent and competitive edge, women’s basketball was often dismissed, an ongoing issue for women in male-dominated industries.

Taurasi’s career is a testament to what’s possible when talent meets perseverance, a reality that deeply resonates with Latinas navigating professional spaces not built for us.

Taurasi commanded attention and demanded respect every time she stepped on the court. You couldn’t deny her the headlines. Her aggressive style of play propelled her to multiple championships, Olympic gold medals, and record-breaking performances — an undeniable display of greatness I always wished to embody.

Her accolades speak for themselves and include three WNBA championships, two WNBA Finals MVP awards, a WNBA MVP award, a WNBA Rookie of the Year award, and six Olympic gold medals. As the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, she even earned the nickname “White Mamba” from Kobe Bryant himself.

But unlike Bryant and the other household names in the NBA, the women of the WNBA (over 80 percent of whom are women of color) have always struggled to achieve equitable compensation. In 2015, Taurasi actually sat out her season with the Phoenix Mercury to play overseas, earning $1.5 million compared to the $107,000 salary in the WNBA. “Not only did I want to be the best player in the world, I wanted to be the highest-paid player in the world,” Taurasi told Time while reflecting on her time spent in Russia.

This decision from Taurasi was major news at the time, sparking a larger dialogue about the pay equity gap between men’s and women’s pro ballers — a conversation that’s still relevant today. But Taurasi ends her career as one of the highest-paid athletes in the WNBA. And her talent, notoriety, and persistence have created more opportunities for endorsements, larger contracts, and a stronger social media presence that allows players to build their own brands.

Her influence resonates deeply with me as a Latine woman because I’ve also had to carve out my own space. The challenges Taurasi faced remind me of the obstacles Latinas encounter in the workplace — fighting for equal pay, striving for representation in leadership roles, and proving our worth in male-dominated industries. Like her, we constantly battle to be seen, heard, and taken seriously.

In 2020, Taurasi and teammate Sue Bird once helped secure a groundbreaking agreement with USA Basketball to establish a program that compensated Olympic team members with $100,000 to attend a one-year training camp and train domestically ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. It also prevented players from having to go overseas to earn a living.

Inspired by Taurasi’s demand for respect in the basketball world, I’ve learned to advocate for myself in my career. I’ve found myself having to go above and beyond to demonstrate my skills and talent, particularly during crucial interviews and promotion processes. When in doubt, I think: WWDTD (or what would Diana Taurasi do)? She’d show them better than she could tell them, until she couldn’t be denied.

Taurasi’s career is a testament to what’s possible when talent meets perseverance, a reality that deeply resonates with Latinas navigating professional spaces not built for us.

As a Latine journalist in the ever-evolving digital media landscape, I connect with Taurasi’s pride in her Argentine heritage and the responsibility of representing our roots. My identity fuels my drive, pushing me to break barriers and challenge expectations in underrepresented spaces. Like Taurasi, success is not just a personal achievement but a way to inspire others — especially young Latinas — to embrace their power, defy limits, and take up space with confidence. The hope that my journey can pave the way for others motivates me to strive for more.

Kimmy Dole is a contributor for PS Juntos known for her sharp insights and compelling storytelling. An entertainment enthusiast, Kimmy immerses herself in the glitz of the industry, delivering a captivating blend of celebrity interviews, insights from industry experts, and the latest pop culture trends. Her work offers readers a genuine and relatable perspective, especially when exploring the complexities of relationships.

We’re not going to sit here and say it’s hard to be a celebrity. Fame and fortune has its perks, from access to high-profile events to lavish travel and high-fashion wardrobes, but star status can also involve spending an awful lot of time in the court of public opinion. Still, the way we treat public figures online does reveal an awful lot about our values — especially as it pertains to body image.

When a celebrity loses weight, people start channeling their innermost med student on social media. The comments are flooded with Ozempic accusations and baseless diagnoses. On the other hand, if a celebrity dares to exist in a larger body, they’re reprimanded for “promoting obesity.” Others have even been accused of trying to conceal a pregnancy (as with Lady Gaga and Vanessa Hudgens, among countless others).

We’ve seen this pattern before with stars like Lizzo, who sparked debate for sharing her weight loss journey on Instagram, and JoJo Siwa, who had to overlook people openly commenting about her weight. More recently, Selena Gomez faced similar judgment after the SAG Awards on Feb. 23. Although Gomez has previously been criticized for gaining weight (and has since spoken about the body shaming she endured), people on social media were still quick to comment on her body.

She must be using GLP-1s, some said. She looks so healthy, others argued. She’s never ever looked better, more unhelpful commenters wrote. But the reality is this: bodies change, and we can’t assume anything about a person’s health (celebrities included) based on how their body looks.

This obsession with scrutinizing celebrity bodies does make a few things abundantly clear. One: that the world feels a little too comfortable speculating about strangers’ health. Two: that we continue to conflate body size with health. And three: that we are deeply uncomfortable with change.

When we use celebrities’ former bodies as a way to judge their present selves, we’re reinforcing the idea that evolving bodies are unacceptable.

We already know that antiquated systems like BMI are not complete nor accurate measures of health. But another important takeaway? Bodies are allowed to change. Your favorite child star isn’t always going to look like their prepubescent self, and that is totally normal. When we use celebrities’ former bodies as a way to judge their present selves, we’re reinforcing the idea that evolving bodies are unacceptable. None of us are going to look the same forever. So why not embrace it?

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.