A period-proof story with Matilda Söderlund
Matilda is not just one of the world’s best climbers; she is a fearless and humble human who embodies freedom. She got hooked on climbing as a child, despite it being considered a sport for the ‘weird ones’ at the time. She left the world of finance to dedicate herself entirely to her passion for climbing and founded her own female community in the male-dominated sport. And much more. We had a conversation about climbing, her relationship with her body, and how period panties make her everyday life easier.
How do you start your days?
I’m not really a morning person. I think it’s a common misconception that all active people just jump out of bed feeling ready to go. That’s not me at all. My body needs a slow start, with coffee and breakfast before anything else. I usually never do any training before ten.
How did you start using period underwear?
Period underwear is quite new to me. My climbing friends use them, which made me curious. I don’t want to think about anything else when I’m up on the wall, especially not my period. The period panties from Female Engineering have really been a game-changer for me.
“The period panties from Female Engineering have really been a game-changer for me.”
How do you feel when climbing up a wall?
It’s the ultimate feeling of freedom. When you’re in total control, but your body is on autopilot. Total presence and complete focus.
How does having your period affect your climbing?
It’s actually in recent years that I’ve started to truly get to know my body and my cycle a bit more. I feel every phase of my cycle in my body – it’s quite cool to feel everything that’s going on, and it’s such an important sign that my body is functioning well. As an athlete, I owe everything I experience to my body, so I need to take care of it.
However, having my period does affect my training and performance on the wall. I usually feel quite off when I’m on my period, so I try to be kind to my body and adapt my training.
“I don´t want to think about anything else when I´m up there.”
Tell us about a time when your period had terrible timing.
I was on a large expedition, climbing one of the most difficult routes in the world. About 450 metres up, we were just about to climb the hardest part. I started climbing and lost my grip. As I was falling, I could feel the gravity and how I was getting my period at that exact moment! Despite needing to focus on my climbing, all I could think about was my period and where I could find period protection. Luckily, I made it to the top, but I barely noticed because I was preoccupied with solving my period situation.
“Period panties make my life so much easier. I can just focus on what I´m doing and not think about my period. That’s really freedom.”
How are period panties a solution in your life?
If I’m away on an expedition and climbing a big wall, I can be up there for a whole day or even several days. Taking care of your needs from the wall is always a challenge because you’re literally hanging from your harness, and sometimes the whole crew is watching. And then being on your period is of course extra challenging.
But whether I’m on a large expedition or just going about my day, period panties make my life so much easier. I can just wear them all day and focus on what I want to do. That’s really freedom.
