How to Learn a New Sport in Your 30s - Women of Color Edition
For many, the idea of learning a new sport in adulthood can feel intimidating. We’ve been conditioned to think that new skills are best learned young, and the fear of failing, looking foolish, or even getting hurt keeps many of us from stepping outside our comfort zones.
To inspire you, we spoke to three amazing women who decided to learn a new sport as adults. Their stories are filled with challenges, from battling self-doubt and physical limitations to navigating sports where they often felt out of place. But each of them, in their own way, found joy, growth, and community through their new pursuits. If you’re hesitant about trying something new, let their stories inspire you to take that leap.
Meet Princess
Photo courtesy of Princess Clemente.
Princess Clemente, a queer Filipina, decided at 31 to make her year one of play.
That year led her to try ice hockey—a sport she had no prior experience in. “I’ve been a tennis player my whole life, and I grew up with this intense training. Learning ice hockey was a way to reconnect with the joy of simply moving, without the pressure of winning,” she explains.
Challenges and Fears
Princess faced many fears when stepping onto the ice. “I had so many fears—the nervousness of doing something new, sticking out because I was new, and the real fear of getting hurt,” she says. Her first evaluation was particularly nerve-wracking. “I felt like I was in the Squid Games, always the last one skating back.”
In addition to her fear of injury, Princess also experienced isolation as one of the few women and one of the only people of color in her hockey league. “I often wonder, is this sport for people like me? But when I see other women of color playing, it motivates me to keep going.”
Overcoming Obstacles
Princess tackled her fears by practicing falling, literally. “I even practiced falling on purpose—after all, even the pros fall! That helped me feel less silly about it.” She also found strength in community, inviting friends to practice with her. “Having someone to share those experiences with makes a huge difference.”
Advice for New Adult Learners
Princess advises new learners to ground themselves in their ‘why.’ “Why do you want to do this? When you’re clear about that, you can push through the uncomfortable moments.” She also encourages people to laugh at themselves along the way. “Those awkward moments are part of the journey.”
Meet Divya
Photo courtesy of Divya
Getting Started
Divya, a South Asian woman, learned how to ski at 31—even though she knew she’d often be the only woman of color on the slopes.
Despite skiing’s reputation as an expensive, predominantly white sport, Divya embraced the challenge, eager to enjoy the outdoors in a new way. “The outdoors should be enjoyed by everyone,” she asserts, explaining her motivation.
@sareesuperwoman Representing BIPOC on Montana slopes with @notyouraveragesavage 💛 #representationmatters #diversifyoutdoors ♬ original sound - edits
Challenges and Fears
Learning to ski as an adult wasn’t easy. “Skiing is physically and mentally challenging, especially when you’re starting later in life,” she recalls. Divya had to overcome the fear of injury, particularly as she realized she wasn’t as flexible or agile as she once was. “There’s a real fear of getting hurt, and the idea of bouncing back from an injury in your 30s feels daunting.”
She also faced the challenge of feeling out of place in a sport with little representation for people of color. “It’s hard to find people who look like me on the slopes, and that’s a challenge I face every time I go out there,” she admits.
Overcoming Obstacles
Despite these barriers, Divya persevered. She began building her skills, and soon skiing became a passion. "I get messages from people saying they never thought skiing was for them until they saw someone like me doing it. My mom even tried skiing for the first time at 58! Seeing her joy was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."
Advice for New Adult Learners
Divya encourages new learners to embrace failure as part of the process. “You’re going to fall—a lot—but that’s how you learn. The more you fall, the faster you’ll get back up.” She also stresses the importance of building a community. “Reach out, ask questions, and find others who can help you grow.”
Follow Divya’s journey on Instagram and TikTok to learn more.
Overcoming Common Challenges as an Adult Learner
Both women faced similar fears and challenges as adult learners in new sports. Here are two practical tips for overcoming the most common hurdles.
Embrace mistakes as part of the process: Try to remember that everyone was a beginner once. Mistakes are a natural part of learning, or stepping stones to success. Divya noted, “You’re going to fall, but that’s how you grow.”
Build a community that’s right for you: Building a community can make a big difference; so can looking within to find strength in yourself. Princess found that inviting friends to join her helped ease the loneliness.
Why Now is the Perfect Time to Start
Both of these women has found joy and fulfillment in their new sports. They all believe there’s no better time than now to start something new. Whether it’s for fitness, fun, personal growth, or community, trying a new sport as an adult can be incredibly rewarding.
It’s not just about physical activity—it’s about building confidence, overcoming fears, and finding joy in new experiences. So, what are you waiting for? Let these examples be your motivation to try that new sport or activity you've been thinking about. Step out of your comfort zone, embrace the challenge, and most importantly—have fun!
We spoke to two amazing women who decided to learn a new sport as adults. Their stories are filled with challenges—from battling self-doubt and physical limitations to navigating spaces where they often felt out of place. But each of them, in their own way, found joy, growth, and community through their new pursuits. Let their stories inspire you to take that leap.