Podcasts Sports Running Ali on the Run Show 384. Sarah Lesko, Oiselle's Leader of Corporate Development

384. Sarah Lesko, Oiselle's Leader of Corporate Development

Published: June 10, 2021, 9 a.m.

\u201cSometimes you just need an advocate to kick you in the pants.\u201d

Sarah Lesko just might be one of the most-loved women in the running industry. As the leader of corporate development for Oiselle, Sarah \u2014 or "Lesko," as most call her \u2014\xa0is beloved by her colleagues, by Oiselle's elite athletes, and by the hundreds of members of the Vol\xe9e team. So what is about Lesko that makes people so drawn to her? After hearing about Oiselle from countless women on this show \u2014 Lauren Fleshman, Sally Bergesen, Alison Mariella D\xe9sir, Rebecca Mehra, Kara Goucher, Courtney Carter \u2014 it's time to hear from Lesko herself! On this episode, Sarah talks about growing up on a commune, going to (and running for) Yale, and becoming a doctor. She talks about the health issue that forced her to take an 18-year break from running, and explains what drew her back in and got her on the run again. She talks about having kids (she's a mom to three boys) while in her medical residency, and about life as a mom and family medicine doctor. And she talks about her decision to leave the medical industry in 2015 to work for Oiselle. Today, Sarah manages Oiselle's philanthropic efforts, its Bras For Girls program, and the elite team. In this conversation, she reflects on helping grow the brand, including the initiatives she's proudest of, and the missteps along the way. Plus, she talks about why, at 52, she's proud to be "faster as a master."

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What you\u2019ll get on this episode:

  • How was your run today? (4:40)
  • What\u2019s dominating your brain right now? (5:55)
  • What Sarah\u2019s childhood was like as a self-proclaimed \u201cchild of hippies\u201d (9:30)
  • On med school, raising children during med school, and becoming a family medicine doctor (14:20)
  • Meeting Sally Bergesen, and the road to Oiselle (22:25)
  • Why Sarah took 18 years off of running (25:21)
  • Reflecting on where Oiselle was at when Lesko entered the picture (29:50)
  • On leaning in to internet culture, engaging with influencers in the running space, and starting to sign and sponsor professional athletes (34:35)
  • What, exactly, Lesko does all day, and all about Bras for Girls (42:45)
  • On being so loved (48:45)
  • How Oiselle has evolved over the years (52:00)
  • On hiring Alison Mariella D\xe9sir, and the brand\u2019s goals for DEI work (58:45)
  • The role running plays in Sarah\u2019s life right now (1:05:25)

What we mention on this episode:

Sally Bergesen on Episode 48 of the Ali on the Run Show

Lauren Fleshman on Episode 103 of the Ali on the Run Show

Bras For Girls

Oiselle Light Luxe Fabric

Alison Mariella D\xe9sir on Episode 292 of the Ali on the Run Show

Kara Goucher on Episode 86 of the Ali on the Run Show

Running Industry Diversity Coalition

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