Our STORY

I grew up playing every sport I could get my hands on—soccer, basketball, tennis, even gymnastics (which was comical given I hit 6'0" in middle school). When I found volleyball, I was hooked. I’d spend hours hitting the ball against the garage door, watching recruiting videos on YouTube, visualizing exactly who I wanted to become. On the court, I could be competitive and fully myself. It’s also where I made my closest friendships. I went on to play Division I volleyball at Harvard, eventually becoming team captain. I loved every minute of it—the grind, the team, the purpose.

After college, I shifted into consulting and quickly missed the structure and drive volleyball had always given me. That’s when I stumbled into running and, on impulse, signed up for a half marathon. Training gave me something to chase again—a rhythm, a goal, a sense of strength.

But like so many women, I ran into a problem: running shorts didn’t fit me. The cute styles I saw online weren’t built for my body. They rode up. They chafed. They sent the message that my body didn’t belong in the sport I loved. And I knew that wasn’t right.

So, I decided to do something about it. Atala was born out of that frustration—and from a belief that women athletes shouldn’t have to compromise. We deserve women’s running gear that doesn’t chafe, stays put, and moves with us mile after mile.

The strength that makes us powerful on the court, the track, or the field should be celebrated—not squeezed into gear that was never made for us. This is just the start—and we’re building it with you.

Maclaine