Fresh off the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2x gold medalist, Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner, Megan Rapinoe is joining the Mendi team as its first signed Athlete Ambassador.
Megan's expertise as a highly sought after high profile athlete adds tremendous value and credibility to our brand as we build an alliance of elite and professional athletes across all sports. Megan is also joining Team Mendi as a Board Advisor & Strategic Partner, to help with brand strategy and product development. Megan has cemented her legacy in the professional sports world as one of the most prolific and iconic athletes of her time, however she is equally recognized for her advocacy work off the pitch. Aligning herself with the equality and social justice movements the past several years, Megan prides herself on empowering everyone to be their best selves, while demanding a more fair and equitable environment for everyone.
Why Mendi?
Together, we are working with Megan to build a brighter future for sports, utilizing hemp-derived recovery tools to help all athletes stay at top performance. Although CBD products are still stigmatized in most pro leagues, there is no better athlete to lead the charge in moving the needle for cannabis use as an alternative recovery tool. For Megan, disrupting the status quo is the equivalent of ‘just another day in the office’ for most people. With the Mendi brand being built from the ground up rooting for the underdog and fighting for change, our company mindset now has an unmatched personality at the forefront of our efforts–pioneering change so that others can be treated more fairly.
Role with Mendi
With the help of Megan and her network of professional athletes, Mendi is poised to be the most trusted CBD sports brand in the market. Megan is eager to have a robust role on the Mendi team, providing knowledge and feedback regarding the brand, voice, positioning, growth and product development.
Future Goals
Mendi’s products have only been in-market since August, but already the future is looking bright. Mendi is the first of its kind to have ad space in the pros, and is being featured in the NWSL semi-final match, Seattle Reign vs. NC Courage, televised on ESPN2 Sunday, October 20th. Follow along as Megan and Mendi prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Mendi's Interview with Megan
What’s the best and worst thing about being in business with your twin sister?
LOL her being my boss, but when I really think about, it has always been that way.
Currently, what is your favorite podcast?
Pod Save America, hands down!
How many hours of the day do you watch ESPN?
1-2 hrs per day. Usually in the morning and at night, to get caught up.
What is your favorite type of food?
Mommas cooking, sushi, tacos.
Other than Mendi, what is your favorite recovery regimen/protocol?
SLEEP! Eating as clean as I can. Getting in a pool or water. Massage.
Out of hundreds of cannabis, CBD and hemp companies: why Mendi?
I wanted a healthier, more natural option for pain management, sleep aid, relaxation while flying, and general recovery. Mendi’s mission really stuck with me. The desire to serve the athletes and be our trusted brand, but also their commitment to a healthier lifestyle, and changing the status quo around pain management and sports.
How do you see cannabis, as a movement, furthering women's rights? Do you feel it's a female-friendly industry?
I think every single industry needs more female represented, and in particular, emerging markets which the lionshare of investment is usually made by men. If this is an industry that is really going to serve everyone, then everyone needs to have a seat at the table.
Why aren't more soccer players getting behind CBD? Dozens of NFL and NBA players are beginning to, but no footballers (soccer players) are in the cannabis space. Why do you think that is?
I think there is still a lot of stigma around the use of CBD and Cannabis in soccer. There needs to be greater education so athletes can make an informed decision. We are also subject to the USADA testing pool, and fear of a failed test is worrisome for many players.
Your press release states: "As an advocate for equal pay and inclusion, Megan wants this partnership to raise awareness of implementing diversity, inclusion, equal pay, equality, and justice into our communities and workplaces." Can you elaborate on how you plan to do this? Any specific initiatives you can mention?
As a company, we want to ensure that Mendi has diverse representation in our workforce, good working conditions with our partners, and we use Mendi to educate the general public about CBD and Cannabis use. It is no secret that many people have spent years in jail for cannabis, of those people a disproportionate percentage are people of color. We will use this company and our platform to raise awareness and fight for the legalization of CBD and Cannabis everywhere.
Original Article: https://www.themendico.com/team-mendi/megan-rapinoe