When in doubt, be bold

The GIST: Where would we be without Black women, and in particular, Black women athletes? From the WNBA’s fight for social justice to gymnast Simone Biles’ radical candor regarding her mental health, Black women have been confronting the most pressing issues in our society for…well, ever.

• To celebrate and honor that strength, here’s how three iconic Black women athletes are changing the world from the stage to the track to the pool, and beyond.

🩰 Misty Copeland: The first Black woman to become the principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre, Copeland’s not just an athlete — she’s also an artist who considers her very on-stage presence to be a form of activism.

• Today, Copeland supports Black dancers through her foundation, which is committed to diversifying ballet and breaking down the notoriously white sport’s numerous barriers to entry. When in doubt, be bold.

👟 Allyson Felix: Felix has seven Olympic sprinting gold medals, but her most important fights have come off the track. After experiencing a life-threatening medical condition during her first pregnancy in 2018, she’s been a champion for Black maternal health, which is especially important considering Black women are almost three times more likely to die in pregnancy compared to American white women.

• While postpartum, Felix decided to leave Nike, her longtime sponsor, after they cut her contract by 70% and refused to add maternity stipulation language to a new deal.

• Since retiring from running, Felix has testified before Congress to address racial disparities in healthcare and won a $20M Melinda Gates grant to improve maternal health for Black American women. She’s unstoppable.

🏊 Simone Manuel: Sixty-four percent of African American children have “little to no swimming ability” — an alarming and dangerous statistic that Manuel, the first Black woman to win the 100M freestyle at the Olympics, is actively combatting.

• Founded in 2023, the Simone Manuel Foundation advocates for water safety and swim readiness in BIPOC communities, providing the support for Black children on swim teams that Manuel herself did not have as an aspiring Olympian. Truly making a splash.

The GIST: Drop the gloves because Team Canada and Team USA meet for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET, a highly anticipated rematch of their feisty round robin tilt.

• As a refresher, the victor earns bragging rights as winner of the NHL’s inaugural 4 Nations tourney (a replacement for the league’s All-Star break), but the stakes are ultra-high in this storied hockey rivalry. No wonder ticket prices are soaring — it doesn’t get better than this.

🇨🇦 Canada seeking revenge behind Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid: After suffering their only loss of round robin play to the U.S. — a 3–1 Saturday night L — the Red and White bounced back on Monday, beating Finland 5–3 to clinch their spot in tomorrow’s title game.

• Fittingly, it was two of the game’s best who sealed the deal: McDavid opened the scoring early in the first period before leading tournament scorer Crosby iced the win with an empty-net goal.

• Saturday’s defeat notably marked the end of Sid the Kid’s 15-year, 26-game win streak against the U.S. — only time will tell if revenge is indeed a dish best served cold.

🇺🇲 Lingering injuries raise concerns for the U.S.: With their championship ticket already booked, several players sat out of Monday’s 2–1 round robin finale loss to Sweden. Lucky for red, white, and blue fans, the Tkachuk (pronounced kuh-CHUCK) brothers — Matthew and Brady — are both expected to play (and certainly ready to fight) despite their respective injuries.

• But the stars and stripes will be without a key defender. Charlie McAvoy will miss the tilt due to an upper body injury sustained in round robin action, meaning the Boston Bruin will sadly miss the chance to play on his home ice at Boston’s TD Garden.

• Can the U.S. overcome the injury bug? Or will Canada avenge their Saturday loss when it matters most? We — along with 4.4M+ viewers — can’t wait to find out.

🛑 Wait — before you start your skincare routine, did you know some ingredients, like old reliable retinol, can be dangerous for pregnant people? Even the product ingredient pros on Skincare TikTok don’t always know what’s safe for growing a human — which is why the Little Bean app is a pregnant mama’s new BFF.

Little Bean is so easy to use, even pregnancy brain can’t beat it:

1. Scan the ingredient list on a cosmetic product using your phone’s camera.

1. Read the clear, concise summary highlighting any potentially harmful ingredients.

1. Go about your self-care routine with peace of mind, knowing the Little Bean app will help you look out for your lil’ bean.

Available for iOS and Android, this app is the next best thing to having your OB/GYN on speed dial. Get your glow on with confidence — Little Bean has your back.

🏒 PWHL: Toronto Sceptres vs. NY Sirens — Today at 7 p.m. ET — MSG

• NY holds the series edge in this cross-border rivalry, having won two of three previous tilts against Toronto this season. That said, the Sceptres are cruising on a four-game win streak, while the Sirens haven’t won a game since January 27th.

🏐 LOVB: Omaha vs. Houston — Tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. ET — DAZN

• Fresh off their inaugural LOVB Classic win and having recently topped league-leading Atlanta, Houston is the team to beat. But Omaha shouldn’t be underestimated, especially with libero Justine Wong-Orantes on defense. Serves up.

🇺🇸⚽ SheBelieves Cup: No. 1 USWNT vs. No. 21 Colombia — Tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET — TBS

• All eyes will be on the American net tomorrow, as head coach Emma Hayes makes her first attempt at finding goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher’s successor now that the future Hall of Famer has retired from the international game.

• Either Jane Campbell or Mandy McGlynn will assume the starting role for this friendly tournament opener against Colombia, a budding team that boasts a fierce attack. May the odds be ever in their favor.

The best way to beat the winter blues? Endorphins, baby — and nothing screams adrenaline rush like chasing adventure on a freshly groomed ski trail. Thankfully, you don’t have to catch a flight to the alps to make it happen — just hit the slopes IN Indiana.

• Southern Indiana is home to not one but two awesome skiing destinations: Paoli Peaks IN Paoli and Perfect North Slopes IN Lawrenceburg.

• And if tearing up the mountain isn’t your jam, no sweat. There’s plenty of tubing, hiking, and other winter fun to be found IN Indiana. Plan your Midwest adventure today.