The Beauty of Intergenerational Relationships in Sport

There’s something to be said about people who truly embrace intergenerational relationships, not just in the casual sense of being friendly with people of different ages, but in intentionally fostering connections where curiosity outweighs ego. Where you are open-minded enough, and wise enough, to understand that a wise person knows they know nothing, and that there is always something to be learned.

When that happens, the exchange of knowledge flows both ways. Vulnerability becomes the bridge: the willingness to share, to listen, and to be taught, no matter how many candles are on your birthday cake.

Over the past 365 days, this theme has run deep in my interaction with sport.

I want to share a case study from my own lens.

Let’s talk The Speed Project (TSP). Let’s talk ultra relay racing.

In the last year, I have had the privilege of joining two incredible teams: Sisterhood in Chamonix and RedHot in Los Angeles, both taking on one of the wildest relay races in the world.

Cover game graphics I made to showcase my stills from both Red Hot and The Sisterhood — playable? Not at all. Admired? Absolutely.

Both teams had a spread of ages, but RedHot’s range was something special: 27, 27, 34, 36, 38, 43, 46, 52, 60 (including crew). The wisdom on that team was remarkable. I have said this before in interviews, when you look at a lineup like that, the richness of shared experience is almost tangible. Every age brought a different lens. The 20-somethings carried raw fire and fearlessness. The 30s brought refined ambition and self-awareness. The 40s offered perspective and strategic thinking. The 50s and 60s grounded us with patience, calm, and the kind of experience you cannot fake.

It was not just about running. It was about trading stories at 3 a.m., swapping tips on recovery, laughing over cultural references that half the team did not understand, and sharing life lessons that no training manual covers.

It was powerful. And freeing.

Because when you strip away the race bibs and the finish lines, sport, like life, is not just about performance. It is about connection. And when those connections stretch across generations, the lessons run deeper, the bonds hold stronger, and the joy lasts longer than any medal could.

Stills from the RedHot film archive

For now signing off.

Love,

Leonie x