WILMINGTON, N.C. — Even as an adult, Lindsay Peiffer finds that she can easily get sucked into a world of comparison. Every day, young girls face pressure from social media and society to match the standards of what the world expects, and that’s what got Peiffer involved with Girls on the Run. 

“Girls need to learn at a very young age how to have self-esteem and how to find their unique qualities and flourish because of those unique qualities and not compare themselves to others,” Peiffer says.

Girls on the Run is a 10-week program that reaches girls in grades five through eight in a combination of physical and emotional exercises designed to build up their self-worth right when society is beginning to place expectations on them. Peiffer and the other coaches say that being athletic is not required; all they ask is that the girls come to practice ready to move and give it their best.

“I just see girls who start out very shy and unsure of themselves, throughout the 10 weeks, just really blossom and know who they are and celebrate who they are,” Peiffer says.

Jillian Scharf knows from personal experience that Girls on the Run can dramatically impact a child’s life. She joined the program as a girl herself, coming from a different school and not knowing any of the other girls, but she found friendship and acceptance.

“Girls on the Run really allowed me to just believe in myself and believe that I could do anything,” Scharf says.

Now, as a coach, she says she’s come full circle as she has the chance to give back to girls who are in her shoes from just a few years ago. The one thing she tells them all is that running doesn’t have to be about competition; it’s all about having fun and feeling good about yourself.

“It’s all about that image that you put out to the world, and that isn’t necessarily who you are and just really knowing who you are, being able to show that without being ashamed of it,” Scharf says.

The coaches see this as an opportunity to strengthen the community of women and build up the next generation of leaders. They hope that the girls leave with a sense of purpose and confidence in their individuality.

“Just to see how much they love this program and how much the coaches have really made an impact on their lives, I hope to do the same,” Scharf says.

Every woman needs encouragement and support along the way to reach her full potential, she says, and with Girls on the Run, they’re just starting early.