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Miki Agrawal is passionate about periods.?In fact, shes the co-founder of THINX -- a company, which among other things, develops underwear that absorbs menstrual blood without the additional use of tampons, pads or a cup.?So, when Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui made headlines for discussing her time of the month at the Rio Olympics, we knew she would be the best person to dissect the culture-shifting moment.Here, the former semi-pro soccer player and serial entrepreneur discusses playing sports while on your period, disrupting the feminine hygiene market and removing the social stigma that surrounds menstruation. This interview has been edited for length.espnW: Bronze medalist Fu Yuanhui made headlines for telling the world she was on her period during the Olympic games. What were your initial thoughts and reactions?Miki Agrawal: It was amazing. Her candor liberated so many women. In particular, those in Asian countries [where its often] taboo to talk about periods. The fact that she was so open and without shame was empowering and absolutely worth being a headline.espnW: As a former semi-professional athlete, has your period ever impacted your performance? Agrawal: In my past life, I was a [competitive soccer player for the New York Magic], and all three of my ACL tears happened during menstruation. Your ligaments are far more brittle and malleable when youre on your period. However, there isnt much research on the connection between that time of the month and the common injury. But there should be. So, yes, my period has definitely impacted my performance.espnW: What inspired you to create THINX? Agrawal: I was frustrated with the offerings in the marketplace. Think about how many pairs of underwear youve ruined while on your period? And what about your sheets, clothes and everything else? [Women] are spending all this time cleaning up, or putting sweaters around our waists. Weve had the same options for the for the last 50-plus years. The tampon was invented in 1931 by [Dr. Earle Haas], a man. The last real innovation was adding a strip underneath the pad to stop it from moving around, which [Stayfree] created in 1969. Now, the menstrual cup is here, but it hasnt been popularized globally. My overall goal and purpose is to make the experience of getting your period easier.espnW: How does your patented underwear work? Agrawal: It took three to four years to develop this product. This is the first real [menstruation] product for the mass market developed by women and for women. My partners and I wanted the consumer to feel like they were wearing regular underwear; not anything bulky and uncomfortable. When you bleed into [the underwear], its innermost layer wicks away moisture. So, youre not sitting in a pool of blood, but rather a regular pair of panties that remain dry. They are also antimicrobial and breathable. The whole system of layers really works like magic, but they look like regular underwear and are able to absorb about two tampons worth of blood.espnW: Youve also created a sports variation, which specifically caters to active women. What are the key differences with this design?Agrawal: They dont feature lace trim, and have comfort-fit leg with a cotton interior. When youre exercising, your body needs more room to breathe, and we understand that. Now, women can keep their heads in the game.espnW: Please discuss The Week, your micro-documentary that hopes to remove the stigma from menstruation. Howd you get notable women like Joy Bryant, Jackie Tohn, Sophia Bush and others to discuss their periods in such a public manner? Agrawal: They are all very vocal feminists. If you enter a conversation with confidence, it basically gives others permission to do the same. If Im coming to talk about that time of the month and Im embarrassed about, then youll react that way. If I speak to you in a confident manner, then youll be confident as well. It has really helped women discuss menstruation publicly.espnW: THINX has a donation for purchase (one-to-one) partnership with AFRIpads. Please discuss the program.Agrawal: I travel often, and Ive seen first-hand what women in developing countries go through while on their periods. Could you imagine bleeding on to your bed -- in a hut, with no feminine hygiene products around, and often times very little underwear? I cant.So, I scoured planet earth to find the right partners and hopefully make a difference. Luckily, we found AFRIpads, which is based in Uganda, and they make washable and reusable cloth pads at a reasonable price. The product costs between $2 and $5 dollars for the whole year, and come in three or five pad kits. [The pads] dry quickly in the sun, are affordable, and help develop the local economy. Weve helped AFRIpads grow from 25 to 175 employees. Its been amazing thing to witness. Michael Jordan Youth Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Joe Mixon Womens Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. http://www.bengalsrookiestore.com/Bengals-Drew-Sample-Jersey/ . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Custom Cincinnati Bengals Jerseys . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Jessie Bates III Womens Jersey . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil.Lewis Hamilton has admitted his frame of mind shifted in the final races of last season after his early victory in 2015s world championship. Hamilton proved almost unbeatable in qualifying and races for three-quarters of his triumphant campaign, claiming 11 poles and 10 wins over the seasons opening 16 rounds as he clinched the third drivers title of his career in Austin in late October.But once crowned champion the balance of power at Mercedes shifted, with Nico Rosberg beating Hamilton in each of the final three races. Speaking on his return to testing action at Barcelona, Hamilton acknowledged for the first time that his early title win had affected his mind-set. My frame of mind shifted after I won the championship last year, he said. The intensity of the championship was over and I enjoyed it more than I ever enjoyed an end of a season in my whole career - both in the car and outside the car.I still arrived and did the job in terms of scoring points for the team.After nearly three months off from driving, during which he has visited numerous locations in North America and Europe, Hamilton declared he felt mentally very strong at the end of his first full day of 2016 testing on Monday.And while his career objective of three world titles has now been achieved, Hamilton promised he is ready to test himself again against his rivals in 2016. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton completed 156 laps in the W07 on day one of the first Barcelona Test I feel absolutely ready get back in and win - its just in my DNA, just wanting to win, he said.dddddddddddd. So its not like I have to reinvent myself or go and find extra motivation from thin air, its just there, thankfully.For sure, the competition is going to be stronger than ever this year and I have to make sure Im stronger than ever so that I can face whatever is thrown at me.The Sky Sports F1 Digital team will be providing live commentary from dawn until dusk on all four days of both Barcelona tests while Sky Sports News HQ will also deliver live updates from trackside. Also See: Latest video updates from Barcelona Honda boss Arai stands down ' ' '