Sabrina Stanley's passion for running sprouted in her quaint hometown of Onalaska, Washington. As a child, she delighted in looping the seven-mile country road surrounding her home. Her move to Breckenridge, Colorado, in her twenties opened the door to new horizons, swapping pavement for the enchanting wooded trails. Inspired by her new surroundings, Sabrina ambitiously entered the Leadville Trail 100 ultramarathon in the Rocky Mountains despite limited experience in road races.
"I'm going to come back next year, and I'm going to do this right," Sabrina vowed after her first attempt at the 100-mile race in 2015 ended at mile 87. True to her word, she returned in 2016, dedicating an entire summer to preparation. Her hard work paid off as she secured fourth place for women, completing the race in 22:30:30. This achievement paved the way for sponsorships and her rise as a competitive athlete in the trail running community.
Despite her success, Sabrina discovered that thriving financially in trail running was challenging. Sponsorships and race winnings were modest compared to mainstream sports. This led her to explore unconventional sponsorship opportunities, eventually finding a unique partner in OnlyFans. Often misunderstood as solely a platform for risqué content, OnlyFans offered Sabrina a space to connect with supporters on her terms, free from traditional social media restrictions.
"A lot of people don't understand what OnlyFans is. It's really a social media outlet where you can post whatever you want," Sabrina explained. With her sports agent's encouragement, she embraced this opportunity, signing with OnlyFans in March 2025. The partnership brought unexpected camaraderie from the athlete community and allowed Sabrina to express her athleticism and body positivity in an empowering way.
Just as Sabrina's career seemed to be taking off, a devastating diagnosis altered her path. In mid-March, while preparing for a race in Argentina, a sudden hamstring issue led to further medical investigations. The results revealed a large mass on her left ovary, which was later diagnosed as stage one ovarian cancer. Surgery and a potential stage three prognosis required Sabrina to undergo chemotherapy starting August 1.
"I don't get cancer at 35. I don't have to stop my running career for X amount of time," she reflected on the surreal experience. The diagnosis forced her to pause her running pursuits and face new challenges, including the impact of early menopause due to surgery.
Throughout her battle, Sabrina found solace in her supportive community, including OnlyFans, which stood by her side through thick and thin. "From the day I signed with them, I've felt supported and free in a way that I never have with other sponsors," Sabrina shared. This unwavering support has allowed her to focus on her treatment and recovery, providing hope for a future return to the trails.
Looking ahead, Sabrina remains optimistic about her health and running career. With just two chemotherapy sessions left, she's eager to resume training and compete once again by early 2026. Her journey highlights the power of resilience, community, and the unexpected allies that can emerge in life’s most trying moments.