While there are many inspirational athletes, some go above and beyond the sporting arena. These athletes use the platform they have to make social change happen. In this article, we'll look at a few of them, including Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, Brittany Griner, and Mary Keitany. These athletes are inspiring us to be better people and take action.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is one the most famous athletes of all time. Phelps began his career as a teenager and has since won 28 Olympic medals, four Olympic Games golds, and 39 world records. Phelps has been a victim of depression and has since become a strong advocate for mental well-being and mental health. Phelps recently produced "The Weight of Gold," a HBO Sports documentary. Interviews with Olympians Greg Louganis who is widely recognized as the greatest diver in history are featured in the film.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams was a big influence in the tennis community, inspiring many athletes. She has a powerful voice which has been used for helping those in crisis. She has helped to create schools for underprivileged children, and championed healthcare for women and infants. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Brittany Griner
Brittany Griner’s story is an inspiration to many athletes. Her bullies at school led her to be called "a male" and she was even once called "a woman." Griner was made to feel like an outsider and considered cutting her wrists. Griner endured all the negative comments to become an Olympic gold Medalist.
Mary Keitany
Keitany won TCS New York Marathon the year 2018. She knew that she would win 2019's New York City Marathon after she won the race. Her motivation was to win for the children of her husband and show them how proud she is. Keitany was able achieve this despite the challenges that she faced after giving birth her first child.
Michael Oher
Michael Oher was born a nomad. He and his siblings were removed from their mother's home by child services at the tail end the first grade. They bounced between foster homes and friends' couches.
Althea Gilmore
Althea Gibbons is an inspirational figure to young and older athletes. She was born in Silver, South Carolina on 19th July 1927. She fought against injustice in her community and in sport. In the end, she was the best female player in the entire world and became the first black woman to win Wimbledon.