There are many inspiring athletes, but some of them go beyond the sports field. These athletes use the platform they have to make social change happen. In this article we will examine a few, including Serena Williams', Michael Phelps', Brittany Griner's and Mary Keitany. These athletes inspire us all to do more and become better people.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is a great athlete. As a teenager, Phelps turned professional and has won 28 Olympic Medals over four Olympic Games as well as 39 World Records. Phelps was also a survivor of depression. He has since been an advocate for mental and emotional well-being. He recently produced a HBO Sports documentary titled "The Weight of Gold." Interviews are also included with Olympians Greg Louganis, widely considered the greatest diver ever.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams is a major influence on tennis and has inspired many players. She has a powerful voice that has been used to help those in need. She has helped to create schools for underprivileged children, and championed healthcare for women and infants. She is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Brittany Griner
Brittany Griner’s story is an inspiration to many athletes. She was bullied in school and was once called "a man." Griner contemplated slitting both her wrists as a way to express her feelings of being an outcast. Griner persevered, despite being criticized. She was an Olympic gold medalist.
Mary Keitany
Keitany won TCS New York Marathon 2018 After the race she knew she would win New York City Marathon in 2019. Her motivation was to win for her children and show them how proud their mom is of them. Keitany was capable of accomplishing this, despite the difficulties that she faced when giving birth to her son.
Michael Oher
Michael Oher was a nomad from a young age. At the tail end of the first grade, child services removed him and his siblings from their mother's home. They bounced around from foster homes, to friends' couches.
Althea Gibson
Althea Gilison is an inspirational figure for all athletes, young and old. She was born in Silver in South Carolina in 1927. She worked tirelessly against the injustices in her neighborhood and in sports. In the end, she was the best female player in the entire world and became the first black woman to win Wimbledon.