My friend Erika’s company, 2nine3 Media, has been producing a docu-style series for Livestrong.com, chronicling the lives of four female Olympic hopefuls as they prepare for, compete and return home from the 2012 London Games.
The goal is to capture each woman’s unique story – the people, events and influences that guided them to where they are today, their day-to-day lives as they train for trials, their lives off the track, the Olympic experience and their post London feelings.
Although there’s several short vignettes airing on female athletes now and throughout the summer, this series is unique in its comprehensive approach by allowing audiences to truly identify with, grow with and experience the Olympics with these hopefuls.
The series currently airs on Livestrong’s YouTube channel, but will soon be featured on the main Livestrong.com site.
Check out the episodes with the ladies so far:
Ep. 1 :: Destiny Woodbury (USA Track 400m)
Destiny’s story is incredibly unique. She’s a full time teacher, full time athlete and straight up SUPERWOMAN. The next episode will really tell more about her back story with her dad being in jail and her mom fighting addiction. Since she was 6 years old, she was forced to raise her brother and sister alone. Eventually their grandmother took custody of the children and has since become Destiny’s ultimate role model. Her mother passed away from a drug overdose right as she was entering high school. The week before she passed, her mom sat her down and asked her what she wanted to do in life. Destiny replied that she wanted to go to the Olympics and be a science teacher. Her mom told her to not let anything get in the way and to never stop until she finishes everything she started. She’s carried that determination with her since. Teach for America recently placed her in Houston with the KIPP schools where she’s the head Science chair, 5th grade level chair and the track coach. She is also getting her Masters in Education to become a school leader and plans to eventually open her own school. She also trains every day as a sprinter & owns a small baking company with her grandmother.
Ep. 2 :: Carol Rodriguez (Puerto Rico Track 400m)
Carol runs the 200m and 400m for Puerto Rico. She was raised in Los Angeles, ran at University of Southern California and is currently a full-time professional athlete. Carol currently holds five national titles for Puerto Rico. She’s going for gold in the 400m here in London, after a disappointing start in the last Beijing games.
Ep. 3 :: Arielle Martin (USA BMX)
Arielle is the United States’ top seed BMX rider. She was slated to go to Beijing, but a last minute fluke accident on the track left her sitting at home watching on TV. She’s back and prepared to take it all this year. What’s neat about this is that most people aren’t aware that BMX riding is even in the Olympics, not to mention that women compete in this sport.
Ep. 4 :: Seimone Augustus (USA Basketball)
Seimone is a professional WNBA player for the Minnesota Lynx as well as MVP of last year’s championships. Going in to high school she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the caption “Is she the next Michael Jordan?”. Although quite shy, Seimone has done tremendous things for the Gay & Lesbian community, most recently serving as the Grand Marshall of Minneapolis’ Pride Parade. Seimone was previously on the Beijing Gold Medal winning team, therefore expectations are high for her and the team to have success again.
Good luck to these ladies! Can’t wait to see how far they go!
-xo
