Defying Age, Defying Limits: A Celebration of Unyielding Spirit
Dear Readers,
Just last night, I watched the movie "NYAD," and I was in awe of the sheer tenacity and courage displayed on screen—feelings reminiscent of the same admiration I feel when recounting the legendary Dame Sarah Storey's journey.
“I know the world wants me to shut my mouth and sit down and wait to die, but I can’t.”
There's something deeply moving about witnessing human resilience and the guts to defy age and expectations. "NYAD," featuring the profound talents of Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, gives us exactly that. As I took in this film, it struck a chord with me, paralleling the remarkable strength and perseverance I've seen in Dame Sarah Storey, who I've had the privilege to write about.
“The only one who decides if I’m through is me.”
"NYAD" gives us two stories: the awe-inspiring tale of marathon swimmer Diana Nyad, and a behind-the-scenes look that's just as compelling. Bening and Foster, ages 65 and 60, haven't just played parts—they've become symbols of challenging the norms that too often push older women out of the spotlight in Hollywood. Directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, famed for "Free Solo," have made this movie with a raw truthfulness that makes us rethink our views on aging and life's zest.
“I don’t believe in imposed limitations. I don’t believe in any limitations.”
Imagine Annette Bening taking on a role that channels Dame Sarah's essence, going through not just a physical makeover but a deep, soulful transformation. Bening took on Nyad's role with such intensity that stand-ins were left on the sidelines. She didn't just act; she trained like an athlete, guided by Olympian Rada Owen. She built muscle and mastered swimming techniques that wowed onlookers. This dedication wasn't just for show—it was her becoming an athlete in spirit, mirroring Storey's relentless drive and reimagining what's possible.
“My mind has never been clearer. Don’t you get it? The mind. This is what I was missing when I was younger. I’ve got it now.”
Jodie Foster, as Nyad's pal and coach Bonnie Stoll, showed the same devotion. Foster's tough training and diet reshaped her into a figure of vibrant athleticism, reminding us of the solid partnership and support central to Dame Sarah's own victories. Excellence, this movie tells us, doesn't expire with age—it's an enduring flame, much like Storey's vibrant career.
The movie's commitment to realness didn't end with their physique. Annette and Jodie insisted: no digital tweaks, no makeup tricks—they'd honor the real strength and age of their characters. "NYAD," like Storey's story, is a powerful shout-out that goes: "I’m not done, and neither are you"—a call to anyone who refuses to be boxed in by numbers or years.
In "NYAD," Bening and Foster show a dedication that echoes Storey's lifelong excellence. They invite us to test our own limits, to chase personal bests, and to find joy in what our bodies can achieve, no matter our age.
“Imagine knowing, in your bones, that you could do something that only you could do.”
"NYAD" isn't just about Diana Nyad's unstoppable spirit—it's about all of us who aim to push past what's expected, to excel in our passions, no matter how old we are. It’s a story, like Storey's, that inspires belief in our endless potential.
I warmly invite you, my readers, to think about these stories of fierce will and undying spirit. Let them embolden you, as Storey's tale has me, to challenge what we think is possible.
“Everyone should feel like the star of their own life.”
What does this story awaken in you? How does it change your thoughts on what you can achieve? Pass this article along, and let's start a talk about the limitless spirit in us all.
“I just want to say three things. One, never, ever give up. Two, you’re never too old to chase your dreams. And three, it looks like a solitary sport, but it takes a team.”
As we face the relentless waves of life, let's all find the courage to say, "I am not done." Embrace your inner strength, break new ground, and chase excellence in all you do.
Warm regards,
S.A. Sterling
“I don’t wanna look back and feel like I could’ve fought harder. I hate that feeling.”
P.S. Your insights are priceless—leave your thoughts below and share these triumphs. Let's create a place where age is just a number, and our journey to greatness never ends. Tell us your own tales of resilience, your victories, your marathons run, both literal and metaphorical. Let us know how you've shattered expectations and kept rewriting your own epic.
Sources:
Hornaday, Ann. “Annette Bening plays the open-water swimmer Diana Nyad in this immersive and stirring biopic.” The Washington Post, October 18, 2023. Read the article.
Jenkins, Sally. “In ‘Nyad,’ Annette Bening and Jodie Foster shatter the limits of age.” The Washington Post, November 3, 2023. Read the article.
"NYAD," directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, performances by Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, Netflix, 2023.