This global editorial series on Nike’s Instagram brings the brand’s mission—If you have a body, you are an athlete—to life. With stunning visuals and authentic storytelling, the series challenges conventional ideas of sport, spotlighting communities that embody movement, passion, and perseverance in their own way. It invites Nike’s 170M+ followers to see athleticism through a broader, more inclusive lens.

The Climbing Cholitas
The Cholitas Escaladoras—Indigenous Aymara women in Bolivia—redefined their roles from mountain guides and cooks to world-class climbers. In 2019, they summited the 22,000-ft Mt. Aconcagua in traditional dress, proving that determination—not definition—makes an athlete. Next stop: Everest. Captured by Todd Anthony.

¡Viva!
Flipping the script on gender in sport, ¡Viva! is a Madrid-based flamenco troupe of LGBTQI+ dancers performing female roles in full drag. Under the direction of Manuel Liñán, they bring bold expression and athletic discipline to a centuries-old tradition—earning global acclaim and shifting cultural boundaries with every step.

Tarkwa Surf Club
On the shores outside Lagos, Nigeria, a tight-knit community turned abandoned tourist boards into tools of transformation. Training for hours each day, they’ve built Nigeria’s first national surf team from the ground up. Their love for the ocean and commitment to the sport defines them as athletes—no question. Captured by Oli Hillyer-Riley.