Optimum Nutrition campaign shines spotlight on female athletes overlooked by media

Optimum Nutrition, the sports nutrition brand, and part of Glanbia Performance Nutrition, is kicking off the New Year with "Pretty Damn Good," a bold new campaign celebrating women athletes. While female athletes put in extraordinary work, they receive only 15% of sports media coverage, hold fewer leadership roles and often face language that diminishes their hard work and accomplishments.

Christiane Brocky, general manager, Optimum Nutrition: “Women athletes work extraordinarily hard to reach their goals, yet their achievements and milestones are too often overlooked or dismissed as ‘pretty good. We are proud to celebrate and support women in sport and fitness by spotlighting female athleticism and providing nutrition products that help elevate performance.”

The campaign kicks off with a video featuring Cameron Brink and narrated by her mother, Michelle Bain-Brink, a star athlete in her own right who topped 1,000 points scored as a college basketball player. Michelle takes viewers through Cameron’s journey - from blocking her dad’s shot as a kid to being drafted second overall in the WNBA. With home videos documenting her growth, Michelle reflects on how her daughter’s accomplishments have often been labelled as 'pretty good,' and concludes with a call to action: it’s time the world recognises what Cameron truly is - 'Pretty Damn Good.'

Cameron Brink: “Hearing my mom’s voice narrate my journey is incredibly personal. It reminds me to take pride in what I’ve accomplished. I want to help others do the same because women should receive the recognition they deserve. Being ‘Pretty Damn Good’ isn’t just about talent. It’s about owning your progress and celebrating it.”

Tag Who Inspires You with #PrettyDAMNGood

More than 10 star athletes and celebrities will join the Brinks to share stories on the unseen hard work behind their success and how they use Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein to support their progress. Soccer champion Ali Krieger, gold medal gymnast Laurie Hernandez and actress and musician Ryan Destiny share their experiences of being overlooked and how they made those limits disappear on Instagram (@OptimumNutrition) and TikTok (@OptimumNutrition_US).

Starting January 22, fans are invited to join the conversation by recognising other pretty damn good athletes with #PrettyDamnGood on Instagram (@OptimumNutrition) and TikTok (@OptimumNutrition_US).

Ryan Destiny, actress and musician: “I’m always pushing myself outside my comfort zone, looking for roles and opportunities that people won’t expect. Mentally and physically transforming into a champion was a personal journey, but I fully embraced the fight that every female athlete endures to be recognised, celebrated, seen. People may underestimate female athletes’ strength so I want to show the world the story behind the fight for female athletes and what it means to not just be pretty good – but to be pretty damn good."

Optimum Nutrition Supports Progress

Optimum Nutrition will also help support progress in women’s sports through a $25,000 donation to VOICEINSPORT Foundation, a non-profit organisation on a mission to advocate for women in sport through sport science research, education and advocacy.

Stef Strack, founder and CEO, VOICEINSPORT Foundation: “At VOICEINSPORT, we put the VOICE of women of all ages in sport at the centre of everything we do. Optimum Nutrition supports us in this mission, helping us continue to break barriers and champion women athletes. When we break down walls and inspire women athletes to stay in sport, we help create the next generation of strong women in sports and beyond.”

Optimum Nutrition recognises the critical role nutrition plays in harnessing athletic potential. As one of the companies selling whey protein powder, Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein unlocks more for each workout with 24 grams of high-quality protein per scoop to support muscle health and recovery. The trusted choice for 35 years, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey offers unmatched consistency designed for easy mixing to ensure women at all fitness levels reach their goals.

Cameron: “I’m always pushing myself to be not just my best, but the best. And that also means I hold a high standard for what I put in my body to support my goals. I trust Gold Standard 100% Whey to get the protein my body needs so my muscles can recover quickly post-game or work out. I’ve always loved how easily the products fit into my demanding lifestyle and now feel further bonded to the brand’s commitment to championing women in sports.”