86-Year-Old Girl Stars in Nike Marketing Film

Nike unveiled Monday a new film that captures how an unlimited mindset can be the key to breaking through limits, while staying forever young.

“Unlimited Youth” celebrates an extraordinary athlete, Sister Madonna Buder, and her determination to defy conventional conceptions of age.

It is the latest installment in Nike’s “Just Do It – Nike Unlimited Campaign,” which hails both the everyday athlete and the champion athletes who regularly push beyond the unimaginable.

Sister Madonna Buder didn’t start running until age 48, but that first led to many more. Running eventually evolved into swimming and biking and her first Ironman triathlon at age 55.

[ What Is Digital Marketing? ]

Now 86 years old, with more than 370 triathlons under her belt, 45 of those at Ironman distances, Sister Madonna is still going strong.

Her steely resolve has earned her the nickname the “Iron Nun.” Along the way she’s had some setbacks — missing a race finish by a matter of seconds, multiple broken bones, wetsuit issues — but, she proclaims, “The only failure is not to try, because your effort in itself is a success.”

[ Nike to Open its First Digital Studio. Releases New Nike+ App ]

“Our ‘Just Do It – Nike Unlimited Campaign’ is breaking new ground and connecting with consumers by celebrating the everyday athletes and champion athletes who push their limits daily,” said Greg Hoffman, Nike chief marketing officer.

“Sister Madonna Buder is yet another amazing example of what can be achieved when we realize that limits are only as big as we make them. We hope her story connects and inspires others to reach past their limits to realize their own unlimited potential.”

“Unlimited Youth” follows “Unlimited Future,” “Unlimited You,” “Unlimited Courage” and “Unlimited Together” as part of a campaign delivered through multiple platforms.

Nike, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities.

Photo / Video courtesy: Nike