Ready, Set, Gold! Launches Virtual Fall Programming with Support from The Foundation for Global Sports Development and Sidewinder Films

With the new school year underway, Los Angeles-based non-profit Ready, Set, Gold! (RSG) has launched fall programming titled "Ready, Set, Gold! Fall Virtual Series Building Champions in Life Through Sport." To best serve the students in its community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the health-oriented organization has developed a customized series of videos featuring talented Olympians and Paralympians.

The eight-week video series focuses on inspiring a growth mindset and will give students the opportunity to exercise alongside Olympians and Paralympians and learn life lessons from the athletes. In each 30-minute video, the athletes will provide motivational messages to encourage a healthy lifestyle for students while they are learning from home. Some of the video topics include embracing challenges, healthy living and cooking, perseverance, and self-awareness. The corresponding workouts put these concepts into action.

"When kids play, they are both physically and mentally healthier," said Michaela Reynolds, Director of RSG!. She continued, "We have created a path for kids to not only safely exercise, but also hear pivotal moments in Olympians' and Paralympians' careers. With a wider audience, this year's program will be as impactful and empowering as ever."

The Foundation for Global Sports Development and Sidewinder Films are long-time supporters of RSG!, and they are the key sponsors for this innovative project.

Dr. Steven Ungerleider, GSD Executive Board Member and sports psychologist, said, "This pandemic has affected each of us in unique ways, but students are especially vulnerable to negative health outcomes, due to the absence of recess, in-person socializing, and youth sports. The Ready, Set, Gold! Fall Virtual Series fills in these gaps."

David Ulich, GSD Executive Board Member agreed, stating, "I believe this program may be a lifeline for some young people. The guidance and encouragement offered by the Olympians and Paralympians will surely inspire students during these challenging times."

Each of the eight lessons will be released weekly on Monday, through October and November, and will be available on Classroom Champions' online platform. All lessons will also be made available to students at the YMCA of Metro LA and at Ready, Set, Gold! partner schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Claremont Unified School District, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, the Snowline Joint Unified School District, and the Chula Vista School District.

The Ready, Set, Gold! Fall Virtual Series includes the following Olympians and Paralympians in its roster of virtual educators:

• Anita Alvarez, Olympian ? Artistic Swimming
• Samantha Bosco, Paralympian - Cycling
• Tasha Danvers, Olympian ? Track and Field
• Rudy Garcia-Tolson, Paralympian ? Swimming, Track, and Triathlon
• Kristy Kowal, Olympian - Swimming
• John Moffet, Olympian ? Swimming
• John Naber, Olympian ? Swimming
• Alex Roelse, Olympian ? Water Polo

To learn more about Ready, Set, Gold! and this virtual fall series, visit www.readysetgold.net.

About Ready, Set, Gold!

Ready, Set, Gold! is a non-profit community health and fitness program that promotes healthy and active lifestyles to children in Southern California schools. The program, which is a public-private partnership between the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games and The Foundation for Global Sports Development, matches Olympic and Paralympic athletes with schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District to promote fitness and nutrition. Students are educated on the importance of exercise and are motivated to adopt healthy habits into their daily lifestyle. The athletes also emphasize the importance of goal-setting and self-discipline, and encourage students to achieve their dreams.

About Global Sports Development and Sidewinder Films

The Foundation for Global Sports Development and Sidewinder Films leverage the impact of philanthropy and the power of film to promote sportsmanship, education, fair play and ethics among the world's youth. Giving special emphasis to groups and communities that are most in need or most underserved by current programs, the foundation strives to include women, minorities, and youth in its mission. The foundation's media division, Sidewinder Films, supports this mission by producing groundbreaking documentaries that bring untold stories to the international community. Visit http://www.globalsportsdevelopment.org and http://www.sidewinderfilms.org to learn more.