Gatorade released a beautiful commercial Nov. 20, 2017, starring tennis legend Serena Williams. The commercial features intimate shots of Williams cradling a baby while talking about the power of sports and, on a deeper level, life.
The ad is part of a “Sisters in Sweat” campaign that has a goal — in addition to selling millions of bottles of sugary sports drinks — of encouraging girls and women to stay in sports. According to PepsiCo-owned Gatorade, by the age of 14, girls drop out of sports at 1.5 times the rate of boys. “One of the primary reasons girls drop out of sport is because they don’t see a future in sport and believe their time is better spent preparing for their future in other ways,” the brand says.
In the commercial, Williams shares why the values she’s learned through playing sports extend far beyond professional rewards.
“Baby girl, I won’t mind if you play tennis badly. I won’t mind if you choose to never pick up a racket. But I beg you, in this game of life, please keep playing no matter what.
Just like it taught me, sports will teach you to be strong. You’ll discover the power and grace of your body. You’ll learn to move, and you’ll learn the way to move others.
Sports will teach you the strength of your allies whether your bond is by blood or by ball. Whether she shares the color of your skin or the color of your jersey, you’ll find your sisters in sweat. Sometimes you’ll score goals, sometimes you won’t, but the goals you set, you’ll reach together.You’ll find the courage to stand tall, work harder, and speak louder on whatever playing field you choose in life. So keep playing, my girl. Keep playing.”
While the commercial’s message is empowering, the spot has attracted attention for another reason. While many believed Williams’ 2-month-old daughter Alexis Olympia appears in the ad, in fact, the baby girl isn’t her.
“While Serena intended to have Olympia make her screen debut as part of this film, her daughter was under the weather and unable to be on set, but the sentiment remains the same,” a Gatorade spokeswoman told Ad Age. But don’t worry, Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, aren’t keeping their gorgeous daughter under wraps. She already has her own Instagram account with over 130,000 followers.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.