SOARING is about far more than gymnastics. The new short film from RED BARON® follows Special Olympics athletes Paige Trombley, Elizabeth “Liz” Viele, and Jenny Hill as they prepare for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis. Narrated by Olympic champion Shawn Johnson East, the documentary certainly captures the excitement and pressure that come with training for a major competition. But what lingers long after the credits roll are the deeply personal stories of resilience, confidence, and growth that each woman brings to the screen.
Streaming now on YouTube and on the RED BARON website, the film offers an intimate look at three athletes whose journeys have been shaped by years of dedication, setbacks, and perseverance. While all three share a love of gymnastics and a goal of competing on one of the biggest stages in Special Olympics, their paths to Minneapolis have been remarkably different.
For Paige Trombley, the road back to competition has required patience and determination. Recovering from injury while preparing for the USA Games has tested both her physical and mental strength, forcing her to rebuild confidence in a sport where every movement matters. Yet what stands out most about Paige is not simply her commitment to gymnastics, but the way she balances athletics with a full life beyond competition. Alongside her training, she works full-time at a school, advocates for children with autism, and is currently writing her first book. Her story serves as a reminder that resilience is often built in the quiet moments between achievements, when the choice to keep moving forward becomes its own victory.
Liz Viele’s journey is equally compelling, though it unfolds in a very different way. A Special Olympics athlete since the 1990s, Liz has spent decades competing in sports ranging from basketball and bowling to cross-country skiing, softball, and flag football. This year marks her debut at the Special Olympics USA Games, a milestone that comes after years of training and dedication. Watching Liz prepare for competition, there is a sense of calm confidence that makes her instantly easy to root for. Her commitment extends beyond athletics as well. As a Special Olympics Health Messenger, she has become a leader and advocate within her community, encouraging others to pursue healthier lifestyles while demonstrating what long-term dedication can accomplish.
Perhaps the most emotional story in SOARING belongs to Jenny Hill. A veteran athlete with more than 27 years of Special Olympics competition experience, Jenny has participated in an extraordinary range of sports, including basketball, swimming, bowling, powerlifting, figure skating, and gymnastics. She arrives at the 2026 USA Games focused and determined, but it is her personal growth away from competition that gives her story such powerful resonance.
Jenny was once nonverbal, and both she and her family credit Special Olympics with helping her develop the confidence and communication skills that transformed her life. Today, she lights up every scene she appears in with warmth, humor, and an unmistakable sense of self-assurance. Watching her interact with teammates, coaches, and family members, it becomes impossible not to appreciate how profoundly sport can impact a person’s life far beyond medals or results.
Connecting these three stories is Shawn Johnson East, whose role in the documentary goes well beyond narration. The four-time Olympic medalist and Special Olympics Ambassador brings her own experiences with pressure, expectations, and self-doubt into the conversations she shares with the athletes. Rather than positioning herself as a distant champion offering advice, Johnson East approaches the women with empathy and honesty, opening up about the challenges she faced throughout her own career and the lessons she continues to carry with her today.
One of the film’s most memorable moments comes during a surprise private training session, where Johnson East spends time working directly with Paige, Liz, and Jenny. What begins as a mentorship opportunity quickly evolves into something more meaningful, as the athletes and Olympic champion discover common ground through their shared love of gymnastics and competition. The experience clearly leaves an impression on Johnson East herself.
“These athletes don’t just inspire people around them, they inspire me,” she says in the film. “Watching Paige, Liz, and Jenny chase their goals reminded me of everything I love about this sport and why it matters.”
That sentiment ultimately captures what makes SOARING so effective. While the documentary arrives ahead of the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, where nearly 3,000 athletes from across all 50 states will compete in 16 Olympic-style sports, the film never loses sight of the people at the center of the story. The competition provides the backdrop, but the heart of the documentary lies in the athletes themselves. It’s in their determination, their growth, and their willingness to keep pursuing their goals regardless of the obstacles they face.
By the time the film reaches its conclusion, viewers may find themselves thinking less about gymnastics scores and more about the universal themes woven throughout each athlete’s journey. SOARING is ultimately a story about believing in yourself, finding strength through community, and discovering that some of the most meaningful victories happen long before anyone steps onto a podium.
For Paige, Liz, and Jenny, the road to Minneapolis represents much more than a chance to compete. It represents years of hard work, personal growth, and the courage to continue reaching for something bigger. Through their stories, SOARING offers an uplifting reminder of what can happen when determination meets opportunity, and why the power of sport extends far beyond the competition floor.
