12-Year-Old, 200-Pound Star of Nike Olympic Commercials Finds Inspiration

Aug. 9, 2012 -- The star of Nike's latest Olympics ads has created his own Olympic-sized challenge.

Nathan Sorrell of London, Ohio, the 12-year-old, 200-pound star of the "Find Your Greatness" ad recently launched by the sports company, said he has taken the ad as inspiration and will find his own greatness by getting in shape.

Sorrell was chosen to participate in the ads by Nike after they put out a casting call for a "specific type" of student, and Sorrell fit the bill, according to ABC News' Columbus, Ohio, affiliate, WSYX.

Sorrell, who is 5-foot-3 and describes himself as someone who doesn't enjoy running, was filmed running down a lone highway for the cameras of the Nike commercial. He told WSYX that he ran roughly 70 yards about 55 times.

"I just kind of put the hatred of running to the side because it was just an experience," Sorrell said. "It was so fun."

Sorrell stopped during the first take because he felt so ill he had to throw up in a ditch on the side of the road. After that, he went back to running.

"I was out of breath, I took a drink, my stomach started hurting so I ran over to the side of the road and just let it go," he told WSYX.

The commercial aired Tuesday night during the Olympics. Sorrell and his mother, Monica, watched the ad and liked how it turned out.

"It's an incredible feeling as a parent to see your child on TV, let alone for Nike," said Monica Sorrell. "The dialogue that goes with the shoot is just perfect. It's such an inspirational message."

Sorrell and his mother have decided to work together to become healthier.

Sorrell started in on the promise on Tuesday:

"Went to the gym for the first day! It was fun! Hard though, but that just means its working, RIGHT?" he wrote on his Facebook page.