Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/753327
FAN FAVORITE ALY RAISMAN | SPORTS @alyraisman As if her multi-flip, flyaway dismounts weren't enough, gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman also kills it with kindness. The Needham native was named US team captain in two Olympics (London, in 2012, and Rio last summer) for good reason. Plus, the lass really knows how to dress up. It all makes for more than 2.2 million Instagram followers, a number growing by the nano-second. Life after the Olympics: I've been extremely lucky to experience so many amazing opportunities since the Games. I met the President and First Lady, attended the VMAs, had a [televised] lip sync battle with Simone Biles and Olivia Munn, appeared on Ellen with my parents, went to fashion week, presented at the CMTs to Carrie Underwood… To name just a few! Keys to success: Hard work, dedication, sacrifice, a love for what you do, an amazing support system, and confidence. Cult of personality: It's important to be a good role model for the younger generation. Social media is a huge part of everyone's lives; I make sure to post content that sends a positive message and is consistent with my beliefs and values. Social network: I want my fans to be inspired to dream big and find something they love. I want people to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin and not compare themselves to others. I like to re-post their content, especially if they're wearing my signature GK Elite (gkelite .com) leotard line or FEAT (featsocks.com) sock line, or if they have something inspiring to say. Top image: My favorite images are of course from the Olympic Games. The image of me overcome with emotion following the individual all-around finals, where I won silver, is pretty memorable. At that moment, all of the hard work and preparation paid off, and even though I got second to my teammate, I knew it was the best I could do, so that silver was like winning gold. Boston sports: My favorite thing about Boston are the sports fans. Boston has the best fans in the world—I love how it's such a passionate sports city. So thank you, Boston, for all the love! For more on Aly Raisman's best of Boston, go to bostoncommon-magazine.com. clockwise from above: Gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman is used to inversion; waiting for the VMAs to start; with designer Jeremy Scott following his New York Fashion Week show; during the individual all-around competition at the Rio 2016 Olympics. 84 BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF AEROPOSTALE (HEADSTAND); @ALYRAISMAN (REMAINING IMAGES). OPPOSITE PAGE: COURTESY OF @JAMIEBISS