COLUMBIA, SC — Netflix has officially announced the July 6, 2025 release of its newest original documentary, “I’m Not Broken”—a deeply emotional and empowering film that follows the real-life stories of five women, all former athletes from the South Carolina Gamecocks program, who found themselves incarcerated—and ultimately transformed—inside the South Carolina Department of Corrections.
Since the trailer debuted online, the internet has lit up with reaction, applause, and anticipation. “I’m Not Broken” dives deep behind prison walls to reveal the resilience and redemption of five women who once wore the Garnet and Black—and are now using their voices to inspire the world.
Each woman shares handwritten letters addressed to Grammy-winning singer and activist Melissa Etheridge, whose own journey through grief, healing, and justice gave them hope. The letters, woven throughout the film, form a powerful narrative of pain, perseverance, and purpose.
Etheridge, profoundly moved by the women’s stories, visited the correctional facility in Columbia to meet them in person—a surprise moment that quickly becomes the film’s most emotional highlight. Together, they perform a haunting acoustic rendition of “I Run for Life”, rewritten by the women to reflect their inner battles and survival.
“These women are not forgotten. They are voices the world needs to hear,” said Etheridge during filming. “They’ve lived through hell—and are learning to turn it into healing.”
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Lisa Robins, “I’m Not Broken” was shot over 18 months with exclusive access to the women’s unit and athletic archives from their days as Gamecocks. The result is a 90-minute cinematic experience that blends powerful interviews, raw spoken-word, and archival footage from the University of South Carolina sports program.
What to Expect
Each story reveals the highs of championship courts and the lows of personal downfall. Some fought addiction. Others battled abuse or destructive relationships. But every one of them is now standing tall, refusing to let a prison ID be the final chapter of their story.
In a standout quote, one woman, Jordan, shares:
“I went from MVP to inmate. But today, I’m writing my next win.”
Release Date & Viewing Details
“I’m Not Broken” premieres globally on Netflix on July 6, 2025. Available in 20+ languages, the film is already being hailed as one of Netflix’s most important documentaries of the year.
Will you be watching on July 6? Share this post, tag a Gamecocks fan, and remind the world: every comeback starts with courage.
