Salt Athletic Releases Short Film What We Carry Featuring Yina Paola Cartagena

Salt Athletic, a leading sports technology company dedicated to supporting athletes, has launched its debut short film, What We Carry.

This five-minute documentary-style film intimately follows the journey of Yina Paola Cartagena, a professional ultimate frisbee player from Medellín, Colombia, whose story redefines representation, leadership, and belonging in international sports.

Directed by Kelly McKay, a former collegiate soccer captain turned filmmaker, What We Carry chronicles Cartagena’s evolution from the only girl on her first ultimate frisbee team in Colombia to becoming one of the sport’s top athletes. Cartagena currently plays for the Colombia National Team, Revolution Ultimate, and is co-captain of New York Gridlock. In 2024, she earned first runner-up in Ultiworld’s Offensive Player of the Year Awards and was recognized as one of the Top 10 Women’s Club Players.

A Story of Resilience, Identity, and Leadership

“Yina’s story is one of resilience, identity, and leadership,” says director Kelly McKay. “She represents the kind of athlete who leads without asking permission, someone who carries both the weight of her own dreams and the hopes of communities who see themselves reflected in her.”

McKay’s direction uniquely captures the personal and cultural forces shaping Cartagena’s journey. “This film is more than a sports profile,” McKay adds. “It’s about claiming space, building community, and reimagining what success means when the odds are stacked against you.”

Redefining Representation in Women’s Sports and Ultimate Frisbee

What We Carry highlights broader themes of ambition, inclusion, and legacy in modern athletics. Through Cartagena’s experience, the film explores what it means to show up, stand out, and lead in spaces where few women—and even fewer athletes from underrepresented regions—have gone before. The narrative resonates strongly within women’s sports, team dynamics, and the challenges faced by athletes competing without the traditional infrastructure or recognition common in mainstream sports.

Salt Athletic’s Commitment to Athletes and Culture

Salt Athletic CEO Rafael de la Vega emphasizes the film’s alignment with the company’s mission: “Our products exist to support athletic lifestyles, but this project goes deeper. Yina’s story embodies the determination and impact that inspired Salt Athletic from the start: making the athletic lifestyle more sustainable, supported, and visible.”

Founded by athletes for athletes, Salt Athletic continues to push beyond product innovation, amplifying powerful stories that reshape the culture of sport.