Documentaries
For those who want to learn more about the field in their own time, I have comprised a variety of recommended resources related to the field of sport, exercise, and performance psychology. This page includes books, academic journals, podcasts, and documentaries that I think may be of interest to people. Please note that these resources have been chosen because of my own experience, and I am not compensated by any of the authors. If you have any questions about the selection of resources, or have any recommendations you want to share, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
At The Heart Of Gold
At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal is a 2019 American documentary film which follows the sex abuse and molestation scandal surrounding USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, interviewing gymnasts who used to be under his care and detailing the factors that allowed the situation to persist. It features impact statements given by the victims during Nassar’s week-long sentencing hearing. This documentary is a scathing indictment of institutional abuse that sensitively provides victims with a platform to tell their stories.
All Or Nothing – Amazon Prime
All or Nothing is a brand of sports documentary series distributed on the Amazon Prime Video platform. Each season has covered a professional sports club or national team, offering a real and authentic insight into the workings of elite sport organisations. Debuting in 2016 with All or Nothing: A Season with the Arizona Cardinals, the series films the operations, practices, and competitions of teams, players, and coaches. Other teams covered include the Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, New Zealand national rugby union team, Toronto Maple Leafs, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus.
14 Peaks – Nothing Is Impossible
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible is a 2021 documentary film directed by Torquil Jones. The film follows the fearless Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja and his team as they attempt to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in seven months within a record time of under 7 months (The previous record was over 7 years.).
Kobe Bryants Muse
Muse goes behind the stats to reveal the story of the late Kobe Bryant’s career, exploring the mentorships, allies and rivalries that have helped shape his stellar tenure in the NBA. This documentary offers access to his daily experiences, his lifelong inspirations, and the battle with his greatest personal challenge yet.
Last Chance U
Last Chance U is a brand of sport documentaries that follows young men through the ups and downs of their season in junior college sport. Each series has touched the hearts of many, as it follows the lives of elite athletes with difficult pasts, who are fighting for their final shot to turn their lives around and achieve their dreams.
Athlete A
The documentary follows a team of investigative journalists from The Indianapolis Star as they broke the story of doctor Larry Nassar sexually assaulting young female gymnasts and the subsequent allegations that engulfed USA Gymnastics (USAG) and its then-CEO Steve Penny. The title refers to the gymnast Maggie Nichols, who was referred to as “Athlete A” to protect her identity while investigations into her sexual abuse by USAG doctor Larry Nassar were ongoing. Following in the footsteps of At the Heart of Gold, this documentary puts a spotlight on the importance for elite sport balancing welfare with performance.
Tiger
The documentary is based on the 2018 biography Tiger Woods and examines Woods’ rise, fall, and return in the world of golf. Like the biography, the documentary explores Woods’ relationship with his father, and that relationship’s effect on the golfer’s career. It features interviews with Woods’ former caddie Steve Williams, Woods’ former girlfriend, Nick Faldo, Bryant Gumbel, and Rachel Uchitel, who was involved in Woods’ infidelity scandal. A remarkable story that examines the importance of athletic identity.
The Last Dance
The Last Dance documents the final season of Michael Jordans’ career with the Chicago Bulls. Featuring exclusive footage from an ESPN film crew that had an all-access pass to the bulls, this miniseries illuminates the rise of Michael Jordan and the journey of the Bulls in becoming one of the most iconic professional sport organisations. Including exclusive interviews with Jordan, and many NBA personalities including Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, and Phil Jackson, this documentary is a must watch.
Free Solo
From award-winning documentary filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi (“MERU”), Free Solo encapsulates a stunning, intimate and unflinching portrait of the free soloist climber Alex Honnold, as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the face of the world’s most famous rock, the 3,000ft El Capitan in Yosemite National Park… without a rope. Celebrated as one of the greatest athletic feats of any kind, Honnold’s climb set the ultimate standard: perfection or death.