Threshold-Resilience and Fragility

 THRESHOLD

Directed by: Lars Brinkema and Torsten Brinkema
Featuring: Olympic Gold medalist cross-country skier Jessie Diggins

Executive Producer: Torsten Brinkema, Patrick Dempsey
Producer: Mark Steele, Samantha Taylor

Music by: Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore

THRESHOLD follows Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins—the most decorated American cross‑country skier in history—as she confronts the struggle behind her perfect smile: an invisible eating disorder that begins to take over her life at the height of her career.

This feature documentary is not a traditional sports film. It’s an intimate, behind‑the‑scenes look at the pressure to be the best, the stigma surrounding eating disorders, and the long, nonlinear road to recovery. The access is so personal that you feel as though you’re standing inside her support circle, witnessing the emotional weight carried by Jessie and the people who care for her. The film exposes the complexity of a disorder that hides behind a polished façade yet remains widely misunderstood and underrepresented on screen.

Set over the course of a single peak season, THRESHOLD moves fluidly between past and present to uncover the roots of Jessie’s struggle. Present‑day footage with Jessie and the U.S. Ski Team is interwoven with formative moments from her early career, tracing her relentless pursuit of perfection—and the belief that controlling her body was essential to success.

As the season intensifies, the harder she pushes, the sicker she becomes. A serious injury forces Jessie to confront the ways she has been trying to control her life, and she must fight to regain her health if she hopes to continue competing in the sport she loves.

This is ultimately a story about the pursuit of perfection and the sacrifices made along the way. By revealing her vulnerability, Jessie offers a lifeline to others who face the same daily battle. Many people with this disorder suffer in silence; her story shows that relapse is not failure and that asking for help is an act of strength. Through the difficult work of recovery, she reclaims her health and her dreams, continuing in the sport she loves while advocating for mental health, athlete well‑being, and a more holistic culture within elite athletics.

Where to watch:  Peacock, Prime Video and Apple TV