Featured Image: Courtesy of Drew Petersen & Jesse Levine | Skier: Drew Petersen
There never seems to be an easy way to talk about mental health, and that’s exactly what Drew Petersen is looking to change. Bringing composure and experience to the subject, Petersen has been a strong advocate for conversations surrounding mental health in the outdoor world and beyond for several years. His story is filled with tragedy and triumph, and above all, a desire to make more voices heard and to make lasting change for the better.
The new film, “Feel It All,” is a testament to this mission, going back three years and chronicling Petersen’s journey to run and ski the Leadville 100 while drawing on strength gained from within.
He has been one of the few individuals who has been able to bridge the gap between skiing and mainstream culture, and to do so in the context of a subject like this is all the more impressive. Along with CBS news host Spencer Wilson, Petersen recently won an Emmy for a news spotlight on his story. In addition, “Feel It All” has been selected to be featured at the Winter Park Film Festival, Breckenridge Film Festival, Wasatch Mountain Film Festival, and Montana International Film Festival.
But it is not, and never has been about the accolades for Petersen. They aren’t even an afterthought unless they help spread his positive message to the world; it’s okay to not be okay, and you’re not alone.
Now available online for free, “Feel It All” is one film that every person can gain insight from. Whether you’re struggling with mental health or looking to be a better ally, this project is for you. Not only is hiking and skiing the Leadville 100 absolutely incredible, but Peterson navigates his time in front of the camera with authentic grace and passion. You see the good and the bad, and in all, it gets to the heart of the issue while opening up the stage for a broader, productive conversation. Complete with some of Petersen’s classic clean turns, “Feel It All” should be high on your list of films this year.
From YouTube:
Feel It All chronicles professional skier Drew Petersen’s journey from the depths of suicidal depression to finding purpose, strength, and resilience by setting a goal to run the Leadville Trail 100 ultramarathon. Through blending the experience of skiing the highest 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado that surround the Leadville 100 course with the emotional, immersive story arc of running one of the most iconic 100-mile ultramarathons on the planet, the film shows how within the struggle of living with mental illness lies an opportunity to access an infinite, inexhaustible well of strength to achieve our limitless potential. The film aims to ultimately create powerful cultural change around mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
The mission of Feel It All is nothing short of powerful, lasting cultural change breaking down the stigma around mental health and suicide in order to create a culture that honors and prioritizes mental health in order to save lives and help us thrive as individuals, communities, and as a society.
Supported by UCHealth with additional support from Mountain Gazette and Best Day Brewing
Directed by: Drew Petersen & Jesse Levine
Edited by: Tyler Boyd Creative D
irection by: Lisa Slagle Executive
Producer: Drew Petersen
Director of Photography: Jesse Levine
