Cross-country skiing is a brutal test of endurance, and no one embodies that fight more than Jessie Diggins. The four-time Olympic medalist is widely considered the greatest American winter endurance athlete of all time. Now, her remarkable journey is the focus of a new documentary, Threshold, which is set to release digitally on August 28. We've got an exclusive first look at the film, and it's already shaping up to be one of the most inspiring sports docs of the year.
Directed by Minnesota-based brothers Lars and Torsten Brinkema, Threshold marks their feature debut. The film is executive produced by Patrick Dempsey, who is no stranger to pushing his own limits—he's an avid racer who has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans multiple times. Dempsey shared his personal connection to the project, saying, "I grew up skiing in the backwoods of Maine, and it was incredibly exciting when I met the Brinkema Brothers and learned that they were making a film about a skier that I’ve followed for quite some time."
But Threshold is more than just a sports documentary. As Dempsey explains, "At the heart of Threshold is Jessie’s courage to be honest about something that so many people struggle with in silence. Mental health doesn’t discriminate, and neither does the pressure to perform. Eating disorders are so prevalent yet still so rarely talked about openly."
The exclusive clip takes us to the opening race of the 2023-24 FIS Cross-Country World Cup season in Ruka, Finland. Diggins is facing a grueling 20-kilometer race through the icy wilderness, but her biggest battle isn't with the cold—it's with herself. She recently relapsed in her ongoing struggle with bulimia, and she's gone public with it to raise awareness. The clip captures her determination to prove she can still compete at the highest level, even with that weight on her shoulders.
Diggins' resilience was on full display at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. After a crash in her first race left her with bruised ribs, she bounced back to win bronze in the 10-kilometer freestyle. She then capped off her career by winning the women's overall and distance titles in the FIS World Cup season.
For fans of intense character studies and stories of inner strength, Threshold promises to be a must-watch. It's a raw, honest look at the mental and physical toll of elite athletics, and a testament to the power of vulnerability.
Don't miss Threshold when it arrives digitally on August 28. In the meantime, check out our exclusive clip above to get a taste of the grit and grace that defines Jessie Diggins.
