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Movies provide some of the best motivation for getting back into a loved sport or picking up a new one. Through this pandemic and quarantine, many people could have lost their fitness goals or will continue with their favorite sport.
With World Athletics day having passed, it is the perfect time to pick back up where you left off with your favorite exercise. There are many movies to provide motivation to start working out or get back into a favorite sport. The movies that seem to provide even greater motivation are inspirational and based on true stories. Some favorites are; Soul Surfer, Brittany Runs A Marathon, Remember The Titans, Fighting With My Family, Miracle, and Glory Road.
Soul Surfer
Based on real-life surfing legend, Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer tells the story of a thirteen-year-old surfer becoming famous with her unbelievable talent in surfing until a shark had bitten off her arm just below her shoulder.
With limited options and mobility with prosthetics, Bethany must re-learn how to surf with her new obstacle of using one arm and finding balance on her board. One of the most interesting things about this story is that Bethany never seemed to fear sharks after her accident. She was back in the water twenty-six days after her attack. This movie shows the different types of workouts that Bethany had to do in order to regain her ability and balance to surf with one arm.
Brittany Runs A Marathon
This movie is based on Brittany O’Neill’s path to running. Brittany Forgler, the character, decides after being told to become healthier to start running. She begins by setting little goals and eventually works up to running a full marathon. She works on her confidence and friendships along the way, stopping her toxic one with her roommate and acquiring new friends through a running group. In fact, O’Neill even said the movie is based on her fitness journey inspired her to run a marathon. This movie actually inspired me to run and sign up for a few half marathons this year.
Remember The Titans
This movie is a classic for my family. Based on the true story of T.C. Williams High School in 1971, the high school became integrated along with the football team, including the coaching staff. Herman Boone, an African American coach from double-A football, moves to T.C. Williams and takes over the head coaching job, causing the previous head coach, Bill Yoast, to take the assistant coaching position.
Herman Boone runs a strict and unforgiving team that pulls them together after many trials. They go through training camp, practices, and the struggle of everyday life in order to play the game they love, football.
Fighting With My Family
Fighting With My Family is based on a WWE wrestler, Saraya “Paige” Bevis, and her path to becoming the youngest Divas Champion.
In the movie, Saraya Bevis faces the challenge of wrestling in a more public way while her brother Zak struggles with knowing that his dreams of becoming a WWE wrestler will not come true. This movie shows the amount of dedication and commitment it takes to become great in this sport. After always hearing that WWE wrestling is fake, it’s amazing the number of workouts and training that these athletes go through in order to not severely hurt each other.
Miracle
Based on the 1980 USA Olympic hockey team, Herb Brooks coaches these college kids into becoming an Olympic worthy team. In the beginning, the team begins to clash from old rivalries between college teams until a strenuous practice after a game brings the boys together in order to work as a team.
This act of team bonding resulted in a unity between the players that showed the dedication provided towards the game. Their underdog story in the Olympic Games that year shows how heart and determination can bring you above even the toughest opponent.
Glory Road
Based in 1966, Glory Road is about the first all African American college basketball starting line up to travel to the NCAA championship. Texas Western recruits the best players available to them resulting in integrating their basketball team. With every hardship this team faces, they come back stronger.
Its a tale of perseverance and determination to prove people wrong in order to play the game they love. This story has many opportunities to motivate you to work hard at what you want to do. My favorite quote from the movie is “It’s not about talent, it’s about heart” during one of the coach’s pep talks. Talent will not always get you where you want to go, you have to work hard for what you want which can really apply to athletics and everyday life.
The Act Of Determination
Whether your favorite activity or sport involves a team or not, it is always about your dedication and determination to succeed at the activity more than your talent. If you put your heart into whatever you do, you will see results. Even though many states have started to pull back their quarantine, gyms aren’t typically open. Finding YouTube channels, DVDs, or even your running shoes to pick up your favorite activity is enough to help you get started or continue to achieve your goals.