©DocThisReviews: The Grind: Boardercross, Olympic Dreams, a 30 minute documentary now streaming globally on Amazon Prime.

This past year, I completed production on The Grind, a 30-minute feature profile of USA boardercross athlete and Olympian Jake Vedder. What began as a branded digital series evolved into a cinematic, character-driven documentary capturing the physical, mental, and emotional demands of competing at the highest level of snowboard cross while pursuing a return to the Olympic stage in 2026.

Produced in collaboration with Milk Means More, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, and Brandfly Studios, the original concept was to document Jake’s training camp in New Hampshire and offer a snapshot of the preparation required for the FIS World Cup season. As production unfolded, it became clear there was a deeper story to tell, one rooted not just in performance, but in perseverance.

Filming at Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire presented immediate challenges. Over three days, our small crew battled frozen rain, brutal winds, and subzero temperatures. Each morning meant hiking the mountain with camera gear through ice and deep snow to capture Jake training in unforgiving conditions. The environment tested both the athlete and the filmmakers alike. The resulting footage, however, delivered raw, cinematic visuals that grounded the film in authenticity and grit.

Following New Hampshire, production shifted to Jake’s hometown of Pinckney, Michigan. There, we explored the foundation of his journey from small-town athlete to Olympian. We filmed in his high school, documented his training regimen, and spent time with the community that helped shape his competitive mindset. These sequences provide emotional depth and context, contrasting the isolation of the mountain with the support system behind his pursuit of excellence.

Working closely with Brandfly Studios, we crafted a narrative arc that moves from the physical grind of climbing the mountain to the psychological resilience required to chase an Olympic dream. While the partnership with Milk Means More remains integral to the story, the film stands as a broader meditation on discipline, sacrifice, and belief.

Released in fall 2025, the project launched in the USA, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Japan, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, Poland, and India on Amazon Prime. Be sure to watch, and please write a review if you get a chance.