Olympic Skier Jessie Diggins Bares Her Struggle with Eating Disorder

Threshold documentary directors Lars and Torsten Brinkema share how they gained Jessie's trust to tell her intimate story of recovery

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Threshold is a feature documentary that offers an intimate look into Olympic gold medalist cross-country skier Jessie Diggins' painful fight with an eating disorder at the peak of her career. Directors Lars and Torsten Brinkema gained unprecedented access to Jessie and those closest to her, tracing how a relentless pursuit of perfection took hold early in her career and the complex journey of her recovery.

Why it matters

The film sheds light on the often hidden struggles of elite athletes, challenging the notion that success equals happiness. By allowing herself to be vulnerable, Jessie hopes to offer hope and proof that relapse is not failure, and that asking for help is not weakness.

The details

Threshold follows Jessie Diggins over the course of a single high-stakes season, interweaving present-day vérité footage with formative moments from her past. The directors capture Jessie's grueling training and races above the Arctic Circle, as well as the mounting pressure she faces as she prepares for the 2026 Olympics.

  • Filming began in March 2023 and continued for over a year and a half.
  • Jessie Diggins competed in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the women's 10km freestyle.

The players

Jessie Diggins

An Olympic gold medalist and the most decorated American cross-country skier in history, known for her ability to push through the 'Pain Cave' in grueling races. She has been outspoken about her struggle with an eating disorder and is a mental health advocate.

Lars Brinkema

The director, producer, writer, and cinematographer of Threshold. He is drawn to intimate, character-driven stories that foster reflection, dialogue, and change.

Torsten Brinkema

The director, executive producer, and cinematographer of Threshold. He is a Minnesota-born artist based in Brooklyn whose work explores the fragile balance between people and their environments.

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What they’re saying

“We want them to be seen, and that's something that we've heard from people that have struggled, that have seen the film thus far, is that this is such an intimate view and a view into this illness that people haven't seen depicted in film before.”

— Torsten Brinkema, Director, Executive Producer, Cinematographer (qgazette.com)

“The idea that recovery is possible. We see two stories of Jessie's illness, and through her high school years, yes, she was struggling very deeply, but she was able to recover and achieve such incredible things in the Olympics and advocacy.”

— Lars Brinkema, Director, Producer, Writer, Cinematographer (qgazette.com)

What’s next

Threshold is expected to premiere at film festivals in late 2026 before a wider release on streaming platforms.

The takeaway

Threshold offers a raw and empathetic portrayal of the complex mental health challenges faced by elite athletes, shattering the notion that success equals happiness. By sharing Jessie Diggins' story of vulnerability and resilience, the film aims to provide hope and understanding for those struggling with eating disorders and inspire broader conversations around athlete well-being.