Scott Almendinger McGrath
Lens // Light // Listen
With Spirit
Watch the full film above!
After experiencing loss, a new mother races through grief at the edge of the world.
Accomplished endurance athlete Chelsey Magness has experienced some of the toughest adventure events in the world... but perhaps none as challenging as becoming a mother. After losing one twin during birth and beginning to raise the other, she decides to return to where it all began. Alongside her adventure racing team, she enters the Patagonian Expedition Race, touted as the world's 'last wild race', one of the most rugged and grueling expedition races on the planet. Pushing her mind, body, and spirit to the limits, she races across the Patagonian wilderness for seven days in an attempt to beat the environment, their competition, and her grief.
Presented by Bronwen Jewelry bronwenjewelry.com
*Received the Female Empowerment of the Year award at Nordic Adventure Film Festival
“Sometimes life makes us want to quit trying all together. But it’s the little moments in between that make us keep walking forward. “With Spirit” is a beautiful display of those moments.” - The Source Weekly
Presenting Sponsor
Presented by Bronwen Jewelry bronwenjewelry.com
Bronwen Jewelry is an artisan jewelry brand designing delicate and durable jewelry for active women. With deep roots in the outdoor space and fueled by travel and adventure, they handcraft all of their jewelry in their studio in Bend, Oregon - and they honor a lifetime warranty on everything they make.
Chelsey is a proud ambassador for Bronwen Jewelry, and you can see her featured bio on their site here.
Bronwen is currently featuring the ‘With Spirit’ necklace - selling for a limited time! Stoked on this beautiful and personal collaboration. Proceeds go to the filmmaker.
Supporting Sponsors
Supported by GearJunkie gearjunkie.com
GearJunkie leads the outdoor industry in breaking news and product reviews in the active-lifestyle world.
Chelsey is a longtime contributing editor for GearJunkie and is good friends with Stephen Regenold, its founder. Stephen has raced with Chelsey’s team, including previous editions of the Patagonian Expedition Race.
Supported by Recharge Sport rechargesport.com
Recharge is a total health community center focused on holistic sport rehab and performance with the highest level of therapists and coaches.
Chelsey and Recharge came together in mutual love of breaking barriers and preconceived notions in chasing an epic life.
Supported by Yogaslackers yogaslackers.com
YogaSlackers is an eclectic group united by five principles: Yoga, Slacklining, AcroYoga, Adventure and Conditioning. Jason Magness and Sam Salwei co-founded the group in 2005 based on the activities that define their lifestyle.
Supported by Bend Racing bendracing.com
Bend Racing is the gateway to the most rewarding adventure races in the Pacific Northwest.
Chelsey and Jason are the founders and race directors.
Notes from the Filmmaker
With Spirit explores the triangular relationship between pain, joy, and adventure. By being intimately close to Chelsey through the highs and lows, the film erases the audience's barrier to the material. More than anything, I wish that it brings hope to others.
With Spirit is the quintessential ‘passion project’. No budget, no crew, no restraints… just an unwavering belief that a certain story needs to be told. I’ve been shooting and editing adventure racing events since 2012. I was immediately drawn to them for their incredible potential as a crucible for human drama… the highs and the lows. These events strip racers down to their very essence - their best, worst, ugly, and beautiful parts. With Spirit is about finding the beautiful from the ugly… or as Chelsey is fond of saying, ‘collateral beauty’. Following her through the Patagonian Expedition Race served as a perfect vehicle for her journey - the external struggle serving as a conduit for her internal struggle, and the catharsis that can be found at the finish line of both.
The production of this film was… not easy. Making an adventure film is challenging, in the best of times. But the biggest challenges often yield the most compelling results. While it’s generally essential for documentarians to not affect their characters and storylines, some layer of participation allows for a deeper level of empathy and sensitivity. The camera in this film is not some objective, fly-on-the-wall observer. It is completely subjective, intimate, and it invites you to explore the amazing sights of Patagonia, the challenge of the race, the pain of Chelsey’s loss, and the strength of her will to find joy. None of this would be possible without her strength, generosity, and the loving support of the whole Magness family.