Drew Petersen’s Powerful New Film, ‘Feel It All,’ Releases on YouTube

At 4 a.m., August 17th, a shotgun blast rang out, signaling the start of one the world’s most legendary ultramarathons: the Leadville Trail 100 Run. First held in 1983, the “Race Across the Sky” tests athletes' grit and determination as they navigate its high altitude, 100-mile course.

This past weekend, professional skier turned mental health advocate Drew Petersen was amongst the runners. While it's safe to assume Petersen’s mind was consumed by thoughts of completing the race, something else was happening in his world when the starting gun fired. Petersen’s new film— Feel It All —dropped the moment the Leadville Trail 100 Run began.

In true Petersen fashion, Feel It All opens with unflinching honesty.

“While you’re watching this film, 3 people will die by suicide. In the United States alone,” a title card reads. “This is a film to help change that.”

It’s space Petersen already explored with his 2022 release, U ps and Downs , a ski film that frankly dealt with PTSD, bipolar disorder, brain injury rehabilitation, and suicidal thoughts. Petersen’s mission is to change the culture around mental health in mountain communities—and beyond. Ups and Downs was the first drop in that bucket. Petersen hopes Feel It All expands the message further.

“ Ups and Downs was, in its core, a ski movie, and it did reach beyond, it did end up reaching beyond the ski community. I don't know if I want to use the word 'just,' but it was just a ski film,” Petersen said in a previous interview with POWDER . “And Feel It All takes that, brings in running, brings in a whole parallel community, broadens it to the outdoor community.”

Feel It All still involves skiing, though. The film focuses on Petersen’s goal to complete the Leadville Trail 100 Run and his journey skiing up and down several 14,000-foot peaks surrounding the course. These endeavors are anchored by Petersen’s deeply personal story of battling with suicidal depression.

Petersen called ultramarathoning “an exploration of the most vibrant version of the human experience,” which, presumably, led him to the title Feel It All , an apt descriptor for running and feeling 100 miles. With the film's release, you can go on that challenging—but life-affirming—journey, too.

Related: Editor's Picks #8: Top Ski Stories From Last Week

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