Plot Synopsis

Directed and executive produced by Bess Kargman and Lucy Walker, DEFYING GRAVITY THE UNTOLD STORY OF WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS is a six-part documentary series that chronicles what it takes to be an Elite gymnast, through the voices of its greatest champions. Exploring the events and milestones, hopefuls and icons, heartbreaks and triumphs of the sport, each episode raises questions on the most challenging and thrilling aspects of gymnastics. How do athletes preserve their passion, confidence, and voice in a sport that pushes them beyond their limits? How do gymnasts maintain their mental toughness and laser focus while contending with all the external pressures placed upon them? And in an era of difficulty-dominant scoring, how do athletes stay unafraid of their own power? The documentary series examines these sport-specific subjects, while going in-depth on the broader themes of self-expression and resilience. In addition, the series does not shy away from the darker aspects of the sport, showing how gymnasts overcome body image issues, ageism, and abuse. Episode 5 of the series features survivors describing the sport's culture of abuse and explaining how they're using their voices and the life skills that gymnastics taught them to reclaim their beloved sport. The series features 2021 Team USA hopefuls Jade Carey, Olivia Greaves, Morgan Hurd, Sunisa Lee, Grace McCallum, Riley McCusker, MyKayla Skinner, Trinity Thomas, and Laurie Hernandez; plus appearances and featured stories from numerous gymnastics icons, including Vanessa Atler, Mohini Bhardwaj, Ellie Black, Svetlana Boginskaya, Amanda Borden, Oksana Chusovitina, Kathy Johnson Clarke, Nadia Comaneci, Jamie Dantzscher, Coline Devillard, Becky Downie, Nellie Kim, Madison Kocian, Olga Korbut, Phoebe Mills, Dominique Moceanu, Katelyn Ohashi, Betty Okino, Carly Patterson, Samantha Peszek, Aly Raisman, Cathy Rigby, Kyla Ross, Daniela Silivas, Bridget Sloan, Tracee Talavera, and Jordyn Wieber. DEFYING GRAVITY THE UNTOLD STORY OF WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS premieres on Monday, September 21, 2020 at Noon ET/9am PT on the "Glamour" magazine YouTube channel. Episodes premiere free with ads each week, and YouTube Premium subscribers have access to binge all six episodes beginning September 21 before non-Premium subscribers.