Skier and ultrarunner Drew Petersen goes beyond the feats to share his mental health battles—and a vision for moving forward.
Last August, Drew Petersen crossed the finish line at the Leadville Trail 100 for the fourth time. For him, the punishing race isn’t just about endurance—it’s tied to something more profound. The 2025 run also marked the first anniversary of Feel It All, the film he co-created about running and skiing the Leadville 100 as part of his mission to speak openly about mental health.
When the film premiered last year, it resonated in the outdoor community. It wasn’t just a story of athletic achievement—it was about the courage to talk about what so many keep hidden. One year later, Feel It All is still carrying that message forward. It continues to spark conversations about mental health and suicide prevention, and Drew remains dedicated to using his own experiences to challenge stigma.
His goal is simple but urgent: to help create a culture where mental health is supported and embraced, so that people and communities alike can thrive.
The film has found its way to audiences across the world, screening at festivals, earning accolades and reaching thousands more online.
Earlier this year, Drew took the film’s message to TEDx Breckenridge, where he shared a 17-minute talk that wove together his identity as an athlete with his path to healing and advocacy. His ability to speak with honesty and selfless compassion makes the conversation around mental health feel less remote and more like something we can all take part in.
September is Suicide Awareness Month (World Suicide Prevention Day was on the 10th). Stories like Drew’s matter because they remind us that mental health is not just an individual struggle, but a collective responsibility—and that by talking about it openly, we can all help break down the barriers that keep people suffering in silence.
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