E:60 Season 8 Episode 3 Perfect
- March 27, 2014
E:60 is back with another exciting episode that delves deeper into some of the most inspiring, heart wrenching and thrilling stories from the world of sports. In this season 8 episode 3 titled Perfect, viewers are treated to a powerful and poignant documentary on the complexities of perfectionism in sports and the impact it has on elite athletes. The show follows the journeys of several athletes from different sports and backgrounds as they struggle to balance the desire for perfection with the mental and emotional pressures that come with it.
The episode focuses primarily on gymnast Morgan Hurd, who won the 2017 World Championship in the all-around category at the age of just 16. Hurd has been touted as the future of American gymnastics and is expected to be a key contender in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, as the episode explores, for Hurd, the quest for perfection has come at a cost. She is shown to be an extremely disciplined and hardworking athlete, constantly striving to improve her technique and perfect her routines. But Hurd also faces immense pressure to maintain that level of perfection, leading to anxiety and depression.
The episode also highlights the story of Matt Barkley, a football quarterback, who was once considered the best high school quarterback in America. Barkley's story is a cautionary tale of the expectations and pressures placed on young athletes to achieve perfection in sports. Despite being a star player in high school, Barkley struggled to replicate that success in college and eventually the NFL. The camera follows Barkley as he reflects on his journey and how the pursuit of perfection put a tremendous amount of pressure and expectation on him, leading to feelings of failure and anxiety.
Another athlete featured in the episode is Stanley Cup-winning goalie Braden Holtby. Holtby speaks candidly about his struggles with anxiety and how it affected his performance on the ice. The show explores how Holtby used meditation and breathing techniques to help overcome his anxiety and become one of the best goalies in the NHL.
The episode also features former NFL player Ryan Leaf, whose promising career was derailed by injury and drug addiction. Leaf talks about how the pressure to be perfect led him down a destructive path and ultimately contributed to his downfall.
The show uses in-depth interviews, archival footage, and stunning visuals to tell the powerful stories of these athletes. The theme of perfectionism is explored with sensitivity, capturing the highs and lows of the pursuit for perfection in sports. The storytelling is exceptional, providing a riveting and emotional experience for viewers.
In conclusion, E:60 season 8 episode 3 titled Perfect is an absolute must-watch for sports fans and anyone interested in the psychology of athletes. The episode is a powerful exploration of the cost of perfectionism in sports, and how it affects athletes from different sports and backgrounds. With exceptional storytelling, insightful interviews and stunning visuals, Perfect is a masterful exploration of the challenges and complexities of elite sports.