Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel Season 8 Episode 12 Episode 12

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel is a monthly sports documentary series that features a variety of in-depth stories and interviews with athletes and sports figures. Season 8 Episode 12 follows this format, showcasing a diverse range of topics across the world of sports.

The episode kicks off with a segment on the United States Women's National Soccer Team and their road to the 2019 World Cup. Real Sports sits down with current stars Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe as well as former players Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain. They discuss the team's history of activism and advocacy, particularly around equal pay, and how it has influenced the team's success on the field.

Next, the show shifts gears to cover the burgeoning world of eSports. Correspondent David Scott reports on the rise of competitive video gaming and its potential to become a billion-dollar industry. He investigates the current landscape of eSports, including the booming industry of professional gaming, the players' rigorous training schedules, and the increasing legitimacy of eSports as a serious sport.

Real Sports then moves on to explore the dark side of youth sports with a segment on youth baseball and the prevalence of arm injuries. Reporter Jon Frankel interviews doctors, parents, and coaches, who all have different opinions on how to prevent arm injuries in young pitchers. Frankel examines the pressure young players face in their quest to become professional players, and the consequences that can arise from pushing young bodies too hard, too fast.

The episode continues with a story on the mesmerizing world of hypnotism in sports. Correspondent Bernie Goldberg explores how hypnotism is becoming increasingly popular among professional athletes in the United States. He interviews Barry Eisen, a hypnotist who has worked with several high-profile athletes, including the New York Yankees' CC Sabathia and former NFL player Ray Lewis. Goldberg delves into the science behind hypnosis and how it affects an athlete's mental performance on the field.

Lastly, Real Sports takes a look at the future of baseball with a segment on new technologies being used to provide players with real-time data to improve their performance. Correspondent Soledad O'Brien travels to the headquarters of Blast Motion, a company that has developed technology to track players' swings and provide feedback on their performance. O'Brien interviews Blast Motion CEO Michael Fitzpatrick and also speaks with players and coaches who are using the technology to gain a competitive advantage in the game.

Overall, Season 8 Episode 12 of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel offers a thought-provoking mix of stories that highlight the various ways in which sports intersects with society, culture, and technology.