When filmmaker Torin Simpson went to chronicle Nuno Costa at the 2014 Gay Games, he didn't think it would turn into a documentary about an athlete who had overcome a lot to finally accept himself.
Costa won a gold medal in sprinting at the 2014 Gay Games, but it's CrossFit where he really excels. He is believed to be the only openly gay male athlete who has competed in the CrossFit Games, and his San Diego-based CrossFit Invictus team won the Affiliate Cup at the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games.
A recovering cocaine addict and alcoholic, Costa has been sober since 2007 and credits CrossFit with helping him stay on that path. It was the struggle with addiction that drew Simpson to tell Costa's story in a 25-minute documentary.
"His journey to the point in his life, where he would be able to help people, was long and arduous," Simpson said. "He overcame many obstacles, including addiction to become an elite athlete and coach, impacting peoples lives for the better. 'The Story of Nuno' is a complex story about personal transformation, self-discovery and how one man’s journey to find a sense of belonging would in essence give him purpose."
The documentary has already garnered 27,000 views since debuting Monday, with more than 400 likes so far. You can watch it here:
You can connect with Nuno Costa on social media: Instagram; Twitter.
