Earthbound Rocket

This is Extra Point: Fit Cult's weekly guide on what to watch, listen to and read in the world of fitness culture.

Watch

The Fastest Woman on Earth. Filmed over more than seven years starting in 2013, this documentary follows the life of professional racer and TV personality Jessi Combs. When a mostly male team asks her to drive a custom car built from a repurposed jet, Jessi’s dream of breaking land speed records is finally within reach. The cost is high as her health and relationships suffer but she never gives up on the “fastest woman” title. Her quest is inspiring and heartbreaking. The Fastest Woman on Earth debuts Thursday, October 20 on HBO Max.

Listen

Marathon Training Academy. Started in 2010 by certified running coach Angie Spencer and her husband Trevor, this podcast aims to “inspire and empower everyday people to live healthier lives and achieve fitness goals by unleashing their marathon potential.” It features actionable training advice and interviews delivered with a big dose of positivity, as the Spencers believe everyone has what it takes to run a marathon. One of the most popular running podcasts, it is downloaded over 100,000 times per month by listeners across the world.

Read

The Most American Flex is a Fitness Fad. In this article, history professor Stephen Mihm explores how exercise in America evolved from a subculture associated with eccentrics to a “mainstream preoccupation.” He argues that our “relationship with physical fitness provides a cautionary tale for future investors in the next big exercise craze,” as there will always be another.