The Redeem Team

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

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The Redeem Team. In 2004, the United States men’s Olympic basketball team lost to Puerto Rico, then Lithuania and finally Argentina in the semifinals, costing them a chance at a gold medal. They went on to win bronze but it was a stinging defeat for a team that included stars Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan and Stephon Marbury. Four years later, the 2008 team—LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Chris Paul—had a lot to prove.

The Redeem Team chronicles how the 2008 players learned to set their individual star power aside and win as a team. It includes interviews with James, Wade, and Carmelo and takes viewers through coach Mike Krzyzewski’s recruitment of Kobe Bryant for Team USA. The Bryant storyline, including how he found camaraderie with his teammates despite his reputation as a loner, is especially poignant in light of his tragic death in 2020. The Redeem Team is streaming now on Netflix.

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The Strength Connection. This podcast from host and strength coach, Michael Kurkowski focuses on “connecting with the top minds in strength to share stories, insights and experiences.” Recent episodes feature the men and women behind Iron Cardio, Authentic Conversion and Dinosaur Training discussing their training methods and programs.

Read

How Painful Should Your Workout Be? In this article for the New York Times, Alex Hutchinson examines why the connection between “how a workout routine makes you feel and whether you’re still doing it in six months isn’t as straightforward as it may seem.” The key, he argues, is finding the right balance between suffering and pleasure.