Award-winning filmmaker Ryan Lovejoy takes us behind the lens of Beyond Limits – the adrenaline-fuelled, emotionally charged documentary now streaming on Prime Video. Set in the blistering Sahara, it captures one of the most human of stories in one of the world’s toughest places – a powerful exploration of ADHD, endurance, and what it truly means to push your limits.
Ryan Lovejoy interview by Ben Farrin | Lifestyle Pocket Guide
“We were in the desert, Simon collapsed in the sand, and we talked about how even if just one person is helped by the film, it’d be worth it. Now it’s on Prime Video.”
Ryan, firstly, thank you for your time. I’m very excited to chat! To start things off, could you tell us a bit about who you are and what you do?
I’m a husband and father of two daughters, I’m also the owner of Outpost 9 Films. I specialise in creating videos for companies all over the world that tend to organise extreme events in some way or other. Whether it’s filming for Hyrox in the Middle East, Bear Grylls with his foray into the world of Obstacle Course racing – if people are pushing themselves physically or mentally, I’m all over it!
Huge congratulations on your recent wins – taking home the 2025 Best Feature Documentary & Best British Documentary Director awards is AMAZING! How did it feel to receive this recognition, and how did you celebrate?
As my first time entering film festivals, it felt amazing. It’s also very exciting to have gained this exposure of our film to the world, as personally for both Simon (the subject of the doc) and me, it’s all about getting an important message out there and in front of as many people as possible.
It’s awesome that Beyond Limits is on Prime Video! How does it feel to have your film on such a huge platform?
To have the film be picked up by Prime Video is more than we could have hoped for. There were literal conversations between Simon and I in the desert with him lying on his back in the burning sand, exhausted, discussing how amazing it would be if just one person were to be positively affected by this film in some way. Having Beyond Limits available to stream on Prime Video exponentially increases the chances of this. Buzzing.
The Beyond Limits trailer is EPIC. You’ve done such an incredible job filming and editing – I can’t wait to watch the full documentary. What’s the core message behind the film?
For us, it was the importance of ADHD diagnoses and the significance that this can have in helping someone to better understand themselves in a way that positively impacts their own life experience. At the moment, it can take anywhere from 6 months to over 2 years to be screened, and this is something that needs to change. So many people I’ve spoken to who have ADHD and have seen the film have said the film’s biggest strength is how it explains what ADHD actually is in a more nuanced and accurate way than the blanket headlines you often see about ADHD throughout the media. To have that feedback feels so rewarding!
How did Simon’s ADHD journey impact your own understanding of neurodiversity and mental health?
I’m actually quite old-fashioned, and I won’t hesitate to admit that I went into this with an open mind, a sort of sceptical one. Society these days loves a label or a bandwagon to jump on, and so creating this film really was a fascinating journey of discovery for me. I got to sit down with clinically trained experts in the field and talk about the many facets and intricacies of ADHD and other brain-based differences in people. I learned that it’s absolutely not a case of one-size-fits-all when it comes to labelling, too. There was so much to learn that challenged what I had previously been led to believe about the ADHD condition; the biggest challenge was cramming everything that I had learned into the film!
It’s seriously jaw-dropping stuff. I have deep admiration for people who push boundaries, and this film really captures that spirit. What were the filming conditions like, and can you share any specific tough moments you faced out there?
For me and the assignments I pick, they usually end up as much a personal endurance test as they are a creative challenge, and Beyond Limits was no different in that regard! The Marathon des Sables is one of the toughest races on Earth—six days across the Sahara, extreme heat reaching 50°C, sandstorms, and minimal shade. That said, from my point of view as a filmmaker, my task was way less than what Simon and all the other ultrarunners were putting themselves through. My main issues were the obvious battery life concerns with limited windows of opportunity for charging and dust… A lot of dust… Changing lenses and avoiding dust on the sensor is almost impossible when the wind picks up out there!
How long did the project take from start to finish, and what sort of logistical preparation did it require?
I first began filming the interviews in March and we wrapped filming in Morocco late April, so really, everything was filmed very quickly, which helps me to keep track of how everything’s shaping up in my head. Logistically, it required a lot of prep. The Marathon Des Sables is no ordinary event – you’re out in the Sahara Desert for almost 2 weeks, sleeping in open-air bivouac tents (getting blasted by sandstorms in the middle of the night becomes the norm), no luxuries, pure basic living. As always, on these types of jobs, I had to be really strategic with what camera gear I packed: weight, durability, battery life, and how to keep everything functional in extreme heat and sandstorms. On top of that, there was the mental side – preparing to be in a harsh environment while staying sharp enough to tell a meaningful, human story is vital. For this, I often use music that helps me visualise the finished film to centre me when I’m creatively feeling a little lost.
What would you say were the greatest dangers or risks involved in a production like this, both for you?
That’s easy – Simon’s health! The Sahara Desert in 50°C heat, often isolated, covering long distances on foot while carrying all his own gear. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, even just losing your bearings out there, can turn deadly, fast. You’re fully exposed to the sun with no shade for stretches that last hundreds of kilometres. But beyond the physical dangers, when you’re filming solo, managing gear, navigating the terrain, and staying alert for story moments, it’s easy to burn out or miss something critical. The pressure to not only endure the conditions but also do justice to Simon’s story weighed heavily. I wasn’t just there to shoot a race and the unique environment of the desert – I was there to capture something deeply human, and that meant staying emotionally present with Simon while at the same time juggling all of the technical aspects of the process of creating the film.
You must have had to be incredibly fit and mentally prepared to take this on. How did you train or prepare yourself physically and mentally?
Being both physically and mentally prepared to work on a project like this is non-negotiable to me. Often I’m working alongside world-class athletes, whether on a sports shoot I’m directing for Redbull or if I’m tracking down ultra runners in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan at altitude carrying the camera, drone, multiple lenses and batteries on top of my food and layers for the day. To produce the best work, I need to always be able to perform at my best, regardless of the length of the day/how much terrain I need to cover. For this, I lift weights most days and run almost every day. This helps build a work capacity so that I can physically endure more whilst still able to be mentally sharp.
Can you share some of your personal highlights from filming Beyond Limits?
For me, to be honest, the biggest highlight wasn’t a single shot or dramatic moment; it was what I learned about ADHD through Simon’s journey. Spending that much time with him and the experts I interviewed just gave me a completely different understanding of how ADHD can impact someone’s life, not just in terms of challenges, but also in terms of how it can play into resilience, focus, and determination. It opened my eyes to how misunderstood neurodiversity is and that many people go through life thinking they’re just “wired wrong,” when in reality, they just haven’t been given the tools to better understand themselves which in turn can help them take better care of their own needs whether that’s through seeking professional help, medication or by a deeper level of self understanding such as is the case with Simon.
Was there a moment during the shoot that made you stop and think, “This is why I do what I do”?
I am lucky enough to have that thought on almost every shoot. It doesn’t even have to be something ‘extreme’, it could just be crafting the lighting for an interview setup – I love every aspect!
Having worked together multiple times before, I truly appreciate the effort you put into your work. How would you describe your approach to projects — are you a bit of a perfectionist?
Yes, I would say that. I like to approach every project with a fresh mindset each time – I never want to play it safe or just churn out the same thing over and over. I’m always looking for inspiration and ways to improve.
Each project I take on tends to be really different from the last, which gives me so many opportunities to see things from a new perspective. That’s a big part of why I love what I do. Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of unique people across a broad mix of businesses, adventures, and topics — and every time, I’ve learned something new.
You’re hitting the festival circuit with Beyond Limits — what are you most excited about as it makes the rounds?
Exposure to the film and its message. If we can make an impact that leads to one person getting a diagnosis and therefore the tools to better understand themselves, then it was all worth it. So far, the feedback has been incredible from the festival screenings, many people who have ADHD have shown extreme gratitude for the way ADHD is portrayed, challenging the usual misconceptions and showing a more honest perspective.
What advice would you give to someone who dreams of working in the creative industries, particularly in film and production?
My advice really depends based upon the end goal, as there are so many facets to this amazing creative industry. I can only really speak with confidence about specifically the area that I work in, which is on an independent level. For me, I feel like a surprising but good analogy is comparing the career path to that of a successful band/musician. You can go to college and university and get fantastic grades in music theory, but that isn’t going to get you in a band on stage in front of a wild crowd… The path there is forged by just creating stuff relentlessly. My first clients I approached when I was in my late teens with my first ever camera, and I offered them a video for free. It was a rubbish video, of course, but they loved it. And that gave me the confidence to keep on creating and over time, as with anything, you learn different ways to better yourself at your craft and also to better communicate with clients. Pick up the phone, write an email, contact whoever it is that you would like to create something for and do not fear rejection. Just keep moving forward and creating. Just like a band first starting out, their shows might suck the first year or two, but consistency is the key to success.
What are your hopes and dreams going forward, both personally and in the professional world?
I just want to keep doing what I’m doing! I’d love to sink my teeth into another large project, such as Beyond Limits and put everything I’ve learned from this project to use. Ultimately, I can just hope for the opportunities to keep improving at what I love to keep coming!