Alex Smyth previews Beyond the Field

By Alex Smyth

As we are all well aware of now, the pandemic has had a profound effect of how people have lived and worked for the past 15 months. Within AMI, it was no different. While we still had to produce content for the channel, how we went about doing so was far different than before.

As a member of the Toronto bureau team, we had worked hard in 2019 to produce the sports show, Level Playing Field, highlighting para-athletes and organizations that showcase the power of sport. We had big plans to film the next season of the show in 2020, but as with everything else during this time, the plans were forced to change. 

What came out of that change is the new AMI-tv show, Beyond the Field. With the new show, came a new focus as well. The two hosts, Paralympians Greg Westlake and Travis Murao, explore important topics impacting the para sport world. 

The show is full of great conversations and what really stands out to me is the fact that we are able to have these discussions within the context of the disability community, which is never included in these topics. Hearing some of the top players in their sports openly discuss the issues they have faced both on and off the field adds a greater depth of appreciation into what these athletes go through and how they are able to succeed despite those challenges.

The interviews aren’t the only important part of the show. At the end of each episode, Greg and Travis take some time to discuss the issue themselves, and share their insights and experience as para-athletes, and what they’ve seen and heard during their time on the national and international stage. 

While the show was filmed completely remotely due to the pandemic, I know the whole Beyond the Field team feels the show is intimate, informative, and we cannot wait for audiences to enjoy the conversations as well. 

Beyond the Field airs Mondays at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv beginning July 12. 

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