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Six novice riders—father, sons and friends—take on the Colorado backcountry on BMW F800GS adventure bikes to create a film about life, meaning and the longing to be part of something epic that is written on every human heart.

John Eldredge, author of the New York Times best-seller Wild at Heart (4 million copies sold) and his three sons are joined by two friends for a thousand-mile ride through the best dual-sport tracks the Centennial State has to offer, serving up a thoughtful documentary on life’s deepest questions.

“Everyone is looking for a story worth living,” is the line that opens the film—an adventure narrative that captures the highs and lows of dual-sport riding, including a bone breaking crash on Engineer Pass. “We set out to tell a story about story,” Eldredge explains. “Too many adventure films are high on great footage but desolate when it comes to content and meaning. You can only watch so many Red Bull adrenaline shots till you want something meatier—a film that talks about something worth hearing.”

From a cinematic point of view, A Story Worth Living is certainly a gorgeous “best of Colorado” feast with sumptuous footage ranging from the Sand Dunes through ranch country to the famous high backcountry Alpine Loop outside Ouray. Psychologist Dr. Dan Allender joins Eldredge (a counselor himself) to stir up reflective conversation on the story every individual lives, and the story we are all looking for. 

First Three People

John Eldredge

John Eldredge
Writer | Executive Producer | Rider
John Eldredge is an author, a counselor, and a teacher. His books, including the men’s classic Wild at Heart, have sold more than 4 million copies. John is the president of Ransomed Heart in Colorado Springs, CO. It has become a grassroots phenomenon with millions of followers. John and his wife Stasi live in Colorado Springs.
 
While all of this is factually true, it somehow misses describing an actual person. John loves the outdoors passionately, and all beauty, Shakespeare, bow hunting, a good cigar, anything having to do with adventure, poetry, March Madness, working in the shop, fly fishing, classic rock, the Tetons, fish tacos, George MacDonald, green tea, buffalo steaks, dark chocolate, wild and open places, horses running, and too much more to name. He also uses the expression “far out” way too much.

Dan Allender

Dan Allender
Consultant | Rider
Dr. Dan B. Allender (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary; PhD, Michigan State University) is professor of counseling psychology and former president of The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology in Seattle, Washington. He has pioneered a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy over the past 30 years. Dan also co-founded The Allender Center in 2011.
 
He travels and speaks extensively to present his unique perspective on story, sexual abuse recovery, love & forgiveness, worship, and other related topics. Dan is the author of fifteen books, including To Be Told, Sabbath, Leading with a Limp, and he is coauthor of God Loves Sex. His newest release in 2016 is Healing the Wounded Heart: The Heartache of Sexual Abuse and the Hope of Transformation. Dan and his wife, Becky, live in Washington state and have three adult children and four grandchildren.

Jon Dale

Jon Dale
Producer | Rider
Jon was born in London, England, in 1977 and moved to the USA at the age of 10. He and his wife Amy live in the mountains of Colorado with their four children. Jon is an avid outdoorsman. In the winter, you’ll find him snowboarding with his kids. When spring comes and the snow starts melting, you’ll find him riding his mountain bike or motorcycle with friends throughout Colorado.
 
A serial entrepreneur, Jon spent a decade working with well known brands helping them develop and implement innovative marketing strategies. In 2009, he participated in one of the most selective and unique MBA programs in the country, a six month journey working directly with Seth Godin in New York City. In 2011 Jon joined the team at Ransomed Heart where he leads online strategy and helps provide leadership to the And Sons Team.

Second Three People

Sam Eldredge

Sam Eldredge
Producer | Rider

Sam is the co-author of Killing Lions. He graduated with a bachelors in English and is currently living in Colorado Springs where he works on And Sons, film projects, and other writing endeavors. In his spare time he enjoys cigars, Casamigos, and films by Hayao Miyazaki. When he goes out of doors he loves to ride motorcycles, sail, cycle, and adventure with his wife, Susie.

Blaine Eldredge

Blaine Eldredge
Rider | Medic

Blaine lives and works in the mountains of Colorado, and not only for the fly fishing. He loves mountains, the Honda CB series, and his position as part of the team at And Sons Magazine. 

Luke Eldredge

Luke Eldredge
Rider | Poet

Luke Eldredge holds an MFA from Colorado State University where he received the Crow-Tremblay Poetry Fellowship. His work is forthcoming in Spoon River Poetry Review, Figure 1, and the Concrete Desert Review. He has worked on the Colorado Review as well as the Colorado Prize for Poetry. He lives in the Rockies with his wife and dog.

filmmakers

Filmmakers

AND SONS FILMS

AND SONS FILMS
PRODUCER

We aim to explore what it means to live with authentic masculinity as we step into the many aspects of our world today. The idea for our films was born out of a shared desire to see quality content address a wider landscape than what most would assume to be “Christian” or “masculine” or any other of a slew of catchphrases. The name “And Sons” calls upon that history of apprenticeship, of following in our fathers' footsteps, of a shared experience at some core level. Because we are all sons.

ERIK TICEN

ERIK TICEN
DIRECTOR

Erik Ticen has amplified messages for some of the nation's leading voices. His love for visual storytelling has been expressed in a wide variety of formats … from awareness documentaries, to adventure films, innovative video curriculums, national television broadcasts, and new media applications. In addition to serving as the Senior Film and TV Producer for California Road Studios, Erik is privileged to work as a Vaughn Street senior resident - serving non-profit organizations through brand consulting, writing, workshops and content marketing.  

With nearly 20 years of professional filmmaking experience, Erik has documented Maasi Christians in Kenya, filmed the notorious 18th street gang in an Honduras prison, produced an acclaimed addiction recovery program for Cornerstone TeleVision Network, and directed the short film series Killing Lions with New York Times Best Selling Author John Eldredge. He lives in East Aurora, NY with his wife and three children.

CALIFORNIA ROAD STUDIOS

CALIFORNIA ROAD STUDIOS
STUDIO

California Road Studios, selected by Mix Magazine as one of the hottest new studios worldwide in 2008, is part of the Eastco Group of media and marketing communications companies. Strongly believing in the power of “story,” the people at CRS are wordsmiths, designers, producers and audio and video craftsmen who create media that inspires, teaches, sells, and entertains. They’ve completed thousands of music, video, film and marketing projects of all types for Fortune companies, individuals, small businesses, pop and rock stars, non-profits, education and best-selling authors and speakers. More at www.californiaroadstudios.com.

filmmakers