Short of gold

French figure skater Surya Bonaly placed fourth at the 1994 Winter Olympics, two places behind American sweetheart Nancy Kerrigan. Afterward, Bonaly walked into an empty dressing room and cried, frustrated that she hadn’t medaled. Still, she pressed on to compete in the 1994 World Figure Skating Championships, landing difficult jumps and combinations. There, she faced disappointment again, earning silver instead of the gold she believed she deserved.

What happens to athletes who fail? Do they become bitter? Rise above despair? That’s the focus of Netflix’s new documentary series Losers.

The eight episodes, directed by Mickey Duzyj, each tell the story of a promising competitor who experiences defeat. Like golfer Jean van de Velde, poised to be the first Frenchman in 92 years to win the 1999 British Open. He bungled it—big time. Or ultramarathoner Mauro Prosperi, who wanted to place in the Marathon Des Sables, an endurance race in the Sahara Desert. He found himself dead last—and nearly dead.

Although secular in perspective, the series is infused with humor and hope and easily lends itself to faith-based discussions. The athletes learn lessons compatible with Biblical truths. Many end up using their skills in a manner more in line with how God created them, such as basketball talent Jack “Jack Black” Ryan, who blew an opportunity to play for the NBA but found meaningful work making kids laugh as a trick performer for the Harlem Wizards.

No need to watch the episodes in order: Simply pick the sporting events that appeal most. Only the first is riddled with the F-word (others have scattered swearing), as former boxer Michael Bentt speaks about the emotional effects of an abusive father and a humiliating knockout. Skip it if you must, although you’ll miss this line by writer-director Ron Shelton: “People who are considered winners are, in my mind, some of the great losers of all time, and people who are called losers are, to me, some of the great winners of all time.”

Losers shows why that’s often true.