For many amateur athletes, there is the dream of the Olympics. Filmmaker Hisonni Johnson, in his documentary short, Legend Has It: The Remarkable Rise of Stephen McCain, wonders if your dream was suddenly out of reach, then what is your next step.
Stephen McCain’s story begins with his childhood obsession with gymnastics. Growing up with a deadbeat dad absent from his life, an older sister stepping into a motherly role, and a mother who, though struggling with MS, worked tirelessly, McCain taught himself gymnastics before finding coaches who immediately saw his raw potential. He checked all the boxes for what a person needed to be a gymnast physically. His discipline and work ethic were unmatched, as he never missed a practice. But he never set out expressly for the Olympics; it was simply the end of a path he was determined to walk.
As his skills developed, McCain earned a spot in elite-level gymnastics, with many believing he had a shot at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He gained attention from recruiters, and commentators quickly pointed out his potential. However, minor mistakes began to mount, eroding his confidence as he entered high-stakes competition. The pressure to perform became overwhelming. His time at UCLA was marked by a rocky relationship with his coach and increasing inconsistency, revealing just how much gymnastics is a mental sport as much as it is physical.
“…McCain taught himself gymnastics…”
Despite setbacks and inner turmoil, McCain’s journey continued through persistence and self-belief. Legend Has It highlights the sacrifices made not just by Stephen but also by his family. It captures the highs and lows of a man driven to greatness—facing personal struggles, strained relationships, and public failure on the world stage—all in pursuit of a dream that would ultimately define him. But then it all came crashing down.
Award This! Award-winning director Hisonni Johnson takes on Stephen McCain’s story, showing off his brilliant sports documentary storytelling. Legend Has It is the story of an athlete with great potential who can’t mentally cross the finish line to success through interviews with McCain, watching his painful performances, and interviews with important people along the way. Hisonni masterfully extracts McCain’s triumph, agony, and frustration from start to finish.
On top of excellent storytelling, Johnson makes an effort to produce a documentary that doesn’t feel low-budget but comes pretty damn close to the likes of HBO and ESPN. One example shows McCain watching a highlight reel on a wall draped with white cloth. Another is his use of pencil-drawn images and animation. It’s a fantastic visual to behold.
Legend Has It: The Remarkable Rise of Stephen McCain is a powerful testament to perseverance when dreams come with a price. Hisonni Johnson doesn’t just chronicle a gymnast’s quest for Olympic glory—he unearths the quiet resilience it takes to keep pushing forward when the world says you’re done. This is one legend worth believing in.
"…one legend worth believing in."
