Sonic Break is a gripping documentary by Stevan Riley for ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 Shorts, chronicling Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner's daring journey to become the first human to break the sound barrier in freefall. Known for record-breaking feats like leaping from Christ the Redeemer in Rio, “Fearless Felix” had to overcome deep personal struggles to attempt his ultimate challenge: a 23-mile jump from the stratosphere, reaching speeds of 690 mph before parachuting safely to Earth. 

Backed by a NASA-scale team, five years of planning, and sports psychologist Michael Gervais, Baumgartner faced both mental and physical hurdles, including a near-fatal flat spin mid-descent. This breathtaking film captures his triumph and humanity, illustrating the power of determination and self-mastery. As Gervais notes, “We need people like Felix to remind us what it feels like to be alive.”