Mallory Weggemann, a celebrated Paralympic swimmer with five medals to her name, recently added two more to her collection—gold and silver—at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. But her achievements in the pool are only part of the remarkable story she and her husband, Jay Snyder, share in their new documentary Watershed. The film not only highlights Weggemann’s journey as a Paralympic athlete, but also explores the deeply personal struggle they faced with infertility, particularly the lesser-discussed issue of male-factor infertility.
For Weggemann, the 2024 Paralympics marked a milestone not just in her athletic career, but also as a mother. Alongside Snyder, she was accompanied by their 2-year-old daughter, Charlotte, whose presence at the Games added a layer of joy to their accomplishments. The journey to parenthood, however, was not a straightforward one.
Weggemann, who became paralyzed from the waist down at 18 following a failed epidural, and Snyder, co-founder of the TFA Group, faced unique challenges on their path to starting a family. The couple turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) to overcome male-factor infertility, an issue that often remains underrepresented in discussions about reproductive health. Despite the couple’s strong desire for children, Snyder’s infertility meant IVF was their only viable option, not Weggemann’s disability, as some may have assumed.
Snyder, who also helped produce Watershed, shared how important it was to speak openly about male infertility. “It’s so important to enlighten audiences on the true process of what IVF is and the awareness of male infertility,” he explained. “I gained a lot of strength through being vulnerable while producing Watershed,” Snyder added, acknowledging the emotional weight they both carried throughout the IVF journey.
In addition to shedding light on infertility, Watershed aims to challenge perceptions of disability, particularly in the context of athletics. “Stories about disability are often told for us, not by us,” Weggemann said, explaining her desire to use the power of storytelling to shift the narrative. She and Snyder felt it was vital to show the complexity of living with a disability, with the documentary giving voice to their experience not only as athletes but also as a couple navigating life’s hardships.
For Weggemann, who also had to adapt her training regimen during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, starting a family became a focal point of her life. The documentary not only chronicles the IVF process, including the difficult reality of over 700 injections and surgeries, but also reflects the emotional toll that came with it.
Watershed is more than a personal account; it is a documentary aimed at creating awareness, sharing truth, and fostering a conversation about the unspoken struggles many couples face. “We want to bring a voice to those struggling with infertility, particularly male infertility,” Weggemann explained. “In a world where many have strong opinions about reproductive health, it’s crucial that people understand what the process truly entails.”
Since its premiere during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Watershed has been showcased at film festivals and AMC theaters. It’s also available for streaming on Peacock and Delta Airlines’ in-flight entertainment, continuing the couple’s mission to spark dialogue and bring attention to important issues.
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