Arm Nation
Forget what you think you know about arm wrestling. Arm Nation focuses on the diverse and passionate men and women who train and "pull" in the fast growing North American sport - arm wrestling. Each episode traces two compelling stories from the characters' work, relationship, family and tournament lives, leading up to the season finale - a national championship where the stories of 10 of our characters combine into intense emotional and physical drama. Arm Nation is an inspiring series about Indigenous men and women rising above personal and community challenges to succeed at the top levels of a sport they love.
- 2018-2019
- 1 season
- Documentary
Forget what you think you know about arm wrestling. Arm Nation focuses on the diverse and passionate men and women who train and "pull" in the fast growing North American sport - arm wrestling. Each episode traces two compelling stories from the characters' work, relationship, family and tournament lives, leading up to the season finale - a national championship where the stories of 10 of our characters combine into intense emotional and physical drama. Arm Nation is an inspiring series about Indigenous men and women rising above personal and community challenges to succeed at the top levels of a sport they love.
Season 1 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 2018 - 2019
Episode 1
Spreading the Passion
22 mins
Former strong man Derek Spence and Peguis First Nation resident Brittany Sutherland are arm wrestling friends who help bring Indigenous kids to the sport they love. At the same time, both of them strive to be the best in their weight class.
Episode 2
Pick Your Battles
22 mins
Coach and trash talker Evan Bourgoin is used to winning every tournament in his region. But can he keep his title when he takes on American champ Jeff Dabe? Meanwhile, his younger brother James, faces his own personal demons off the table.
Episode 3
Family First
22 mins
Jimmy and Harleigh are Brother and sister provincial champions. While Jimmy and his family are competing at tournaments and hoping to make it to the Nationals, younger sister Harleigh faces an unexpected stall in her own sports career.
Episode 4
The Comeback Kids
22 mins
Provincial champion Stephane Heroux faces what could be a career ending injury. At the same time arm wrestling legend Vern Martel determinedly makes his way back to the table for the first time after two years battling stage 4 cancer.
Episode 5
Going the Distance
22 mins
Nathan Brien and Noland Gunner travel 2000 km to compete in the sport they love. Nathan realizes winning takes more than brute strength, while Noland gets support from his family and his work to help keep him sober and away from drug use.
Episode 6
Leggo My Ego
22 mins
Evan Bourgoin uses psychological warfare to pin his opponents. but then faces a champion who may be immune to it. Brenden Mulvihill confidently climbs his to way to the top of the sport. Does he have what it takes to make it to the top?
Episode 7
Family Matters
22 mins
Newbie arm wrestler Natasha tries to keep her focus on arm wrestling as her young kids drive her to distraction during training and tournaments. Nikita has a tough time finding her place in the sport after taking a year off of arm wrestling.
Episode 8
In the Running
22 mins
Trevor Sanipass and Mark MacPhail help train newcomer Pasamay Doucette to become the next Indigenous arm wrestler champion, all the while Trevor tries his first attempt at provincial politics to become Nova Scotia's first Indigenous MLA.
Episode 9
Ref and Tough
22 mins
Donna Purdy is on a rapid rise in her first year of competition. She travels to Edmonton to compete against a new slate of arm wrestlers, and gets advice from veteran puller Deb Fiddler, who is following her own dream of becoming a top-level referee.
Episode 10
Mastering the Table
22 mins
Frank Nuyens has been working hard to win medals and trophies for his ailing mother, diagnosed with cancer. Meanwhile, Richard Henson brings his new technique, and his son to the table, to try and bring home the provincial gold.
Episode 11
Weighing the Odds
22 mins
With the Nationals coming up, Evan tries to lose weight to go down to a lighter weight class. Natasha tries to compete at two events both happening the same weekend. Brittany and Richard find ways to finance their trips to the Nationals.
Episode 12
Uphill Battles
22 mins
The National Arm Wrestling Championships begin as we watch the exhilarating wins and heartbreaking moments that bring our characters that much closer - or one step farther - from their medal dreams.
Episode 13
Best of the Best
22 mins
It's the final day of The National Arm Wrestling Championships and Donna, Stephane, Natasha, Evan and brother Adam all have their final reckoning as they face off against the best arm wrestlers in the country.
