Why Not You?
Why Not You? is a feature-length documentary that follows a deeply personal and transformative journey of resilience, identity, and starting again.
About The Project?
Why Not You? A Feature-Length Documentary Film:
Why Not You? is a feature-length documentary following a deeply personal journey of resilience, identity, and what it means to start again after setback, as the story builds toward the Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
Created in collaboration with Rachel Long of Saros Creative, the film is now officially in production and will unfold over the next year as a real-time exploration of returning to the marathon start line after a previous attempt ended in disappointment.
While the backdrop is running, the story goes much deeper than sport. It is about what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan. It is about rebuilding after failure, choosing to begin again without guarantees, and learning to move forward when the outcome is unknown.
At its core, Why Not You? is an honest look at resilience in motion, and the emotional reality of trying again when it would be easier not to.
We are actively seeking creative partners who align with the vision of this documentary and are interested in supporting the project either financially or through in-kind contributions, helping bring the story and its message to life throughout the filming process.
6 WEEKS UNTIL RACE DAY
Meet Your Creative Team:
Rachel Long is an Ontario-based photographer, filmmaker, and the director of Why Not You? With a storytelling style rooted in authenticity, Rachel has a gift for capturing the moments that often say more than words ever could. Her work spans conferences, community gatherings, live performances, and creative projects, always with the goal of becoming less of a vendor and more of an extension of the team. As director of Why Not You?, Rachel brings a thoughtful and deeply human perspective to documenting Ashley’s journey back to the marathon start line and the bigger story of resilience, identity, and choosing to try again. When she’s not behind the camera, Rachel can usually be found hiking with her dog Loretta Lynn or photographing FMX riders at county fairs.
Ashley Rowe is an entrepreneur, speaker, and long-distance runner based in London, Ontario. After her first attempt at the marathon ended in a DNF, she made the decision to return to the distance and redefine what failure could mean. Her journey back to the start line became the foundation for Why Not You?, a feature-length documentary exploring resilience, identity, and the courage it takes to begin again. Outside of running, Ashley is the founder of The New Leaf Collective, where she works alongside small businesses and organizations to help bring their stories to life. Through Why Not You?, Ashley hopes to remind others that a setback does not have to be the end of the story.