Beyond The Dream: Curtis McGrath Documentary

Always one to chase adventure, test his limits and dream big, Australian Paralympian Curtis McGrath shares his incredible, inspirational story of overcoming adversity in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, in Curtis McGrath Unstoppable, premiering Monday, August 26, at 8.45pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Produced by 60 Minutes, this documentary offers exclusive first-time access into Curtis’s professional and personal life. We learn first hand of the resilience and determination that saw McGrath become a Paralympian in 2016, after losing both his legs while deployed as a soldier in Afghanistan. Now, a three-time Paralympic gold medallist and twelve-time world champion, Curtis is heading into Paris 2024 with a target on his back as the one to beat. Racing in, not one, but two completely different events, he continues to impress both on and off the water. 

At 18, Curtis McGrath joined the Australian Army as a combat engineer, and in 2012 he was sent to war-torn Afghanistan in a frontline role. It was there his life was changed forever in an instant, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device he’d missed during clearance which blew off both his legs. Lucky to survive, Curtis joked with his mates he would go on to become a Paralympian. No one realised his gallows humour was a prophecy of what was to come.

Astonishingly, within eight short months Curtis mastered his chosen sport of para-canoe and was breaking records as the new world champion, and in just four years, was representing Australia at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games winning his first gold medal. 

Now set to co-captain the Australian Paralympic team in Paris 2024, we sit down to talk with those closest to him including his wife Rachel Martin, parents Paul and Kim McGrath, and fellow Afghanistan veteran Mac Pitcher, who have all supported Curtis to become the elite athlete and man he is today. 

We also meet the Paddle Australia coaches and team working with Curtis to keep him and our para-athletes on top of their game: Anna Wood, the National Para-canoe Coach; Jesse Fleming, the Strength and Conditioning Coach; and some of the sports science team. They offer insight into how Curtis’s extraordinary strength of mind, natural talent and unparalleled dedication continue to play a key part in his impressive success. And we get exclusive access into his intense training routine in the lead-up to this year’s Paralympic Games alongside fellow Paralympians also off to Paris.

This one-hour special showcases Curtis’s extraordinary life and spirit. It’s a story of fierce determination, incredible resilience, unstoppable grit and endless optimism. Having maintained his position as an elite athlete for an impressive ten years now, consistently overcoming challenges to be his best, he makes his new life post accident and meteoric rise to fame appear almost effortless.

Beyond his dream of becoming a Paralympian, the humble Curtis McGrath continues to set and chase goals for himself. Seemingly unstoppable, he’s driven to get the most out of his ability and life. The next big challenge Curtis will face following his return from competing in Paris is fatherhood, as he and the love of his life, Rachel, are expecting their first baby, a boy.

Beyond The Dream goes beyond the headlines to discover the untold stories that have led to some of the greatest Olympic and Paralympic moments. With unprecedented access, capturing the raw spirit of some of the greatest athletes of all time. 

Beyond The Dream | Curtis McGrath Unstoppable is produced by 60 Minutes for the 9Network. 

Published: 25 August 2024