Director David Lam was inspired to make this, his first film, after watching Grizzly Man (2005) and City of God (2002), two movies with compelling stories despite their modest budgets.
The film originally opened with a scene in Buenos Aires featuring a group of devoted soccer fans discussing what makes a great athlete. The idea was to show that the true definition of an "athlete" (blood, sweat, tears, heart) was universal.
The design for the final "Athlete" movie poster was partially inspired by the white/red/black Nike Air Zoom Miler, a running shoe David Lam used to train for the 2004 NYC Marathon.
Athlete and cancer survivor Jenny's oncologist, Dr. Joseph Moore, who appears in the film, also treated the late Jim Valvano, former North Carolina State basketball coach and award-winning broadcaster.
During the 2006 New York City Marathon, David Lam followed and filmed blind athlete Artie (who sped-walked the race with Achilles guides) for all 26.2 miles on foot.