©2026 Lesley Spencer
"September 11th Anthem"
"Why They Run" - Full video
"Why They Run" - Trailer
Documentaries
RELATED PROJECTS
Composer
2004 - PBS Documentary "Stones From The Soil"
DOCUMENTARIES
Producer
2026 - "Katie Keeps Going: Living with Aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis"
Stones from the Soil: Film
Stones from the Soil: Trailer
Lesley's music featured in the DVD extras
(video plays after commercial)
When your body becomes its own greatest obstacle, the only way out is forward. For Katie Schneider, a high-energy fitness instructor whose life is defined by motion, a diagnosis of aggressive rheumatoid arthritis felt like a life sentence of stillness. At an age when she should be at her physical peak, she found herself trapped in a body with every joint staging a rebellion against the simplest movements. But rather than retreating, Katie chose to turn her struggle against a disease with no cure into an example of resilience. This documentary follows her intimate journey as she reclaims her strength, proving that while pain is inevitable, giving up is not the solution. Through grit, vulnerability, and an unwavering positive mindset, her story serves as a powerful reminder for anyone facing their own "immovable" mountain: your spirit can defy any diagnosis as long as you keep going.
"Why They Run" is a fresh, intriguing documentary by Lesley Spencer about 5 Team In Training runners whose goal it was to compete the Chicago Marathon and raise money for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. It becomes the story of transformation: their own. Putting their excuses aside, and one foot in front of the other, they take us on a run rarely felt in film - painfully personal, witty and wise, infinitely humman. They show us step by step, why they run.
Stones From The Soil
A documentary film by Michael Caplan about a unique school in 1930's Germany where a small group of Jewish teenagers were trained to become the vanguard of a new society. One of those teenagers was the filmmaker's father, Rudi Caplan. The school, situated on a farm, was called Gross Breesen and it would eventually save the lives of Rudi and 150 other students. Stones from the Soil begins 60 years later, when Rudi's son returned to find the farm.
Stick It
A Walt Disney Film about a talented gymnast who drops out of, then returns to the sport of gymnastics two years later. Her in-your-face attitude collides with her hard nosed coach but her love of the sport resurfaces along the way - and she learns that there are more valuable things to win in life than medals and ribbons.
Sept. 11th Anthem
An enhanced CD of the Sept. 11th Anthem, which features many of the best singers and instrumentalists in Chicago. There is an accompanying video.
"It's About Living" is a collaborative documentary film
by Susan Sholtes about 5 extraordinary people's daily struggles and triumphs living with a chronic illness.
Referring to themselves as "making lemonade out of lemons" they aspire to:
-Inspire millions of people living with chronic conditions who may be isolated, in despair, or having trouble navigating the healthcare system
-Provide ideas for patients and caregivers to improve the quality of life
-Help health care professionals understand how to treat the whole person and not just the disease
-Offer hope and raise questions
The film puts a human face on chronic illness and is an emotional and spiritual approach to medical education.
Producer & Composer
2008 - "Why They Run"
Producer & Composer
2008 - "It's About Living"
Composer
2002 - Enhanced CD with video "Sept.11th Anthem"
Composer
2006 - Disney Film "Stick It"
AWESOME!!!!!!! Absolutely awesome. Very good, very emotional and heartfelt.
-George Farning
I thought this film was beautifully made. I sobbed through the whole thing, having known four
people who have been diagnosed with cancer, with only one survivor.
-Nancy Wickersham
Inspiring, captivating. I love the message, the genuine sharing of the experience, the music -
the whole thing - was awesome!
-Lyn Purpura
