Jay Melena

@rei presents THE RIGHT TO JOY Friends - I am so proud to share with you our film today. First I honor @obvi_duh and the people his life intertwines. Izzy’s story is complicated - he lost a friend and Seattle lost an important member of the POC/LGBTQ community. It is through loss we are invited to learn of our own resilience and joy that can re-enter our lives. It’s not easy. Whether you are a cyclist, a trans person, a trauma survivor, or none of the above, I hope this story can reach you where you are. For me this story began at the WTF Bikexplorers retreat in summer 2019. I went desperate to meet other trans folks into bikes. I met Izzy. A year later he shared with me his desire to tell, and reclaim, his story through a film. Devin introduced us to REI. I remember the look on their faces when Izzy told them who he was. “Do you remember that cougar attack in North Bend a few years ago? I am that guy.” The attack made international news. Izzy had been quiet about the attack and its aftermath for nearly 4 years by that time. He experienced hateful anti-trans commentary and the physical and emotional pain of recovery. But he had become a vocal advocate for gender and racial inclusion in cycling during this time, and is a policy scholar by trade. Izzy was ready to reclaim his story. Our political landscape and mounting anti-trans legislation across the country made it even more imperative. With immense trust from REI Co-op Studios, support from my co-director Tim Kressin, and the most fun bike powered production team at Wondercamp I am now proud to present to you “The Right To Joy”. Watch the full film now at link in my bio. Thank you to our partners @rei @wondercamp.co , @swiftindustries and @rapha_n_america . Production Company: @wondercamp.co Directors: @jaystone_m & @timkressin Executive Producers: @paolojr , @joewiththebeard , and @hanna__boyd Producer: @davisgoslin Assistant Producer: @arcticklondike Cinematography: @gregbalkin Location Sound: @meg.martinez.goltz Editor: @timkressin Assistant Editor: @makennawall Post Sound: @ridgelinesound Colorist: @jensen.film Music courtesy of @misterwives , @musicbed , and Musicvine Connector: @dev_rox

Spring update… BEST OF FESTIVAL @nomanslandfilmfestival - “The Right To Joy” Together with @gregbalkin I was honored to receive the award in person on behalf of @obvi_duh @wondercamp.co and @rei at the Flagship Denver Festival in March 2024. After a year of screening this film at over 20 festivals, it was a very welcome surprise to be recognized in this way. No Man’s Land Film Festival is the premiere all-women + genderqueer adventure film festival. As a trans-masculine director (AFAB) I am not in alignment with women’s and gender diverse spaces that welcome transgender people. Thank you for inviting our film featuring a trans-masculine subject to be screened, and awarding it your highest honor. “Discrimination exists everywhere, but we all have the power to be changemakers.” - No Man’s Land Filmfestival Partners @rei , @swiftindustries and @rapha_n_america Featuring Izzy Sederbaum | @obvi_duh Production Company | @wondercamp.co Directed by: Jay Melena, Tim Kressin | @jaystone_m @timkressin Produced by: Davis Goslin, Abdul Kassamali | @davisgoslin @arcticklondike Cinematography by: Greg Balkin | @gregbalkin Location Sound by: Megan Martinez Goltz | @meg.martinez.goltz Edited by: Tim Kressin, Makenna Wall | @timkressin @makennawall Sound Design by: Jeffrey Yellen | @ridgelinesound Color by: Jensen Vinca | @jensen.film Music featuring: MisterWives, Musicbed | @misterwives @musicbed

“Do you remember that cougar attack in Washington a few years ago? That was me. I feel like I have a story to tell, can you help me make a film about it?” That’s how the conversation started almost two years ago - Izzy was ready to reclaim his story. With immense trust from Izzy, creative collaboration from Co-Director @timkressin and the entire @wondercamp.co team, and support from @rei Co-op Studios, I am excited to announce that our short film THE RIGHT TO JOY will be included in the 2023 Tribeca Festival as one of the @tribeca official selections! As a trans-masculine cyclist and policy scholar, Izzy Sederbaum was searching for community and acceptance within the sport. After surviving a rare cougar attack on a ride outside of Seattle in early 2018, Izzy was hospitalized with severe facial trauma while hateful anti-trans rhetoric filled comment sections of news articles that he had little to no control over. In the years since, he has struggled to overcome his anxiety of being alone in the woods and the self-doubt brought on by strangers after the attack. Despite these challenges, Izzy found solace and support in the Seattle cycling community, which reignited his passion for the sport. This film follows Izzy’s journey as he navigates the aftermath of the attack, overcomes his fears, and becomes a vocal advocate for diversity and trans inclusion within cycling communities across the country. Featuring: Izzy Sederbaum | @obvi_duh Directed by: Jay Melena, Tim Kressin | @jaystone_m @timkressin Produced by: Davis Goslin, Abdul Kassamali | @davisgoslin @arcticklondike Cinematography by: Greg Balkin | @gregbalkin Location Sound by: Megan Martinez Goltz | @meg.martinez.goltz Edited by: Tim Kressin, Makenna Wall | @timkressin @makennawall Sound Design by: Jeffrey Yellen | @ridgelinesound Color by: Jensen Vinca | @jensen.film Music featuring: MisterWives, Musicbed | @misterwives @musicbed

November is Trans Awareness month and because we believe the Trans Community has The Right to Joy, we are offering submissions waivers to trans filmmakers. For more info, please email [email protected], and for further resources, check out @transfilmcenter . The Right to Joy, a Tribeca Festival 2023 Official Selection, is now on The Short List. Link in bio to watch for free on our YouTube channel. After surviving a near fatal cougar attack while cycling, Izzy Sederbaum (@obvi_duh ) overcame anxiety and anti-trans hate by rediscovering the joy of biking and promoting diversity and inclusion in the sport. Written & Directed by Jay Melena (jaystone_m) and Tim Kressin (@timkressin ) Produced by David Goslin Featuring Izzy Sederbaum (@obvi_duh ), Martina Brimmer (@smartinita.b ), Jason Goodman, and Jason Strohbehn

This is one of my favorite parts of my shredit ‘Mystic Rider.’ I distinctly remember when the idea of this shot came to me. During one of the scouting days, we logged all the stumps along the trail and started to put it together. This particular stump was the perfect stump because I could sit on it and then watch myself ride by. Going into filming, we weren’t sure if we’d be able to pull this off. So much of filming outdoors is a race to get the perfect lighting. There was the added challenge of Jay and @coach_aprilkatz getting me out of my bike on to the stump and then back into the bike. @jaystone_m absolutely nailed the lighting and worked some serious post production magic. I love being a part of the creative side of projects as well as being the athlete in front of the camera. It so fun having ownership over your own projects and helping making your vision come to life. The shot was important to me because I wanted to convey that I exist as a human outside of my wheelchair and outside of my bike. There’s also a nod to quantum mechanics and the observer effect - a little easter egg 🥚 for you! Link in bio to watch it! 📸 @jaystone_m . #MountainBike #MTBLife #MountainBiking #AdaptiveSports #AdaptiveBiking #adaptivemountainbiking #CyclingLife #CyclingWorld #CyclingLifeStyle

BIPOC Meet’n’Greet at @seaotterclassic ! Wow- how much fun it was seeing everyone for the 3rd Annual BIPOC Meet’n’Greet in partnership with SRAM! Thank you everyone for stopping by and being in community! We’re so thankful for the great time and can’t wait to see everyone through out the season and of course at Sea Otter next year! 📸 @jaystone_m

What does it mean to reclaim your joy? After surviving a cougar attack and facing a wave of anti-trans hate, Izzy Sederbaum( @obvi_duh ) could’ve walked away from the sport he loved. “The Right to Joy” follows his raw, emotional journey back to the bike - and into advocacy for a more inclusive cycling world. “The Right to Joy” is an unforgettable story of survival, identity, and the power of community. 🎬 Directed by @jaystone_m & @timkressin 📍 Featuring @obvi_duh 🗓️ Playing this Friday, May 16th in our “Overcome” film block | 6:00PM PST | At the historic @hollywoodtheatre 🎟️ Festival passes +Individual tickets available now. Link in bio. #TheRightToJoy #IzzySederbaum #TransJoy #CyclingCommunity #FilmedByBike #TransAthletes #BikeStories #PortlandEvents #DocumentaryFilm #RideForChange #FilmedByBike #Overcome #BikeStories #CyclingCommunity #MentalHealth #TransJoy #BlackCyclists #RecoveryJourney #BikeFestival #PortlandEvents #BikeLife #DocumentaryFilm

✨COMMUNITY INCLUSION RIDE✨ at @seaotterclassic . The 3rd annual Community Inclusion Ride in partnership with SRAM was such a blast! We braved the hills, laughed a bunch, rode in community and saw some amazing wild flowers along the way. We’re so thankful for everyone that showed up and supported! Thank you Alisha @epic_strong and SRAM for supporting this ride year after year! 📸 @jaystone_m . #MountainBike #MTBLife #MountainBiking #AdaptiveSports #AdaptiveBiking #adaptivemountainbiking #CyclingLife #CyclingWorld #CyclingLifeStyle #GravelBike #GravelBiking

Wrapping up March 2025, I was so happy to spend a weekend in Denver as a guest speaker at @nomanslandfilmfestival on the “Together for Change: The Power of Allyship” panel. This panel was a collection of outstanding men (and me the trans-masc one) from diverse backgrounds speaking on allyship in the outdoor sports world. While my experience differs from a cis-man’s, I am whole-heartedly an ally to women. I had my mind opened, and I hope I also opened a few others. Ty @sacredstoke @scottandshayna @mattburbach and moderator Dr. Beth Keefauver. PS: I am working with @mariaatsea to bring the NMLFF Tour to Santa Cruz, date TBD. I’ll keep you all posted as we build this dream out. Photos by @karenklane 💯 #filmfestivals #nomanslandfilmfest #undefinefeminine

It’s #givingtuesday I can’t think of a better way to invest your hard earned money than in the future quality of life for our kids. I am a proud supporter or the @bgcscc and a parent of a club kid. I know first hand the quality of care this organization gives our kids. Believe me it’s incredible. Also this video 👆👆👆is some new client work I’m excited to share wity you!

Trail beers 🍻 #trailpass #nabeer #ridebikesbehappy #adaptiveathlete

Tell me with your hands. Detail shots for @shredly for the @marleyblonsky x Shredly capsule launch.